I think we are all aware the world evolves. One look at history and it’s proven. Everything changes, some things recycle, some things just plain fade. But there is always a NEW IDEA about what is seen as BEAUTIFUL, what the world sees as ATTRACTIVE. What we should be STRIVING for. So, who is it deciding all of this. Do we know them? Are they absolutely for our best? Do they even KNOW US?
And yet, their opinions weigh so heavily on our minds, subconsciously much of the time. Nevertheless, the unrecognized voice is loud. We compare, we strive, we desire, we pine over, we seek, we buy, we try…
and most of the time we fall short of the goal.
Why is that?
Because most of the time, this is not what we were created for. We are rating ourselves and striving for something outside of what our matchless maker has designed for us. Our creator has SO MUCH to say about us, over us and into us. It’s unending, never stops. His love radiates onto us and fills us up.
His plan for us is SO GOOD! But we may be so busy head down to the grindstone or head up in the clouds, that we miss what he is speaking into us. Of friend, how many times has this been me? Too many to count. You too probably, or you wouldn’t have made it this far on the page. But here is the HOPE, it’s never too late. He ALWAYS has MORE for us. It may be different but it will never be less. He just doesn’t work that way.
So, how do we balance this out better? What keeps us grounded in WHO God says we are and believing it? Because once we do this everything that follows changes. I know you believe that. If we truly know and BELIEVE what He says about us we show up differently, we accomplish different things, we feel differently, we LOVE more + we worry less. The striving ceases and the longing for Him increases. And this all comes about by being in relationship with Jesus…daily. I mean, face to face, I love you + you love me, Jesus time.
So, if we must strive, let’s strive for this one thing: MORE JESUS.
The WORLD’s ideas of perfection will always fall short and feel flat. You were designed for so much more than that. I can’t wait to see what it is. Oh, and I will because when you start stepping towards it you are going to SHINE for all to see! That’s love on display, right there, and NOTHING is more BEAUTIFUL than that.
I’m in LOVE! There is something dreamy about having the fresh smell of cedar paired with colorful citrus that makes me so happy. It’s full of fun texture, crisp fresh scent, vivid colors, and the best part is it’s super inexpensive.
This year we are simplifying. Less random junk, more intentional decor with a unique flavor of the minimalist style that we love. That goes for Christmas decorations too. In fact, I donated a whole box of decorations (that I didn’t love) during our recent move. That being said I was looking for something creative and fun to garnish our fireplace mantel with to make it festive for the holidays, without spending tons of money on something that is only going to be up for a season. Because, who wants to throw money away?
A fresh cedar garland with a string of sliced dried oranges would be just the fit.
The beauty is you can find all of these items at the grocery store, or for a total win use any citrus that you happen to have stocked in your house. And - for the uber frugal… if you don’t happen to have any oranges I say you toss out a post to social media land and ask anyone if they happen to have any oranges going to waste that they want to purge. You might be surprised how quickly people are eager to dispose of their hardening rind oranges. It helps you and it makes them feel good they aren’t wasting.
So let’s get slicing on the how-to’s of the Festive Dried Orange Garland
Here is what you’ll need:
5-10 Oranges (I used 6 for this garland)
Sharp knife
Twine or ribbon
Baking sheet
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Slice oranges about 1/4” up to 1/2” thick (try to keep the thickness of each slice as consistent as possible) , throw out the end pieces.
Use a towel to gently squeeze out the majority of the juice from each slice by pressing firmly on both sides with the slice flatly pressed in between
Place slices individually spaced out on a baking sheet. (you can use parchment paper underneath.
Bake for 2 hours.
Let cool completely.
Once cooled thread oranges onto twine or ribbon. If you need to use a plastic needle you can - just weave through one side front to back and the other side back to front.
In addition to the orange garland I also made the super simple cedar garland to pair it with. It took me about 20 minutes to go cut some branches from a tree in our yard and wrap them together with some floral wire. Or if you want to purchase one, or use an artificial that is totally fine too.
Ya want to push it over the top and go all-out on the citrus and woody vibe, then you should probably be diffusing some Douglas Fir + Citrus Bliss essential oils too. These oils + this garland = create + festive + winter wonderland all wrapped into one inside of your home!
