| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 6:30:13 PM
My favorite smell is pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice. I love to have candles with that smell from October up to January. There is just something about pumpkin spice that makes me feel all warm and cozy. I would like to know what you farmgirls enjoy. What are your favorite smells of the season?
Krista |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Nov 29 2015 : 1:31:29 PM
The apple peels are really subtle - sometimes I cut up a whole apple if I have one that's going south, or use a little cider instead of water in the pot. But I don't do that very often since cider is better for drinking!
http://www.apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 29 2015 : 11:18:38 AM
Thanks Amanda. I am going to give this a shot. I am missing the cinnamon sticks and will have to go get me some this week. On the plus side I do have oranges so I can add the orange pill to the mixture! Do apple peels create that strong of a smell if used without orange peels?
Krista |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Nov 28 2015 : 8:24:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MaryJanesNiece
Oh dear Nini! You make me laugh! I don’t think you are a nut at all. There is nothing wrong with being passionate about what you love. I am the same way! I will for sure check those candles out. I have a target nearby and seem to find good deals and coupons with them. I am thinking that after all the crazy Christmas hustle is over I will head into town and see if they have any of those candles there. Maybe I can find some Christmas candles on clearance to save for next year.
Amanda and Bonnie I have one of those small crockpots as well. I will have to try your recipes. What are your portions for the mix? Also when you shut the crockpot off do you need to store the mixture in the fridge?
Krista
I just fill the crock pot to the top with water, and put in a couple of tablespoons of whole cloves, and two or three cinnamon sticks snapped in half. If I have apple or orange peels on hand, I toss those in too. I usually used the spiced water for a few days, and swap it out for fresh once per week. I like to leave it plugged in all day because it make the fragrance stronger, but you want to be sure to top it up with water as it evaporates - I think I usually top up twice per day.
http://www.apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 28 2015 : 5:34:26 PM
Oh dear Nini! You make me laugh! I don’t think you are a nut at all. There is nothing wrong with being passionate about what you love. I am the same way! I will for sure check those candles out. I have a target nearby and seem to find good deals and coupons with them. I am thinking that after all the crazy Christmas hustle is over I will head into town and see if they have any of those candles there. Maybe I can find some Christmas candles on clearance to save for next year.
Amanda and Bonnie I have one of those small crockpots as well. I will have to try your recipes. What are your portions for the mix? Also when you shut the crockpot off do you need to store the mixture in the fridge?
Krista
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| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Nov 28 2015 : 3:42:19 PM
I got a little crockpot for free when I bought my big one and I love to simmer whole cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and orange in water. Once you get the smell, you can turn it off. It is reusable many times. The downside is my family thinks I have made cinnamon rolls and become grumpy if I don't make them once and awhile. Lol
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Nov 28 2015 : 2:15:32 PM
For me, Christmas smells like cinnamon and cloves. From Thanksgiving until January, I've nearly always got a simmer pot on - I use a Crock Pot Little Dipper so I don't have to worry about leaving the stove on, and simmer whole cloves and cinnamon sticks in a little water. Smells so good!
http://www.apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 27 2015 : 10:38:08 AM
Judith, I use that little saying myself, but usually when I'm so exhausted and spent that I can do no more!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| forgetmenot |
Posted - Nov 27 2015 : 10:14:25 AM
Nini, "Stick a fork in me. I'm done". Really? I can't stop smiling. Never heard that one! lol
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 8:23:54 PM
LOL! CJ! LOL! I really need to get out of the house more... LOL!!! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 8:09:30 PM
My goodness, Nini! 
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 8:06:44 PM
LOL! Man I sound like a nut! It's not the case at all, honest. I am just very passionate about the products I do buy... And I am really big on research and discounts! I'm really normal... Really!!! No... REALLY! I'm SERIOUS!!! TRUST me! (LOL!)
Have a great holiday!
(And seriously - I'm not a nut! I am very, very normal...) ;)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 7:58:34 PM
Krista - Part of the reason I like to use Yankee or A Cheerful Giver candles is because they are both made in the USA. Yankee is particularly close to my heart because I grew up on Cape Cod. We didn't live too far from Hyannis, where there was a Colonial Candle of Cape Cod shop. At the time, Yankee Candles were manufactured by Colonial Candle (which, I'm not absolutely sure was the case anymore - I was just a kid. But that was the buzz: CCC made Yankee! And everyone loved them, ESPECIALLY the bayberry candles at Christmas!). From then on, I was always looking for Colonial Candle or Yankee. Yankee had all the wonderful scents, of course, and wherever I had lived prior to moving to PA, I was not too far of a drive away from a Yankee Candle store or Yankee Candle Outlet. Suffice it to say, I was hooked, even as a child! :)
Now, A Cheerful Giver is not only made in the USA, it has a a special interest in helping people with special needs. They hire people who have mental challenges, and allow them to work as many hours or as few minutes as they want in a day! This was really important to me because in high school I volunteered to tutor the special needs students' classes. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I am all about supporting anyone who supports these remarkable people!
I was actually introduced to A Cheerful Giver a long time ago while visiting my parents in Maryland. At the time, Yankee Candle had discontinued their blueberry scent, and I was in dire need of a good substitute. We had breakfast at a local Cracker Barrel, so, of course, I HAD to visit their store! LOL! They had several candles on sale after the 4th of July holiday, one scent being their own blueberry scent. It was in an awesome shaped jar with an impressed star shape, accentuated by a wire holder. I just loved it. I actually saved that candle for over a year before burning it because I loved the scent so much and was so worried I'd never find the company again! Lo and behold, I found them online a few years back! I was so happy! Then they started selling their candles on QVC a couple of years ago. I was in heaven! So, I think for me, both companies are important because of their American manufacturing, and then I love them for personal reasons. Having said that, though, both companies' candles is the wonderful long-lasting scents, and both have excellent Customer Service. I mean, for me, both companies offer a win-win-WIN!!!
If you're looking for deals on both companies, I recommend you visit both websites and sign up for email notifications. ALSO, make sure before you make any online purchases that you do a search for coupons or discounts before you make your purchases.
A Cheerful Giver offers free shipping on purchases over $100, which can be an expensive purchase, but the free ship is a bonus. They also offer regular holiday discount specials of 10-20% off your order - you just have to sign up or visit their website to find the deals. QVC does have pretty great clearance sales on the Cheerful Giver candles, but you have to watch for them - you won't receive notifications. Today they had a "lunctime special" offer of two 10 oz snowman candles for just $12! AND, if you like an easy payment plan, you could spread out your purchase for four months. So, again, you just have to watch for the deals!
If you like the Yankee Candles, they're always having pretty incredible sales and coupon offers in store and online. If you order online, Yankee offers free economy shipping on purchases over $100 everyday... that's a lot to spend all at once, for sure. BUT sometimes their offer is reduced to purchases over $50, and that is over and above their coupon offers. Coupons plus free shipping sure makes it a lot easier to shop from home - you even save on gas!!! They used to allow the use of coupons with the sale items, but that doesn't really happen anymore. I'll keep watching, though, and definitely let you know if that happens! :) And another thing I like about Yankee is that a lot of times, especially at the holidays throughout the year, they offer a free gift or deeply discounted gift with purchase - and the purchase minimum- is usually only about $35 - $50. Right now, they have a deal where you can buy 2 large candles and get 2 free, and if you spend over $35 you can get a nifty little holiday clutch filled with a sampling of different scents in different forms (a car vent clip, a fragrance sphere, a small jar and a votive candle) for just $15. What a neat little gift to give, or to separate among different stockings - and you can keep the clutch for yourself to take to holiday parties! And if you're buying clearance items to meet that $35 minimum, your golden for gift-giving this year! ;) So, yeah, Yankee offers many neat deals like that throughout the year. Locally, we can also find them in different stores like Hallmark, Target, and TJ Maxx or deep discount clearance stores. When the deals are right, you can often combine coupons for these other retail outlets with their sales and scoff up the deals. For that matter, if you get a good deal at Target, sometimes your purchase can get you a free gift card with purchase! You just have to watch! :)
OH! And Yankee Candle will actually personalize candles for you, if you want. This is pretty cool for a wedding, holiday gifts, baby announcements (<Hint!> <Hint!> LOL!), etc. You can add your favorite picture and wording, and I believe you get a deeper discount depending upon how many of the same item you actually order. Pretty neat stuff!
If you'd like me to send you a sample of each brand, please just email your address to me - I've got plenty and would be happy to send you a little treat to try! Honest - I love both that much! In my book, good things absolutely must be shared!!! :) <<No... I am not a salesperson for either company, and, no, I do not benefit from my recommendation in any way!!! LOL!!!>> <<Once you're hooked, though, you're on your own, sister! These candles can become addictive!!! LOL!>>
I'll keep you posted if I find any good deals throughout the year... Just be sure to visit their sites to find deals that might not be advertised, and to sign up for their email lists! Also, no matter WHAT you purchase online, before you check out, be sure to do a quick search for that particular store's discount or coupon codes... RetailMeNot.com is a great one - it has never let me down yet!
Okay... I'm done yammerin'... Stick a fork in me... I'm done! ;)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 6:58:57 PM
Shannon-Thank you, I will give it a shot and see how it works. I don’t blame you for keeping the candles away with your little ones. I hope your two year old is okay? Was it bad?
Nini- You really have all the seasons down pat! I love that! I really was thinking you spent a lot of money on candles but it looks like you are getting some good deals. I may need you help with that! I also like your idea of saving whats left of candles and putting them in burners. It also looks like Yankee Candles are the candle of choice. I have never used that brand. I will need to check them out. Why does everyone seem to like that brand so much?
Krista |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 3:29:41 PM
I typically don't burn candles in the summer time for whatever reason. My daughter and I do have a nice Yankee Candle jar candle (can't remember the scent but it's clean and fresh) that we burn in our glampsite. It's nice to have a cheery candle burning and we do get a good wafting of the scent, even in the outdoors!
I also save what's left in the jar after the wick is burned to use in tart burner. With the exception of most TRUE fruit scents, I'm not fond of food scents and don't burn those!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 08:59:19 AM
Me too! I just started a crock pot of spices and orange peel to simmer. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 08:38:31 AM
I love “scenting the seasons,” Krista! All of my candles come from either Yankee Candle or A Cheerful Giver. In September I like to start the new school year with Macintosh candles burning throughout our home. Those I always burn down to the bottom of the jar. Then I switch over to Apple Pumpkin or Autumn Leaves, then onto Candy Corn. Next, I’m usually burning a cranberry scent (this year is Cranberry Chutney – mmm! SO good!) - usually right through Thanksgiving, and sometimes even into December. For the Christmas season, my favorite scent had always been Yankee Candle’s Pomagranate Cider (Oh my! I LOVE that scent!), but it looks as though they are discontinuing the scent. This year I’ll be burning gingerbread or holiday spice scented candles instead. Once those are done, I’ll move on to a balsam fir type fragrance or a candied fruit scent for Christmas itself, and then for the New Year, I switch over to the buttery peppermint scent of Jack Frost or North Pole. Once the middle of January rolls around, I move on to my favorite blueberry scented candles; and then by February, it’s the scent of roses that fills my home. In March I start burning other floral scents like tulip, then lilac and sunflowers follow in April and May. By June, I switch over to a mixed berry scent and then on to more summery-beachy scents like Beach Walk or a creamy orange scent like Dreamsicle. I’ll then be burning something with a coconut base like a pina colada scent or Pineapple Cilantro through July. In August it’s so hot and muggy here that, although, I like the beach scents, I really want something to “cut” through heaviness. It’s usually so rainy and stormy here, that Storm Watch or a candle with a patchouli base is the perfect scent. That usually lasts through the rest of the summer, then school starts and we’re right back to my all-time favorite, Macintosh, again!
You’re probably thinking I spend a fortune on candles, but that’s simply not the case. A lot of times I only burn the candle about 1/3 or half of the way, then save it for the next season. I also save the candle wax from the bottoms of the jars, and place that in my tart burners to save money. Then, of course, I’m the Queen of deals, scouring clearances, using coupons to the max, and taking advantage of bogos… Last year, after the holiday season, I came across candle duo sets of a cranberry orange scent and a kitchen spice scent on clearance for just $5 a box – that was only $2.50 per candle! I scoffed them right up, and they just waited in the cupboard until last week when I started readying our home for Thanksgiving. Right now, the cranberry ones are burning in the evenings, and when they’re all gone, I’ll switch over to the spice. Finally, there are some times when a larger, hot candle is just not necessary (think heat of summer). So during those months, you might find a few gently glowing scented tealights throughout our home – just enough to set the mood and scent the rooms. On sale, I’ve purchased them for as little as $.25 a candle! Works for me! And yes, this does mean I have to dedicate a couple of cupboard shelves solely to my candles and bags of wax; but, to me, it’s a good use of space. And it’s just so charming. When little kids visit, one of their favorite first things to do is to go through my cupboard, pull out the different boxes and jars and just spend time smelling all the wonderful scents! It’s a magical little nook that just evokes the cozy happiness of home.
Shannon - I have not yet used a diffuser for my essential oils, either. I HAVE put a drop or two of oils on a cold lightbulb, then the oil diffused that way, but I am thinking that's probably not the best way to do it. What type of diffuser do you use? What I am finding with the scented oils, though, is that after a short while I can hardly smell them, if at all. Not because they dissipate and the scent disappears, but just because my nose becomes desensitized to them so quickly. I wonder if it's because they are so pure? I know others can smell them even after I can't, so I try to be very careful not too use much at all.
Krista, I had read that you can put true essential oils in the well of a cold mist vaporizer, too. Shannon, Do you know if that would work well? I would imagine that the mist would carry the scent pretty far throughout the home.
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 9:26:12 PM
I honestly do not know. I say try it and see :) I have not burnt too many candles for long periods of time for awhile, because of the kids. I am always afraid one of them will get into it, especially my two and four year old. Today my two year old decided to play with my hot iron :/
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 5:49:33 PM
Oh yes the smell of pine trees is a must at Christmas time! CJ, I am going to look for those candles and smell them. The “Autumn Leaves” sounds really appeasing. Shannon I have never heard of creating smells that way. I would love to try that. About how long does the smell last? And does it seem to work for large open kitchens? It seems hard to burn candles in my kitchen because it opens to so many rooms the smell isn’t strong enough. Do you think this would work for me?
Krista |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 11:55:27 PM
I would have to agree with both of you.. I like to purchase a small bottleofcheap pie spice mix... Usually both pumpkin and apple, and pour some of one in a pan with some water. Then I let it simmer on the stove, letting the smell waft through the air :) Once it gets gong, I turn it off, yet the smell sticks around. If it dies out too much, I reheat the water.
As it gets closer to Christmas,I will want to smell pine. Since we moved into the rental, we do not have our pines any more,so I will probably use my essential oil diffuser to diffuse pine throughout the house, especially in the living rom where our tree will be... We use a fake tree.
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 7:15:53 PM
My favorite smells for autumn are homemade bread, and other yummy baking smells. My favorite candle scent is Yankee Candle "Autumn Leaves" and I do burn them through the fall.
At Christmas my favorite smells are that of my Scottish shortbread baking and other baking smells. But I must have EVERGREEN smells!
Fresh branches, wreaths, or the Colorado Blue Spruce trees growing in my yard. My favorite candle scents are Yankee Candle "Holiday Bayberry", "Christmas Wreath", and a couple others that are genuine evergreen scents!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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