Homemade Mulling Spices - Guest Post

What a weekend.  We are all so glad that it is over.  We are in our new home now and the next few days will be spent trying to unpack all those boxes and getting things in some semblance of order.  So while I am doing that I want to introduce you to Kathleen who blogs over at Charm Bracelet Diva (At Home)

Kathleen loves to do DIY home decor and shares tips and tutorials for making your home beautiful with those thrift store and vintage treasures you find.  All while doing it on a budget.  You have to visit and see some of her awesome projects.  I have found so many great and inspiring ideas I love for those awesome thrift items I find.  Today she is sharing her mulling spices with us so our homes can be filled with those wonderful fall smells.

Fall is absolutely my most favorite time of year.  As it gets colder outside, we look for ways to make it feel warmer inside.  Be it a fire in the fireplace, a wool throw on the couch or a hot cup of tea, we turn our homes into havens filled with warmth and comfort.  

One thing that's been a mainstay in our house around this time of year, and into Christmas time, is the smell of homemade mulling spices on the stove.  They fill the house with an incredible aroma that lets us know that harsher weather is on the way but all is right with the world at home.

While we use it strictly for the aroma, many people use similar recipes for steeping the ingredients in hot apple cider.

I do think that cinnamon is my favorite ingredient.

And cloves are a close second.  Their scent is very strong, but mixed with the apples and cinnamon it's quite pleasant.

 Here's what we usually use:

apples, cored and sectioned

cinnamon sticks

cloves 

{*Other recipes also use allspice, cardamom, star anise and orange peel.  You can place all the ingredients into a homemade tea bag/ sachet or cheesecloth tied up with kitchen string, and then place that into a cup of hot cider.}

And that's it.  First we fill a pot with water and place the ingredients in it, turning the heat up to medium until it boils.  Once it boils we turn it down to simmer and enjoy the aroma throughout the entire house. 

NOTE:  Be sure to watch the pot carefully, and refill the water level back to full periodically as it will boil off and the pot could potentially burn, causing a fire. 

  

Here's to a warm and cozy fall and winter.

xoxo

Thank you Kathleen.  Can't you just smell those wonderful aromas that abound from the blend of these spices.  I can't wait to put my own together.  You will definitely want to go visit Kathleen's blog Charm Bracelet Diva (At Home) to see her other great projects.

Until next time - enjoy creating something you love.

Hugs,