Simmering Potpourri

I have always loved burning candles but haven't bought any for quite a while, partly because the candles I like have gotten so expensive and also because people in my home-who will remain nameless, have allergies and it made them stuffy and sneezy. I used to make my own simmering potpourri but forgot about it until recently when I saw it on Pinterest, there are several sites that have similar recipes. I adapted mine from marcicoombs.blogspot.com, she has cute ideas for Christmas Scent jars to give as gifts. I changed the recipe a bit just because I didn't have all of the ingredients, but it still smells great...and no one is sneezing from it!

Here's what you need:

a pint jar
3 cinnamon sticks, I broke mine in half
2-3 bay leaves
cloves, I didn't have whole so I used ground, about a teaspoon
a couple orange slices and peel (you can also just use the peel)
2-3 lemon slices and peel
lime wedge, I didn't have one so I didn't add it

Add all your ingredients into your pint jar and add water, then put it in a crockpot or on the stove in a saucepan or pot on low and let it simmer away. You can add more water as needed. When it's done simmering and has cooled, put it back in the jar in the fridge until you want to use it again.(you might want to label it, even though it isn't toxic, you probably wouldn't want anyone to drink it...in my house when the starving children come home from school they just grab whatever they see to eat or drink!) Add what you like and what you have on hand. Apple peels, nutmeg, allspice, are all great Fall scents. Let us know if you have a favorite!

~Simply Angie

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread. 1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins. Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk and butter

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar

Dad's Homemade Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler fresh from the oven! One of our favorite desserts is Dad's peach cobbler. This is a recipe that I use when I need a quick dessert. I always have the ingredients and it only takes a few minutes to mix it up. I modified it for gluten-free by making a change to the flour type, just in case you're looking for gluten-free. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, or even canned peaches work. I usually freeze enough Colorado peaches to take me through the seasons so I use those. This recipe makes about 6 servings. Ingredients : 1/3 c butter, melted 1-2 cups peaches, peeled and sliced 1 c sugar (white or organic cane) 1 c all-purpose flour ( or white rice flour for gluten-free ) 1 tsp cinnamon (this is optional, my family loves cinnamon!) 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 c milk (I use organic 2%) Directions : Melt butter and pour it into a baking pan, a 9x9 square glass pan works great. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and sa

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