Gathering Autumn’s Rich Jewels

The Harvest Home

To exult in the splendors of the seasons, ladies would often gather leafy branches in a glorious medley of patinas, ranging from rich glorious gold’s to deep crimson reds, to decorate the home and to celebrate the harvest. So universally regarded was this autumnal tradition, that in 1882, Mrs. J. R. Rees observed in Appleton's Home Occupations...

“It is needless to enter upon suggestion for the appropriate use of autumn leaves. They are universally known, and whether they serve as ornaments alone, or are used in combination with berries and burrs, they are always graceful, appropriate and beautiful.”

Preserving Leafy Branches

It is fortunate that both fruit and flowers have, at this season, a more lasting quality. Autumn flowers have more stamina than the fugitive flowers of midsummer and this allows me time to complete the harvest...

Leafy branches should be gathered which are 12-36 inches in length, which have just begun to turn in color. The stems should be split, three inches from the bottom, and placed in a bucket of warm water and allowed to remain there for approximately eight to twelve hours or overnight, with any leaves which are brown or wilting being removed. After the branches have soaked, a solution of glycerin and distilled water should be prepared, which will act as a preservative, keeping the branches beautiful for several months or even years.

And one cried to another and said “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of Hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory."

--Isaiah 6:3

--The Riches and Treasures of Home

A Christian Home
Oh give us homes, built firm upon the Savior,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide.
Where every child is taught his love and favor,
And gives his heart to Christ the crucified.

How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver,
His faithful Lord is walking by his side.
Oh give us homes with godly fathers and mothers,
Who always place their hope and trust in Him.

Whose tender patience, turmoil never bothers,
Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim.
A home where each finds joy in serving others,
And love still shines tho days be dark and grim.

Oh give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,
The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung.
Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,
And praise is natural speech on every tongue.

Where mountains move before a faith thats vaster,
And Christ sufficient is for old and young.
Oh Lord our God, our homes are Thine forever!
We trust to Thee their problems, toil and care.

Their bonds of love no enemy can sever,
If Thou are always Lord and Master there.
Be Thou the center of our least endeavors
Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.
Hymn by Barbara Hart