For Solstice, the Cohens get crafty
What?! Disbelievers like piney goodness too! So of course we have our holiday tree. We celebrate the turning of the year at Winter Solstice — hooray, this year’s darkest day is behind us and it’s time for fresh starts! And although we are not pagans, we borrow from worldwide solstice traditions and decorate our tree with images of the sun.
But, what do you know? The shelves at Target are not packed with a happy solstice ornaments. That’s okay, we are glad to roll our own. Each year we make our solstice lanterns and citrus ornaments for the tree. That’s what’s on tap today. Coming soon: The How-tos. For now, a picture (left) of the citrus ornaments ready for their seven hours in the oven and (below) the prototype for this year’s lanterns. And, yes, that’s a glue gun. Now, back to work!
Janice says:
explain these citrus decorations. it sounds like a great idea. We do solstice around here, mostly due to Nancy’s (my oldest sister) insistence that she find some non religious way to raise a kid when everyone around her wants to shower him with gifts this time of year.
kate says:
Hi Janice — I was thinking about you all day yesterday. How’s the cuff? Are you typing away at the nitenote one handed?
Anyway the citrus ornaments are very pretty. Their sunny look and circular shape is perfect for the solstice season. We overcooked our first batch this year, but we are putting a new batch in and I will post a picture.
Here’s what you do to make citrus ornaments:
Preheat your oven to its lowest possible setting. Slice orange and grapefruit into discs and lay them onto cookie sheets. Put them in the oven to dry (usually overnight). Nice side effect: the house smells great.
They must cook very slowly or they darken and become opaque (still, even the opaque ones look nice on the the tree). When gently dried, the slices are stiffened and the pulp looks like stained glass.
Then get yourself some embroidery thread, thin ribbon or raffia and thread a loop through the center of the discs to create a hanger.
our citrus ornaments always last the whole season. Once I had some hanging on a screen in the kitchen for six months.
Anyway — I will post pix when ours are done — and feel better, J.
Janice says:
yep, one handed typing. cuff is in better shape than expected, rehab will be shorter. because of my 5 and a half weeks in a sling and swath this summer, I’m pretty good with one handed operations. I should be able to handle the citrus decorations.. maybe next weekend when I’m less cranky. it will cut it close for a solstice celebration but still be in time.
Rita says:
Very pretty, clever, and artistic. Enjoy!
I made your crab cakes tonight. Very pretty, clever, artistic and DELICIOUS.
Thank you, again, for sharing.
ilana says:
Wonderful, you sure are using your time creatively. Keep on the good work which you seem to enjoy very much. It is catching.
Also reminds me of our house in England when I put citrus peelings in the fireplace to get the house to smell good.
Just completed two small painting of Dinozauroses, one for Zeke and one for Sam. They are on their final drying. Expect to ship them for X-mas. Started a painting of a Mermaid (no explanation of why this subject caught my attention.
Best regards, Mom
kate says:
Ilana — great about the Dino paintings! I know the boys will love them. Re: the Mermaid, if it inspires you to paint, that’s all you need to know!
Rita: I’m so glad you sampled the cakes. I love them! We can thank Laurie for the recipe.
Thank you both for checking in!