Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 Deck Your Halls! It's that time of year, again (okay, just a bit early, but it helps to be ready..) -- to get out your herbs and spices and decorate all through the house, giving your holiday guests an herbal holiday welcome! Good gift ideas, too! Thyme Wreath - from heavy gauge wire, construct a 6 " diameter wreath & wrap with green floral tape. Place bunches of thyme around form, wrapping with lighter gauge florist wire. Embellish with dried flowers. Pomanders - select firm apple or orange, holding firmly and taking care not to squeeze or break the skin, insert whole long stemmed cloves in close (but not touching) rows. Roll in spice mixture of 1/4 cup ground each: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice, ginger, powdered orris root; coat completely to keep the air out. For about 1 week, keep pomanders in an open bowl with mixture in a warm, dry place. At week's end they should be hard enough to tie up for gifts, but still too fresh to store in airtight container. Will be fragrant for several years, but essential oils may also be added. When aroma fades, wash pomander in warm water and roll in fresh spice mixture, adding a drop or two of clove or cinnamon oil. Let them remain in the mixture a couple of days, then tie up with new ribbons. Makes 6-8. Aromatic Fire Starters - save the stems of your herbs as you clean them, tie them into bundles with red twine or yarn, placing in a basket near the fireplace, to use as fire starters. Herb Bundles - using fragrant herbs, tie with pretty ribbons to the bedpost in your guest bedroom or place in the bath, for a fragrant touch! Tussie Mussie Curtain Tie-backs - encircle small roses with scented geranium leaves or other herbs, and tie up with pretty ribbons. Spicy Potpourri - In large bowl, mix together petals, leaves, gums & spices: 2 cups dried rose petals 1/2 cup coarsely-ground cinnamon sticks 1 cup dried lavender 1/2 cup powdered cinnamon 1 cup frankincense 'pebbles' 1/2 cup powdered cloves 1/4 cup myrrh 'pebbles' 1/4 cup powdered nutmeg 1/2 cup crushed benzoin 1/4 cup ground allspice 1 cup sandalwood chips 1/4 cup crushed coriander seeds 1/4 cup tonka beans 1 cup cut vetiver Place 1 cup granulated orris root on top; add drops of rose, vetiver and patchouli essential oils. Stir well and allow to mellow about one month in a tightly closed container, stirring occasionally. Refrigerator Magnets - glue 8 - 4 " cinnamon sticks into a star shape, embellish with a large allspice berry at each point glue and glue star anise in center. Bobeches - encircle your candle holder with a tiny bobeche made out of dried gomphrena (Globe Flower), roses, or other flowers of choice, by gluing onto tiny wreath forms made from florist tape wrapped heavy gauge florist wire. Scent your linens and towels with a few drops of lavender essential oil in the rinse water; use a lavender dryer bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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