Sunday, December 5, 2010

Cinnamon birds and orange slices...

On my last post, I mentioned that I was going to try my hand at drying orange slices to decorate a small tree. Any normal Arizonan would simply lay the slices out in the sunshine to dry. Eventually, that is exactly what I did, but first I went surfing the net to find a faster way. My Google search led me to this site. Thinking that the microwave way sounded easy, I went that route first. I followed the directions just like it said, and lets just say the slices resembled well-done barbecued potato chips. Not exactly the look I was going for. I then tried the oven method with slightly better results. Not wanting to spend 3-4 hours flipping orange slices every half an hour, outside they went after a short turn. I let them dry for most of the afternoon and they were ready to hang. I think they are really primitive and simple, exactly what I wanted.

The cinnamon birds were super easy to make, and they smell wonderful. Here is my recipe:
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.12 oz.) ground cinnamon
1. Mix applesauce with cinnamon in a small bowl to form a stiff dough.
2. Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll out to 1/4 in. thickness. Cut with cookie cutters.
Make a hole in the top of the ornament for hanging.
3. Bake on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours. Place on a rack to cool. Use ribbon or yarn to hang.
Here is Scarlett peeking out from her spot on my (okay, her) chair. Our three Bostons do not like to be cold, and they all have to burrow down under a blanket to sleep. Talk about spoiled...
Thank you for all the enthusiasm and love for Sarah. I'll get busy charting her soon.

19 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

I had someone give me some cinnamon ornaments a long time ago and they smelled wonderful. I need to make my own! I can almost smell the orange ornaments and they look very homey.

Christine said...

That setting with the tree filled with the birds and orange slices and with sheep underneath looks like a beautiful inn that we would all love to stay at! What a talent you have! Beautiful job and thank you for sharing the cinnamon bird recipe!

Nancy in WI said...

Your tree turned out so cute! The perfect little tree in my book. Thank you so much for sharing the directions. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

gracie said...

I had wanted to make orange slices but did not want to mess around with the oven. I never gave the back yard a thought,thanks for the tip. The last time I made cinnamon cutouts, was....never mind, just a long time ago. I had forgotten the recipe. Thanks for sharing....love the tree.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Perfect and wonderful :)

Margaret said...

Tanya, I bet your house smells wonderful! And it's so pretty all spiffed up for Christmas! I see Jane in the background there over the bed too. I need to stitch her up! Mia doesn't like to be cold either. Thus her solution: to sleep on the lap of a warm person. lol! You should tell those pups they're lucky they live in Arizona! It's cold here! Brrrrr!

Nicole said...

Your oranges and cinnamon birds turned out great Tanya!! I'm definitely going to try this. You have such a beautiful home! Jane looks great hanging above your bed. My pattern is supposed to be arriving soon - I might have to make a trip to my not-so-LNS to get the threads today!! :)

Bertie said...

Oh Tanya, your Christmas tree looks fabulous, great idea :)) and love the look of your room.
Thanks for the recipe, will give that a go this month.
Happy Christmas.

Katrina said...

Too fun!!! Love your tree and Jane looks great over the bed :-). Cute puppy pic too.

Sherry said...

I love the tree! The oranges turned out beautiful! And the birds must smell like heaven.

Sherry :o) said...

Love the dried oranges - however, they would be frozen here tonight - 23*...brrr.

The tree looks very cool!

Paulette said...

You inspired me! After wanting to make those cinnamon ornaments for the past 20 years, I finally did it! Thanks to you!

Paulette
P.S. As usual, your home looks stunning.

Brigitte said...

Ohhhh, I can nearly smell the cinamon and the orange slices ...

Karoline said...

Your tree looks gorgeous. I bet it smells wonderful too.

Siobhán said...

Thanks for sharing the recipes! I'd love to do them both. Your display is gorgeous--I love the tree.

JOLENE said...

I love your tree and those birds...are so awesome!! Where, may I ask, did you find that bird cookie cutter, I must have one. Happy Holidays.

Stitcher S said...

Beautiful tree! Love the ornaments.

Lydia said...

Your tree looks wonderful and perfect in your room.
It gets VERY hot in Little Rock during the summer - think I'll try the orange slices then! Also, I'm going to make those cinnamon birds, thanks for the recipe and tip!
Happy New Year!!

pimprenelle said...

This christmas tree is wonderfull, I like it!
Good day from France!