traditions :: dried grapefruits on the Tree; with a tutorial
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 by {darlene}
One of our Christmas Traditions: Hanging Dried Grapefruits from our Tree:
Each year, while we decorate our tree, we dry sliced grapefruits in a low temp oven. Then, they are hung on the tree using a simple package of ornament hangers.
You can’t imagine how the fruit looks like beautiful stained glass:

Our tree last year:

on the day that we dry the fruits,
Pine needles and warm grapefruit linger in the air:
And the Smell is Divine.

Dried Citrus Ornament Tutorial:
  1. Start with fresh, blemish free citrus fruits of your choice
  2. Slice fruits so that you have many round disks of fruit {see photo below}. Discard the ends of fruit that do not reveal full flesh {or toss them in your sparkling water glass}.
  3. Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil {the citrus can ruin your cookie sheets}.
  4. Place citrus rounds on the cookie sheets.
  5. In a low heat oven {approx 150 F. Ours will only go down to 170 F}, bake the citrus rounds for most of the day, and maybe even some the next day. Flip the fruit from time to time {every few hours} as you see the top side get dry. Fruit is finished when it is no longer moist to the touch.
  6. Hook metal ornament hooks into the top of the rind and hang on your tree.
  7. Fruits look beautiful positioned in front of your tree lights.
Imagine a small Williamburg-inspired citrus Christmas tree….
With Grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime ornaments.
Complete with cranberry garland.
Good enough to eat!

{darlene}
for more “beautiful traditions” posts, click HERE.
for more “tutorial” posts, click HERE.
Would you consider helping Fieldstone Hill grow? ‘Follow’ in the sidebar to the right, Subscribe via RSS or email, Like us on Facebook, or put a button on your blog {you can find the code in the right sidebar}. Thank you!!!!!

Labeled: project, traditions | 2 Comments
traditions :: brown-paper-packages, tied-up-in-string
Monday, December 13, 2010 by {darlene}

Our family has a tradition for how we wrap our Christmas presents.

We use brown, thick kraft paper and jute twine to wrap all of our gifts:

I love this tradition, and we have used it again and again for several reasons:
  1. It is beautiful and simple.
  2. It is no-fuss and easy as can be. It reminds me of a simpler time; a time when they really did use brown paper for their packages…
  3. It works for nearly any kind of package. It is strong enough to use on items that have no box; or it is big enough to wrap around huge boxes.
  4. It is very, very inexpensive. You can order a huge roll of kraft paper and use it Christmas after Christmas. The same goes for the jute twine.
  5. You cannot help but sing “My Favorite Things,” every time you wrap your gifts.

Add a beautiful gift tag, and you are set.
This year, I am using these amazing tags. Thanks Emily. Gorgeous and free.
{darlene}

Would you consider helping Fieldstone Hill grow? ‘Follow’ in the sidebar to the right, Subscribe via RSS or email, Like us on Facebook, or put a button on your blog {you can find the code in the right sidebar}. Thank you!!!!!

Labeled: traditions | 1 Comment
must have :: burlap ribbon
Friday, December 10, 2010 by {darlene}

draped as garland around my tree
hanging from a wreath
wrapped around a gift
as a way to hang stockings
twisted around greenery on the staircase
drapey bows that accent the mantel-top garland
and year round….

I can think of dozens of ways to use this beautiful, simple burlap ribbon:

what would you create?
{darlene}

for more {beautiful longings} posts, click HERE.

Would you consider helping Fieldstone Hill grow? ‘Follow’ in the sidebar to the right, Subscribe via RSS or email, Like us on Facebook, or put a button on your blog {you can find the code in the right sidebar}. Thank you!!!!!

Labeled: must have | 1 Comment
heirlooms :: Christmas bows
Thursday, December 9, 2010 by {darlene}
I got quite a bit of mileage out of repurposing Grandma’s beautiful tablecloths. Stockings! And a Tree Skirt! And Bows.

So Finally, I had one tablecloth that came from Grandma that was heavily stained. It was made from a basic linen, so the fabric was not heirloom quality. This is what I used to make our Christmas ribbons.

I use the ribbons to decorate our wreaths, our garland, and most importantly, the top of our tree.
It is our “Greatest Gift of All” bow, and it is a very special part of our Christmas traditions. After all, Christmas is merely enhanced by decorative beauty… but our most beautiful and precious gift came quietly, and was placed in a manger.

This bow reminds us of the Greatest Christmas Gift of All:

And these bows below are such a pretty addition to our banister garland every year.
{although, never mind the unpainted walls. this pic was taken just after our big renovation project. Now – 3 years later – Paint job IS in process!}:

Hoping that you are enjoying the process of getting your home ready for the holidays!
– {darlene}

Click here to seem more traditions posts, and more project posts.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Labeled: project, traditions | 1 Comment