Winter Simmer Pot – How To Make Your Home Smell Great Naturally
Do you ever wonder — worry? — that your home might smell bad?
And that you’ve become nose blind to that bad smell?
Or is it just me?
Sometimes I worry my house might have old people smell. I mean, Mike and I are now in our 60’s. So technically we’re old people. 😉
And we’re pretty much empty-nesting it. The kids are in Chicago. Both in apartments in the city. And while Molly does spend an occasional night here – and will be rebounding back home after graduating college in the Spring – we’ve been 98% empty-nesters since the fall.
And as empty-nester(ishes), I do worry when someone walks into our home they might think, “Oh. That’s old people smell.”
Though, more likely we’re living in old dog smell. At the age of 16 1/2, Ernie the beagle is 100% a very old dog. And with those 16 years of age come 16 years of old dog smells … 😉
Yes, we do get him groomed. But let’s face it, the post-grooming new dog smell only lasts a few days. And that old dog smell comes roaring back.
Either way … whether it’s old people smell, or old dog smell … I’ve discovered an easy and natural way to make my home smell better.
Simmer pots!
They’re hard to mess these up. You can add or eliminate ingredients in the mix to get the smell in the house you want.
And eliminate the smells you don’t.
Personally, I think this combination of oranges, apples, cinnamon, cloves and rosemary offers the perfect winter house smell.
You know, to perfectly mask those old people/old dog smells! 🙂
Winter Simmer Pot
Ingredients
- 1 medium orange
- 1 medium apple
- 2-3 pieces cinnamon
- 2-3 sprigs rosemary
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. Bring pot of water to a boil
- 2. While water heats up, slice oranges and apples. You'll add 2-3 slices of orange and 3-4 slices of apple to the water once boiling.
- 3. Once the water boils, add your ingredients to the pot. Turn down to simmer.
- 4. You can leave on the stovetop simmering for hours, however be sure to check it every hour or so and add more water as needed.
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Oh I love simmer pots! We have a huge herb garden and love to mix and match – but lavender and rosemary are my two favs for simmer pots. I love your recipe and will try it.
(You aren’t alone in your OPS worries. We worry too!) I love your photos, too, Linda.
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I 100% want to try lavender and fresh citrus this Spring. And will 100% share the recipe here too!
Oh and the OPS made me chuckle! 🙂
In didn’t realize how much we have in common! We too have been empty nesting since the fall but Maddy lives in town, is graduating this year, and will move back in with us when her lease is up! I never thought about our house smelling empty/old until I read this!! 😳
Related: my next door neighbor permanently lost her sense of smell when she was pregnant with her second child 20+ years ago. I regularly go over there to smell meat (to see if it’s turned), smell for gas leaks, or just tell her “if her house smells bad,” lol! (Yes, we’re really good friends 😉) Perhaps I’ll send her this post.
OMG thank you for your comment!!! You made me lolz! Or is it lmao? Both! Missed you! It’s amazing how a Facebook post can change everything. Gotta love (and hate) that Zuckerburger dude! 🙂
This must be an amazing smell wafting through the entire house. Love it and will for sure give it a try
I visited you via Creatively Crafty Link Party #413
I linked up this week with = 28+29+30.
I’m featuring you when the new party starts this week – thanks for sharing with us at our To Grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party!
The rosemary and vanilla would be such nice additions! I bet this smells wonderful. I’ll have to give it a try. Visiting from the Tell it To Me Tuesday (Heart and Home) link party.