Chewy Espresso Granola Bars Recipe

Air Freshener -Make Your Own-Frugal and Easy Recipes

MAKE YOUR OWN AIR FRESHENER!

I just love making my home smell nice and fresh. One way to do this is by making my own air fresheners. It's fun to make things from scratch and economical as well. Here are some of the mixtures I've used with success. Always start with a clean plastic bottle. Please do not use these around very small children or infants. 

Spicy Room Spray

Plastic spray bottle

1 cup water

Sweet orange pure essential oil

Clove pure essential oil

Cinnamon pure essential oil

Ginger pure essential oil
Add cup of water to plant sprayer.
Add 6 drops of sweet orange, 1 drop of clove, 1 drop cinnamon and 1 drop of ginger essential oil to water.
Use as a room spray . Avoid spraying on skin or in eyes. You may also use this to clean your bathroom sinks.

Warm Vanilla Freshener

1/4 c. baking soda

4 c. warm water

1 tsp vanilla extract

Eucalyptus essential oil
Combine baking soda, vanilla extract and essential oil in a spray bottle. Slowly pour warm water into bottle, stirring gently. Use as a room spray

Get rid of those odors!

Add the following oils to 1/2 gallon of water, store in a cool place and use in clean spray bottles:

To mask strong cooking smells such as fish or vegetables:
12 drops Lemon, 8 drops Eucalyptus

To remove the smell of nasty cigarette smoke:
10 drops Peppermint essential oil, 10 drops Lime essential oil

A natural insect repellent spray:
6 drops Basil, 8 drops Lavender, 6 drops Peppermint essential oils

To Create a relaxing scent in the bedroom:
8 drops lavender essential oil, 12 drops freesia essential oil

To freshen the bathroom or lavatory:
6 drops Rosemary, 8 drops Lemon, 6 drops Lavender essential oils

Edible Simmering Potpourri - Start an hour before guests arrive and your house will smell wonderful:

Apple cider to fill a large soup pot

One apple, cut horizontally to make circular round slices

1/2-inch thickOne orange, cut into round slices

3 whole cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

6 whole allspice berries

One 2-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, cut into small rounds
Place all ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer, then reduce and allow to simmer uncovered, adding cider as liquid evaporates.
When guests arrive, serve each a mug of the hot mulled cider. You may

Banana Scallops Dessert Recipe

Banana Scallops are a wonderful little dessert that you can whip up in just a few minutes. They make an elegant presentation, and are a hit with both childen and adults.

Banana Scallops

6 green-tipped bananas (for firmness)

¼ cup evaporated milk

½ teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons sugar

¾ cup bread crumbs on a large platter

1/2 cup olive oil in a heated skillet

Peel bananas and slice into 1 inch circular pieces

In a large bowl, combine the milk, sugar, and salt.

Dip the banana slices in the milk mixture.

Roll the banana slices into the bread crumb mixture until well coated.

Pan fry the coated banana slices for about 2 minutes or less, until the outside is a lite brown and the bananas are hot.

Serve your banana scallops with ice cream if you wish. I like to serve just the banana scallops in a pretty little dessert bowl and drizzle with chocolate or strawberry syrup or a favorite liquer.

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