Dried poppy seed pods make a simple arrangement along with a mini-pumpkin brushed in gold as a prop. Thursday is Thanksgiving Day here in the US, with pumpkin pie an essential part of the feast. Best wishes and gratitude to all who will be celebrating.
The vase, actually half a vase, was a thrift store find. Dating from post-war Japan, I was charmed by its delicate hand-painted chrysanthemums with gilt edging and the unusual design that allows it to stand on its own or be hung on a wall.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase arrangements created from our gardens. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week.
Eliza Waters 
I don’t know why, but those things are kinda creepy. They remind me of an old Madonna video.
Oh, really? Which one?
Bedtime Story
‘Let’s get unconscious…’ ah, poppies, of course.
But that vase is really pretty, and the poppies are nice because they show off the vase more than flowers would.
True, thanks, Tony.
They definitely evoke a visual response – like some of those branching anemones swaying in the undercurrent (maybe I’m still fresh from another recent sea-themed post).
Maybe they look like eyes? Hehe. Interesting responses so far! I see them and think of July when they were amazingly beautiful flowers. 🙂
Beautiful vignette with the poppy seed pods! I love the idea of brushing the pumpkin with gold. Happy thanksgiving!
Thank you, Deb!
Happy Thanksgiving, Eliza! Yay for poppy pods!
Thank you, March. Enjoy your week!
I really like that vase. I see what attracted you to it. We have a few special vases and pitchers around the house with unique qualities.
Your poppy ‘flowers’ won’t be wilting any time soon. 🙂
Thank you, Jim. Dried arrangements remind me of summer and get me through the ‘flowerless’ winter.
Honestly, your blog is getting to be one of my “peaceful places” – just such a pleasure when I find the time to read blogs. Lovely.
Thank you so much for that kind comment, it’s very much appreciated. I try to offer a grounding, counter-effect to this increasingly crazy world.
I love poppy seed heads and yours look fantastic in the sweet vase! Love the burnished pumpkin. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Peter. Enjoy your long weekend ahead!
Reblogged this on Purplerays.
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What an unusual vase! I’ve never seen a half vase like that before. Is it supposed to rest flush against a wall to save space?
Thank you, it is a rather rare find, for sure.
Oh, never mind, I see in your last sentence that’s its meant to be hung on a wall if one chooses!
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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That vase was a lovely surprise!
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!
What color were your poppies, Eliza? Poppies go through intriguing stages, while growing…..and from such a teeny seed! Quite a find, to acquire a 1/2 vase.
Thank you, Alice. These were red poppies, similar to the ones I posted on 11/11/17. I am amazed at how fast they grow, to go from a speck to 2 ft. and blooming in 6 wks.
I like the prop
Thank you, Derrick
I love the idea of the half-vase too – poppy seed heads are so elegant and I like the way the pumpkin reflects the shape of them
Thank you, Cathy. I hadn’t noticed that!
What a great find that vase is. I’ve never seen one like it. Love the poppy seed heads.
Thank you, Susie. I agree, never seen anything like it before. I wonder if it were part of a pair, facing one another perhaps?
Or book ends.
What a stunning and unusual autumnal arrangement!
Thank you!
That is a great vase. Unless you look at it from the side one would never guess it is only half there! The seed heads work well as I expect you can’t fill it too full since it is narrow.
Thank you, Linda. It seems a bit tippy, so dried items were a good choice.
Half a vase! Perfect for those poppy pods.
Thank you, Laurie. Have you ever seen such a thing? I have a Art Deco cone-shaped vase that hangs on the wall, but nothing free-standing. Quite unusual, I think!
Never, but what a great idea.
Eliza,
The image is so perfect, it remained me of a painting.
Thank you, Kim. It does create a nice still life. 🙂
What a unique container you chose….so delicate and it works perfectly with the poppy seedheads. Mine are long gone as are most seedheads. A beautiful autumnal arrangement.
Thank you, Donna. I usually try to save a few to dry, but it doesn’t always happen, though!
Oh, I love poppy seed heads! I even painted some: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-poppy-seeds-kathy-sturr.html The brushed gold pumpkin is very creative! LOVE it!
Thank you very much, Kathy. I remember that painting – it’s lovely.
It’s cold and blustery here – enjoy your much warmer week! 🙂
Isn’t it lovely to think that you have found a vase as lovely as this one, which had been much loved before. Nice seeds and pumpkin. I love to think that our cherished vases will be enjoyed in years to come. Happy thanksgiving.
Thank you very much, Noelle. I think that’s why I like thrift stores, I feel like I am rescuing treasures. 😉
Clever vase and a great choice of filler for this time of year.
Thank you, Christina. It’s slim pickings out there these days. 🙂
Looks like fall – and I love the half vase. I never would have guessed without being told (or shown) it!
Clever design, eh? 😉 Thanks, Sarah.
The poppy seedpods are so sculptural, making poppies all the more wonderful to grow (and once again having me wishing I had more luck with oriental poppies). The vase is unique and wonderful too!
Thank you, Kris. Have you tried annual P. somniferum? They might grow in your climate and are only 8 wks from seed to fruit.
You are so clever! I have never seen a half vase.
Thank you, it was something I snatched right up because of its uniqueness – I have grown quite fond of it!
Poppy heads are always winners, they have so much lovely detail.
Thank you, Alison, just these few produced about 1/4 of seed. They sure are prolific!
Poppy seed heads are so effective and look lovely in your fascinating vase… I should love something like that to hang by the front door!
Thank you, Cathy. I’m surprised we don’t see more of this kind of design. I think it would be popular, don’t you?
Oh definitely. I will have to keep my eyes open as I don’t think I have ever seen one here. I shall be visiting a Christmas market or two soon and they sometimes have pottery stands from local potters… must ask around! 🙂 Have a lovely Thanksgiving Eliza.
Thank you, Cathy. Lucky you are close to the Christmas markets, they are world famous!
Every little town has a market Eliza… even ours, with just a few thousand inhabitants, has two or three weekends where the Christmas market is open. 🙂 I’ll go to a slightly larger one this year too though. 🙂
I hope you do a post about your trip! 🙂
How did Thanksgiving come around so fast again? I love the vase. I love poppy seed heads too.
It does feel like time is going ever-faster. Thank you, Karina. 🙂
That’s the most gorgeous vase, Eliza. Lovely photos 🙂
Thank you very much, Rebecca. x
When less is more, isn t it?
Precisely! 🙂
I LOVE those poppy seed pods! What an excellent arrangement.
I’ve seen Japanese wall pockets, but none like yours. I like that too!
Thank you, Micheal. I have a soft spot for that little vase!
Really nice, Eliza. I love the dried poppy seed pods.
Thank you, Mary. They are like little sculptures. 🙂
A beautiful arrangement. and Happy Thanksgiving
Thank you, Belinda!
Lovely arrangement and fabulous jug!
Thank you, Fi!
That is such an unusual vase, very pretty. It looks wonderful with such a simple arrangement. I wish I’d saved my poppy heads now.
Thank you, Chloris. There is always next year!
Love Poppy heads! A friend sent me seed, they never even came up! That vase is cool, just baked pumpkin for pie. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, they are fun in an alien kind of way. 😉 I’m making squash pie tomorrow. Haven’t had one since the 70s. My mom always made them.
Squash? my husband is pie master.
Winter squash (kabocha) in this case. Similar to pumpkin, just a richer flavor.
What a clever 1/2 vase. Happy Holidays.
Thank you!
I love poppy seedheads! And the vase is pretty too! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Thank you, Joanna!
The hand painted chrysanthemums are so beautiful!
Thank you, Hagar. They really are special, aren’t they? 🙂
I do like your arrangement, it shows how lovely seedheads can be.
Thank you, Brian. I like the little pinwheel stars on top. 🙂
It is all very beautiful. I love thrift store finds. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, the same to you!
What a fabulous and unusual vase Eliza. I left all my poppy seed heads to scatter seed for next year but must remember to cut some stems in the future. They look most effective dried. I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving celebrations.
Thank you very much, Anna. Like any feast day, I always over-consume, I simply can’t help myself. 😉
I love dried poppy seed-heads! You really created a stunning visual sculpture with your arrangements. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of pumpkin pie. Blessings!
Thank you, Sarah!
I find this a very charming arrangement, Eliza, from the elegant vase to the lovely, simple lines of the flower pods. Your mastery and eye for garden beauty is always a pleasure.
Thank you very much, Jet. 🙂
This is great Eliza, and what an interesting vase too. Best (retrospective) wishes for Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Carol.
Exquisitely beautiful and so is the vase.
Thank you, Maria!