Citrus, Cinnamon, & Pine Potpourri

Here's a finished potpourri jar. I found the jars at dollar general. It took three days to dry the citrus and apple slices. I did turn the dehydrator off at night. Perhaps drying in the oven would have been better or quicker. To the jars I have added cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, bay leaves, and of course the fir boughs. The jars have lids, but I'm keeping them off because the fruit slices don't seem dry enough. They smell amazing and I haven't even added any essential oils. I have one jar filled with just fir boughs; it smells just like my mother used to make after Christmas. Don't throw away your pine or fir boughs or trees because you can re-use them like this. I imagine these used as a room freshener or simmered on the stove as a one-day household fragrance.

At first Gary thought I was crazy for doing all this, now he's saying let's just keep all the jars for ourselves. No, Gary, most will go as gifts. We have plenty of fir boughs to last all year long. I have labels for the jars and a red bow or two to celebrate the season to give to those who are friends, relatives, neighbors or just folks who deserve an unexpected gift. Ah, the fragrance of a walk in the forest right in your own home, it doesn't get any better than that.