December

It's easy to decorate for the holidays when you live in the woods. Needle-covered branches line the fireplace mantle. Pinecones fill wire baskets. Shallow bowls teem with acorns stolen from neighborhood squirrels. Guests are greeted by a swag of pine clippings.

Inspired by nature, mandarin oranges are studded with cloves and a garland of cranberries is woven down the banister. Pomegranates cluster with red anjou pears. Candles, a poinsettia bush, and a three-foot tall cone made of twisted gold twig.

You want a tree? Look out the window!

In the kitchen, hot chocolate's bubbling and shortbread is baking. Next week brings gingerbread and- if I'm extra-motivated- meyer lemon marmalade, a gift I give in bulk.

The cookies are done... drop in and share!

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Comments

[Alanna]

Love the idea of the pinecones, mine are already out. But you might want to be careful of the acorns: little worms will crawl out of them all too soon. May I have another cookie, please?! AK

[Mitzy]

how big are those pinecones?

[Ann]

Ann merry cristmas to you. It sounds like a nice place to go for a vist. I wish I had that veiw out my window. All I see out my window is houses and some trees. Because I live in a city. Ann

[maura]

Worms?!?!

[maura]

Mitzy- Some of them are get pretty big...like over a foot!

Ann-
Merry Christmas to you, too! I wish I could see you this year.

Come visit!

[Patty]

Want to come decorate my place? It sounds lovely and cozy there.

[Ivonne]

I'm on my way!!!

[Mitzy]

hmmm...i'd like me a big pinecone. hint. hint.

[Madeleine]

You paint a very cozy picture! I can see myself with a hot cup of Muddy Water's roasted coffee, some delicious Christmas cookies and sitting by your fireplace enjoying the beautiful view. Someday.

[peabody]

Send some our way. We have tons of trees in the PNW but I never see pinecones.

[jann]

It all sounds very Christmassie-and i bet your place is beautifully decorated.