Christmas in a Pot {Stovetop Potpourri}

Give your home a quick festive lift with some help from the fruit on the counter, spices from the pantry and clippings from your tree.

The holidays just aren’t complete without the delicious aroma of Christmas. A stove top potpourri mix is an easy, and inexpensive way to make your home smell wonderful in just a few minutes.

Stove Top Christmas Potpourri

1 whole orange
1/2 cup cranberries
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
3 sticks of cinnamon
A few clippings from your tree
A few drops of vanilla extract
A sprinkle of grated nutmeg or cinnamon

Slice the orange. Toss the citrus and your choice of whole sweet spices into a pot of simmering water. Reduce heat to lowest setting, and refill water as needed {do not let the water evaporate completely}.

{original photo -- 12/16/11}

{updated photo 12/15/13}

One batch of stove top potpourri will stay good for weeks {the mix will turn brown, but still smell delicious}. Get creative with your potpourri mix! You can use an orange, lemon, or grapefruit, and add cinnamon sticks, cloves, or allspice berries!

{updated 12/7/15}

You can also enjoy your delicious holiday aroma in a mini crockpot!

Operation Sandwich

For most of us, Christmas is about cooking giant turkeys, tearing open presents, and gathering with friends and family. But not for all of us. 

This season, between the holiday party frenzy and the nonstop Christmas shopping, I have felt more led to give back than ever before. Maybe it’s because of the new series we are studying at church, or maybe it’s because I have never felt more blessed in my entire life, or maybe it’s because God is stirring in me to reflect on the real reason for the season. I’m not sure. But what I do know is that there are so many people out there that won’t eat a giant turkey, or tear open presents, or gather with friends and family this Christmas, and it breaks my heart. 

So this Christmas, I cannot think of a better way to be thankful for the gifts I have received from the Lord then to give back to the community. I am the first to admit that I can be a selfish person and the words “charity” and “donation” often intimidate me. Obviously, most people think it means donating their hard earned money…but it doesn’t have to mean that!  There are so many ways to give, from volunteering at your local soup kitchen to hauling a trunk load of clothes from your closet to Goodwill, to sponsoring a child’s Christmas wish list. 

One of my favorite memories of the season thus far was being part of "Operation Sandwich," through Friends in Grace Bible Study. Serving alongside of some of my best friends, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless, was truly a rewarding experience. Knuckles covered in jelly, dozens of flimsy plastic knives snapped in half, and debates over crunchy versus creamy were just part of the night. The best part was sending over 800 PB&J’s to the homeless shelter for the following day to be dispersed to the hungry.

808 sandwiches total!

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to think about giving a holiday gift that makes a difference. By helping others, you will enable them to experience the joy of the season too. Giving warmth, love and hope - that's what Christmas is all about. A time to share our good fortune with our neighbors in need!

Tis the Season for Wine Parties

Who says you can't have a wine party on a school night? Last night, some of my favorite friends came over for a little Christmas wine party. We had such a great time, maybe even a little too much fun for a Monday night...oops!

Lots of yummy appetizers

Mel surprised me with a homemade Christmas ornament! Inside is our wedding invitation. So sweet!

Using all our fun wedding wine toys...new stemware, decanter, and chiller/warmer!

Reindeer Wine Charms...so fun and festive!

My beautiful, fun friends!