FLORAL POTPOURRI

Potpourri is a mixture of fragrant dried rose petals and other flowers. Often whole flower buds,
mint leaves, geranium leaves, dried orange and lemon peel and dried ferns are combined. The
dried fern placed inside the jar gives a lacy appearance.

Roses should be picked on a dry day early in the morning as soon as the sun has evaporated the
dew. Some recipes suggest picking flowers that are not quite out, others recommend that the roses
be richly scented and fully opened.

After the flowers have been picked, take the petals from the bud end. The petals should be dried
by placing them on a screen and putting it in a shady place where there is plenty of air circula-
tion. If this cannot be done, the petals can be dried in a warmoven. They must not be dried too
slowly or they lose their fragrance.

Another way the petals can be dried is to place them on a screen in the house several feet from
the floor. Put a lamp, minus its shade, under the screen. The light will dry the petals. The light
must be moved every hour so that the petals will dry evenly.

Many potpourri experts like to dry petals, rose buds, violets, carnations, delphiniums and corn-
flowers in fine dry sand (the type of sand you buy for making mortar). | The petals and buds are
placed in layers, with space between each one. Each layer is covered with sand. The box is left
over, uncovered, for several days in a dry place. When dry, the flowers can be removed from the
sand and made into potpourri. |

The dried flowers can be mixed in any combination you wish; however, a fixative is needed to
preserve the delicate perfume. Orris root and powdered Gum Benzoin or Calamus root are needed
for this.

Here's one recipe for a spicy Potpourri:- For each quart well-dried petals add 1 teaspoon of your
favorite fixative. Mix thoroughly. Blend together 1 tablespoon of spices, using cinnamon,
nutmeg and allspice in equal amounts. Stir into petals.

Place in tightly covered crock or jar and stir or shake occasionally during the six-week mellowing
period. When ready, the potpourri can be placed in pretty glass jars.

KITCHEN CLAY

Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly about 2 to 4
minutes. Remove pan from heat. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water and immediately
add the salt mixture. Stir quickly to combine all ingredients. The mixture should thicken to
about the consistency of a stiff dough. If it does not, return it to low heat for another minute,
stirring until proper consistency is obtained.

Turn out on wooden board or kitchen table and knead to form a smooth mass of clay. Use immedi-
ately or keep on hand in the refrigerator, wrapped in foil or plastic.

Shape the clay and dry the models at room temperature from two to six days. Paint with water
color, all-purpose dye or food coloring and finish with several coats of clear shellac.

Beads can be made with clay. The clay can be rolled out and designs cut out of it to be made
into festive decorations.

Kitchen utensils and toothpicks make perfect sculpting tools, and a cheese grater will finish or
"grain" the surface as desired.

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