Those bells are still hiding somewhere. I'm sure they will turn up tomorrow, once I open up the Christmas boxes and unwrap all the tree decorations. I am looking forward to finally having the tree in the house, although I expect Mog will probably just raise her eyebrows in typical cat fashion, as if to say 'here we go again!' I don't mind, she's always been very good with anything like that. The first year she was with us, she climbed up into the tree but she was much smaller then, I doubt she would manage it now even if she tried. She will occassionally tap at the baubles on the lower branches but that's all. I realise I'm very lucky.
It's been a busy day. Time has passed quickly at work, which is always enjoyable at this time of year. Exhausting, but definitely a lot of fun.
The storm has been wreaking havoc throughout the afternoon and although the strong winds are beginning to die down now, I can still hear sudden gusts against the windows. I do hope there won't be too much damage.
During a short break this morning, I took the time to dry some orange slices ready for when we decorate the tree tomorrow. I did this for the first time last year and I loved how they turned out. They looked so pretty hung from the tree branches with the warm glow from the fairy lights shining against them.
Some drying methods require the oranges to be in a low oven for several hours, but I sliced mine thinly, then placed them on a wire rack, and they took just 45 minutes at 120°, turning halfway through.
Tomorrow I will thread them with some floristry wire and if I'm feeling fancy, I might even add some ribbon :)
J. X
Lovely x and I bet they fill the room with their fragrance as they dry x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kate. They did smell wonderful. X
DeleteThey will be a gorgeous addition to your tree. I'm tempted to try it myself!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris. They are very simple to do. X
DeleteI bet those oranges smell lovely, thanks for posting how you dried them I might have a go at that. Wet and windy all day here too.
ReplyDeleteIt could be something to pass the time while you weather the storm. X
DeleteYour dried orange slices look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. I just need to hang them on the tree now. X
DeleteThank you for the reminder, I am going to try placing the rack next to the woodburner and see how that works.
ReplyDeleteHope you have come through the storm undamaged, it is still too dark here to look outside and see if there is still a tarpaulin over my log pile . . .
That is a great idea.
DeleteNo damage here, thankfully. I hope your log pile has remained unscathed. X
I do a few orange slices every year now as I love the smell as they are drying. They add a little splash of colour everywhere too.🎄
ReplyDeleteThey look lovely, don't they. X
DeleteNatural decorations are lovely on a tree. I hope those bells turn up.
ReplyDeleteI do too! :)
DeleteHope Tree-Decorating-Day goes well today! 8 yrs old is the perfect age for getting maximum joy from this activity.
ReplyDeleteThe orange slices are lovely, and I can just imagine how beautiful they will look with the real tree, still growing, with roots, in its pot! Cut trees make me sad too - but my garden is too small for rehoming real ones, so I have a 20+ yr old fake tree instead.
Have a lovely day.
X
20 years is impressive! X
DeleteMog is a good cat you are lucky. As Tilly is only eleven months old I'm not trusting her with the Christmas tree this year, I know her so well :) The dried orange slices look lovely, I remember your doing them last year. The storm is bad here with a risk of flooding from the high tide but thankfully the wind isn't quite as strong as Arwen was.
ReplyDeleteIt's better to be cautious. And you really wouldn't want to end up at the vets, with Tilly having eaten something she shouldn't.
DeleteI hope you didn't have any damage from the storm. X
That is a brilliant project Jules. Nice and simple with long lasting effect. Love it x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beverley. X
DeleteOooh they must smell absolutely wonderful. Hope you take a photo of them on your tree. :) X
ReplyDeleteThey really do, Shazza. And I will be sure to take some photographs. X
DeleteSomething I've been meaning to do for years and always forget
ReplyDeleteIt is really so easy. I don't know why I never did this before. X
DeleteThose orange slices are beautiful. What a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteI realise you can buy them already dried but it was just a nice thing to do. X
DeleteThose orange slices look gorgeous. I have a dryer but haven’ t used it much. I must do so soon.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a little project. X
DeleteThe orange slices are so cheery. I may giv ethis a try as I have a few oranges that need some attention.
ReplyDeleteI was a little unsure when I first made some last year, but I think they look lovely on the tree. X
DeleteOranges are one of the definitive Christmas aromas, aren't they, and so beautiful.
ReplyDeletexx
They do smell amazing. I might even add some cloves anther time. X
DeleteOh,I love your ideas you are so inspirational.I'm going to do this.thanks xx
ReplyDeleteThey are so simple to make and I love how they look on the tree. X
Deleteso pretty. the oranges when they warm from the lights give off a scent? Lovely
ReplyDeleteYes, I've noticed that. They do smell lovely. X
DeleteWhat a good idea those orange slices are.
ReplyDeleteHope the bells turn up for you.
All the best Jan
They did in the end. Thank you, Jan. X
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