Day 20 of AishaOaktree's 21 days of YULE blog party

Each day for the next 2 days, I will be sharing  either some legends, myths, devotions, my own thoughts perhaps a recipe or 2 on my blog for Aisha's YULE Blog Party at By The Broomstick.

Please visit the other blogs that are participating(above)

PLEASE pick a number if you haven't already won something!!

I am still a newb, learning. Therefore any legend, myth, devotion etc. will be coming from someplace I read it, and I will be giving credit to the right people.

ADDITIONALLY, I have a small gift tree that has a some ornaments on it, but it also has 21 little gift bags or envelopes that are numbered 1-21.  Each day I will pick a winner from the comments for that day.  These giveaways are priced from $1-$5, and there are a few are like booby prizes...I am doing this FOR FUN!!

EASY RULES:

*be a follower
*tell me something about that day's post that means something to you, or touches you etc.
*list your name
*pick a number from 1-21*  (*each day obviously there will be numbers listed as OUT, it will be your responsibility to pay attention to each day's posts, to see the number that is no longer available)

Picture of gift tree not ready, will add asap, so sorry for this, I want to do it outside on my little table, but it has been too windy.
You can't see the gifts anyway, they are wrapped and in bags, or just there#s are in the bags or envelopes.   NO ONE from DAY ONE picked a #, so I asked hubby to pick one and I could take it out of the running...that # is the #11....so pick a number between 1-21 except for 11, 5, 7, 9, 21, 20,4, 16, 13, & 3.


we had a winner with #3

I only allow 24 hours per post for picking numbers, comments always accepted :), but picking a # must be in the first 24 hours after I post each day! additionally only 1 win per person during the 21 days. Thank you.
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An age old tradition of the "Cloved Orange" pomander

Some say it goes back to medieval times for odor, some say no it started with Colonial America and yet others say it started in France during the Renaissance.
here is something I found:

Pomanders history

Throughout history, the importance of scent has never been denied. Mystical and powerful, scent was an offering, a force of attraction and a curse. The pomander, a ball filled with perfumes worn from the Middle Ages onward, was a form of protection against sickness and death.

Origin

1. The word "pomander" originates from the French "pomme d'ambre." A common interpretation of this phrase is "apple of ambergris," referring to the wax substance used as a base in pomander recipes. Others take the phrase to mean "apple of amber" or "golden apple," as in the fragrant citrus fruits exchanged during holidays for good luck.

Purpose

2. The pomander became popular during the Middle Ages when the black death and other ailments ran rampant. Sanitation during the era was lamentably lacking. The streets and even some homes were strewn with filth, bodily fluids and the discarded remnants of past meals. People thought that the cause of their problems lay in the resulting stench lingering about the city. The belief went that the pleasant scent of a pomander could repel the disease in the air.

Recipe

3. Several recipes for pomanders survive from the era. To the base of ambergris, musk, civet, rose water, and other perfumes and spices were added. The mix would then be inserted into the pomander's container. A pomander could be worn around the neck or waist. Many women attached them to their girdles.

Adornment

4. Both men and women wore pomanders, most of whom hailed from the elite classes of society. Queen Elizabeth I is frequently depicted wearing one, as are other nobles and notables of the day. People took great pride in their pomanders. Simple pomanders were made of wood, while the most stunning examples were worked in silver or gold, studded with precious stones, and etched with intricate designs. Some pomanders were divided into sections, similar to an orange, into which its wearer would place several different scents.

Evolution

5. As time wore on, the pomander began to take on the "golden apple" interpretation. By the 18th century, a pomander was more often than not an orange studded with cloves and other spices. These made for popular gifts during Christmas and New Years. Many people make this type of pomander today in order to scent their homes and clothing                                                        

 We made these a lot of years when I was growing up. this is only the third time in my adult life that I have made one. the last 2 were before 1985. (WOW)

You can look up on the Internet how to make them, and many sites will tell you to wrap a ribbon around the orange twice basically  quartering it, and use the ribbon to hang.  We have done it that way, but not always.  Some instructions will also tell you to pierce the orange first and then stick the clove in.  You can even use the tines of a fork for even spacing.


I did NOT use a ribbon. I did NOT pierce the orange first. I just poked the cloves in, and then I pierced it to put the thick cording through the "navel" end for hanging(I used a 7mm 2.75" yarn needle). Then I pierced it here and there randomly, after it was covered in cloves. then I moved it around in a bag with cinnamon and nutmeg in it.  This way it will not dry out as fast, and if I want to speed up the drying, I can simply pierce it randomly again.  Here are some pictures I hope they are self-explanatory.  (Tap off the excess spices.)

I was watching "Burning Man Lives" a 2 part documentary that i taped months ago, I finally watched it...I so want to go there one year.

 getting there

 blurry but you get the idea

 I started with a curvy line

 Only a little spot left

 I do not bother with the "twig" end

 Leave the navel end empty for the tie(whatever type you use)

 needle and cording

 I pulled the cording "doubled" through, then snipped off, and pulled

 TADA!!

 Baggie of spices

 The excess I tapped off

 The Finished pomander