Apple and Herb Simmer Pot & 5 Other Links to a Fabulous Smelling Natural Home

Apple season is almost over, but I am still loving the scent of apples.  I wanted to make a simmer pot to scent my home and kitchen last week and decided to create a spicy apple and herbs scent.  The kids kept asking me, "What is that smell? Are you making apple crisp?"  No, kids.  Unfortunately I am not making apple crisp. . . . . although I still need to do that.  I bought Heavy Whipping Cream to make homemade whipped cream for the apple crisp!  It's just waiting to be made. . . . .

For this simmer pot, I used the peels from three smallish apples.  I have no idea what type of apples they were because they were some of the ones my stepmom picked while she was here and they were mixed.

I placed the peels in a small saucepan.  I added one lemon, which was sliced.

Then I added 1 teaspoon of the homemade pumpkin spice blend that was
linked in my 10 Fun Ways to Use Pumpkin Spice post.

Plus, I added a half teaspoon of Herbs de Provence.

I keep Herbs de Provence in my kitchen cabinet for when I make vegetable Moussaka (which truthfully isn't often enough!)  From what I've read, Herbs de Provence is not a set blend of herbs.  It's made with whatever they may have on hand at the time.  I got my herb blend from our local grocery store and it contains these herbs:  Oregano, Marjoram, Thyme, Rosemary, Aniseed and Lavender.

I turned the burner on low and stirred everything together while the pot heated up.  Then I added water to just cover everything.  I simmered mine for about a half hour.  I let it sit on my kitchen stove and then turned it on again a little later.  I used it several times throughout the day.  When it dried out, I just added more water.  Next time I might leave the lemon out and just do apple and spice. 

Funny story about the apples that I peeled.  I put them in lemon water, a trick I've used before so that the apples don't brown in my kids' lunch boxes.  BUT. . . . . . . . . .  . I accidentally left them in the water too long, and the acid in the lemon made the apples soft.   Nobody would eat them that way, so I made apple sauce with them!  When Life gives you Lemons. . . er, Apples, make Apple Sauce!  I just threw the apples in a small saucepan with a little water and a little of that Pumpkin Pie Spice mix and simmered until I could mash the apples with my spoon.  Ate it all up this morning! So, no pictures for you!

Here are some more ways to scent your house naturally.

• This post from BrightNest includes a tip about fighting Kitchen Fridge Stink with oats!  Whaaaaaaaa???? 10 Crazy Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Great  
• This one is perfect for Fall and pumpkin season! How to Make Cinnamon Pumpkin Candles 
• There are a lot of great ideas in this post, but I love the idea of the DIY gel air freshener.   10 Simple DIY Air Fresheners  
• I love the idea of these Homemade Deodorizing disks.  Freshen Up Your Home! Make Your Own Homemade Deodorizing Disks 
•  For the upcoming holiday season, I love the pinecone trick in this post:  9 Natural Ways to Make Your House Smell Amazing.

How do you create an inviting, warm-smelling home?


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