11.09.2009

Easy Holiday Potpourri

I meant to share this with you all last week, but the giveaway kind of took over! However, as I sit down to write, my house smells wonderful, so it's the perfect inspiration.

Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up these easy three ingredients: oranges (or little clementines work well too), cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Peel an orange or two and allow the peels to dry (you'll use the peels only, not the fruit itself). Put all three ingredients in a pot and cover them with water, then simmer on the stove. Sit back and wait for your house to smell amazing.

Bring on the holidays!


34 comments:

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I have been wanting to try this since last year. Maybe I'll actually remember to buy the stuff at the grocery store. :)

Parisienne Farmhouse Chic said...

Doing it right now!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Love this - and you get to eat an orange!

Shilo said...

That's so funny! I've had mine going for a couple of days! :) Great minds think alike. At least, I can dream that my mind is great like yours! Ha ha!
Many blessings on your week, Carrie!
Shilo

duchess said...

Love that combination of scents.
Thanks, Carrie.

Jboo said...

Going to the store today, will have to pick up those ingredients! Thanks for the info!

Janet

jennykate77 said...

I can smell it already!!! Definitely putting those items on my grocery list!

Thanks for the idea♥

Loui♥ said...

Carrie..
Have tried that combination..not only does it smell heavenly, but the added steam puts moisture back into the dry wintery air..another easy and delightful scent is apple pie spice..just sprinkle a bit into water and simmer..wonderful aroma!
nothing says Home more than apple pies!
have a beautiful day!
Loui♥

Tasha said...

Mmm, and you even have it simmering in a fabulous red pot! I need to try this.

Design A-Peele said...

great idea! I'll have to try this out :)

Jessica Ryan said...

I do this with apples that are slightly past their prime... makes the house smell like fresh apple pie!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I do this every year - after seeing my mom do it year after year. It truly does smell sooo fabulous. My hubby gets so irritated when he sees all of the orange peels drying on the stove. Irritated in a "you wonderful homemaking like to make our house smell wonderful wife" way.

Alison said...

Great Idea! Thanks for sharing.

Rita said...

I like to use a combination of orange & lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves and just a few whole cloves. I gave the mixtures away as gifts last year for Christmas, and they were well received. Thanks for reminding me about them!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Thank you! I am so glad to have the recipe. I am going to try it!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Sounds like I need to try this...thanks soooo much for sharing this with all of us in blogland!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Unknown said...

Ha! I just finished eating a clementine, so I'll be trying this SOON! :)

Genny said...

Love it, Carrie! I am going to do this. I can already smell it.

Hope you are well! :)

Courtney said...

I will have to try this. I love warm scents.

Laura said...

Wonderful! Thank you for the idea. As a hall coordinator living in a residence hall, our apartment tends to vary in college smells. This will definitely help!

Jodee said...

What a perfect combination! Thanks for posting it! I better try this to get rid of our new puppy odor!

Mandi Shandi said...

Hey Carrie! I'm just catching up on a few posts. I LOVE this potpourri recipe. It really does make your home smell like the holidays! And I love the polka dot letters. It looks like the kids had a great time on Halloween. I'm glad to see you have been doing well!

Melanie said...

I am going to make this great popourri this weekend! Thanks.

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

OOHHH... I can smell it now!! :)

Lisa said...

Hi,

I just found your blog and love it. When reading your older post I couldn't believe when I saw your headboard frame. I purchased that same picture from my Goodwill because I loved the frame. Sadly mine has been hiding in basement for the past year until I do something with it. Did you paint the chalkboard paint directly over the picture?

Lisa

Shannon said...

This brings back memories for me. My mom used to simmer something similar on the stovetop when we were little, too. So simple and such a nice touch!

Georgia Girl said...

Sounds yummy...the smells that is...how long do you let the peels dry? I am having a dinner party this weekend and I am going to use this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

This sounds so nice, I linked to it in my Friday Favorites! ~Lanie

Norma Lee @ Norma Lee Good said...

OH I can not wait for the holidays! Our Christmas party is a week from today!!! This reminds me of my mom's house. love it!

Unknown said...

I do this during the holidays already and I just love how it makes the house smell. So divine : ) I think I will start it today!

Kelley said...

Someone may have already mentioned this above but....

One of my favorite little gifts to give at Christmastime is: 1 orange, 1 lemon, 4 cinnamon sticks, 4 bay leaves and 8 whole cloves.

I package them differently each year but one of the easiest things I have done is to place them in brown paper lunch sacks, folded over at the top with two holes punched and raffia ran through and tied in a bow. On that, I attach a recipe card....the ingredients above are enough for two batches of simmering potpourri. A little different than yours but yummy smelling just the same.

Georgia Girl said...

Oh I wanted to tell you I tried this and it was loved by so many...even a few men said my house smelled so good and wanted to know where I got my poptpouri...hehehe...I just said a little bloggy friend shared it with me.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Lisa,
I don't know if you'll ever read this, but wanted to reply to your question about my son's frame above his crib. Yes, I just painted directly on the canvas/cardboard and it worked out just fine. Best of luck!
Carrie

Rene said...

I am the impatient kind of person, so I peeled a navel orange and clementine. I then put peels on a baking sheet in 350 degree oven and checked every couple minutes, pulling out the smaller ones first because they dry faster. But once I added them to the other ingredients, yes it smelled heavenly in my home! I love this idea. I'm taking it to my mom's during Christmas! Can't wait to try different ingredients!