Being from upstate New York, dh loves autumn. He misses his home state most this time of year, because Texas isn't necessarily lush with vibrant autumn colors. To compensate, I try to decorate the house with autumn items for him. (Un)fortunately the last several autumns dh has embarked on fresh house remodels which showers layers of construction dust everywhere. As a result, my seasonal allergies are not so much the ragweed but the multitudes of dust that cling to every known surface. Daily dusting results in a fresh surface for more dust particles to rapidly accumulate. Therefore, I have a tendency to store collectibles and leave the shelves as bare as possible. Escaping the dust as often as possible, I flee to window shop and complete errands, leaving dh to make more dust. =) How wonderful to walk in stores where I can breathe freely, accented by scents of cinnamon, pumpkin and other miscellaneous seasonal temptations. Meanwhile, the displays nag me, entice me, and call to me. Finally, I purchase a few irresistible pieces, hoping to display them in due time because surely dh’s remodel will be complete before October ends. Meanwhile the autumnal décor waits patiently in a corner of the dining room, stored in the shopping bag, until Thanksgiving passes, the remodel nears an end, and it goes into storage in some closet, cupboard or the garage for another year. Since this has gone on for several years, I have accumulated quite a collection. Forgetting what I have purchased over the years, I’ll one day be surprised as I open packages and decorate to my heart’s content.

Then, if its not construction hindering my decorating efforts, it’s the warm temperatures turning the colorful pumpkins and gourds into a decaying mess. I have purchased early, put them on the porch, and they have gotten yucky. Also, I have purchased late, only to find that there are few left to choose at the stores because they are yucky messes. Wanting a selection of several festive gourds to decorate the last week of October, to use in our upcoming unit celebration, and to decorate for Thanksgiving, I was desperate for an effective means of preservation.  This year I have hit upon what I think is the mother of all solutions to combat our Texas autumnal heatwaves…

Anytime dh goes into the fridge for a drink of delicious apple cider (his favorite autumnal drink) he is met by the colorful assortment on the bottom shelf of the fridge…dust free I might add! ;)