Holiday

[Oznell]

Decorating blogger Leslie of "A Charming Abode",   has put together some natural, non-toxic combos of fragrant elements you can simmer on your stove, to infuse your house with yummy fall-type frangrance.

I've done things like this before, but Leslie has it down to a science, and provides 10 different recipes. 

Instead of the saucepans you cook food with, she recommends using an all-glass simmer pot that works on all kinds of stoves up to 400 degrees.  Because it's of clear, borosilicate glass, it provides a pretty, homey visual as well as scenting the house.   Hers is from Amazon, the Glass Saucepan with Cover 1.5 L.  

Her recipes are nicely varied, and don't need to be just for fall.  It could be fun to experiment with them.  Most include things you might already have on hand, like apple slices, thyme,  pumpkin pie spice, ginger, peppermint oil, cinnamon, etc.  and you add water and simmer low.  Of course you need to keep an eye on the pot, and add more water as needed.

I'm especially interested in the one that combines used coffee grounds, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla.....   Mmmm, anything "coffee" I'm so up for!

Speaking of vanilla, since natural vanilla extract is so expensive, Leslie's tip is to use imitation vanilla flavor, to keep things more economical.

Her video is fun and can give new ideas even if you're an old hand at 'natural home fragrancing'...

To watch, just do a search of   How to Make Your Home Smell Perfect for Fall  Non Toxic Solutions

Or, search  A Charming Abode  youtube

Oops, edited to add:   If you go to the video, right under it is the little description box.  To get the exact recipes with quantities, etc., just click on "show more".

[PamfromCT]

@Oznell, Thank you so much for this useful information.

I no longer burn manufactured scented candles in my home for two reasons.  First, so many people are bothered by these strong scents.  And second, after reading about all the chemicals that are used to manufacture (including soy candles) I want to avoid them.

I do wear light perfume, but never when I leave the house to be respectful of those with allergies.

The natural products you have pictured will make my home smell special!  Thank you again.  I will also be checking out the website you recommended.

[Oznell]

@PamfromCT, good,  I'm not surprised that you're up for such fun projects!   Have fun.

So far,  I've tried the apple, cinnamon, clove, vanilla combo (I didn't have orange slices).   It's very yummy, and I just let it simmer low while I'm working around the kitchen.  (I think I was a little too exuberant with the cloves, but, live and learn!)

One of her viewers had a helpful comment-- she said, with fruit like apples and oranges, just use the core of the apple, and the hard ends of citrus fruits--  then, you can still eat most of the fruit, just using less desirable parts for your simmer.  A good way to save.

As soon as one of us here makes coffee and therefore produces used coffee grinds, I'm going to make that coffee one....

[ECBG]

We throw used up lemon rind, orange rind, apple pealing from cooking, with cinnamon and cloves often on to boil.

[PA Mom-mom]

@Oznell  Thank you! I just saw this post. DH and I are fairly allergic to scent, but we have no problem with natural fragrance. I usually just use a sauce pan with water, cinnamon sticks and cloves, but it would be much better to have a dedicated pot - one specifically designed for it - and more recipes. I'll check out the video. Last year I tried the crock pot, but it wasn't as good as something simmering on the stove.

[Oznell]

Oh, good, @PA Mom-mom --  I really like the natural aspect of them too.  I don't have a nice, clear glass designated pot for it like Leslie does either, but like the idea!   I just use one of my beat-up, smaller sauce pans...

We've been saving our used coffee grinds, and I have enough now ( probably too much!) to do the coffee one, yum.