My favorite way to decorate my home is with natural elements. Whether it is flowers snipped from my garden, pumpkins or dried grasses purchased from a local farm stand, or foliage foraged from local woods, bringing nature into my decor makes my heart swoon. While orange trees are not native to where we live, thankfully they are easily found at your nearest market. This dried orange garland adds a bit of nature and whimsy to your holiday decor.

Supplies

• Oranges

• A sharp knife or mandoline

• Baking sheet or dehydrator

• Parchment paper

• Bakers twine or string

• A needle with a large eye

• Scissors

The process

• If using the oven, preheat to 225 degrees

• Cut oranges into thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick

• Arrange the orange slices on a parchment lined baking sheet or dehydrator trays

• If using the oven, bake for roughly 2 hours, flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye on them though, they can easily burn!

• If using a dehydrator, set it to fruit setting, usually 135 degrees. Allow to dehydrate for 18-24 hours, flipping halfway through

• Once dried and cooled, use the needle and thread to string the oranges together, allowing a length of string at each end of the garland to tie it into place

Another way to incorporate natural, health promoting elements into your home decor is to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the dried oranges or the string to diffuse the oils into your space. Every time you walk by you get a waft of beneficial essential oils.