The phrase “trimming the tree” took on a whole new meaning for us this year.

We picked out a live Fraser fir tree a few days after Thanksgiving.  Shortly after getting it in the house and decorated, we realized that the tree wasn’t taking up water.  Panic set in as I recalled what is now referred to as The Tree Fiasco of 2007 when my tree was dead as a doornail 2 weeks before Christmas.  I am talking flammable.

I couldn’t live through replacing a dried out, dead tree again so we had to act fast.  At this point, there were just a few dry needles on the decorated tree.   I knew it could be revived.  This is the point where we actually trimmed the tree.  I held it up out of the stand while Ryan gave the trunk a fresh-cut.

Crisis averted.  All is calm, all is bright.

Would you believe that not a single ornament moved during this swift surgery?  A Christmas miracle.

I committed to a natural, slightly crafty and  definitely busy look this season in our living room.  I haven’t bought any new Christmas decorations and have yet to regret it.  We had burlap, peacock feathers and moss-covered seed pods leftover from our wedding.  Up on the tree they went.

We live on a wooded lot now so I was able to collect fresh holly and cedar for the mantel right in our backyard.

Plus twigs and dried hydrangeas for the tree.

Following suit with the natural decor, I checked my fruit bowl.  I bought 2 large bags of grapefruit a few weeks ago.  After we packed in as much vitamin C as possible, we were left with six grapefruit staring back at us.

A wonderful opportunity to try my hand at a citrus garland with the leftovers.  I am so glad I did because they quickly became a staple of our holiday decor this year!

First prepare the grapefruit…

• Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees
• Slice up the grapefruits or oranges. Each one will yield 5-6  1/4 inch slices
• Pat them dry with a paper towel and place on a non-stick cookie sheet
• Lightly bake for 3-4 hours, flipping the slices halfway

Next, make your garland…

• Choose 1/2 inch-1 inch wide ribbon, twine or fabric as the base of the garland.  I chose to cut up an old flannel shirt, of course (keeping with our Lumberjack holiday theme)
• Cut into approximately 12 inch long strips.  You will need one strip per piece of citrus
• Tie each strip of fabric through the citrus.  Most slices will naturally have a whole in the middle
• Then tie each piece of fabric together creating a little bow at the connection

The citrus garland adds a festive illumination to the lit tree.

Garland your tree, mantel, foyer, whatever!  Just don’t worry about spending an exorbitant amount of money.  Re-work what you already have in your house…even if it’s edible.

What are you making this holiday season?