PROJECT

I remembering as a child looking at pictures of autumn with littered lawns of bright bold colored leaves. Where was this? It wasn’t my front lawn here in Southern California. I know that some trees turn gold and red and brown this time of year, but most Southern California leaves stay green through winter. So we think our California Thanksgiving menu deserves a centerpiece with a color palate as subtle as the changes in our climate.

White pumpkins make great vases and add a fall touch without competing with the colors of the flowers. I chose mostly gold and green tones for the flowers, adding a burst of orange from the sunflowers, a reminder of summer. Chose your own assortment of flowers, just remember that you don’t have to rely on traditional autumn colors from other parts of the country.

In addition to the larger centerpiece--or instead of it--consider using miniature white pumpkins tied with dried wheat and peppercorns to top each place setting.