Snowberries and the Nordic way

                   I’d been waiting since last year to show another

              post about Snowberries.

                 I’m always surprised that so many people don’t know about them.

              I’m no expert on them but I know they are a native plant of

                 Western North America as far north as Alaska.

                  Their fruit is edible but before you get excited they

      have the taste of……. bitter Ivory Soap.

    Birds still do eat them…

reluctantly I’m sure.

 

                    They’re not particularly beautiful the rest of the year but they

                      can grow in a good amount of shade…..but not dry shade.

                    You know the kind where trees roots take up most of the soil. 

                        During hot dry months extra watering is still needed for them to produce the best berries.

   

                          The leaves are now yellow from the cold temperatures

                         but they look so pretty with the blue sky background.

                      No airplanes writing in the sky

                       just some textures to punch it up a little.

          

                         I considered Photo Shopping the blemishes out but I

                 reminded myself that nature is not always perfect and

                 to just leave it the way I saw them that day.

                                 …..plus

                                          my skills were not up to it.

                                              much better at removing wrinkles…

                                   in photos only…. not real life!

                                     If only

            I think it was when I read

         Scandinavian blogs that I began noticing more snowberries.

             One of the first blogs I ever stalked  read was Minna’s

        of  Blomsterverkstad

            which I later found out means

           Flower factory in Swedish

                  I must have gone back and looked at every post

           she ever did studying every detail. 

            I couldn’t read a word. 

          At the time no one used translator buttons but I adored it anyways.

          I’m still trying to figure out what that green vine is that they use everywhere.

….maybe someday and when I do

I’ll be sure to tell my friend Paula.

….she’s dying to know too.

             Snowberries are used often to make beautiful wreaths

                 for the Holidays.

                      ( image by Minna)

              Her style has always had an unfussy natural feel

               and using what is in her own backyard and garden

                 incorporating twigs, mosses, berries and fruit.

                           ( image by Minna)

                                  

                 If the natural way of decorating is your style for the Holidays then

               Jeanne d’ Arc Living 

                  8th issue is where you’ll find great ideas.

                                interesting ways to wrap your presents

                                   Even if you don’t have snow in the Winter like

                              our Nordic friends or us New Englanders you may find some inspirations for warming up the outdoors too.

                                     We had a dusting of the lovely white stuff the other morning but

                                  it disappeared a few hours later.

                             They even closed schools in parts of Connecticut.

                                 Too early for that.

                                Wouldn’t you love one of these fireplaces???

                         I myself, in my life have decorated for Christmas in every kind of style

                      from Victorian to Retro to Country gingham.

                         This style represents a little of all of these in some way but with

                          a sense of harmony with nature that I think speaks to many of us.

                       What is your Style for Christmas this year???

                             Since it’s been ages since I participated in a White Wednesday

                                I’m honored to link up to Kathleen’s Party.

                                  She’s been the hostess of this party for sometime now…

                              must be in the thousands of weeks by now….lol

                          no but a lot!!!!

                             I’m always so impressed with the bloggers that keep a party like this going and

                                 visiting the blogs that link up.

                               So much time and work go into these.

                                      I have met so many wonderful and amazingly talented women and

                       made some long time friends.

                            SO here’s a BIG THANK YOU to you

                          Kathleen

                    

                          Happy Wednesday to you all!