I remember smelling a Christmas incense with a wonderful rich, musky, pine character from my early years. I grew up in the PNW, so I was familiar with the scents of Douglas Firs, Cedars, and other evergreens, but the scent of this incense smelled somehow more authentic, mysterious…. more traditional.
A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Lake Placid Lodge in The Adirondack Mountains for a friend’s birthday party. Travelling in that area, I encountered many cotton covered cushions filled with chips of Balsam wood. Smelling these cushions, I was finally able to label this olfactory curiosity and fondness.
A month or so ago, I received a mail from the Vermont Country Store offering Balsam wood garlands and wreaths, and thought… “hmmmm….wouldn’t that be a perfect base for my frosty forest decor?”, it seemed sort of silly though, living in the PNW, ordering greens from the other side of the country. But then, a few days later, they offered “free shipping”. About a week later, Arabella and I were busy unpacking these boxes of 9 foot garlands made of perky Balsam fir from Maine.
I loved opening each and every box, pulling away the plastic and smelling that rush of fresh Balsam.
Armed with a hammer, small nails and paddle wire, I decked the halls with these unusual {for me}, fragrant frocks….
and then I decked a few windows.
From the garlands I dangled paper pine cones and snowflakes made of twigs.
I also draped them across fireplace mantles,
topping them with a few fabulously frosty features from some fantasy forests along the way.
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A final section fit perfectly down the center of the dining room table, a perfect core for more greens and holly.
More frosty finds went on the table, followed with a scattering of Italian Chestnuts and white polished stones.
I just checked, and it turns out the Vermont Country Store carries the incense as well, a thought for future years…
Lovely – fresh and festive!! Love the touch of silvery sparkle!!