Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Favorite Things #3 -- Everything Fall

What comes to mind when you think of fall?

I close my eyes and feel cool, crisp air......I smell woodsmoke and spices....I see glorious rich colors of amber and golds.....the sunlight is golden and mellow.....I feel the soft textures of fuzzy sweaters and cozy blankets...I crave apples and pumpkins and all of nature's bounty.

I celebrate fall! So in honor of this very special special day, the first day of fall, I'm sharing a few of my favorite autumn things.

Make the House Smell Like Fall
  • One of the first things I do to celebrate autumn, besides pulling out pillows and decor, is to stock up on fresh candles. I love Yankee candles, and add fresh scents with every season. I always have a candle burning in my kitchen when I cook, and in the evening when we are settled in the den to read or watch television, I enjoy the ambiance of a candle on the coffee table. 
My current fall scents that I am enjoying are Autumn Leaves and Apple Pumpkin:



                                           
                                                             
  • If you don't use candles but still like the house to smell like fall, a simmer pot is perfect for a cool, cozy evening. I fill a pot with a few cups of water and add orange peels, apple peels, lemon peels, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, a few drops of vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and whatever else I might have on hand. (Herbs such as bay leaf, rosemary, and lavender are good, too!) Simmer on low, making sure the water does not completely evaporate.


Make Homemade Flavored Coffee
  • I love flavored coffee, and pumpkin spiced coffee and lattes come out seasonally, but they can get expensive! I make my own simple version of flavored coffee with the regular blend I have at home.

You can make either instant coffee or fresh brewed coffee flavored by adding a few dashes of two items you probably have in your spice cabinet: ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. You can experiment with amounts to see how strong you want the flavors.  If I am making a cup of instant coffee, for example, I add a heaping spoon of instant coffee, about three dashes of cinnamon, and a dash or two of pumpkin spice, and add hot water. For a full pot of fresh brewed coffee, add coffee grounds, about a teaspoon each of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, (more if you want stronger flavor) gently stir to mix, and brew as usual.










Make Homemade Bath Products
  • Now that I've got the house smelling spicy delicious and my cup of pumpkin spiced coffee is steamy hot, I'm ready to look up some fun fall DIY recipes. Here are two projects I found on my DIY Body Products pinterest board that I am ready to make for a luxurious spa bath experience:
Pumpkin Spice Soap:




  • This easy and delicious smelling soap recipe for a relaxing fall evening bath is found on Happiness is Homemade.

Vanilla Pumpkin Body Scrub:






Here's to a wonderful fall filled with all good things, the beautiful bounty of nature, and a season of gratitude and thankfulness for all our blessings!

12 comments:

  1. Great tips for adding Fall touches to your home. Thanks so much for visiting me and leaving such a nice comment.

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  2. Great tips for adding Fall touches to your home. Thanks so much for visiting me and leaving such a nice comment.

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  3. What a great idea to add pumpkin pie spice to your coffee! I need to light candles more often and simmer citrus on the stove~ if only the temps would drop!
    Jenna

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  4. I love fall, too... my favorite season! These are wonderful ideas to enjoy! Scented fall candles are such a pleasure, love them! ~Rhonda

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  5. What fabulous scents to welcome in the season! They are all so warm and earthy, I just want to curl up in a warm throw with a cup of spiced tea! Thanks for the scentsational post!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  6. Joanne,
    I agree that the Season of Autumn awakens all our senses!!!
    I make Pumpkin Muffins this past week and the aroma throughout our home was divine!!!
    I l o v e the smell of a log burning in the out~of~doors. . .especially for roasting Marshmallows!!!
    Thank you for your sweet comment and visit!!!
    Wishing your a Wonderful First Weekend of Autumn ahead!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  7. What a good idea to add Pumpkin Pie spice to coffee! Never thought of that one, but I do use cinnamon sometimes for a treat. I too love candles and simmer pots for fall. Great ideas! Now I have to go make myself a cup of fall coffee :-) Bwg ~~~

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  8. HI Joanne, thanks for stopping by my blog Inspirations and taking a peek at my beach house! It's great having one isn't it? I really am not ready for fall though, I'd still prefer a couple more months of summer :)

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  9. I've been clinging on to summer, but this post is a fall feast for the senses! I can almost smell your fall scents!

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  10. Pumpkin pie spice to coffee is a fantastic idea and I'm going to have to try it. And seeing the candles reminded me that I've got to get out and buy some more because this is the time of year I love using them.

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  11. Fall is such a wonderful time of year, and you have decorated your home in such lovely special ways for the season! The pumpkin spice soap sounds wonderful, and only 10 minutes... nice!

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