Autumn and Thanksgiving Potpourri

[SunKat]

Autumn Potpourri

"Take a walk during fall and pay attention to all of your senses. You see robust colors like orange and scarlet. You hear migratory birds and leaves crunching underfoot. Inhale deeply and you can even smell the autumn season. Bring all of those sensations indoors by creating natural, homemade potpourri using items commonly found in nature and in your own kitchen. Because the ingredients are natural, you will not need to be concerned about harmful chemicals, either."

Step 1: Go on a nature walk, taking several baggies along with you. Make it a family outing and take your kids or grand kids along, too. Collect interesting nature items to toss in your potpourri mix. Some good choices include acorns and other tree nuts, bark, interesting twigs and pine cones.

Step 2: Set several paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Place orange peels on the paper towels. Cover the orange peels with three or four layers of paper towels. Microwave at fifty percent for five minutes, rotating half-way through if your microwave does not have a carousel. Remove peels and store in a cool, dry place for two to three days, until completely dry.

Step 3: Place cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves inside a sturdy paper bag. Use the hammer to smash the ingredients into small pieces. Breaking the spices up will also release fragrant oils.

Step 4: Measure 10 cups of natural materials, 2 cups of the spices and all of the orange peels into a large bowl. Mix all ingredients thoroughly, but gently. Use your hands or two large spoons.

Step 5: Store mixture in one or more lidded containers for at least two weeks. Shake the mixture gently once every day. To use, pour potpourri into a bowl and display in your desired location.

She also posted another potpourri recipe in the All Things Autumn group that I want to try:

Apple Spice

3 tbsp dried apple slices (see note)
1/2 cup pink and red carnation petals
1/4 cup dried sweet woodruff leaves
2 tbsp crumbled cinnamon or one 3" cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg, grated (1 1/2 tsps)
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 tbsp julienne orange peel
3 drops of cinnamon or vanilla scented oil

Note: To dry apples, slice paper thin and place slices in a single layer on a baking sheet in 150 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Mix dried apple slices with remaining ingredients. Store in a tightly covered glass jar.

For simmering potpourri, use a teaspoon potpourri per one cup of water. Place potpourri in water, bring to a boil and simmer on low until the whole house is perfumed; turn off heat. Strain and let dry if you wish to save and reuse the potpourri.

Thanksgiving Potpourri

1 C dried sage leaves
2 C goldenrod
1 C dried lovage (or dried celery) leaves
1/2 C sunflower seed
1/2 C pumpkin seeds
1 C evening primrose pods
1/2 C squash seeds
2 C dried basil leaves and flowers
1 C Indian corn
2 C hickory nuts
2 C acorns

Makes a colorful and fresh-scented potpourri for display in open, glass containers. After Thanksgiving, throw out potpourri for the birds; the leaves will blow away, and the birds will take care of the seeds and nuts.

[miyoko canter]

i love potpourri.