With all the talk about me baking the cookies for the exchange I thought I’d crash this weekend, and now this – you’re going to think I’m going all Martha on you.
But I’m not, I assure you. And just to prove it, I’ll let you in on what I had for dinner tonight. It was oh, so gourmet, and I’m almost embarrassed to admit what it was.
I had a bowl of Campbell’s tomato soup, accompanied by a hot dog on a toasted bun, and some multi-grain tortilla chips. Excuse me while I burp.
Last night, inspired by something I saw over on Pinterest, I created these little lovelies to add to the festiveness around the manor house on the hill.
The room smelled incredible while I was carving these navel oranges. I used a zester that also had a single hole scorer included and bought a jar of whole cloves to finish off the project. For the designs, I used the examples I found through Pinterest.
It was a fun project although in the end, I wondered why I was having trouble seeing the photos when I pulled them up in Photoshop.
It was then that I realized that my reading glasses were completely covered with orange zest.
I am such a dork.
These are simple to do, and they can add an elegant touch to your holiday décor. And if you have children about, they would probably love to help by pushing the cloves in place.
I didn’t attempt any styling when taking photos for this post, but if you want to see the beautiful photographs on the blog where I found the idea, please visit
Gorgeous blog, although I’m unable to translate it ~
![123 Signature[5]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiRvSXgaR83qt0dXMqRUtRg5vgK4Rehfw9mGWR2dgw7d01q_BBMve3zF0L_SYMbZeOrwHDvehes9Y1wKpG3Qcs8bI-CPh9uCGtbHeEH8C2zBfdRCcpoTFED6W5gIty4xA2BkRnKu3bdQ/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg "123 Signature[5]")
34 comments:
oh these do smell sooo good, but I haven't figured out a way to put the cloves in without killing my little fingers :)
I can smell them through the screen. No kidding! They are gorgeous and bet your house just smells so good you can't stop sniffing in all that loveliness.
What a wonderful aroma you must have through the house! You took a lot of time with those designs.
Well, I can't smell but your oranges LOOK wonderful! :) We also had campbell's tomato soup for dinner - it's so comforting and old-fashioned. I LOVE it!
Too cute...you in your zesty glasses ;)
These are amazing to the eyes, Kate and I think you're right - the kids would enjoy poking the cloves in.
Beautiful display of photos, I think!!
Oh Kate! How I adore stopping by your blog - bokeh and oranges... I can almost SMELL them from here. *sigh*
:-)
BB
Those look great. And anyone can see the world through rose-coloured glasses. Only you would look at the world through orange zest-coloured glasses.
Beautiful creations, both yours and those you used for inspiration! My mom was a big fan of colonial style pomander balls at Christmastime...and it is in perfect keeping with the period of your house. Don't ask how I know silly things like this...I'm the real dork! Maybe the ghosts of the manor were being channeled through you!
Kat :)
what a neat idea...may just have to borrow it...
Mmmmm Mmmmm Good...your tomato soup and your lovely creations Kate! xo ~Lili
That's certainly much prettier than the orange project my own daughter found on Pinterest. She hollowed the orange out, put oil in it, then lit part of the inside rind/stem on fire. After about 25 minutes the whole thing went up in flames!!!!!
Very pretty, Kate!
I used to make these, but totally covered with cloves. SO time consuming. I love the idea of just covering part of the orange, particularly the spiral design. I think I even have an orange and some cloves in the house right now -- might go get started. Someone mentioned the cloves hurting their fingers. I think I used to poke the initial hole with a skewer or something so the cloves would slide in easily and not break. Thanks for the inspiration!! (Like I REALLY need something else to do right now!!- But I don't think I can resist!!!!)
Thanks so much for the link to this woman's blog! As I scrolled through, I was enamored with her beautiful images and ideas, while at the same time being envious of them, and wishing she could come and live with me for awhile to get my home looking a fraction as beautiful as her site!
yes, spirals are AWESOME, LOL!
Martha-esque indeed
Aloha from Honolulu
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Oh Kate-please don't go Martha on me! ;) You just had my favorite soup for supper, and the hot dog sounded so good (a grilled cheese with it would have, too!)--and THEN! You have to go completely bonkers with oranges and cloves and DECORATE the manor! (They're beautiful--I had never thought of peeling part of the oranges before either!) They do make a house smell awesome--but the cost of cloves may prevent me from doing very many of these since I have to get the grandkids something for Christmas. :grin: I'm glad you're feeling up to 'cookies and cloves.' Wouldn't that be a good name for a song? No--wait--that was "Crimson and Clover." The meaning of which I never figured out.
The aromas in your house this evening must be wonderful! And oh yes, you are totally pulling a Martha!
Everything creative is found on Pinterest. That place is awesome! Oh please tell me you had a coke (and not a diet one with that dinner!!!). LOL...
Those are lovely and I'm sure they make the kitchen (and your hands) smell delightful. If I have a free moment or two, I'll make some--thanks for the idea. How are you doing with your new camera? Mickie:)
Love the idea! and your photo is even beautiful. I can almost smell the delicious spicey citrus aroma.
thank you for this reminder of an easy and stunning project ...you make me smile every time friend!!
We used to make those when I was little...pomander balls...ahhh the memories. Now I want a hotdog. Thanks.
Way cute and a good way to make the house smell like the holidays.
Happy weekend.
i licked the screen and then realized all i really had to do was take a long deep breath....thanks for that :)
xo
ps....they are so cool !
ACK .. I was leaving you a comment and had to log in and was told my account was disabled .. all better now .. GAH GAH GAH ... now I cant remember what I was going to say ... maybe I need to go to an Irish Pub
I love that one with the spiral and the smell must be divine.
you are so funny. i used to make those every year, but i haven't done it in a couple of years. now i wish i had. i can smell them from here.
I love making a citrus and clove arrangement, the smell is unbelievable! I love how creative you were with the oranges! This is on my list of "to do's" for the weekend!
Beautiful photos! Have a wonderful weekend!
I used to do these every year. Maybe after seeing yours, I'll be inspired! They do smell wonderful.
Amazing how language isn't needed at times like this!
Merry Christmas, Kate. I hope Hubby feels well.
how creative of you! Isn't Pinterest the best! Love the designs, can smell the oranges already, well I can as soon as I get rid of this cold. Anywho...so cool. Thanks for sharing the ideas.
You had gone missing from me, due to the fact that I changed computer (new one). I tried searching all sorts but today I found you - wee!
I love the oranges, and we use them a lot here as well. I'll try and make a couple with the cute patterns.
It's also only today, I've read about your husbands former work. You're horse people!! I'm in the thorougbred world myself, and helping out in a racing stalbe a few time a week as well. Just been on a lovely trip to Ireland, where we saw several studs and went to an auction as well. Normally I have a blog dedicated to that, but it's down right now, due to a hacking - so annoying. But you can find my racing photos on Flickr. Sorry that got a bit long, but I'm so glad I found you again. Have you totally stopped the other blog?? - loved that too!
Oh thank you for reminding me... I was just thinking about make some of these just the other day...
These are so pretty, Kate! And I swear I can almost smell them through the screen... I think I will have to make a few for the kitchen. xoxo
Kate, these look gorgeous. I must try it. And I think these photos are lovely. Off to see the site.
From the time I was a child we would make these every Christmas...My mother would cover every bit of the orange with cloves and when it dried it would last all year...I haven't been doing it since the kids left the house but you have me thinking I should do it again...along with stringing popcorn and cranberries:)
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