IMG_4542Doesn't it feel good? It's warming up here in Southern California (well, it's always warm…but you know.) We hit the beach for the first time this year on St. Patrick's Day. Charlies' first time there and it was good. We stayed & watched the sun set. Anyway, the beginning of Spring always reminds me of when I used to work at Williams Sonoma  (about 10+ years ago) they used to simmer this amazing concoction on the stove and it made the whole store smell amazing. I feel like I've blogged about this before. Maybe I have or maybe I just thought about blogging about it but didn't. Regardless, I make this concoction every Spring and it makes the house smell like heaven.. IMG_4540You need a small stockpot filled about 2/3 full with water. 1 lemon, sliced, and a few sprigs of rosemary (on a cold dark night, armed with scissors, I did a little snippy snip of rosemary from the apartment bldg next door. Don't tell a soul!) IMG_4549Then add 1-2 tsp of vanilla:IMG_4554(can I get a HUZZAH for taking the picture while pouring the vanilla???)

I let it simmer all day long, adding water as needed. You can use the same mix for about 2 days; after that it gets a bit stanky if you know what I mean.) It's this wonderful scent of citrus with the warm vanilla and the rosemary…ack…the rosemary just ties it all in. Your home will smell mahvelous!

Here's to Spring!

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179 responses to “Spring is here!”

  1. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    This sounds delightful. Question – have you ever tried to “make” it in a crock pot? I was just curious if that might work vs. simmering on the stove? Thanks for the recommendation; I can’t wait to try it.

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  2. Miranda Avatar

    Oh bless you Morgan. I can think of nothing more I want in the world than for my house to smell like Williams Sonoma. I’m off to do this right now.

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  3. Abbey Rice Avatar

    Totally going to try this. It’s snowing here in Maine right now, so I need a little Spring, even if it’s artificially created.

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  4. pam Avatar

    Sounds like spring! xo

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  5. Alexis Avatar
    Alexis

    This is exactly what I’ve been missing to get in the Spring spirit. I have rosemary I grew that I can use. Excellent…excellent. Huzzah! For your photo while pouring. You are very talented!

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  6. Katherine Avatar

    I wish I knew of a place to steal rosemary right about now! That sounds delightful!

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  7. Jenn N Avatar

    Sounds wonderful. I think I may have to give this one a try.

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  8. Jean Avatar
    Jean

    Huzzah! That picture should be displayed at the food exhibition at the Getty!

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  9. Beth Avatar

    wish you lived close, I have some late night stealing to do from an empty house down the block. It’s just a little something in the open storage shed in the back yard… it’s not really stealing….ok, it kind of is.

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  10. Morgan Avatar

    ‘stealing’ is such a strong word….

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  11. Morgan Avatar

    Jean- there is still room for you if you want to come with!

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  12. LeeAnn Avatar

    Thanks for sharing! I will be brewing this up this weekend.

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  13. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    I just told my husband that I want you to be my next door neighbor. You can steal all the rosemary you want! I love your ideas, I’m going to try this this weekend! Love it.

    Like

  14. Julie B Avatar
    Julie B

    I’m so doing this right now! Crabcakes are yummy… but make the house smell quite unsavory, and it definitely gets old after a couple of days! =P

    Like

  15. hena tayeb Avatar

    what a great idea… a must try

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  16. Melissa Avatar

    did this yesterday! my house smells wonderful! thanks 🙂

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  17. Stacey S. Avatar
    Stacey S.

    Yum, I’ve got lemons and rosemary in the front yard and plenty of vanilla. I’m interested in trying the crock pot idea ‘Shannon’ mentioned. And yes, the weather is rockin’. Just wish our allergies were less intense! But we are still loving the sun.

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  18. Emily Avatar

    This smells amazing…it is the perfect answer to my “green cleaning”. I’ve been experimenting with using only baking soda and vinegar to clean – and while it works great, it sure doesn’t smell like I cleaned. I put this concoction on to simmer after cleaning and am now content! Thanks for sharing…

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  19. Morgan Avatar

    Shannon I’ve never tried the crockpot- but very interesting. If you try it let me know how it works out!

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  20. N. Avatar

    Oh my gosh – I’m making this right now and WOW! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    wonderful idea..I will have to try this 🙂 Thank you

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  22. Christina Avatar

    Pinned this to Pinterest – amazing idea!!! I have a recipe for a winter stove top scent (http://northcarolinacharm.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-in-pot.html) but now I have a reason to leave my pot on the stove year-round! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will absolutely be making it come March!!!

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  23. tambster@hotmail.com Avatar
    tambster@hotmail.com

    going to try this right now:))

    Like

  24. Healthy Branscoms Avatar

    That is awesome! We are selling our house and I am going to do this! 🙂 Erin
    PS…LOVE your header! 🙂

    Like

  25. Adele Forbes Avatar

    Love it! Would never thought of adding the rosemary….but hey, whatever works..while I’m snipping the rosemary I will par boil some nice potatoes then slide them in the oven with the rosemary and butter and roast them to a golden all around turn…thank you so very much for sharing!

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  26. Laurie Avatar
    Laurie

    Huzzah!

    Like

  27. Morgan Avatar
  28. Marisa Avatar
    Marisa

    How bad do you think it would be if I used dried rosemary and lemon juice instead?! Haha!!

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  29. Kellie Avatar
    Kellie

    What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing 🙂

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  30. Morgan Avatar

    I have never tried it but I think a pinner did the same thing and it worked beautifully 🙂

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  31. Morgan Avatar

    Thanks, Breanna 🙂

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  32. Tricia Avatar

    love this idea! i also love the thought of putting it in a crock pot like one of your followers mentioned. i linked you to my blog, http://bridgethegapmakinghealthierchoices.blogspot.com/
    ~ hopefully it will lead readers back to your blog! “HOOZAH!”

    Like

  33. Tricia Avatar

    HA! do you think i could spell “HUZZAH” correctly, LOL

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  34. mmm Avatar
    mmm

    YOUR POST is the reason I started on Pinterest. Feel honored!!

    Like

  35. Becky @ Pure Vitality Avatar

    This sounds amazing! I love to scent my house with simmering herbs. I will have to try this combination today!

    Like

  36. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    I am doing this right now! Can’t wait to have my house smelling good!

    Like

  37. Diane Avatar
    Diane

    This is WONDERFUL, great way to make use of my rosemary bush! Highly recommend.

    Like

  38. Jay @ LocalFood.me Avatar

    Amazing idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Like

  39. VeggieMama Avatar
    VeggieMama

    Do you think the cooled water could be used as a spray or would it need to be warm? I have two boys and sometimes need something that smells good quickly!!

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  40. Melanie Avatar
    Melanie

    Found this on Pinterest and got it going this morning. Good Gracious! I’m in heaven! Going to try it in the crock pot next time…

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  41. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    I didn’t have any vanilla on hand so I used a itty bit of hazelnut syrup and a dash of honey and we shall see how it turns out. : )

    Like

  42. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    I was just at Williams Samona yesterday! I hope this really smells as good as the store did.

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  43. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Could this simmer all day in a tart burner?

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  44. Connie Avatar
    Connie

    I tried this, but nobody could smell it unless we put our noses up to it. What did I do wrong? I believe I had enough of the ingredients.

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  45. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Do you have one for winter and christmas?

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  46. Kim Avatar

    Dude! I found this blog post randomly through a friend on Pinterest…and here you are 🙂 Hi!

    Like

  47. Mallory Avatar
    Mallory

    I used my crock pot ‘little dipper’ and it was the perfect size! Didn’t take up a lot of room on my counter or use a pot that I’d eventually need for dinner. Smells amazing!

    Like

  48. daisyflame83@gmail.com Avatar
    daisyflame83@gmail.com

    does it need to simmer all day? could I use my crockpot?

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