Looking ahead to 2013-Binging and Purging

Happy Friday!!!!  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.  Hard to believe it is all over and behind us.

Have you started looking ahead to 2013?  Boy oh boy I have!!!  I am so ready to move on to a new year.  I get a little excited at the end of the year and am on a high. I bought my new calendar the other day and am so siked!  I ♥ planning things!! But thinking ahead to something new and not knowing what it will be or hold for the future gets me cRaZy with anticipation.  That is when I have to hold tight to my faith and trust in God.  With the strength only He can give me I am sure to have a great year!!!  So lets move on.

Yes, I am going to discuss binging and purging. No, it is not about an eating disorder I have.....well not exactly.

What I am going to discuss is the binging on FOOD and needless "stuff"! After the season we just had with all the food and gifts....WOW!!  I am feeling very bloated and crowded in this little old house.

I will say though, our family is truly blessed by so much.  But we know there is always room for improvement a need to get rid of stuff!

As the new year is approaching I have thoughts of what needs to change in our family. Mainly our eating and being happy with what we have.  And NOT thinking we need another TOY!!!!

We did our share of the binging and now it is time for the purge! 

Yesterday I worked in the boys' room to get rid of JUNK!  How on earth do children come up with so much junk?!?!  Little cheap, needless things that some people call a toy.  Stuff they have not played with in months. I know I am partly to blame.....my bad. So yesterday I grabbed a giant size trash bag and went to town.  Unfortunately the boys are very rough with everything so most all ended up in the bag to throw away.  And with all they were blessed with for Christmas it was time to get rid of some old stuff. 

After my super amazing husband installs shelves in one of their closets we are all set for a more organized room.  At least for a day or two.

As I plan for a new year I also sit back and think about the year that is ending.  Many things changed in our life in 2012. At the beginning of 2012 I had a desire to live a more simple life. In fact it was #2 on my list of goals for 2012.  Check it out......


2. Live more simply. I think we live pretty simple, but I also know there are others ways we can change. I am talking about doing without needless "stuff". I want to be able to stop when I say "I need this or that". I want to learn to stop and say..."Do I really need it"? I want to use what we have. Learn to think, "Can I/can we make it?" Living simple can go in all kinds of directions for each individual family.  I just want to open our eyes to what it could truly be like to live a simple life.


We did live pretty simple this year.  In fact God helped out in that department. He said, "You want to live simple?....well I can help with that!"
From April until now we have been anywhere from next to nothing to watching every penny we have to our name to living life. When you are struggling you learn to live.  You learn to make it and with what you have. You live simple so you can simply live.
We probably did not eat very well during the hectic crazy times, but we were all healthy, had clothes on our backs, had warm beds to sleep in and a roof over our heads. And then the big move.  A six hour move to a smaller, more simple town in a smaller, more simple home.

Simple is an understatement when it comes to our home these days. We moved from a 2016 square foot home to a home less than 1000 square feet! There was a lot of purging!!!

Talk about asking myself,  "Do I really need it?" !!!!!

It has been a rather humbling experience, but I can truly say we have all we need.  And then some!!!! And guess what?  We are happy.

It has taught me to live in the moment, make do with what I have and cherish every blessing God has given us!!!  And it has allowed me to dream again.

So as I look to 2013 here are just a few simple goals I have in mind.

My goals for 2013:

-Purge our pantry of all (if not most) processed foods.
-Prepare garden beds for Spring gardening!
-Continue to purge the boys' room of the over abundances of toys!!
-Go back to more homemade foods and snacks.
-Have a garage sale to purge our garage of JUNK!!!!!
-Continue to ask myself , "Do I really need it?".

Hope you all have a FUN, but safe New Year's Eve. 
And a Happy New Year!!  I'll blog again in 2013!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve Advent-The Christ Candle

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus
and rejoice in His coming to us,
we light the Christ candle.

Jesus Christ is our hope.
He is our peace.

Jesus Christ is our joy.
He is love--
pure, holy, undying love.

Whoever believes in Him will never perish
but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

 

 

Fourth Advent Sunday-Candle of Love

Candle of Love

 

On this fourth Sunday of Advent,
as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ,
we light the candle of love.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us! (1 John 3:1)

This is how God showed His love:
He sent His one and only Son into the world
that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)

A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

 

Merry Christmas 2012

As Christmas is quickly approaching and busy days are ahead I wanted to say Merry Christmas to you all......

Merry Christmas from The Fontenot Family!!

I am taking a little break from my blog for this much anticipated holiday. I still have our Advent Candle posts set up on "auto post" so you will see those come Sunday and then again on Christmas Eve. 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (just in case my break is a l  o  n  g one!).  Make memories, have FUN, hug each other and most of all do not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas!!!!

I'll leave you with our Christmas pictures.....the good, the bad and the oh SO silly!!!  Enjoy!

To contact me......leading2forever@gmail.com

Not so FUN Friday-Making the most of it!

As I type this at 5am I have a sick little boy hanging out with me.  He has actually been UP SINCE 3AM! 

We had a FUN day planned, but life happens, children get sick and things change.  We'll make the most of him being sick and enjoy a day indoors with movies and popcorn.  Maybe a few cookies,
Espresso Fudge and Peppermint Fudge !!!

And a little surprise!  The boys LOVE orange soda!  So I splurged and bought those cute little cans.  Baby Fanta!!!! Now I can feel OK giving them an entire can of soda.  These are only 7.2 ounces. 
I mean really who needs more than that anyway!!!!!

Maybe we'll play some games and take NAPS later in the day.

It is going to be a full weekend with family coming into town.  Events and activities are planned starting tomorrow through Christmas Day.  All I can do is pray the rest of us do not get sick!!! Although it is likely I will get it next for sure since all I do is love on my babies when they are sick. 

What can I say, we are family that spreads even sick love.

Whatever you do today I hope you have something FUN planned.  Make cookies with your sweet children, hug them tight (and your amazing husband too!) and finish shopping!!! It is almost here!!!!  Make memories whatever you do!!!!!

And if you get a chance get outside and enjoy nature!!!!!

Happy Friday y'all!!!

Smiling in December

Just a few things that are making me smile these last few days leading up to Christmas.............

Fingers-No Place like Home

Toes-Silver Sweep

Yep, that's a jingle bell on my purse!

RED!

I just have not been much in the Christmas spirit this season.  I really can't pin point why.  Maybe being in a new home/ "new" town for the first time in seventeen years at Christmas! Maybe it is being away from my little sister and friends.  And I am sure it is not doing the usually Christmas time things we are use to doing and all the places we go.

So I am trying my best to put on a happy face and have FUN!!!!  Who cares that I am a 45 year old woman who wears glitter and a bell on my purse for smiles?!?!! I made a decision to wear something festive everyday until Christmas.  Something that would make me smile.  My red scarf  and red and silver necklace make me smile.  If I am not wearing one of these you can beat I have on my noel charm.

And if all those pretty things don't make me smile, well this sure will!!!!!

Espresso fudge!! Happy Thursday ya'll!

You can find the recipe for the Espresso Fudge HERE .

Christmas Jar Memories-Holiday Open House

Pictures with a phone do not cut it for this house!

As a little girl we passed this house often.  It was right across the street from our church. I always tried to imagine what it looked like inside. Finally in 1981 it was open to the public for tours.  I have been in it at least three times that I can remember and see something new and different every tour.

Last night we took the boys to the Stark house. At Christmas time the house is open for complimentary first floor tours of holiday decorations, live music (in the homes' music room) and refreshments served in the adjacent Carriage House. Although we only got to see the first floor it was amazing.  And being Brant and the boys' first time they were in awe of what they saw.  During this special holiday open house children are allowed to see the first floor with a parent, but regular tours you must be 10 years of age. Brant and I plan to take a tour very soon without the boys. 

A little history........the W.H. Stark House is as impressive as the landmark itself. The 14,000 square-foot home was built in 1894 by William Henry Stark and his wife, Miriam M. Lutcher Stark, prominent philanthropists who occupied the home until their respective deaths 1936. The home remained vacant until 1971, at which time a major ten-year restoration was commenced. The restored Stark House opened for public tours on February 10, 1981, and it remains open currently for public tours, allowing visitors to view the Stark family’s original furnishings and personal effects, as well as rare 18th and 19th century decorative arts. As the only surviving structure of many that once lined the tree-shaded, residential neighborhood, The W.H. Stark House is a unique testament to Texas’ social history and a point of interest to residents and visitors alike.

Designed in the Queen Anne architectural style, the house features a distinctive turret, stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork in cypress and long leaf yellow pine.
Today, the three-story structure stands much as it did at the turn of the 20th century, with fifteen rooms of original family furnishings, personal effects and decorative arts, including antique rugs, original textiles, silver, cut glass, and antique porcelain. Also featured are the Stark family’s impressive collections of American Brilliant Period cut glass, pressed and pattern glass, milk glass, porcelains, and other 18th and 19th century decorative accessories. The interior of both the W.H. Stark House and its adjacent Carriage House depicts the home life of the Starks in the early 1900s and provides an extraordinary statement of Texas’ social history.
The W.H. Stark House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. It is operated as a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private foundation established in 1961 by H.J. Lutcher Stark, the only surviving child of W.H. and Miriam Stark.

The boys' favorite part of the tour was going back to the carriage house for not just one, but two rooms with tables full of Christmas cookies and yummy treats.

And I learned something new last night........the house was practically painted by hand due to the intricate details.  These pictures do not show the up close details, but you may be able to get an idea. 

I think we have another memory for the Christmas jar again next year!!!

What's in your jar this week?

Today I am over at MaMe Musings for Melissa's 2nd annual "Unwrapping Our Gifts" series.

I am a sharing Making Memories in the Kitchen . Come see what special treats are baking up in the kitchen.....several easy, holiday sweets you and your children can make together. 

Mary-A Young Woman Chosen by God

Last year at a ladies' Christmas Brunch at our church I was asked to speak....to give my testimony. Now where I have no problem speaking in public (actually love it!), I was a little unsure about giving my testimony.  But God placed it on my heart and I said yes. Since it was a Christmas Brunch I knew I wanted to it be about the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

While researching, praying for guidance and talking to my Mother I came to the conclusion it would be about Mary.  A very important person in this whole Amazing Story. 

One day I may share my testimony part of that day, but today I want to give all attention to Mary.

So here is what I shared last year at the Ladies of Grace Christmas Brunch.......................

Have you ever wondered why God allows certain things to happen in your life?  Or why he places you in certain situations?

Well over two thousand years ago a young girl was probably thinking the same thing and I want to share a story about her.

*************************
**A reading from "God Speaks to Women Today" by Eugenia Price
~Mary-A Young Woman Chosen by God~

A round faced, olive-skinned Hebrew girl in her late teens sat grinding barley with a mortar and pestle in the front yard of her father's house in Nazareth, a backward little hill town in northern Galilee.  Her name was Mary, and next to the Lord God, she loved her father's gentle neighbor, Joseph, whose carpentry shop was near their home. It was spring, and Mary sang as she ground the barley grains; small red and brown birds in the trees above her sang too. She had just become engaged to marry Joseph the tall bearded, kindly man whose strong hands shaped such smooth ox yokes and cradles and well buckets from the hard woods in the hills around Nazareth.

The song she sang was a Psalm of joy and praise to the God of her fathers. Mary's young life had known no touch of sorrow or pain, only joy, and now her cup ran over with it.  A redstart sang a sudden solo on a low limb right above her head, and she stopped grinding and laughed aloud with the bird.

And then her laughter stopped abruptly. Someone else was there with her in the yard under the trees! She still held the stone pestle in one smooth, brown hand, as she stared into the face of the kindest and most beautiful Being she had ever seen.

His voice was clear and quiet.
"Greetings, favored lady? The Lord is with you."
Sensing her fear, the Visitor went on talking even more gently. "Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And observe, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son and you shall call Him Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David. He shall be King over the house of Jacob forever; there shall be no end to His kingdom."

The young girl was sitting bolt upright on her short-legged grinding stool, her dark grey eyes wide with wonder and perplexity and confusion, but her fear was gone. After a long moment, she caught her breath enough to ask: "But - how shall this be, since I have no husband yet?"

The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, Mary, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you and therefore that Off-spring shall be called - God's Son."

Mary dropped the pestle unnoticed and covered her face with her hands. The message was more then she could bear. As though to help cope with the wonder, the bright Visitor stepped a little closer to where she sat and began to tell her about someone she knew well, someone close to her and familiar.

"Your cousin Elizabeth is to be mother of a son in her old age, Mary. This is her sixth month, who was called sterile!" The girl raised her eyes again. "Elizabeth?"
"Nothing is impossible with God," the Angel said.

She had never heard God's voice with her ears before, but her heart recognized Him well. Relieved and awed by the familiar recognition, she bowed before the Angel and said the only thing Mary's simple, committed, open heart could have said at that moment: "Here I am, the Lord's servant girl. Let it be with me as you say."
And then the heavenly Visitor was gone.
*************************

Can you imagine being told by an Angel that you are going to give birth to the Son of the Most High?!?!  This meant she would bear, God Himself!

Every devout Hebrew woman among the remnant of those still faithful to the Lord God hoped and prayed that the promised Messiah would come through her.  Everyone, perhaps, but the humble, young Hebrew girl, Mary.  I somehow doubt that Mary even thought of praying that she might be the mother of the promised Redeemer of Israel.  If she did, surely she prayed with totally unmixed motives. God had found her heart and her motives utterly clear and directed to Him only.

Otherwise He could not have chosen her.

At first Mary was startled when an angel appeared to her and spoke. But after Gabriel explained it all to her with a calm faith; Mary obediently accepted God's call.  Her words were tender; she spoke these words from her heart.
Luke 1:38 says......
"Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your words".

Mary's believing response was to surrender herself to God as His willing servant. She experienced the grace of God and believed the Word of God, and therefore she could be used by the Spirit to accomplish the will of God.

Just like Mary surrendered to God I also had to turn my life over to Him during the many years of trying to conceive.  And that is part of my testimony I will think about sharing one day.  But for now how does the story of Mary apply to women today?

For me it wasn't until I trusted and surrendered my life to Him that He was able to preform a miracle in my life.....two miracles.

If we surrender, believe His word and act on our beliefs it allows God to use us in His ways.

When God speaks to us, requesting obedience, what happens? Do we need only a momentary adjustments? Do we need only to ask one or two natural questions as Mary asked?

Or do we have to go through the whole thing again? Do we have to struggle in order to decide whether or not we will obey Him?

We can surrender in all kinds of ways.  Small ways or big ways.  And all sizes in between!!!!  Surrendering may be a consistent daily time with our Father.  It may be to have a joyful attitude with others-a friendly smile or hello. Surrendering to God is not always a major occurrence!

My surrendering was not just a blessing of two amazing babies, but it brought me closer to God and my walk with Him became much stronger.

Any woman can be called by God; any woman can find favor with God, if her heart is committed once and for all to the Lord God.


**After I spoke that day this song was sung.  It was the first time I had ever heard it and I wiped tears from my face the entire time. It is absolutely beautiful!!!  Enjoy!  All scenes from the video are from the movie "The Nativity Story".  It is a must watch at Christmas!**

Third Advent Sunday-Candle of Joy

On this third Sunday of Advent,
as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ,
we light the candle of joy.

When Christ comes into our lives,
He brings the fullness of joy.
He anoints our hearts with the oil of gladness. (Isaiah 61:3)

When Jesus was born,
the angels said that His coming was
good news of great joy for all people. (Luke 2:10)

Because Christ has come to us,
we can live every day in the joy of the Lord.
Praise to His name!

 

 

 

FUN Friday-Gingerbread Kids

Happy Friday y'all!!!! 

For some reason I am really excited that today is FRIDAY!!!!  Maybe because I have a school surprise for the boys or maybe because I'll finish up shopping tonight.  Maybe it is because it is getting so close to Christmas!!!!!!  Whatever the reason I plan to make it a FUN Friday!

First I want to share the boys' surprise.  During the weeks leading up to Christmas this year I decided to go easy on the school work.  We usually have so many things going on that the extra time is helpful.  Besides that it is just FUN to ease back a little.  Ahhhh, the beauty of homeschooling.

During this time we usually read and do math.  Today's surprise has to do with reading. 
Thanks to Teachers pay Teachers I found the perfect little holiday themed game for reading.  Teachers pay Teachers is an open marketplace for educators where teachers (or smart homeschooling Mommas) buy, sell and share original teaching resources.  But they also give you plenty of FREE stuff too!!  And this sweet little game was FREE!
If I remember correctly you do have to sign up to their website in order to download the FREE stuff. And many of the teaching tools for sell are very reasonably priced.  I receive emails from time to time that tell me about new (and FREE) stuff that is available.  But you can always go straight there to browse around for learning tools. 

Gingerbread Kids Sight Word Game

It said to print cards on card stock, but I just used copy paper. Then I had the paper laminated and cut out the cards.  You are now set to play Gingerbread Kids.  The games goes like this.......

Draw a card and read the word on the card. If you read the word correctly, keep the card. If you do not, put the card back at the bottom of the deck. Be careful there are special cards requiring you to draw again, lose a turn, and take a card from a friend.

 

 This is a game that will likely be easy for Matthew, but helpful for Ryan.  Either way I think it will be fun and go along with our "gingerbread" theme I am starting for the next few weeks.  After the game is over you use this sheet to write words you drew during the game.

Enjoy your weekend!!  Find some time to get outside and enjoy nature!  Make memories and have FUN!!!!

A Christmas Memory....Gumdrop Tree

 

A child's dream come true!!!  A candy tree! This makes for a fun way to offer candy to your guests. Both children and adults will love it!

 

I have no idea how long the gumdrop tree has been around, but I can remember it when I was younger.  Saturday my Mom brought out the tree for the boys to eat add the gumdrops. 

It was perfect!

 

I actually found these online. Just Google "gumdrop tree".  Your children will love it!!! 

This will more than likely be on the Christmas Jar Memories list for next year!!!

Christmas Jar Memories-A Christmas Stroll

Christmas Jar Memories 2012-A Christmas Stroll

Now that we are living back home we have the opportunity to enjoy Shangri La.  Shangri La is a botanical garden and nature center.  During December they open several nights to enjoy a "stroll" through the gardens to see the lights.

With it being a very short distance from our home we walked over on Saturday night.  It was a muggy evening after it had rained that day, but a nice evening for a "stroll".

Brant had to remind me and the boys throughout the evening what a "stroll" means.....it is a leisure walk by the way.  I guess I am so use to chasing little boys I rarely walk slow.  It was a first for me. 

While the strolls are going on in December the admission is free with a non-perishable food item to be donated to Orange Christian Services.  It is just a little near and dear to my heart.....my Mother is director.

It is an amazing way for families to do something together, give back to their community and see Shanrgi La at a cheaper price.  After dropping off our food at the big truck we made our way in.  It was beautiful.  Unfortunately it was SO dark my camera would not take many pictures, but I did get a few. The paths were lit with little lanterns throughout the gardens to help you make your way around......it was pretty dark!

On our way to the Children's Garden all decorated like "Candyland". 

It is a little blurry, but look closely at the boys peaking through.................

This was at the end of the stroll.....the Pond of the Blue Moon. It is one of  my favorite parts of Shangri La.  Seeing this at night with the Christmas tree was pretty amazing!!! 

In James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, the mystical Shangri La was located in a valley called the Valley of the Blue Moon. Within Shangri La, the Pond of the Blue Moon is the area chosen to reflect the original Shangri-La gardens of Lutcher Stark, who was inspired by Hilton’s novel. Stark used the reflection of blooming azaleas in Ruby Lake to provide overwhelming beauty for his visitors. In the new Shangri La, the Pond of the Blue Moon will provide a reflection pool for more than 41 varieties of azaleas. In addition, a structure called the Cypress Gate adds additional interest by framing the beauty of this garden between 60-foot cypress logs salvaged from the destruction caused by Hurricane Rita.

Making our way back we stopped for a few pictures and of course the gift shop.  It was a FUN evening.  A FUN Christmas Stroll.  And I am pretty sure it will be in our jar again next year.

 

What memories are you pulling from your Christmas Jar this week?

Christmas Jar Memories-Gingerbread Men

Christmas Jar Memories 2012-Gingerbread Men

Matthew has begged wanted to make gingerbread men for years!  And every year I always have intentions of making it happen.  But something always comes up and there are no gingerbread men.

This year it happened! But I think he quickly found out it was not all that. 

Saturday we had a cookie baking day with my Mother.  We arrived to find a table full of all kinds baking supplies.

Note: all pictures were taken with my phone....not the best pictures, but they captured the memories!

 

 

Yes, we had high hopes of a full day.  And yes we were taking the easy way out on some cookies.  It really doesn't matter if you make homemade or buy a mix.........it is all about making a memory for that "Christmas Jar".  And fulfilling a little boy's dream.

 My sweet boys helping with the dough.

And Ryan decorating the men.  I know Matthew decorated some, but somehow I did not get his picture.  Ryan was serious about decorating his.

And finally they get to taste and gobble up the gingerbread men!

I am pretty sure this was our last year of making a special day out of baking cookies.  Oh sure the boys loved eating them!  And did enjoy it for about.....5 minutes! But setting aside a few hours to spend mixing, baking/waiting and then decorating all the cookies was not that much fun to them.  It was more fun to play outdoors and run back and forth to catch a bite or two of cookie.  Or eat raw cookie dough!

It doesn't matter much that they didn't stay in the kitchen the whole time. The most important part of the day was making a memory of baking cookies at Christmas. They will also remember all the supplies, the mixing, eating the cookie dough and Grams and Momma telling them to stop.  Maybe they will remember it being a warm day in December as we baked cookies.  Or maybe they will remember that it started raining.  Or all the gumdrops, cookies and anything else sweet they could get their little hands on that cookie baking day. They don't have to be BIG memories. Simple ones are just as important!  

Memories.  It is all about making memories.  And that is exactly what I set out to do. 

The Christmas Jar Memories continued into the evening on Saturday.........come back tomorrow for more Christmas Jar Memories.

My Christmas Garland-Bay, Oranges and Cinnamon

I am absolutely thrilled to share what I made last Wednesday!!  I had an amazing teacher to show me the details of making a fresh garland.  And a very generous teacher at that! 

My SIL and nieces have made these before and when I requested a craft day together she thought this would be a good idea.  I am SO glad she suggested it.

Fresh Bay leaves (from her tree), dried oranges, cinnamon balls and cinnamon sticks.  I added orange and cinnamon essential oils when I was done.

Directions for this are pretty self explanatory I do believe.  The most time consuming parts are making your cinnamon balls (if you so desire to use these), drying the oranges and picking a pattern for the garland.  I suggest you search for images of garland before hand and play around with a pattern to see what you like best.  Although I LOVE what I made I might do a few things different next year.

For the cinnamon balls I used a recipe I found online. Adding some glue to this recipe would help form the balls easier.

Cinnamon Balls:
(1) Dump the entire container of ground cinnamon in a bowl (I used the 4.12 oz container...this makes a bunch).

(2) Add just a tablespoon or so of applesauce to the bowl of cinnamon and mix. Add applesauce one spoonful at time and mix after each spoonful ... you want to end up with a "dough" that you can roll in a ball and handle easily. I also added in a bit of flour to help make the "dough" easier to handle. I ended up using about 3/4 cup of applesauce and just a smidge of flour!! It doesn't take much and the more you add the whiter the mixture will become!

*Since I did not use glue, but do feel it would help hold things together, play around with it.  Start with just a tad and see how the "dough" looks/feels.

3) Pull off a small chunk of cinnamon dough, roll in the palm of your hands to form a ball, use a toothpick or thick needle to poke a hole through the ball so you can "thread" it onto your garland when it's dry. 

4) Lay on a wire rack and let dry overnight. Flipping over as needed. Mine took a good two days to fully dry and become hard.

Drying Oranges:
Simply slice orange and place on a wire rack on a cookie sheet.  When using the wire rack you exposing both sides to the heat.  I set my oven at 250 and left them in for about 2 hours.  And there you go...dried oranges. 

I dried at least 5 oranges and as you can see from my garland I only needed 3 slices.  You could add more if you wanted especially if your garland is going to be longer.  Threading the oranges this way took up some room so I only needed three.  And as my SIL taught me the way we threaded them light comes through the oranges.....especially if you make one to hang in a window.  My kitchen windows are way to big to do this, but the mirror catches light and it really looks pretty.  So with all the oranges I have left you just may be seeing more crafts with dried oranges!!!!

I just love how it turned out!!  And sitting on the couch I can smell all these amazing scents.  And the essential oils!

Can't wait to make this again next year!!!  Thanks Renee, Lindsey and Lauren for all your help and love you gave me last Wednesday!