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
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