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Thursday, December 8, 2016

A Whisper of Nature's Design


I have long wanted to get my hands on some tallow berries. I don't think I have ever even seen them in person. But I have loved them from afar. They are so beautifully decorative, and I really enjoy using natural decorations year 'round.




I know you can buy them online. And there are faux versions too. But I was a little excited to find these berry bushes on one of my recent local walks. It's called rabbitbrush, or chamisa. It's native here, but I have never seen it with berries on it. And it grows in my own back yard! Makes me strongly suspect that not each plant gets them. 





I know that spare and quiet decorating doesn't appeal to everyone. I swear that I will eventually get to a few touches of red. You can look forward to that! Haha! But for now, I am enjoying neutrals and whites in my small rooms that will soon be filled with lots of people. Here is a sprig of dried eucalyptus, for instance. I will soon be getting a few sprays of fresh ones.




I have also dropped a few cholla cactus skeletons into the mix. (Pronounced choy-ah.) A bit of red ribbon would set them off. I have searched for folk tales or symbolism associated with cholla, and found none. But I have started my own tradition of burning a few on the hearth at the new year. Maybe you have seen cholla skeletons made into art or souvenirs. They lie around all over the mesas here.




The bunch of twigs will make a nice winter display even after the holidays. And if I get tired of them I can just toss them out! Another good reason to go natural when you have limited storage space! But I tend to hold onto weeds for a long time.





Maybe these will end up on a new year's fire as well.





I have also added a few greens, and picked up a small evergreen tree for elsewhere. Can't do without that lovely smell!





This is me imagining a woodsy setting full of wildlife in the brambles. My little birds at the feeder outside the window help out with that too. Juncos, doves, sparrows and finches.  I even had a little nuthatch, curve-billed thrasher, and a towhee visit the other day! Gotta take time for the small things. 






Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!

Jacqueline








19 comments:

  1. Those berries are fabulous. Really beautiful and I love that natural look. And the evergreen, too. I could see those with a rich burgundy instead of bright red although either would be lovely -- and for that matter, you needn't do a thing. Still glorious.

    Pays to look about, doesn't it? What a wonderful find on your walk!

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  2. Years ago I looked for tallow berries --- finally found them in Galveston, Texas. I've never seen them around here, though. Enjoy the season! Sally

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  3. Just beautiful Jacqueline. Tallow berries are hard to find. Happiest holidays to you.

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  4. Lovely! Wishing you a happy weekend too.

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  5. When you speak about sparse decorating---your pictures loudly whisper details. When we take time to focus---the details in the throw or covering on that white chair in the foreground. The beautiful ? raised heart pattern, what could be more beautiful than white on white. Simple, hardly, it is all int he details...grins and thanks, Sandi

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  6. I have never heard of tallow berries, but now I recollect seeing the artificial version...I much more appreciate the beauty of what you have done.

    Your decorations are lovely, wish I could limit my pallet, I try but somehow more vibrant color seeps in. This is such a wonderful and beautiful post.

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  7. You might find my house features a little too many fairy lights! But we need plenty of lights now the days are so short. You can see photos of my Christmas tree on my other blog. Not very neutral but I love it all gaudy.

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  8. Fabulous Beautiful and sooooo pretty.
    Kris

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  9. Chinese tallow trees are horribly invasive here in the south. Didn't know there was a demand for tallow berries. Might need to start a new side-line business!

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  10. Hi Jacqueline! I love the natural look too. Have noticed some of our Denver decor stores are carrying tallow berries. I plop them in a small ironstone pitcher. Sigh. NM is one of my favorite places (I usually visit Taos) and I can just imagine it dusted with snow. Second sigh. Have a lovely weekend. Pat @ Bringing French Country Home.

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  11. So lovely it is with nature was your decor. The cholla is my favorite...is it desert driftwood? Enjoy the warmth of December days.

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  12. Yes, we definitely must take time for the small things. I love your natural decorations, especially the basket with the twiggy's.

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  13. Jacqueline, Having grown up in San Diego and attending Chollas View elementary school in grades K-6, I was thrilled to see your pics of a cholla cactus. I knew the school and area were named after the cholla cactus but don't remember ever having seen one until now. Actually, I have seen the plant before, but didn't know that was a cholla plant until you enlightened me. Thanks, Glenda

    PS, I love your understated, natural decor style. I often copy it in my space.

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  14. Your "weeds" are beautiful, Jacqueline. They have a very serene feeling and much better inside than growing in the garden!..Merry Christmas..Judy

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  15. I love natural decor too! The smell of evergreens is amazing this time of year and I have been loving the fresh eucalyptus I have been seeing on the blogs. I love just about anything I can "drag in", so my Mom would say. Can't tell I'm from KY can you. I started a botanical foragers board at Pinterest and I pin any thing from outside used inside on there and I have decided that is my new favorite board! Have a wonderful Holiday! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  16. Truly beautiful and peaceful.
    Merry Christmas sweetie xx

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  17. I bought some tallow berries, preserved, on etsy reasonably priced. love them

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