Simmering Potpourri

Today I woke up to a temperature of 8 degrees! When it’s this cold, it’s usually VERY dry (especially when there isn’t any snow on the ground..or being tracked inside!). I put a huge pot of water on the stovetop to simmer. Why? Adding humidity to the house not only keeps my crown molding from cracking at the seams from dryness (and my skin from itching) ...it also makes our home feel warmer!

In the summer, our air conditioners work hard to remove the humidity to make it feel cooler. But in the winter, we can add humidity to feel warmer! I do have a real humidifier..but it blows cool air, has a filter, and requires purified water. Not all my favorite things.

But..I can spruce up the water while it humidifies my space! Try adding clementine or apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cranberries, vanilla, or even essential oils you love! Apples, oranges or orange peels, a touch of cinnamon and vanilla are my favorite. If you don’t want it to make you hungry, you can even add coffee beans, sprigs of cedar or pine, mint, or lemon extract (not all together, haha!).

I leave mine to simmer all day when I’m home, or I turn off and restart when I return. Keep an eye on the water level. It is literally evaporating (what we want!), but don’t let it get too low or it’ll burn your fruits. You can also use a crockpot on low all day!

Enjoy your old fashioned humidifier/fragrance warmer. You can even use the fruits that are drying out/almost ready to throw out..the water doesn’t care! : )