Nothing sure beats the cool and crisp scent of autumn and all the warmth reminded of by those deep earthy flavors and spices. Here are some fun and creative, yet easy ways to do with the kids to make your home smell like fall.
Set up an Autumn Simmer Pot
Want to get your fill of that familiar Autumn scent? Just fill a pot with water. Then, place a variety of fruits and whole spices. Bring it to a boil. Next, let it simmer on low heat. Lastly, prepare for a full day of aromatic awesomeness.
For best results, keep in mind to always top up the water level while it is simmering. For a more Autumny goodness, try these ingredients:
- Apple Juice,
- Bay Leaves,
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Essential oils.
- Evergreen
- Lavender
- Mint
- Orange Peels
- Pine Needles
- Star Anise
- Vanilla extract
- Whole Clove
Make your personal herb and spice fire starters
Get the fire going with an added hint of herbs and spices, as if the smell of burning wood is not remarkable enough. It also only takes roughly five minutes to make one. Here is what you need:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Coffee filters
- Dried orange and apple peels
- Embroidery thread and needle
- Lavender
- Sprigs of fresh rosemary
Now, once you have all the supplies prepared, you then fill the coffee filters with a handful of the spice mixture. After that, thread the needle and sew the top opening closed. It is that simple! Lighting one up is the perfect excuse to make a fire and roast marshmallows!
Bake pumpkin pie or a pumpkin loaf
Make the whole experience perfect by having some pie (or bread) to eat too! There is nothing better than having your home filled with the scent of warm baked goods, fresh, hot out of the oven. What's more, getting to devour such deliciousness and sharing it with the rest of the family. #AutumnForTheWin.
Light some autumn-scented candles
The one thing we all are confident of is that there is no lack of fall-scented candles in the market. Pick some up now in the store, or better yet, make your own. Moreover, if you cannot make one from scratch, you can spruce up your old vanilla-scented candles with a layer of sprigs of rosemary or cinnamon sticks.
Get comfy with a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte
Okay, Starbucks is great and all. However, you have to change out of your PJs to get one. Which, on a chilly and cold fall day is the worst thing ever. Cut your calorie and sugar intake in half by making this equally-delicious homemade version.
This particular Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is easy to make. You can also prepare it in 10 minutes, using six simple ingredients, most of which found at your home. Best yet, no artificial flavors are hiding in pumpkin syrup here!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Organic Coffee
- 1/2 teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1.5 tablespoon of Maple Syrup
- 3/4 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 2 tablespoons of Pureed Pumpkin
Directions to Prepare:
- Brew the coffee, and then set aside.
- Next, over medium heat, mix the pureed pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in a saucepan.
- Next, slowly and carefully whisk in almond milk.
- Then, bring the mixture to a low simmer, stirring occasionally Next, remove the saucepan from heat.
- After that, stir in vanilla extract in the mix.
- Then, transfer milk mixture to a blender and pulse several times until foamy and frothy.
- Next, add milk mixture to your hot coffee.
You may also want to use a spoon to hold back the frothy top layer while pouring gently. Additionally, you can top off your latte with this remaining froth. Furthermore, top it with a dollop of homemade organic whipped cream or coconut whipped cream and sprinkled with additional pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!
Make this pumpkin spice body scrub
Do you have some refined sugar that you no longer want to consume, but thought could be useful lying around? Then, this amazing brown sugar body scrub is the one to use it.
Just combine brown sugar and coconut oil, until crumbly. Then, add some extra cinnamon, ground cloves, and pumpkin spice.
At the end of your shower, exfoliate using this scrub mixture, and then rinse off. You will not pick up the spices in the mix right away. However, the fragrance in the shower will be phenomenal.
Spice up your scouring powder
If you are cleaning your home, why not go the extra mile and make it smell extra nice too? Combine some baking soda with ground dried herbs, spices, and essential oils for a natural, antibacterial and sanitizing cleaning solution.
Mull over some wine
Okay here is something for parents, alone. It is just like a simmering pot, except this one is boozy and consumable (therefore infinitely better). Get your whole home smelling incredibly amazing as you mull your wine in spices and fruit for an intense fall flavor. Then, enjoy a glass for a job well done.
