The Magic of Christmas

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Christmas 2021…the first one at our house in South Dakota! it was beautiful and filled with celebration of Christ’s birth! I’m so grateful for the gift of family…it was so good to be together. Some of my favorite memories (and traditions) this year:

  • Sunrises in the sun room

  • Walks in the woods

  • Pull ups

  • Marble game and Kings in the Corner

  • 4 dogs

  • Singing Candle Candle

  • Reading scripture (Luke 2 and Isaiah 9)

  • Christmas pajamas

  • Cinnamon rolls

  • Tapioca in the red cups

  • Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2

  • Candlelight meals

Here is our photo album from the weekend…you’ll get to catch a glimpse of our newly painted dining and kitchen area! I hope your Christmas was joyful…and that you are anticipating the new year with excitement!

Essential Oil Guide for the Holidays

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I don’t know what I would do without oils during this time of the year!! Ok ok…I don’t know what I would do without them EVER. Here are my top 7 oils to use for holiday happiness!

On Guard: This is staple to keep you healthy this time of year! Get this oil on you, in you, and in the air!

  • Diffuse everywhere!

  • In your tea, chai, or coffee

  • On your spine and the bottom of your feet (dilute with carrier oil)

  • Put a few drops on your cleaning cloth and wipe down counters, door handles, etc.

Wild Orange: The “oil of happiness"!

  • Put a drop in everyone's hands at your holiday gatherings and have them breathe it in.

  • Combine with On Guard and diffuse it.

Lemon: All the detoxing…

  • Drink 3-4 drops of lemon with water BEFORE you consume alcoholic beverages. Do the same before going to bed. Terrazyme or Zendocrine (take 2 of each) is the perfect addition to this.

  • Don't have lemon? Tangerine or Grapefruit work great too!

  • Lemon hack: Put a few drops on anything sticky…a price tag on a gift, or something in the kitchen. It will dissolve it right off!

Balance: If you can catch them…

  • I call this one the temper tantrum tamer…for kids AND adults.

  • When the kids are running wild…catch them and rub some Balance on the back of their necks, wrists, and temples.

  • Put on the adults all day….send a “Balance Fairy” around the room at specified times to keep everyone calm.

Adaptiv: Oh Adaptiv…how we love thee!

  • Diffuse this when everyone is getting wound up.

  • Use it topically on all pulse points and back of neck.

  • Use it to calm your pets down in the chaos.

  • Great diffused for sleep.

DigestZen: The food is SO good! But if you indulge a bit too much…

  • Put 3 drops around your belly button and rub it in (dilute for sensitive skin).

  • Put 3-4 drops under your tongue and swish it down with water.

  • Don't forget your Terrazyme! 2 capsules with each meal will keep everything moving...if you know what I mean. LOL!

Serenity: Get your beauty rest…

  • Diffuse Serenity for deep sleep (add Balance for the most amazing smell ever!)

  • Put it on your pulse points, chest, and your pillow before bedtime.

  • Extra boost: Take 2 Serenity Softgels 30 minutes before bed. Knocks me right out. Add 2 Copaiba Softgels to calm down your body and relieve occasional aches.

Don’t have oils in your life yet? Grab the Home Essentials Kit here…it has all but 2 of these oils above!

Do you have a favorite oil you like to use when life is hustlin’ and bustlin’? Share in the comments!

Embellished Citrus Garland

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I have always loved the look of dried oranges during the holidays…but I’ve never taken the time to create anything with them! But this year…we did! We made a garland! Ok ok…we “embellished” a garland. But…it still made me just as happy!

There are lots of things you can do with dried oranges:

  • Decorate the tree

  • Attach them to gifts

  • Make yummy tea

  • Use in jams, jellies, and even soups

  • Grind them and add it to smoothies

  • Add to hot chocolate mulled cider

I cut a bunch of oranges and stuck them in our dehydrator at 135 degrees for…a long time. LOL!! No really, it did take quite a while to dry them out because I cut them pretty thick (1/4 - 1/2 inch). It took approximately 12 hours to get them completely dry. You can also dry them in a low heat oven (200 degrees for 3-4 hours), but they won’t retain their bright orange color quite the same as the dehydrator.

Grab some twine and string the oranges up…and then tie them to any garland! You can make one of your own from pine boughs, purchase a pre-made live garland, or just order this one on Amazon like I did! Easy. :)

You could also make an entire garland just of oranges!! Those look amazing with cranberries and popcorn and cinnamon sticks mixed in. The kids will love helping and you’ll love how it looks!

All done! Love how it turned out and how it draws your eyes up to the peak. Make something happy with oranges today!