How to Make Autumn Scents 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.

Things You'll Need

• Zip top sandwich or freezer baggies
• Nature findings
• 6 whole cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole nutmegs
• ½ cup of whole cloves
• 2 cups dried orange peel--about 5 oranges worth
• Paper bag
• Hammer
• Plate
• Paper towels
• Large bowl
• Container with lid

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips & Warnings

• Freeze your zip top baggies full of acorns and twigs for a couple of days to kill any creepy crawly critters.

• For added fragrance, add two or three drops of cinnamon oil, one drop at a time.

• Don't use autumn leaves in your potpourri mix. They will fall apart and leave a crumbly mess.

Resources

• Purchase pine cones online