Speaking of spices...make a lemon clove pomander! Umm...

 

You will need-

Lemon, 5-6 ounces cloves (whole), lace or ribbon, 2 tbsp nutmeg, 2 tbsp orris root (which will help preserve), cinnamon and lemon or cinnamon oil.

Push the cloves into the rind of our lemon or orange carefully with an ice pick. This is an adult craft you need to do with a steady hand (children will want to watch and can help handing you the cloves, one by one). The goal is to cover the whole surface. I place it into the ice box when I'm not working on it however you will want to complete it in a day or two. Smells...umm...so good.

Be careful using the ice pick, it is VERY sharp and dangerous. A cork on the tip (when not being used) is a great safety tip and a few of band-aids close by...a good too!

Next, mix together orris root (from the spice shop), cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon or cinnamon in a small bowl or plate. Roll the fruit around in the mixture (I cover my hands with a plastic bag. The oils are poisonous even though they smell wonderful.

Lastly, wrap the fruit in tissue paper, cheesecloth or netting and it's ready to place in a drawer or hang in a closet. I placed the ones I made 'out' in a dish.

 To make  Christmas decoration or gift, cut a ribbon or lace, 34-38" long. Place the middle of the ribbon at the top of the fruit, and draw the ends down to the bottom. Cross and twist the ribbon and draw it back up to the top. Secure it with a pin or dab of glue at the bottom of the lemon where it crosses (+).

Lemon and lace pomanders are an old time craft, ask your Grandma if she remembers them. I have a memory making one with my mom with my children looking on. Mom's 'everything' always looked better than mine. She said it's best to 'take your time'.

If the lemon is prepared/preserved correctly your pomander will keep for at least one season. Enjoy!

Now and then...A very happy 36th Wedding Anniversary for Randy & I



Now...a photo of Randy and I taken not too long ago.



And back then...Our Wedding Picture
I married my best friend-
November 16, 1974
 Blessed? From the roof top..."YES"



Inside the card Randy created, oh so sweet...
'I love you 36 times more today than on our Wedding day.
I am praying for a very happy 36th Anniversary.'

 

He typed 'Patricia'...that is rare and lovely. :-)




A funny card from our great friend Jim,
"Burrito for Lunch?"  "Broccoli."   Love means never having to say, "Excuse me."...just kidding!

Beautiful red roses delivered to work. I was VERY surprised.  Our Anniversary REALLY bloomed as we sat out on the veranda talking and watching the sunset and our dogs Benedict and Mocha acting goofy. The night sky filled with stars and white clouds. Our veranda is the place that our family has the best conversations about God and life.



Randy said  "A blue bottle for you".
I replied "Thank you, you know I'll create something special with it."

   
This morning I just had to get a little memory post of our 36th Wedding Anniversary together to share and a little message to my husband and blogging friends...

Randy, thank you for your love and kindness for the most beautiful 36th Wedding Anniversary. My heart is smiling really big at this time in our life. We are very blessed to have the attention of one another and I am looking forward to many more years with you. I thank you for going to Mass with me yesterday morning, the gifts...the fantastic dinner, gorgeous roses, the message in the cards (one home made...cool!) the gift tucked inside and then you insisted to wash the dishes. In case your wondering if we have a dish washer...we are 'it'.

Friends, we have learned over the years that true love IS having to say you're sorry, it's very VERY important to be fast to forgive and oh yes don't forget to say... "Excuse me."

Randy, thank your for your prayer as we know it was answered best friend...you have all my love and attention.

God is so good.
Blessed,
Patty

Fall findings



'fall findings for friends'

This last week I marveled over and over at the beauty of Autumn this year! I'm one of those 'gotta pick the leaves up and do something with them' gals. I pressed leaves in books, I wrote on them, placed some on my dash board, gave them away and even preserved a few small branches glycerin in a cool dark place. My husband and I are both very thankful there weren't any early Kansas freezes...the show went on a little longer and we watched it all. I hope you find some fall findings too. God is so good!