Creating a home environment of comfort has been my ultimate goal as of late. Our homes have become retreats, our safe havens. If you're like me, I can’t wait to get through the day and back to “Home Base” where I know I’m safe and sound. So what better time to bring back some holiday traditions that are the epitome of a cozy home? These homespun DIYs are simple and timeless. So bring the family together and remember what’s important this holiday while creating some homespun goodness.
The first Homespun DIY we will tackle is Dried Citrus. This is one of my all-time favorites for a couple reasons. These dried citrus slices smell absolutely divine and style-wise will last from early fall through Christmas.
This is so simple, you will ask yourself, "Why have I never done this before?" These slices can be used in so many ways, so get creative with them. I have a few pictures of some of my favorite ways to get you inspired.
Dried Citrus
What you need:
- A bunch of navel oranges (each large orange will yield approximately 10 slices)
- Sharp knife
- Cookie sheet covered in parchment or foil
- Oven or dehydrator (if using dehydrator, see your manual for directions)
- A long afternoon (this process, though very easy, does take time)
Directions:
- preheat oven anywhere from 125 to 170 F (my oven only goes down to 170 F and worked just fine)
- Slice your oranges thin, trying to be as uniform as possible
- Arrange on your lined cookie sheets
- Place in the oven (process can take anywhere 4-8 hours depending, on your oven)
- Check on them every hour. Each oven is different, so yours may run hotter or cooler; adjust as needed.
- My slices at 170 F took approximately 6 hours to get dried out. I flipped them a few times throughout the process to keep them flat and to insure an even bake.
- The color will start to deepen as the start drying; be sure not to overcook.
- After they are all dehydrated, I like to put mine in a bowl and put a few drops of orange essential oil and mix them around and seal the bowl for a bit to let it soak in.
- That's it! Now get crafting.
Thank you for trying this out, and I hope you enjoy making this holiday favorite. Follow my profile to see more Homespun Goodness. Cheers!
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