This past year hasn’t been easy. That said, it has also been a year of slowing down, life becoming a bit simpler, and finding beauty in the small things.

In recent weeks, one of those simple pleasures has been peeling my mandarin oranges and letting them dry slightly. Yep, you read that right. I peel a mandarin orange, leave it for (several) hours to dry, and then come back later to enjoy. The slightly dried outside explodes into the juicy inside making it a delightful little treat.

It all started with a viral Instagram post by Jeni Britton Bauer, the owner and creative genius behind Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. She posted about her love of these slightly dried oranges and I thought “why not?!” I mean I’m at home all day and eating more fruit is a good thing, right?

What I didn’t expect was how this simple task would be so satisfying. Maybe I have too much time in my head since we’re now stuck between the four walls of our home/yard most days, but I began pondering the life lessons these oranges are teaching me. Finding simple pleasures in the every day? Learning to appreciate delayed gratification? Or maybe it’s as simple as having something to look forward to later in the day?

Regardless of the reason why, I will continue to enjoy these mandarin oranges and appreciating the simple, juicy goodness they have to offer. I will also continue to appreciate my past self who realized that “future Courtney” could use a simple pleasure to enjoy!