A Haven for Vee

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Decorating with Bittersweet

For years now, I have been on a search for bittersweet. This year, I've found a cache so big... No more trying to describe it for John who has been pretty much no help with such things even though he has a friend with a wall of the stuff so high and so wide that I had been trying to talk him into asking for some, but he always says, "I've never seen anything like that before." Man. Talk about being unconscious. In fact, when I showed him what I had found, he was still clueless. Oh well, we gals can not expect our husbands to think as we do. And we're all glad of that I am certain. Hip hip...fizzle...

~bittersweet in the basket~



 

Must go back and get more bittersweet. The basket is looking skimpy. The door is looking sad, too. I love a nice big wreath; John not so much. He doesn't complain, but it bonks him in the head or worse, in the eye. (You'll be happy to know that I have since cleaned up the corner where the watering bucket, the salt, and the broom have been living.) So I've been wondering about some bittersweet strategically placed on the light fixture as seen below. (Okay, they have branches; I'd use bittersweet.) Too much?




Are all your autumn decorating plans finished? Do you decorate for Thanksgiving if you live in the U.S.? 

ETA: Thought that I'd pop in the changes right here in this post since it's so logical and all. Not that I've ever been accused of being logical. 




~a study in minimalism or Podso has been vindicated~

Thank you for looking!

A great afternoon and evening to you...

49 comments:

  1. Vee, I had no idea that is what it is called. Yes, decorate for Thanksgiving, as a matter of fact, going to go over to Jenkins this weekend to look around (farm stand). My husband hates the wreathes I put up, he is like your John..anyways..lovely pictures. I might try that square wreathe. I like that one. Thanks for sharing..blessings

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  2. I'm so glad we agreed to do our bittersweet posts today! heehee! It is growing like crazy around here this year and I took a dozen pics of it at the park. I love it in baskets and twisted around into a wreath! I've always heard that you can spray it with hair spray to make it last longer....not sure if that really works! Enjoy your day! Hugs!

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  3. Love your bittersweet!! I'm so glad you found it! And I think it would look great on your light fixture! Can one ever have too much bittersweet?

    Your entry is charming! I am a big fan of little pumpkins in rows...and mums. And I believe I spied a parade of little pumpkins up in the transom window. Love.

    Ahhhh...autumn in New England...sigh...

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  4. Vee,
    I love bittersweet...I do decorate for Thanksgiving...Brought out a turkey this week....and a platter today..bit by bit...in need of a wreath on our door...hmmm.I think the bittersweet would be pretty on the lights like the picture...
    Love, Mona

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  5. I guess I'm like John...hadn't a clue what bittersweet is. But it is looking very pretty on your porch! I think I'll skip right over the fall decorating and go to Christmas once I am home. :)

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    1. Oh you blessed Canadians with your Thanksgiving already accomplished for the year! =D

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  6. I adore bittersweet, especially the combination of bittersweet and Sweet Annie.

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  7. looks beautiful! Nothing says Fall like this, perfect!

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  8. The bittersweet looks very pretty, both yours and on the door.
    I have a pumpkin on the porch and the boxes in my foyer are fall decorated. That's it. After Thanksgiving I'll change it around to Christmas stuff.

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  9. I really didn't do much, but I will be pulling out my turkeys and pilgrims. I also love bittersweet, and found a patch of it growing wild along side one of the highways here. Awkward location, though, no place to pull over, etc. And we would probably be fined, with all the cameras watching our every move here. But I mentioned it to a friend of mine, and she was able to 'procure' some for me one time! xo

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  10. Love your bittersweet story! Men don't get it sometimes. My husband just goes along with what I want in the decorating category. I tend to go with naturals for Thanksgiving. Whatever I can forage--nuts, pinecones, leaves, etc. Enjoy your day Vee! ♥

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  11. Number 10 on my list for this week. Fall Stuff down. That means I need to go up in the attic and bring the fall bin down. Hasn't happened yet and it's Wednesday already!! I do like to decorate for different holidays. This has not been a banner year for holiday decorating, though. I like that bittersweet plant...
    I'm really glad men are men...

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  12. My fall decor is pretty simple but I truly enjoy my neighbors. They are retired and have time to do a splendid job of fall decorating.
    I love the bittersweet. I never knew that is what it was called but your idea is great.

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  13. I haven't seen any bittersweet growing wild around here, and I like how you're using it in a basket. I imagine it is a versatile branch to decorate with.
    Yes, we've breezed right by with our thanksgiving and next week I'll be bringing out my winter snowflake dishes.
    Exciting news that Macy's may vie for the store being vacated by Sears in the Toronto Eaton's Centre. It'a a posh place for shopping but fun to look in the stores and have lunch there.
    Judith

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  14. Hi Vee,

    You know I bought my very first real bittersweet about a month ago - been meaning to post and I am either gone, too busy, or the day is too weary dreary and dark to get a decent photo. Been like that all month!

    LOVE the basket you have yours in.

    Have you considered doing a hanging basket on your door instead of wreath? Maybe John would like that?

    I decorate sparingly for Halloween now, and heavy for "autumn," and just bring a few turkey things out additionally for "Thanksgiving."

    I start tearing down and Christmas decorating the day after Thanksgiving.

    Ugh.

    xxoo

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  15. I am glad you found the Bittersweet. It looks lovely in the basket.

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  16. I'm loving the bittersweet in the basket and I think it would look good with the lanterns. I'm thinking like Michele, that a basket would be nice for the front door. I've had one for several years now and I can change it out seasonally instead of having various wreaths like I used to. Maybe the basket wouldn't bonk your hubby in the head!! xo

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  17. Vee, Picked your blog up at Linda's Life Journal( love that lady) I really like your bittersweet in the basket. I bought one twig this year, 3 dollars. On Martha's Vineyard it is like an invasive weed, takes over..it's the oriental kind...hey, I didn't know it came in kinds. I was told all this of course. I have a beautiful fake leaf wreath on my door...got it for a dollar at a yard sale. Maybe just a big bow , would your husband get into it? :):) I am coming back later to see all the stuff I have missed on your blog. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  18. You can get more? Lucky you! I can never find enough bittersweet to decorate with! Your porch looks lovely, Vee! The little pumpkins look so sweet along the rail and transom (I'm envying your transom!) I haven't decided if I'm doing US Thanksgiving this year (shhh ... don't tell my husband yet!) but if I do I'll be keeping the Autumn decorations up a wee bit longer.

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  19. I think it would look great on your light fixture next to your door, but I actually like your door standing alone as it is. It's a beautiful door and color and you've done a lot of color with the rest of your little porch. Nice! My humble opinion only.

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  20. I am so so so so so jealous! I hunt high and low for bittersweet every Fall. I used to have a "secret spot" where it grew wild way out in the country. Well, they went through and did some road work and tore out the fence it grew on...and the bittersweet is long gone. I did see some on the way to Milwaukee the other day but it is on the four lane highway with No Stopping signs posted all along there. lol Otherwise, I am sure it would be gone!

    Enjoy it-- I might take a ride tomorrow and look for some. It is probably my favorite Fall decorating thing. xo Diana

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  21. I really love bittersweet which doesn't grow north of the border that I know of. And I can't even bring it across incase I bring bugs with it. Oh well. I like yours in the metal basket and I think it would look nice around your light as well.

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  22. I have to smile here... because while you are all decorating for Thanksgiving.. us Canadians are eyeing up where we will put the tree and searching for those details that will add something new to our Christmas decor.
    I like that Bittersweet. I wonder if it grows north of the border at our end.

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  23. This must be the year for bittersweet! I have not seen any of it around for years except what you might find for sale at a farmer's market for a steep price! I just posted about bittersweet too...about finding it the day my sweet aunt died at 103...how appropriate...God's little reminder to me! I have a bundle I chopped down that is drying so I can make something with it. Those berries are kind of juicy and get all over you!

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    1. Thankfully, these little berries are pretty dried and wizened. Yes, your post reminded me to get back there and see if I could find some more!

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  24. I love bittersweet. It would look great around your light! My fall décor is the same as my Thanksgiving décor.

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  25. I love the look of bittersweet for the fall. I am starting my Thanksgiving decor and wish I could find a ton of it. It would be in every room of my house.

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  26. I'm glad you alerted me to return to this post. A very nice embellishment to the quiet door! And a good laugh. Actually the bittersweet looks wonderful around the light. You have a "flare" with your decorating!

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  27. Oh gosh Vee, you had me in stitches with your description of John and the bittersweet. Being outnumbered by males over here I can easily picture this scenario.
    I'm so glad you found your bittersweet and it looks perfect where you have placed it. Your porch is just charming. I love the color of your front door and that scalloped trim is adorable.
    As for Thanksgiving, I will be adding a few turkeys and pilgrims to the fall decor.

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  28. Vee, your porch is gorgeous! I love the bittersweet touches!

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  29. Hello Vee, I am cracking up, over the statement that you're Hubby gets bonked in the head with the BIG wreaths LOL!!
    My Christmas one last year about took everyone out coming and going!!
    I want some bittersweet NOW!
    Vee, you're vanilla is probably perfectly delicious! I only use Rum as it just makes for a darker color, and Rum has a bit sweeter taste (At least thats what I heard) :)
    I love to decorate for Fall!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  30. I would dearly love to find some bittersweet around here, but I have never, ever spotted it. You hubby just doesn't appreciate door wreaths, huh? I adore the bittersweet around your light fixture and also in the basket. I'll send Marty over to take it all down and bring it back to me, LOL. And the tiny pumpkins lined up in the transom above the door? Precious.

    No more decorating around here. Bah humbug. I'm just not in the mood to decorate these days. Perhaps I'll find the turkey transferware plate to put out. Perhaps not. I don't think I even want to decorate for Christmas this year. It's just too much work.

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  31. I love, love, love bittersweet! It's something I always meant to plant because I love it so much and just never got around to it. Next house for sure!

    Your porch looks lovely Vee! I love the color of your door which looks lovely with the orange from the pumpkins and bittersweet. A bittersweet wreath would look so nice on it!

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  32. It all looks lovely Vee. I too like bittersweet and we have a whack of it growing where I work. I even like to use it in my Christmas decor.

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  33. I think the bittersweet looks amazing! I am glad you put it around your light!

    I had to laugh about John not knowing what it was or being aware of it. Tim teases me that I make up flower and plant names because he can't imagine knowing what they are! Funny man!

    I agree with Manuela that the color of your door looks so great with the pumpkins and bittersweet!


    Deanna

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  34. I love bittersweet and used to be able to find it along a country road, but now it's gone. I did find some bundles at a flea market and bought one. My hubby asked me why I wanted it...men!...so clueless sometimes. I don't think he's ever noticed my decorating with it before.

    I was going to suggest that you hang a wreath from your light fixture, but I see what you did with the bittersweet. Looks great!

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  35. Your front porch looks so attractive and inviting - those darling wee pumpkins lined up are so welcoming!
    Bittersweet looks lovely and the wrought iron basket is the perfect container for autumn Vee.

    The Bittersweet tied around the light is a delightful touch... clever you I say!
    What was John's reaction to the lovely string bow?!

    If I lived nearby I would take great pleasure in knocking on your door dear Vee!!

    Shane

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  36. Love the stuff, have bought it from florists. I'd go wild if I found it in the wild! It looks perfect on your porch!
    Yes, I do early fall then add more around Thanksgiving. I try to keep fall going until Dec 18, our anniversary when I go Christmas and winter. Christmas stays through Christmas, that is , until Jan 6. January is bleak here so I *need* the full Christmas season to survive until Valentines!

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  37. The Bittersweet is very pretty! If I had a free source for a lot of it I'd use it everywhere that baby grand didn't have access to. I like how you used it.

    I do decorate for Thanksgiving but not overboard. I scatter some ceramic pumpkins and turkeys around the house, put on a small quilted autumn table runner and some Yankee candle Pumpkin Pie candles. My living room is basically cream and rust color,s so I think it will look like autumn all year round :)

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  38. For the life of me, I don't understand why husbands are so clueless and immune to decorating for the seasons.
    Your entryway is ever so lovely! I have never found any bittersweet growing. It sure makes lovely accents for the autumn. I do decorate for the autumn season; both Halloween & Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite times of the year!

    I hope you have a lovely Halloween day!

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  39. I, too, love bittersweet. I've not seen any since moving here. For years I tried to grow some and always ordered the male and female plants.

    It makes me happy to learn that you've found a place to get lots of bittersweet. You've decorated beautifully with it, too.

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  40. Another look: I think I would make a garland of the bittersweet and string it along the outside below the porch railing fence. And add amber mini lights to the garland.
    More work than putting them in a pot but more visable that way.
    Linking to your school house memories in my next post.

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  41. BTW, I really like the little frames on these photos with the twirly corners! Picmonkey?

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  42. Hooray!!! I did a search and see that they just came out with the Mac version last month. I've been missing this program ever since I converted to an iMac over two years ago. Thank you!

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  43. Drats. I downloaded the Mac version & it is a very mini-version of the Windows version. It does not include frames or special add-ons like text and graphic additions.

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  44. Your home is so pretty; I love your pictures. I need to try and find some Thanksgiving décor. I do have a pretty tablerunner for Thanksgiving.
    Re your post today...I often feel guilty for spending time blogging. But last night I had a long time blog friend to email me to thank me for praying for her. I am reminded that the Lord has blessed our blog community with friends to pray for and encourage one another through the good and bad times. I appreciate the warmth and kindness of your blog friendship.

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  45. I like the way you have deorated. Enough to enjoy without distraction.

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