DRIED APPLES & ORANGES!!!

DRIED APPLES & ORANGES

Orange and apple slices not only look beautiful -- they smell delicious as well! Be creative in how you use them. In addition to their most common role as tree ornaments, they can also be strung onto garlands, tossed into holiday potpourri, fastened onto Christmas wreaths, and arranged artfully on the holiday dining table.

Using dried fruits as Christmas ornaments is an old-timey tradition that's coming back into fashion. Why? They are simple to make, inexpensive, and naturally beautiful. As you hang them on the tree, think of your citrus slices as an antidote to the expensive and stressful shop-stravaganza that the holiday season has become. Enjoy!

Do you remember the last time you were in some one's home that had an
apple pie baking in the oven? Ahhh, the aromas of a fresh baked pie --
it is simply irresistible!...Well, now you can recreate this delicious scent in your own home!

For each apple craft, you will need

Juice of approximately 8-10 lemons
2 teaspoons salt
8 - 10 large firm apples
8 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire (for a wreath)
Jute (for garland or apple stacker)
1 to 1-1/2 yards of ribbon or fabric scraps

To prepare and dry your apples
Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.
Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles.
Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making
sure each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon
juice.
Meanwhile, mix spices in a bowl and blend well.
Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels.
Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.
Dust apples slices with spice mixture.
Turn slices over and repeat on opposite side.
Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried or use a food dehydrator like I do..
Apple slices should be slightly pliable.

To Make An Apple Wreath:
Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the
apples slices onto the wire.
Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely
filled.
When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks
so that they can connect and close.
Carefully shape wire into desired shape.
I recommend either a circle or heart shape.
Using your ribbon or fabric scraps, create a hanger for your wreath.
Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.

To Create An Apple Garland
Cut off enough jute for your desired length of garland - remember, your
apple garland shouldn't be too long, but approximately 2-4 feet works
well.
Also, it is always better to have too much, than not enough.
Start stringing on apple slices.
Push one end of jute through the middle of each apple slice.
Consider alternating several apple slices and then a piece of tied on
fabric strip.
Hang on your wall!

To Create An Apple Stacker
Using an approximate 12" piece of jute, tie one end to about three
cinnamon sticks that are laid in a a bundle.
Begin to string on apple slices by pushing jute through the center of
each slice. Consider alternating several slices with a piece of fabric
tied on.
When apple stacker is the desired length, end with three more cinnamon
sticks in a bundle and tie a loop so that you can hang your apple
stacker proudly!

ORANGE SLICES:

You will need the following:
three or four large oranges
lemon juice to cover orange slices
a sharp carving knife
glitter and/or ground cinnamon (optional)
fishing line or ribbon
a needle or a pointy-tipped knife
Step 1) Slice the oranges crosswise in quarter-inch slices. I use an electric food slicer
Step 2) Soak in the lemon juice for about 10 minutes.


Step 3) Lay slices flat on your oven rack. Use paper towels to blot away excess juice.
Step 4) If you like, gently rub ground cinnamon into the slices. Cinnamon makes them smell amazing. On the other hand, they won't catch the light as well. I made some with and some without.
Step 5) Bake at 275 degrees for the first hour and then 250 degrees for two more hours or until dried. (I use a Food Dehraytor)

Step 6) If you like, decorate the slices with glitter once the slices have cooled. Then, thread each slice onto a length of fishing line or ribbon. Now they can be hung on the tree.

DRIED APPLE & ORANGE SLICE ORNAMENTS

Step 1: Decorate the Fruit
Dry the fruit. Glue -- use a glue gun if desired -- the dried berries and miniature accessories (acorns, twigs, greenery, etc.) to the dried fruit slices.
Step 2: Attach the Ornaments to the Tree
Take a short piece of twine, glue to the back of the dried sliced fruit and hang on the tree.

HOW TO MAKE FALL CINNAMON & SPICE ORNAMENTS + BAKER'S CLAY CORNUCOPIA!!

FALL CINNAMON & SPICE ORNAMENTS

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon ground cloves
1 Tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground coriander (if available)
¼ teaspoon ground anise (if available)
3/4 cup applesauce, drained
2 Tablespoons white (Elmer's-type) glue
rolling pin
flour

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine spices. Add the applesauce and the glue.
Stir to combine. Work the mixture with your hands for 2-3 minutes, or until
dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 equal
portions.

On lightly floured board, roll each portion to 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut dough with floured cookie cutters. (Make holes in the top to thread
ribbon or raffia, if you want to use them as hanging ornaments.)

Place cut outs on wire racks and allow to dry at room temperature for
several days. (For a more uniform drying process, turn ornaments over once a
day.)

For even more cinnamon and spice scents, make a spray with water and
essential oils and lightly mist the ornaments throughout the holiday to
refresh.

Makes 32 two-inch wonderful smelling ornaments.
Do not eat! Not for internal use.

BAKER'S CLAY CORNUCOPIA

Make a cone out of lightweight cardboard.
Cover the cone with tin foil.
Add additional tin foil to the top of the cone to give the mold the curved
shape of a cornucopia.
Prepare the dough.

INGREDIENTS FOR BAKER'S CLAY:
4-cups flour
1-cup salt
1-1/2-cups water

Roll out enough dough (about 1/4" thick) to completely cover the cone.
Wrap the dough around the cone, sealing the edges by painting a little
water between the overlapping edges and pressing together.
Wet your fingers and rub gently on the edges to smooth them out.
Trim off any ragged edges around the opening of the cone.
Roll out one long "snake" of dough (twice as long as needed to wrap
around the opening of the cone).
Fold in half and twist the ends so you have a coil.
Paint the outside edge of the cornucopia opening with a little water.
Press the coil onto the edge gently, enough to secure it there, but not
so hard as to flatten the coil.
Roll dough about 1/4" thick or less, and cut into strips about 1/2"
wide.
Wrap the strips horizontally around the cone.
Take a small paint brush handle or other narrow tool and press ridges
into both the strips and the body of the cone vertically (from the
narrow point of the cone to the wide opening). This will give texture
and appearance of weaving.
Bake at 300° for about 1/2 hour.
If you want a golden appearance, paint with 1 egg beaten together with 1
teaspoon water.
Bake another 1/2 hour or so, turning and basting periodically.
After an hour, remove the cone mold and continue baking for another 15
minutes to 1/2 hour till it's dry but not brittle.
Allow to cool, then spray with shellac. Fill with fall grasses, leaves,
flowers, gourds, etc.