Oh sweet Fall, I heart YOU. There is no greater season, in my humble opinion. God, you really outdid yourself if I do say so myself.
Last night, I stopped at Starbucks on the way to Bible study/youth group. I was tickled to see their pumpkin cream cheese muffin sitting front and center in the cold case looking up at me with a coy smile. I mouthed back, “I’ve missed you.”
This afternoon is our official “decorate for fall” day. Grace is excited. She can’t wait to get home from school and help me with all that makes our house a home this time of year. Yesterday, I bought my weight in pumpkin spice candles to give a few rooms that autumn-ambiance.
One of the things I’ve done for years and years is make my own simmering potpourri. When we moved into our home in California years ago, we struggled with an odiferous scent that only seemed to permeate our porch around the fall season. I discovered this recipe and tweaked it to my liking. It’s fantastic.
We moved here to Tennessee a few months ago. The house we’re renting is at the back of the court and we have two beautiful maple trees where we’ve strung a bright orange hammock in between the trunks. I love that we’re on an acre and beside a creek that will be running soon.
The only thing about this temporary dwelling place is the smell. I have a gifted snout. I can smell sour like a bloodhound. Apparently, the renters before us trashed the place. I can handle the missing nobs, lights that don’t work, doors that don’t close – broken and busted I can handle, but I can’t bear old cigarette smoke/smell. The new owners did their best by painting and adding new carpet, but the smell can still surprise me from time to time.
I’ve tried candles, sprays, bleach and all sorts of home remedies thanks to Google. What works best? My simmering potpourri. I have a pot on the stove right now. There’s nothing like it. If you’d like the recipe click here.
For all you Pinterest addicts, like me, I have an INCREDIBLE “Fall Favorites” board. I’ll be sharing a few more of my fall favorites on this site right here in the next few days. I can’t help it. When the leaves begin to change and their bright lipstick reds and fiery oranges begin to appear it’s like I’ve been shot with a homemaker dart gun. I’m intoxicated by it all.
What about you? What’s your favorite season and why?
I have a real thing about smells too, and I love to have something like this going. I’ll be visiting your board and pinning it. Thanks!
Let me know how it turns out, Mari!
Another thing I did not know about you. Super smeller Joanne… meet super smeller, Chris. It is truly a nemesis at times, but great when I can sniff a good Zinfandel even if I can’t drink it.
awww, you poor thing. Wish I knew the difference between a Zin and a chocolate zinger. Sadly, I don’t. I have a very juvenile pallet.
Oh girly…what did my house smell like? I’m almost afraid to ask! I MISS YOU!!!
So close…but I’ve yet to get THERE!
LOVE YOU!!!
How did your house smell? Like a little bit of heaven. Jeff was baking cakes ALL weekend, remember!?