Hung Out To Dry...the Olfactory Project, Fruit Basket made with real fruit!!! : )

[Camille]

Step one...hanging out the citrus to dry...

Step 2: Collection of Dried Citrus...oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits

Hello there my CCS friends! It is good and well that I took time out from the PC...confirmed by the Universe, as there have been tech problems with Vista again...so it was meant for me to take this online break!

Am still putting together my futon, organizing and rearranging furniture. The retreat was enlightening and the Sacred Contracts book is keeping me busy as well. Reading a great Sci-Fi fantasy book...The Illuminatus, by Robert Anton Wilson...outrageously different!!!

Outdoors treats, more cottontail bunnies, feeding the squirrels and birds, looking for a hummingbird feeder. Saw the first lady bug and wasp this week, a gorgeous cardinal, many robins, black birds, wrens, sweet sounds of the mockingbirds...and unopened BUDS on the azaleas.

However, every day, there has been time for me to do something artisitically creative...and here is one of the "fruits of play":

It is called it the Citrus Zest.

It was an experiment...and it works!

Step 3: Dried fruit "sewn" together with thin copper wire

Step 4: fruit attached to a small light. It occurred to me that a little light would enhance the scent. It does!

Step 5: Place Light in Basket and turn Light on! : )

Basket with light on and more citrus potpourrie added.

Side view of Citrus Bowl

Alternative...leave out the light and just make a pretty slightly scented bowl filled with dried citrus and pretty pieces of papers!

It is possible to add a wire, so the bowl can be hung near a light too!

This project was a real challenge for me, as I have very sensitive olfactory senses and they don't feel good with most strong fragrances...even natural ones, like flowers! I loved the mystery of the outcome...it's suble natural scent, how beautiful the dried fruits are...The process was very much a direct experience with the natural aromas, as the fruits had to be cut and the juice squeezed out...mmmm...heavenly citrus smells made me happy! Every day was exciting, as it was intriguing to me how the fruits dried and deformed.

It must really be true that the smell of lime has an anti-depressant effect to it, because the de- juicing process was so joyfilled!

I miss you all and will be back shortly...

Love Camille/aka Dabs : )

[Camille]

OK, WildCherry! Thank you! Interesting that it was not a cartoon, but something even more special! Love Dabs

[WildCherry]

I'll have to ask my other half if he can remember the name. It wasn't a cartoon, it was an atmospheric piece of eastern cinema...

[Julia]

You mean like these Babs?

[Camille]

Yes, Bev...I would like to see that tail-dipping tale too!!! Love Dabs

[Camille]

Oh...poooor kitties!!! Barbs...please keep your dog-painting experiments, pet-friendly and non-toxic!!! : )

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

I've seen photos on the Internet where the cats themselves have been painted ...

[Beverly]

Hi Wild Cherry,
Can you recall the film's name. In some twisted way, I'd like to see it. A monk, no less, crazy!

[Camille]

hee hee...dabful one...LOL! I love it! : )

[Camille]

LOL! That's cute, Wild Cherry!...was it a comedy or a cartoon, or fantasy film?

[WildCherry]

And the same to you oh dabful one :-)