orange you chili?

we grew chili peppers this summer, theoretically to be able to make salsa with the tomatoes we grew.  in july, a few ripened past green to red, and as soon as i saw that, i knew what my christmas wreath would look like this year.

i have hoarded peppers, mostly on the plant, since then.  i harvested them all the other day and began wiring them to a plain pine wreath.  i have to say it was a bit dull until i picked an orange from our tree, sliced it and dried it in the oven (200°F for 2 hours on a lightly oiled pan) and added the dried pieces to the wreath.  slap on a bow, and voilà!  a wreath!