DIY Liquidambar Wreath

Star-shaped leaves and bright berries form a petite ring of autumnal fireworks.

25 liquidambar leaves
15 sprigs of callicarpa berries
8 asters
10 stems of rose hips
wire wreath frame
paddle wire

1. Start with the wire wreath frame. Gather a variety of the listed ingredients to create a small bundle.

2. Attach the bundle to the frame with paddle wire. Gather a second bundle and attache it on top of the first with paddle wire.

3. Continue making and attaching bundles, slightly varying the number of each ingredient. Trim any stems that extend too far off the frame.

4. Tuck the stems of the final bundle under the first bundle.

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The Wreath Recipe Book by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo

DIY Gourd Swag

Get your gourds off the ground and present them in a new light as garland.

9 gourds of various colors and shapes
Long heavy-gauge needle
Heavy-gauge fishing line
Hammer
Nails
Six 1-yard-long pieces of ribbon

1. Drive the heavy-gauge needle threaded with heavy-duty fishing line through the gourds, using a hammer to tap it through if there is too much resistance. Leave 6 inches of fishing line at each end.

2. Attach the garland to the wall using nails, and tie three pieces of ribbon to each end of the garland to conceal any exposed fishing line.

Recipe – Fruit Beer Float

Wild and sour ales, beers made with wild yeasts that impart appealing acidity developed over extended time spent either in steel tanks or wood barrels, are a joy to pair with the right foods.

Serves 1

3/4 cup American Wild Ale with fruit

1 giant scoop good-quality vanilla ice cream

Raspberries for garnish (optional)

Pour the ale into a stemmed tulip glass. Carefully slip in the scoop of ice cream. It’s important to add the ice cream to the beer, rather than vice versa, to ensure that it will float and not stick to the bottom of the glass. Garnish with two or three raspberries, if desired. Serve immediately with a spoon and straw.

DIY Pumpkin Planter

You can do this fun DIY with any plant you wish! Your neighborhood Johnson’s has has hardy fall mums, asters, pansies, cabbage, and more!

What you’ll need:
A fall plant of your choice
A pumpkin a little wider than your plant, but about the same depth
Gardener’s Gold Organic Potting Soil

Just remember to:
1. Drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of your pumpkin, and
2. Spray lemon juice or rub petroleum jelly around the inside of the pumpkin to prevent it from rotting as quickly

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Photos by Lucas Greenhouses and Laura Pachucki