Thanksgiving centerpiece

Here's a centerpiece to set out on Thanksgiving

1. Select any container as long as it will hold water. Or, line
a wicker basket with plastic sheeting and set a clean cottage cheese
container or other recycled wide-mouth receptacle in the center.
Stuff newspaper around the outside of the container so it won't move
inside the basket.

2. Soak 1/4 block of floral foam in water until it sinks. Place
the saturated foam into the container so that at least 1 inch is
above the rim.

3. Fill a shopping bag's worth of assorted foliage from your
garden and trees. Take leaves directly off the trees before they
fall off for cleaner leaves or stems directly off the plants.

4. Rinse the greenery in a pail,

Start your arrangement by making what is called the "collar." The
collar will hide the mechanical part of your arrangement - in this
case the Oasis-filled cottage cheese container and the newspaper
filler.
Place the foliage - stem end first - into the Oasis foam around the
rim of the container. This foliage should cover the edge of the
basket.

Select the tallest piece of foliage and place it in the center of
the foam. Continue adding a variety of foliage until the foam is
almost full.

Add red peppers or mini pumkins, or squash on bamboo skewers, or
chop sticks and use them in place of flowers. The bright colors will
ad to the centerpiece. If the produce is heavy, use two skewers to
give it better support in the foam.


Tips:
Make your own changes. Use small produce such as green beans,
artichokes and miniature pomegranates to add to your centerpiece.
Anything with a tough, waxy surface will last a few days without
refrigeration. Dried wheat stalks add texture and highlight dark
areas.
Wrap large nuts tightly in pieces of pantyhose, then secure with #24
floral wire (also called paddle wire). Wrap the wire onto short
bamboo skewers or toothpicks and insert into the foam. The nylon
pantyhose will be almost invisible when pulled tight across the nut.

Choose mature greenery; new growth tends to wilt.

Mist the arrangement to keep it fresh.

Place a votive candle in a holder in the center of the arrangement
to provide romantic illumination.