"The modern day pantry projects are, in many ways, highly romanticized versions of their medieval equivalents. We make these things for pleasure rather than for practical purposes, nevertheless they are fragrant, decorative and sometimes functional. By passing on these methods, we help to continue a tradition that has been an essential part of country life for centuries."
~ Stephanie Donaldson, The Country Store
When they say the "little joys" in life, I think of these quaint homemaking projects. It is very enjoyable and relaxing to turn on some inspirational music and begin creating in the kitchen on a cozy winter day. Dehydrating citrus slices is simple and satisfying and you can make many lovely things for the home with them. And the nice part is that you can prepare them in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator.
Simply wash and thinly slice your citrus fruit (some people remove the seeds but we don't bother as I really don't have the time like the rustic look).
Spread them out in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. Depending on your climate the time will vary. I let ours go for 8 hours at 135 degrees since we live in a humid environment but yours may take less time. In the end, you want dry, brittle fruit that will crack easily.
If you don't have a dehydrator, you can dry them in your oven by laying them in a single layer on a nonstick baking mat on the lowest degree (not hotter than 200 degrees fahrenheit) until brittle (approx. 2 - 4 hours depending on the heat level). I don't recommend placing them directly on a cookie sheet as they will probably stick.
When dried, store your citrus slices in an airtight container in a cool, dark area of your pantry or cupboard.
Make Your Own Tisanes {Herbal Tea Blends}
~ Add citrus slices to a pot of tea for an extra punch of vitamin C ~
Although there are lots of ways you can use them, tea blends are our favorite! Not only do they taste wonderful, but they add medicinal value, especially helpful for the cold and flu season! Just toss one or two into your normal tea blend or make up a different assortment until you find a favorite. Brew a large batch in a tea pot or half gallon jar and enjoy all day. My husband likes to dip around my pantry and drop herbs by the handful into a pot and let it simmer at night. This tea relaxes him and also replaces many nutrients that are lost during a stressful day.
Herbal tea blends gifted in a tin, jar or cellophane would be very appreciated!
Potpourri & Other Pretty Inspiration by Pottery Barn
The slices would look lovely in your favorite vases and even mason jars.
Decorative potpourri can also be made frugally with you have (see ideas below).
For a frugal autumn/winter potpourri blend, follow these three easy steps:
Place your dried orange peels in a large bowl and add what you can find in your pantry and your backyard such as broken cinnamon sticks, dried pods or cones from trees, whole (or coarsely crushed) nutmeg, cloves (whole), allspice (whole), star anise, dried leaves, bark, wood chips, sticks and/or an assortment of dried, pretty petals.
Add in a few drops of your favorite seasonal essential oils such as clove, orange and/or cinnamon.
Toss well and store this mixture in an airtight container for 3 days to allow the aroma to infuse (shake a few times a day). When the time is up, place your potpourri in pretty bowls or vases.
These potpourri blends can also be packaged up in cellophane with a bow for a nice gift!
Make Your Own Simmering Potpourri
A simmering potpourri can be made on your wood stove or stove top using your dried citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves and/or any other fragrant spices on hand. Your house will smell amazing!
This simmering potpourri can also be packaged up in cellophane and ribbon for a nice hostess gift!
Citrus slices make a pretty replacement for a bow on a winter package.
(We like to use recycled paper and/or brown bags for frugal gift giving.)
Orange Peel Jar Decoration by Beautiful Girlhood
Orange Garland Using Ribbon by Flower Patch Farmgirl
Herb Embellished Citrus Slice Garland by Golden Isles Magazine
DIY Citrus Peel Garland {Crafts for Kids} by PBS Parents
Citrus Strings by Fordham.u-la-la.com and Citrus Mobile by Melashacat
Orange Garland Sprinkled with Pinecones by Beatrice Euphemie
The nice part is that you are not limited to winter and autumn for using these citrus slices. They will keep until summer and can be used in many ways come that sultry season when the prices are not as agreeable as they are now.
~ Some Spring and Summer Uses ~
Lemon Garnish in a Glass by Pottery Barn
~ Make Some Festive Drinks ~
Drop a few citrus slices in a pitcher of water for flavor and pretty embellishment.
Add some lemon slices to each cup to "dress up" your lemonade.
Infuse your iced tea with slices of citrus peel.
Although there are many things you can do with them, I also love looking at them in our pantry. They are just so pretty to the eye... like little bits of sunshine captured in a jar. It seems the perfect picture for a cold, winter day. Happy homemaking!
This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays, The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.