lemon votives

A good friend of mine gave me this cookbook. It is wonderful. Not only does it have great recipes, but it also has creative entertaining ideas, such as these lemon votives. They only take about 5 minutes to make.

You need: lemons, tea lights (10 for $1 at Walmart), and a paring knife

1. Lay the lemon down on its side and determine which side is flatter. This will be the bottom of the votive. Then, cut the top third off of the lemon.

2. Next, carefully take your knife and begin to cut the fruit away from the pith and rind. Be very careful as not to tear the lemon or cut any fingers:). Once you cut the fruit, take a spoon and scoop out the lemon flesh. Set the lemon on the counter and if it rocks, take a vegetable peeler and take just a little bit of the rind off the bottom to give it a base.

3. Now take the top part of the lemon and cut the fruit away from the rind (just like above) and scoop out the lemon flesh. Then cut an oval shaped hole. Make it big enough so that your lemon doesn't singe or catch fire.

4. Let the lemon dry for about 15 minutes. When you are ready to use it, set the tea light inside, put the lemon top on, and light it.

It should glow prettily and put off a light, citrus scent!