Clove-Scented Orange Candle

This is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to make a candle. In just a couple of minutes, with just an orange, whole cloves and some oil, you will have a beautifully scented candle that will burn for several hours! I like to soak toasted whole cloves in the oil for a day or two before assembling the candle. I keep a jar with ½ cup canola oil and a tablespoon of cloves in the pantry for this express purpose, but the cloves may be omitted, especially if you need an emergency candle because of a power outage. This decorative candle is perfect for fall gatherings as well. Enjoy this lovely use of fire and air!

Supplies:

¼ cup canola or olive oil

1 ½ teaspoons toasted whole cloves

1 medium orange

Sharp knife

Lighter or matches

Stir oil and cloves together in a small container and set aside for 1-2 days.

Slice orange in half. Carefully use a sharp knife or fingers to remove orange segment halves from stem end of orange, leaving center pith intact.

Slowly pour oil into the orange peel bowl, saturating pith with oil and allowing ½-1 teaspoon of cloves into bowl.

Light pith with lighter or matches. (This may take several seconds or attempts.)

The candle will burn for several hours. Plus the room will smell wonderful!

Depending on the size of the orange, more or less oil may be used. Alternately, a clementine or lemon may be substituted for the orange.