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Scented Pomanders
By Kay Phillips
Traditional fruit-based pomanders are easy to make and look very
attractive piled into a wooden bowl or other container as a centerpiece
for your Holiday table. There are many fruits to choose from as a base.
My favorite is an orange or lemon.
Start by choosing a fruit that is fresh and has no bad spots or
blemishes. Pierce the fruit from one end to the other with a wooden
skewer. The skewer will remain in place to provide a hole to thread
some ribbon for hanging when your project is completed.
Using a darning needle or small knitting need or large nail, poke a hole
in the fruit and insert a clove with the pointed end in and the head of
the clove resting on the skin of the fruit. Continue adding cloves
until the entire surface of the orange is covered with cloves. The
cloves should be spaced about 1/8" apart to allow the fruit to shrink as
it dries. To vary the look of the fruit, you could also make designs
with the cloves. When working with designs, I like to use a sharpie pen
to draw the designs or lines that I will be following before beginning
to add the cloves.
If desired, after your clove studded fruit is finished you can roll it
in a spicy mixture to coat the fruit and add that unmistakably Christmas
fragrance to your room. I mix one Tablespoon powdered orris root and
one tablespoon of the following mixed spices: powdered cloves, nutmeg,
allspice, and cinnamon. Gently roll the fruit in this mixture to coat
it with the spices. Place the fruit in a paper bag in a warm dry place
for about three weeks, then discard the wooden skewer and place the
fruit in a bowl of greens during the holidays. After the holidays
thread the fruit with a piece of ribbon for hanging and place in your
clothes closet. The fragrance of cloves will repel moths.
About The Author
Kay Phillips is the owner of Herbal Design, a
business specializing in soaps and herbal gifts. Be sure to stop by and sign up
for Kay's herbal newsletter by visiting http://www.herbaldesign.com
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
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Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.