Orange Pomander

These clove-studded fruits are fun to do! I make them at Thanksgiving and enjoy their spicy scent throughout the Christmas holiday!

Whole cloves

Oranges

1 T. pumpkin pie spice (per orange)

1 t. orris root powder (per orange)

Press cloves into the orange's peel, pointed end down. Arranges cloves in swirls, lines or circles. A small awl or toothpick can be used to pierce holes, if peel is especially thick or tough. Place spice in a small bowl; roll orange in spice mixture to coat. Orange will gradually dry out and can be kept indefinitely.

You can dress up the spicy orange pomanders with ribbon bows. Enjoy the sweet-smelling oranges on your kitchen table!

Grandmother's Punch

Grandmother's Punch
Aynsley Tea Cup / I love the inside!

This is a great punch that I like to serve during the holidays. Grandmother's punch (Grossmutters punsch) is an elaboration of traditional German Gluhwein, or "glow wine," which is nothing more than heated red wine with cinnamon, lemon, sugar, and cloves. Rich, smooth, and strong! It is traditionally served at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 25 whole cloves
• 25 allspice berries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 vanilla beans, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup loose black tea
• Two 750 ml bottles red wine
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 12 cinnamon sticks, for garnish

In a large pot, combine the sugar, spices, and vanilla beans with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes or until half the liquid has evaporated and the remainder is syrupy.

Remove from the heat, stir in the tea, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another large pot and stir in the red wine and rum. Warm over medium heat until steaming, about 7 minutes.

Serve warm, garnishing each glass (or teacup) with a cinnamon stick stirrer, or chilled, over ice.

Doggie Treats

I had some left over canned pumpkin from my pumpkin cornbread recipe and had just enough for these special treats!! My dog Bromley taste-tested these biscuits and was very happy with them!

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tblsp. powdered milk
• 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

Blend eggs and pumpkin; stir in salt, powdered milk and flour. If dough is too crumbly, add just enough water to make it workable. Roll or pat out dough on floured surface; cut out biscuits with a bone-shaped cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; turn biscuits over and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Bromley waiting for the go ahead have your treat!

Foodie Friday is hosted by Michael at"Designs by Gollum"visit her blog for great recipes and inspiration!