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Spring is here!

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. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    Off to give it a go now. Luckily I don’t have to pilfer from the neighbours. Have recently bought two discounted rice cookers (which my sister says they use in Thailand go cook lemongrass all day as an airfreshener) – will put the ingredients in their and give it a go.

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  2. Kristi Avatar
    Kristi

    is that one to two teaspoons, or one half teaspoon of vanilla?

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  3. Margo Avatar
    Margo

    I’ve tried this twice now, and both times I could only if my nose was right over the pot. I even tried the fan trick, no luck. Did you ever get it to smell all over the house?

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  4. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    Once the ingredients have been in for maybe 20 minutes or so, get a wooden spoon and really mix up the lemons & rosemary (borderline mashing!) also maybe more vanilla. I am brewing some up right now and it seems to be working fine. Also, start with a boil and then turn it down to a simmer. See if that helps.

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  5. Claudia Avatar
    Claudia

    I am interested in your household spray using vodka? What are the other ingredients? Sounds interesting!!! Thanks,

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  6. Lorri Avatar
    Lorri

    I am wondering what the electric bill would be like if you had your stove on all day??

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  7. Gueraloca Avatar
    Gueraloca

    Use a small crock pot.

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  8. amber Avatar
    amber

    Going to try this right now. I’m currently moving and the house smells like cardboard–not to mention it is not as clean as I’d like becasue I’m packing, not cleaning.
    Hope it makes things better here! 🙂
    Thanks!

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  9. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    I’ve read that you can use a small crock pot, but all I have is a larger one. Would that work? Just double the recipe??

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  10. Joyce Avatar
    Joyce

    i just saw this Pinterest and happened to have all the ingredients on hand. I can smell the lemony vanilla scent wafting through my apt.
    For the readers who aren’t able to smell the mixture unless they’re over the stove, i started the recipe on boiling instead of simmer to jumpstart the smell and it’s working like a charm (I will put it on simmer once I feel like the flavors are being pulled out enough from the rosemary and lemon). Also, if you have a large kitchen/house, it may take a while longer for the smell to waft through than those of us with smaller spaces.
    Definitely will be blogging this recipe (with credit of course) 🙂

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  11. Mzcraz Avatar
    Mzcraz

    We got a mini crockpot when we signed up for a savings account. Now I know what to do with it! THanks!

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  12. Ana Avatar
    Ana

    Gracias! lo intentaré ahora mismo!!! 😀

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  13. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    I used this as a base recipe and it transformed into this: 1 sliced lemon, 4-5 shakes of lavender essential oil, small handful of dried rosemary, 4 capfuls of vanilla extract, 2 capfuls of lemon extract, drizzle of olive oil, 2 healthy shakes of cinnamon. Smells absolutely amaaaaziiiing!! 🙂

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  14. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    I loved the smell so much, I poured some into an empty jelly jar and set it in my bedroom on a candle warmer. Great way to spread the love throughout your living space!

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  15. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    I didn’t have any vanilla extract on hand so i used almond extract instead…smells incredible! Reminds me of a lemon cake. 🙂

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  16. Tkallies Avatar
    Tkallies

    I do not have rosemary. I have edible & non-edible sage, basil, oregano & parsley. Any suggestions ????
    If I use one of the herbs I have… would I still add vanilla & lemon ?? (I only have lemon juice)

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  17. Tkallies Avatar
    Tkallies

    I forgot I have dill too! Any suggestions on what to mix with the herbs I have ????

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  18. Deanag1@cox.net Avatar
    Deanag1@cox.net

    My college aged daughter made some Ramon noodles and put some garlic she had bought from the deli on it. Now my whole house reeks of garlic when you walk in the front door. Smells like a wave of bad breath just took you over!!!
    I tried this to counter the smell and I am just in love!!!!
    I will be doing this ALOT!

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  19. Rhonda Marsh Avatar
    Rhonda Marsh

    Tried this yesterday, but used lime rather than lemon bc I didn’t have lemon. The results were wonderful–thanks for such a useful, enjoyable idea!

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  20. RachRey Avatar
    RachRey

    I would use the basil with some lemon. I don’t know if I’d add vanilla though.

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  21. chrisannram@gmail.com Avatar
    chrisannram@gmail.com

    Do you think this would work in a scentsy warmer?? I have one in each room and my favorite scent is no longer for sale. Thought I’d give this a try!

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  22. prettycrunchynut Avatar
    prettycrunchynut

    It’s simmering right now, smells so good!!! I used oranges due a shortage of lemons, smells nice too, maybe not quite as springy. Thank you!

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  23. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    I am doing this right now and it smells amazing!

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  24. Corinnecolbert Avatar
    Corinnecolbert

    Put a small amount of vodka in a spray bottle. Add 10 or so drops of essential oil (all one or a mix) and shake, then top with water. The alcohol in the vodka allows the oils to disperse more completely in the water. Shake before using. I use a mix of lavender and cedar oils as a linen spray.

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  25. Corinnecolbert Avatar
    Corinnecolbert

    Wonder if this would work with a small fondue pot over a votive candle or tealight? Must try!

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  26. Annick Gaudreault Avatar
    Annick Gaudreault

    I did it. And publish it on my blog with a link to your! Smells really good!

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  27. Kelly Carter Avatar
    Kelly Carter

    Sounds great! I also do a pot of water with orange slices and cinnamon! It smells like I’m baking all day!

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  28. Debbie tramundanas Avatar
    Debbie tramundanas

    I would do it on the stove first, to get it going then transfer to the candle warmer once the fragrance starts coming out.

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  29. shelly khetarpal Avatar
    shelly khetarpal

    I am so dumb. I tried this yesterday and I was not impressed. I was p.o.’ed that I wasted the stuff. bottom line is I looked at yours again and I had used sage instead of rosemary ! ! ! ! ! !
    will buy some rosemary and start over.

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  30. joni Avatar
    joni

    Rival actually makes an electric potpourri pot,
    looks like a tiny , shallow crockpot without a lid, in pretty pastel colors.

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  31. Winnie Avatar
    Winnie

    Do you think this would work with sprigs pinched from my lavender plants?

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  32. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    I’ve never tried it but give it a try!

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  33. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Add a few fresh cranberries (when they are in season) and a few cloves and it smells like Christmas!

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  34. Teri B. Avatar
    Teri B.

    I’m soooo glad I pinned this! My poor dog was sprayed by a skunk last night and she was so scared she ran right by me into the house…. holey moley the stench is unbearable. Remembered this recipe half way through the day and even though I’ve had the windows open all day, I am starting to smell this lovely fragrance more than the ‘White Stripe Cologne’ that’s been burned into my nose. THANK YOU!

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  35. CLEAN Avatar
    CLEAN

    Omg! You posted this story on BHB! I love it!

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  36. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    Oh my gosh- WHITE STRIP COLOGNE- I am dying that is hilarious. So glad you liked this and that it worked! XOXOXO

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  37. AJ Avatar
    AJ

    Wonderful! I just did it, w/ the recommendation to boil first. House smells nice! Wondering if anyone has a similar suggestion using cinnamon (sticks) and wholes cloves? I bought the BIG jars of those a long, long time ago at a wholesale store… at this point, I wouldn’t use them for food, but something like this. Any recipe suggestions?

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  38. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    I do have a fantastic sent for Fall that I’ll post soon (p.s. you can use your cinnamon sticks : )
    xoxo

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  39. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    Hi AJ,
    My fall receipe includes cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
    I use the 1 – 3 small cans of pinapple juice depending on the size of the pot, some sliced apple, a few orange peels, 2 – 3 cinnamon sticks and about 10 whole cloves. It makes the house smell heavenly!

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  40. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    http://www.theyummylife.com/Natural_Room_Scents

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  41. kimberly moody Avatar
    kimberly moody

    in the fall i simmer whole cloves cinnamon sticks and oranges together in a pot smells so good

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  42. Thenyonyacelup Avatar
    Thenyonyacelup

    This looks like a great idea!
    Since I’ve never set foot ion the Americas, I’ll take your word on how great it smells! 🙂

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  43. Thenyonyacelup Avatar
    Thenyonyacelup

    I add my cinnamon into my masala chai (tea steeped w/ a variety of spices in milk) as well as my Nutella cupcakes.

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  44. Courtney Hoskins Avatar
    Courtney Hoskins

    I just did this, went to the store special so i could get the fixins…i added a little lemon juice and honey to the mixture as well, smells oh so good! 🙂 thanks

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  45. Julia Kulesa Avatar
    Julia Kulesa

    Just decided to do this little simmer since we have family coming over for football and dinner. Since it’s fall, I decided to add in some cloves, keeping everything else the same. I’m waiting for it to start boiling so I can turn the heat down, but already the house smells amazing. Thanks for this super simple, amazing smelling tip!

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  46. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    I use to work for a function facility and they would make a pot with cinnamon, cloves nut meg and oranges

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  47. jennifer Avatar
    jennifer

    Can I use lavender instead of rosemary?

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  48. jennifer Avatar
    jennifer

    Sorry! I didn’t see the same comment posted by another user when I was scrolling through the comments

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  49. Vanessa C Avatar
    Vanessa C

    Hi Ladies! I just thought I would add that I have used the leftover parts of any kind of apple, like the skin and core, that I have cut up for my kids,cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and a bit of vanilla, and ground ginger to simmer in a small crock pot all day and it is awesome!! I also used powered cinnamon and got the same effect. I also love the smell of summer so I expremented with pieces I cut off a pineapple that have some of the fruit on it or even canned pineapple would work, coconut flakes and vanilla let me tell you it is heavenly. You just have to remember to add water throught the day. I also suggest bringing the mix to a boil then letting it simmer all day! This is also great on top of a wood stove too! Again the adding the water part is important and it is a great way to humidify the dry winter air too! Just bring a large pot with all ingredients to a boil on the stove then let it simmer on the wood stove.

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  50. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    Huzzah! Great picture! Can’t wait to make my house smell like this!

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