I love putting food decorations on my Christmas tree; stringed popcorn and cranberries, gingerbread cookies, and dried citrus fruit, to name a few.
We have mostly well-behaved puppies, but I am a little leary of dangling popcorn and cookies from the tree, seems like too much of a tempation. Dried citrus, on the other hand, seems like something they wouldn't be as interested in. (To be on the safe side, I won't hang any too low.)
Dried citrus slices add a pop of fresh color to the tree, and are extra pretty when in front of a light. And it's always nice to add natural, outdoor elements to your Christmas decor.
Here is how I made the ornaments.
1. Purchase large, seedless lemons, the biggest, greenest limes, and navel oranges(they have no seeds)
2. Peel off stickers and give a warm, sudsy bath. Pat dry.
3. Slice fruit .25" thick. Use a wide knife for an even slice. (Have a bowl ready to squeeze the juice from the ends before tossing in trash)
4. Pat dry. Ready cookie trays with layer of parchment paper.
5.Place slices into tray. Okay to crowd them in - they shrink as they dry.
6. Place in oven and set dehydrator to 160. (Warm oven @200 okay, but they will slightly brown)
7. In one hour, flip slices. Repeat for a few cycles. Limes will be ready first(remove), and oranges last.
Best to err on the side of less than more dry, it will continue drying once hung on tree.
8. Using a yarn needle and a long piece of jute(say 8', so you don't have to keep re-threading the needle), feed the needle through the top of the fruit slice, and snip off length at 10"
9. Tie a knot, and hang on tree!
Vanessa virginiences, or American Lady on Liatrus Spicata, or Button Snakewort.
Both Native
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
Cool! I've never noticed galls on staghorn sumac. Location: SE NH.
Melaphis rhois on Rhus typhina
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1112
Happy garden with all the heat, humidity, and occasional rain.
I made a yummy zucchini chocolate bread for my sister's visit. Going to air fry some of what I just picked.
