Do you remember the last time you were in someone's home that had an apple pie baking in the oven? Ahhh, the aromas of a fresh baked pie -- it is simply irresistible!

Well, now you can recreate this delicious scent in your own home, or in the homes of your loved ones, by making scented apple wreaths. Scented apple wreaths are not hard to make, and the results are wonderful! Hang one of these on your wall and you will surely impress all of your guests.

What you will need:

Juice of approximately 10 lemons
2 teaspoons salt
8 - 10 large firm apples
8 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire
1 - 1 1/2 yards of a 1" ribbon

How to make your apple wreath:

1) Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.

2) Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles. Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making sure each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.

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4) Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels. Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.

5) Dust apples slices with spice mixture. Turn slices over and repeat on opposite side.

6) Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried. Apple slices should be slightly pliable.

7) Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the apples slices onto the wire. Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely filled.

8) When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks so that they can connect and close. Carefully shape wire into desired shape. I recommend either a circle or heart shape.

9) Using your ribbon, create a hanger for your wreath.

10) Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.

©2000 - Brandie Valenzuela

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