The Basket Lady

In the Good Humor Town, the weather couldn’t be better and the Maine forestry folks are predicting an excellent leaf-peeping season.

It’s a joy, joy, dance when Maine’s foliage arrives and a great time to get outside and take some photos of natures beauty on a day trip to the Height of the Land or to go outside in the back yard and pick up a basket or two of brightly colored leaves and decorate a table setting or to garnish the outer edges of an autumn basket.

To celebrate the spirit of autumn, here are some pointers on how to decorate a seasonal leaf basket:

Supplies

Rectangular natural willow basket, handle removed, 10x8x4-inch high

Basket Decorations:

Backyard birch or maple leaves (or silk leaves); acorns; spray adhesive; gold leafing (artificial); spray-on floral foam; 24-inch length of .25-inch copper pipe; 20-gauge copper wire; natural-colored paper ribbon.

Gift Basket Contents:

Brown kraft paper; three loaves of quick bread (blueberry, banana, and apple).

Decorating the basket

Bend the copper wire pipe into a U-shape that fits the length of the basket and forms a handle. Push the ends of the pipe into the basket, weaving them into the willow. Use copper wire to securely fasten the handle to the basket. Gild 16 to 18 leaves by spraying them with adhesive. Brush off the excess leafing with a soft brush. Create a base around the rim of the basket with spray-on floral foam. Insert both gilded and un-gilded leaves around the rim. As the foam starts to firm up, add the acorns to the rim arrangement as accents. Coil small pieces of copper wire around a pencil. Add the curly tendrils to the silk leaf arrangement and place them around the base of the handle.

Assembling the gift basket

Create a base with brown paper; place the loaves of bread in the basket; wrap with cellophane; make a bow with natural paper ribbon; accent with an acorn.

Friends, may you walk in beauty every day of your life. It’s all around you; a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, air and water. Every day we are engaged in a miracle that we don’t even recognize: the walk of life.

Dot’s earthly angels in training have shown a kindness in word or by deed and deserve a big round of applause: Linda Dayon and Jordan; Ben and April, Mexico VIP; Laurel, Hannaford Pharmacy' Barbara Lane, Carrie Rinaldo, Myrtle Milledge; Richard at Hebert’s Alignment; Sue Ellen Richardson, Barbara Jean Smith, Anne, Betty and Joe; Mary Buzzard, Dr. Timoney and a special angel that visits incognito.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up! We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.