A pretty Pomander Card

My dear neighbours,

Every one of us has somewhere in their homes a lovely pomander ball filled with a apple of ambergris, or a cassolette box of some description, filled with a sweet amber potpourri or pungent scent of dried lavender flowers, even if it is the humble handkerchief of linen, filled with lavender. All these things evoke a sense of calm and well being, and are used when we are not feeling the best or are most anxious, perhaps to ward off colds by filling the atmosphere with a light pretty scent and to help us sleep, and an important item to freshen the clothes, and keep moths out of our armoirs and wardrobes.

For this swap, we will be creating a beautiful card 4 X 6 inches, with 4 elements to it, to send out to one partner.

1. The front of the card, being the first and visually appealing part of this swap, we shall illustrate with an image of one of your own pomanders, or one you may have seen from our research, and simply would love to own such an object. If you have no idea what a pomander is, it is very much like a metal or porcelain tea leaf ball (one dips in the cup or pot of tea.) but this variety is a scented pomander which has larger holes, and a ribbon or chain suspended from the top, one currently hangs in the wardrobe to keep moths away from clothes. Originally, pomanders were made of a ball of ambergris, a highly perfumed gum from the Blue Whale, and highly prized for its enduring sweet scent. This tiny 'apple' of ambergris was often placed in a porcelain ball, hung from the owners girdle, in the days of the great plague. Nowadays, China pomanders were very popular in the 1970's. For help in finding one, Pinterest have some lovely samples. Type in "either metal or china pomanders" then many items will pop up for you to peruse.

2. Upon opening the card, the left side, behind the image of (1), will be space for you to write up a recipe of a favourite pomander receipt. Here are a few to peruse if you need help here.

https://www.thespicehouse.com/blogs/recipes/fruit-pomanders-recipe or If you google 'spiced pomanders recipes' there are many to choose.
theanneboleynfiles.com/resources/tudor-life/pomanders/

1. Write a note to your partner on this third blank side, from your village character to your partners character perhaps talking of the change of seasons, or upcoming events for you.

2. On the last page, half fill the page with an image of a clove studded orange pomander of which there are numerable varieties to choose from in the (2) recipe suggestion. At the base on this page place yours & the swap name and date etc.

So to summarize you will have one partner to whom you shall send 1 card - which is: 4 sides of 4x6 inch greeting card style cardstock, decorating front and back covers with an image each, and inside, a recipe and a cheery seasonal letter to your partner.

For further information do drop by our blog where there several accounts of herbal preparations over the past months, plus the latest on pomanders.

As per usual, if any queries do not hesitate and contact one of us, Jane, Anna, Nickalli

Being the beginning of the Christmas rush in mail, don't be frantic if you have not received your swap by a short period. People always fret, but as the last few years have proven, the pandemic has delayed many deliveries, and with the postal influx of Christmas cards filling the postal system, have patience please, and wait for at least 4 to 6 weeks before contacting your partner. I am sorry to say this, but our postal services are not performing to their former glory and delays are inevitable.