|
It’s November in Florida and that means it’s time to enjoy the season’s bounty of oranges! Growing in our backyards, always available in our grocery stores and found at our local farmers markets, this is a colorful fruit to incorporate when decorating for the holidays. Dating back to Colonial times, the handmade orange pomander continues to hold its popularity today, especially during the fall season.
|
| |
Directions:
1. First, select the most beautiful oranges you can find.
2. Find a work area that is large enough for you to work efficiently. Cover the space with newspaper.
3. Decide on the patterns you wish to create. Some examples of designs are: hearts, family names, diamonds or simply a whole orange studded with cloves. You can pencil your design onto the orange first if you like.
4. Following your design, puncture the orange with a toothpick about 1/4" deep and then push the stem of a clove into the orange. Consider using a thimble, or cover your fingers with masking tape as repeatedly pushing in the cloves can become painful.
|
|
5. Once your design is completed in cloves, place the orange in a paper bag with the ground spices, gently shake and then place all in a dry, cool area for a few weeks, or until the orange is dried out. The pomander should feel light when it is completely dry. Discard the orange if it becomes moldy.
6. If you wish to hang your pomander, cut a piece of ribbon and hold the middle of the ribbon at the top of the orange. Bring the ends to the bottom. Cross and twist the ribbon and bring it back up to the top of the fruit, as if you were tying a package. Tie a bow at the top. Secure the ribbon with a little dab of glue if needed.
It’s now time to enjoy these tropical delights! Arrange the pomanders in a holiday centerpiece, hang them from doorknobs or place them in the bathroom so you and your guests can experience their natural beauty and exotic fragrance. |
|
