Homemade Orange & Apple Garland

Garland is traditionally a strand of flowers or leaves used in a circular headpiece or draped as decoration, but you can use other natural materials in a garland. Create a fragrant natural garland using dried apple and orange slices. Hang the finished garland over the kitchen window or attach the ends to the sides of a table to let it drape down. Vary the garland design by incorporating lemons and/or limes with the oranges in place of the apples. Experiment with dry spices to rub on the fruit slices. Cardamom and ground ginger may also work with your style.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• 1 lb. apples
• 1 lb. oranges
• Cinnamon, ground
• Cloves, ground
• Dehydrator
• Needle
• Fishing wire

Instructions

1. Slice 1 pound apples and 1 pound oranges into thin slices that average about 1/2 inch thick. Leave the peels on all the fruit but discard the cores and stems of the apples.

2. Dust both sides of each slice of apple with cinnamon. Dust both sides of each slice of orange with cloves. Shake off excess.

3. Place the fruit slices in the dehydrator. Dehydrate according to the manufacturer's instructions for the dehydrator.

4. Create a stack of three slices. Start with apple, then orange and then another apple slice. Thread a needle with fishing line. Pass the needle through the center of the stack until it comes out the other side.

5. Repeat Step 4, moving through the slices three at a time, until all of the slices are on the line. Create a sturdy knot on each end of the fishing line to hold the slices in place. Display the garland as desired.