With the changing of the seasons, so begins the changing of the DÉCOR in your home.
Fresh Summer flowers give way to those late-blooming beauties we all know and love. Those flowers can be made into natural potpourri, and that pine tree in your backyard? You can add those pine cones into your Autumn arrangements!
PERFECTLY SPICED PINE CONES RECIPE
• 2 tsp. Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 15–20 drops Essential Oils of choice
If you’ve collected the pine cones yourself, you will need to wash them a bit in the sink to remove excess sap and any insects. Once you’ve washed them, place them on a foil-lined cookie sheet or cake pan and place them in the oven at 200° F for about an hour. Keep a close eye on the oven so that the pine cones do not become overly dry and brittle.
There are two methods to scent pine cones with Essential Oils. The first is to use a small spray bottle with the ingredients above and mist the pine cones. The second is to combine the ingredients in a small glass bottle and use a dropper to apply the blend to the pine cones.
After applying the Essential Oils to your pine cones, place them in a resealable plastic bag and leave them to sit for 24 hours. If the scent is not as strong as you would like, repeat the process.
ESSENTIALLY AUTUMN POTPOURRI RECIPE
• 2 tsp. Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 15–20 drops Essential Oils of choice
You can use fresh flowers from your flower garden, or a local nursery; some crafting stores carry pre-dried floral mixes. If you choose to start with fresh flowers, you will have to dry them first before you begin making your potpourri. Some prefer to dry the flowers whole and then remove the petals and leaves, while others remove the petals and leaves and then allow them to air-dry. To speed the drying process, a food dehydrator can also be used to dry the flowers.
To apply the Essential Oil mixture to your potpourri items, place them in a bowl and drop several drops of your Essential Oil Blend onto the petals and then mix it well to disburse the Essential Oils throughout. You can now place your fresh potpourri into the container you will be displaying it in; or you can place it into a resealable plastic bag and allow it to mature overnight before displaying in your home.
Which Essential Oils should you consider using for your Autumn-scented potpourri? Try any of these:
• Arborvitae
• Black Pepper
• Cardamom
• Cassia
• Cedarwood
• Cinnamon Bark
• Clary Sage
• Clove
• Coriander
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Juniper Berry
• Patchouli
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine
• Vetiver
• Wild Orange
QUESTION – WHICH OF THE OILS LISTED ABOVE WOULD YOU COMBINE TO CREATE THE SCENTED AUTUMN DÉCOR IN YOUR HOME?
