Berries

My life is pretty hectic with teaching preschool, an internship at a public library, a full course load in graduate school, and some semblance of a real life.  Usually every minute of every day is scheduled, but last week I had Veteran's Day off, and it was a welcomed relief.  No school, no library, no classes, and, I decided, no homework.  Instead, I watched hours and hours of HBO on demand and made stuff. 

The first thing on my list was some more fall decorations.  Recently I noticed that my neighbors' tree was covered in these orange berries.  I'm not sure what they are, but I wanted them.  How great are orange berries in the fall?  I felt almost cheated that I have never noticed them before.

So, sneakily, under the cover of darkness (or in broad daylight, whatever), I cut some of those orange berries.  Technically, the tree leans on our side of the yard, so I think I can claim them as mine.

I cut a sheet of scrapbook paper so that it would just cover the label of some leftover cans and hotglued the paper in place.  Very easy.

I trimmed down the berry branches so they would fit in each container.  Not so easy.  Cutting the branches was slightly problematic because they are essentially elongated thorns with very sharp ends.  Probably to keep the birds from eating the berries.  Or to keep meddling neighbors from stealing the berries...you know.

I put one can on a little side table in the living room:

And the other two went in the kitchen.  At first I put them on the shelves:

But it looked too cluttered.  I like them better on the kitchen table with a yellow Fiesta platter and some pumpkins.

Suggested Reading...

A book about picking berries.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey