pinecone citrus potpourri

How about making some homemade pinecone citrus potpourri

for your holiday gatherings.

I cut up some oranges, limes, and lemons. I gathered cinnamon sticks (available at craft store or grocery store), pinecones, whole cloves and tree boughs. I picked up some fragrance oil called cinnamon nutmeg from the craft store. There are tons of choices, and I am sure they would all smell great. I picked this one because it wasn't overwhelming.

First slice all your fruit thinly. Place in single layers on a baking sheet. Set your oven to a low temperature (about 200 degrees). The fruit needs to dry for several hours. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't get brown. I poked some of my whole cloves into the orange slices before they went in the oven.

In a large container or bowl gather together your cinnamon sticks, tree cuttings, pinecones,

and finally the oven dried citrus. Add some drops of your fragrance oil and then toss the mixture together.

I set my tray out on the table when I was finished. Instead you could bag up small portions of the potpourri to give as gifts. Once you seal the bag the fragrance will steep into the ingredients.

There could be lots of variations to this recipe, you could add acorns or nuts too...whatever you have on hand. It smells really good, and of course looks pretty great too.