Hot, humid summer nights - the air heavy and moist with a sensual collage of herbal and floral aromas. Fireflies pulsing their love lights to potential mates. Elusive hawk moths darting silently back and forth between fragrant, creamy-white moonflowers and ivory nicotiana trumpets. One can feel the magic in the air, sense the power of the Creator; touch the core of peace.

Close your eyes, breathe in deeply and surrender yourself to the moment - to the feel of the sweet damp air on your skin, the mingling of earthy scents in your nostrils, the night sounds pulsating softly in your ears.

Times like this, it can be very easy to believe that tiny eyes are peering from behind leaves and flower petals waiting patiently to reclaim the garden for themselves and their evening festivities.

This is the perfect time to celebrate summer nights and those wee garden folk by making a Fairy Light Wreath. In the dark days of winter, it will remind you of the sights, scents, sounds and warmth of a memorable summer night.

Materials:
A small grapevine wreath base 3-4 inch diameter
Spanish moss
Tiny dried flower - white and yellow
Clear-drying craft glue or use a glue gun
Floral or woodsy essential oil or blend (Ylang ylang, rose geranium, jasmine, spruce, cedar, cypress, pine, etc.)

Stuff or glue small bunches of moss in and aground the wreath base. Add tiny flowers, securing them with glue. If using tansy or yarrow, break the flowers clusters apart so you have single tansy "bulbs" or very small pieces of yarrow. It works best to stick to uneven numbers (say three white miniature roses, and five tansy "bulbs"), keeping an eye for balance. The idea is to create a small wreath that evokes a fairy ring surrounded by minuscule floral "light." Put a drop or two of essential oil on the moss for a little extra appeal. Fairies love things that smell good.

To make a wreath base of thyme, wrap several sprigs of thyme together with clear nylon fishing line. Make ten or twelve "bundles." Place a second bundle on the first one, overlapping. Wrap it tightly to secure it. Repeat, adding bundles in the same overlapping fashion. Form this into a circle. Wrap and shape until it has a pleasing form. Place the wreath in a container with an inch or two of silica gel. Completely cover with additional silica gel. Seal the container and allow the wreath to dry for several days. Remove and shake off the silica gel. Decorate as above.