Making Mulling Spices and/or Simmering Potpourri ~ Citrus Series

"Smells are surer than sounds and sights to make the heartstrings crack."

~ Rudyard Kipling

The *sweet warm home* is the star of the season during these chilly months. Scents of cinnamon and spice offer a sense of coziness and will stimulate sweet memories for your children later on in life. Mulling spices offer fragrance in the form of a simmering potpourri (my favorite) or they can be used to enhance your hot apple cider on those frigid days. You could also brew some of your favorite tea, allow the mulling spices to soak and drink in the fall and winter flavors. The best part is that making your own is frugal, fun and easy!

Simple Supplies:

• 2 tbsp cinnamon chips (or sticks)
• 2 tbsp dried orange peel
• 1 1/2 tbsp whole cloves
• 1 1/2 tbsp whole allspice
• optional: string/twine and fine cheesecloth (to make a simmering bag)
• optional: 4 ounce jelly jars

For the cinnamon chips, we crushed a few cinnamon sticks with a household hammer and measured them out. We dried our own orange peel and purchased the other ingredients in bags as it is cheaper than buying the bottles of spices (since you are paying extra for the packaging).

Simply mix together and place everything in a clean container. You can introduce more or less of any ingredient depending on your likes. Crushed nutmeg can also be added for variation. The wonderful part is that all of these spices have medicinal value as well!

Williams Sonoma mixes in some essential oils of cinnamon and orange to their product. If you would like to try that, make sure your oils are edible such as the doTERRA brand. Leave them to sit in a closed container for a few days to absorb the oils once you stir them in.

To give as a gift, you may want to include a spice bag. Just cut out a rectangle of fine cheesecloth and sew up the sides (leaving one side open). Use this and the tie (which will seal the spice bag when simmering) to double up as a jar decoration.

The small, 4 ounce jelly jars are a perfect size for this project and you will find our free "orange" inspired labels here.

How to Use:

• Add the mulling spices to a hot tea (red rooibos would be an excellent choice)  by placing 1 tbsp. of mulling spices to every half gallon of beverage. Allow the spices to steep in the hot liquid for approx. 30-45 minutes. Strain out the spices before serving (or simply remove spice bag if you are using one).

• Place a few tablespoons of mulling spices into a pot of water, bring to a simmer and the sweet and spicy fragrance will fill your home. If you have a wood-stove, place a pot of this mixture on top to add needed moisture to the dry air as your potpourri simmers.

• Add the mulling spices to apple cider by placing 1 tbsp. of spices to every half gallon of beverage. Allow the spices to steep in the hot liquid for approx. 30-45 minutes. Strain out the spices before serving (or simply remove spice bag if you are using one).

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Make it Yourself Mondays, Homestead Barn Hop, Natural Living Tuesday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Make Bake Create, Wise Woman Link Up, Christian Homemaking, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Whatever You Want Wednesday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Homemaking Wednesdays, Homemaking Thursdays,  From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.