This acorn scandal happened in my own backyard.
It seems that the deck we built over the summer has become a collection spot for our yardful of acorns, much to the delight of the squirrels (and our dog, who loves chasing the squirrels).
As I was lamenting the loud plunking sound the acorns make as they hit our deck, it occurred to me that the acorns could be good for something besides providing an all-you-can-eat buffet for the one squirrel who seems to enjoy grabbing them and snacking on my picnic table.
I've been searching for ways to keep a Fall feel to my home in an effort to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. I've said a few times that I don't want to cheat Thanksgiving. Christmas is my favorite holiday ever, but I feel like Thanksgiving deserves some decorating recognition too. Plus, it just seems like it would be taking away some of the excitement to do Christmas now.
Acorns seem like a great way to incorporate nature's Autumn bounty in my home before I chuck it all pack it away for my ornaments and garland.
image: Pottery barn
I found this image somewhere on PB's website. They were peddling a "medley" of plastic acorns for $15.
$15 for plastic acorns? Really? Like any good blogger, I have discovered that it's not that difficult to knock-off rip off copy be inspired to mimic Pottery Barn's fabulous style if you are willing to put some effort in.
I wasn't, but I was willing to convince my kids that picking acorns off the deck was the most fabulous activity they'd ever discovered. Natalie got really into it, and created a whole acorn/stick/leaf centerpiece for the girls' playhouse.
Add a cute ribbon in Fall colors around the base of this hurricane, and you've got a cute addition to your mantel or table. Don't have a hurricane? Try a thrift shop apothecary jar or even a crystal bowl. Add some berries, and you're set! (edited to add: many sites on Google recommend baking your acorns on a cookie sheet for several minutes to kill any "critters" that might be lurking inside. Check Google for details)
Today, I'm thankful for FREE decorations (acorns from my yard, hurricane from my Living room). 
34 comments:
Love what you did with the acorns! There's too many squirrels here... can't find any whole acorns!! darn!
We collected acorns earlier in the year for this purpose (yours are prettier and bigger!) and I brought them home in a little baggie. The next morning I woke up to find a dozen little worms crawling all over my coutner top! SO GROSS! I hope your acons aren't carrying any little friends like mine did! Needless to say I trashed them and went for faux!
First, loved the play on words on the title! And second, these are so cute. What a clever idea.
Great idea, Amanda! We have 7 oak trees in our yard, and I can't get over how many acorns are all over the place this year! I think I might copy your idea :)
Hi there~ You asked about the Christmas carol being scray. This is just my take on the movie....very scary for a small one. I even jumped a time or two. My kids are a bit older and still said it was kinda scary. It is a good movie...3-D in all~
what a great idea! I might do that with pinecones!
btw, I thought I was already following you, but I am now!
I have never actually seen a real acorn. Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever heard? I must life in an acornless location. :)
i'm so glad jen was the one to break the wormy news to you & i didn't have to, hah! my d-i-l is a park naturalist & she told me about all the little critters in acorns.
but, amanda, i have to tell you what i did. soon after i married my husband, who is from s. carolina, we were there for thanksgiving. there was moss hanging everywhere so i had the bright idea to bring back moss to ohio (like it's real expensive or something) hubby & a nephew went down into the swamp with a pickem up truck & reached up into the trees & got me my moss. we were staying at the beach in a condo & when we got back to it, i did what my s-i-l suggested & stuck it in the microwave in batches to kill off any critters. i nuked that moss again & again & everytime i opened up the microwave, it seemed like more & more "things" were flying around. i finally threw it out on the deck & then into the trash!
so, don't be sticking your acorns in the microwave. it'll only make matters worse!
and, one more thing, they look fabulous in your hurricane!
I guess we're BOTH thankful that we can copy Pottery Barn's style today! :) I love decorating with natural elements, especially in the fall. Now I wish I had acorns!
When life give you acorns, decorate with them! :-) What a great idea and way better than paying the PB price.
pk @ Room Remix
Sometimes I can't believe what they charge at Pottery Barn! That looks great! Wish I had acorns and not whwatever these ugly sticky things are that are falling from my trees!
Looks lovely, but do keep checking your container for worms/grubs. I did the same thing and before I knew had creepy crawlies in there, yuck!
Amanda, this is a great post.
When we lived in Michigan, our yard was chock-full of hickory trees. During the fall, we were almost afraid to go outside. . . the squirrels would climb the tall trees and THROW those hickory nuts down. Bam! Bam! BAM!! You were lucky if you made it through a fall without getting hit in the head with a hickory nut.
Sounds like you've got the same thing going with acorns, but you've found a way to make the best of the situation. Brilliant!
By the way, I like your politics. Just sayin'.
I love when natural items can be incorporated into decorating...I love acorns...
very cute!
I love me a cheap and easy centerpiece. Way to get crafty with what life gives you!
Oh you lucky girl with acorns! I've been "WANTING" to drive to the hills to find some to fill a vase with. Yours turned out great... great job convincing the kids :-)
Looks great! We had some in a jar and they mildewed. I think baking might be a good idea.
As I was reading the beginning I was going to say, "Stop! Pottery Barn is selling these for a butt load of money!" But you beat me to it. Smart girl :)
I just picked up a whole bunch of acorns yesterday! I'm going to make something special with them and the leftovers, I will do what you did! It looks great!
I want some acorns! I seriously just sent my kids out to the neighbor's trees to look for some, and they couldn't find any!!!
Beautiful, and the price is just right :)
I brought some acorns in the house and ended up having some weird worm/maggots type bug. Keep an eye on those. they can also mold, so it is best to let them dry out some before bunching them up in a bowl. I'd hate for you to have a disgusting surprise. I love the look however!!
Check you out...#1 at DIY day! No trees in my yard, but I did get some plastic acorn vase filler at GW. I like the look!
Those acorns are gorgeous! So pretty!
XOOX
Jen
Pretty display! Lucky you to have decor items literally falling from the sky :)
I love this idea. What a great way to use all those acorns! We get quite a few of them on our deck each year, although ours aren't that big and pretty. I never thought about critters being inside them--that might ruin the display if they started crawling out to play! Ha.
hurray for free acorns!! interesting tidbit about the critters *mentally filing for future reference*
Love this look! So simple and easy yet so classy looking! ..and ya can't beat free!! -Your little doggie is adorable!!
Ha! I also collected some from my work and put them in a jar (with lid) on my kitchen table. Too bad I didn't know about baking them first. The worst part was dicovering the "critters" during dinner. My poor daughter was screaming and gagging.
My kiddos collected a ton of acorns for me a few weeks ago and I filled a beautiful glass hurricane with them - while dusting my mantel I found my beautiful hurricane was full of maggots. FUN!
Perfect!! I could not think of a more perfect way to display the acorns!
Mama Holli
I love it! I did the same thing this year with buckeyes. Love to bring the outdoors in!
Good look of fall. Just be sure to throw them out when you are done. Our first year living here my little boy collected acorns and hid them in a box in his room. He was saving them for me for Christmas. such a sweetie but anyway - we noticed bugs- maggots to be exact in his room and of course I freaked out. AFter searching the entire room we found them in the acorn box..yuck..
tammy
I love decorating with things found in nature. Thrifty and beautiful!
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