You can figure out about how many leaves your HOA-issued street tree will drop into your yard by counting the leaves on an average branch then estimating the total number of branches and multiplying the two. But why ruin a perfectly good Sunday morning worrying about what will surely turn to compost when you can mull some more lovely leaf-inspired things?
Wine has its charms
Help a chardonnay from Olathe or a Palisade syrah remember its roots with these aspen leaf wine charms. Made from real leaves dipped in 24-karat gold.
$10.95 A PAIR; AVAILABLE AT
MADEINCOLORADO.COM
Sticking up for tea drinkers
Loose tea tastes best, but if leaves swimming in your cup is too much to manage, try the Teastick. The chic little tube grabs up just enough tea or tisane to infuse a mug of hot water and then just sits back and steeps.
$20; AVAILABLE AT SELECT RETAILERS AND GAMILACOMPANY.COM
Garden guardians
Legend has it these Greenman gargoyles, modeled after those found on the cornerstones and arches of European cathedrals, will renew and protect your garden, presumably by shouting “leaf us alone!” to pesky predators.
$10 to $39; AVAILABLE AT
GARDENLEAF.COM AND PAULINO GARDENS
Flat-out smashing
Sure, you could slide that especially lovely red or gold leaf into an encyclopedia volume and hope you remember whether it was mashed in A Cappella to Ayr or V-1 Missile to Waddenzee. Or you could save yourself the hassle with a leaf press. There are professional models out there, but for beginners, try Klutz’s Squashing Flowers & Smashing Leaves nature press and book.
$19.95; AVAILABLE AT GRANDRABBIT’S TOY SHOPPE, BOULDER & SUPERIOR
