A harvest horn of plenty

Sunset, Nov, 1998 by Ann Bertelsen

Here's a fresh approach to the traditional harvest centerpiece: an "inverted" cornucopia. Created by artist and designer Michael Holmes of California's Napa Valley, it departs from the typical horn of plenty in that the bounty - kale, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and string beans - becomes the vessel, and the flowers cascade from inside it. "I like to combine vegetables and flowers imaginatively," says Holmes. "At this time of year, there's always an abundance of harvest produce and it's fun to try different arrangements."

The fall centerpiece, an 18-inch cornucopia basket decorated with rows of vegetables, can be made in a couple of hours. It's suitable for either indoor or outdoor entertaining. Holmes usually celebrates Thanksgiving on his redwood deck. He dresses his table in style, using fine crystal and italian china, and adds artichoke votives for a romantic touch.

Harvest cornucopia

Our arrangement is made from an 18-inch cornucopia basket, available from craft stores or florists. For a smaller centerpiece, use a 16- or 14-inch basket. Various vegetables can be glued to the top and sides of the basket, but delicate, lacy leaves like kale work best on the rim. Long, spindly vegetables - such as string beans or asparagus - are effective for the tail. Use fresh flowers of your choice.

MATERIALS

* 18-inch cornucopia basket

* Glue gun and sticks

* Half-brick presoaked florist's foam

* Florist's tape

* 7-inch-diameter saucer

* Vegetables: kale (cut into 2-inch pieces), cauliflower florets (green and white), baby carrots, brussels sprouts (cut in half), broccoli florets, string beans

* Five strands of grapevines, curly willow, or delicate twigs

* Fresh flower options: safflower, coffeeberry, amaranthus, 'Blue Lace' scabiosa, burnt orange watsonia, German thistle, orange gerbera, seeded eucalyptus, yellow aster, rose

1. GLUE A STRAND OF KALE around the arched rim of the basket, covering the edge with the lacy part of the leaves. Glue a row of green cauliflower florets behind the frilly kale, securing with toothpicks until glue dries. Glue another row of kale, then carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and white cauliflower until only about 3 inches of the basket is left uncovered. End with a row of kale.

2. GLUE STRING BEANS to the basket to form a tail, hiding the glued ends in the lacy strands of kale. Poke vines into the cluster of beans to emphasize the tail.

3. PUSH SAFFLOWERS and coffeeberries between the layers of vegetables to add color spots. (Go/den brown chrysanthemums and any seasonal berries will work as we//.) Tape florist's foam onto saucer and place inside the rim of the cornucopia.

4. PUSH FLOWERS into the foam so they cascade gracefully out of the basket in a pleasing mix of colors.

Artichoke votive

1. Pry open top petals of a raw artichoke, and with scissors, cut out the tender center petals until you reach the choke (fuzzy center). Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the hole to prevent the inner petals from turning brown. 2. Insert glass votive and drop in candle. Refrigerate overnight if not using immediately.