This Post Is Brought To You By The Produce Isle

It is true that my main focus during the holidays is all around the food.  It always seems to be the first thing on my mind – well, all the time.  So, it’s no wonder that when I was at the grocery store the other day, strolling down the produce isle that a beautiful bunch of rainbow shard stopped me to take a closer look.

A little too bitter for my taste, but so pretty to look at, I grabbed it and held it up at arms reach, eye level, and examined it.  I had to have looked like a real oddball, as the lady next to me was looking at me, looking at the rainbow shard,  and I swear she was close to making the  circular “coo coo” sign with her finger by her head.  I’ll buy that because I probably did look a little strange, but truth be told, my wheels were spinning and that one bunch of rainbow shard inspired me to make a holiday arrangement out of produce.

And why not?  Beautiful vibrant colors and textures surrounded me right there in the produce isle.  I tossed that shard in my buggy, and let the colors of those stems dictate the color scheme for my arrangement.  Radicchio, purple cabbage and baby artichokes made the cut and some purple grapes for drape.  Some mini pumpkins that looked a little worse for wear would get a golden spray paint treatment and a few fresh cut flowers for added whimsey.

Back home, I followed an arranging technique that I have used before, with a decorative bowl and a topiary form.  I added some skewers to the radicchio, pumpkins and artichokes, and the arrangement started to form.  A few flowers here, some produce there, filling in the open spots with that rainbow shard; the inspiration for this whole thing.  The grapes cascaded down from the bowl, proving not everything needs to go up and out.

I stepped back and admired my work.  An arrangement inspired by a vibrant bunch of produce that saved me a trip to another store and took me less than 5 minutes to create.  A bountiful arrangement to compliment a grateful feast of bounty.