Simple Autumn Arrangements

Summer flowers are soon to be gone from the market or are rising in price everyday. Luckily, they're being replaced by more cost conscious dried items or items you can easily dry yourself. For the dining table or kitchen counter, use food - it's beautiful and economical - and you can use it later.

Here are some ideas for decorating your home:

Table Arrangement:

A practical and useful arrangement can be made of fall fruits or vegetables

* Choose container - baskets that allow air to flow work best for fruits. Use ceramic bowls for squashes.

* Fruit arrangement - use apples, D'anjou pears, and pomegranate. You can use persimmons for a short time, but they go mushy quickly, so be careful in choosing them.

* Instead of using inedible lacquered squashes, look for small edible squashes instead. You can bake them later.

* Accent with mixed unshelled nuts and herbs.

* Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight so it lasts longer.

Herb Arrangement:

* Bunch together fresh sage and surround with thyme and rosemary in small containers, tiny flower pots or coffee cups.

* If you find fresh bay leaves, get them - they're so much better than the ones you buy already dried - and much stronger - so use fewer of them in recipes.

* Keep herbs in water for use soon or without water and you'll have dried herbs for the winter.

* Arrange the small containers in the center of your table or on your windowsill.



Dried Hydrangeas:

Hydrangeas come in a an subtle range of colors from green-tinged ivory to sage green to periwinkle to deep blue. They work in rooms with either subtle light colorings or in darkly paneled rooms.

* First, get a large clear glass vase with a wide opening or any container of your choice.

* If you use clear glass, fill the bottom with pebbles. You can get the best prices on pebbles at the garden center rather than at the craft or floral supply store.

* Arrange the dried blossoms in an irregular mound.

* Keep out of direct sunlight or the flowers will fade.

If you find fresh hydrangeas, you can dry them by hanging them upside-down in a cool, dark, and dry place.