BEAUTIFUL ROSE POTPOURRI

When visitors drop by, one of the sweetest compliments they can give us is, “Your house always smells so good!” Pleasant aromas have the power to alter our mood, so it is not surprising that the practice of using scent imaginatively in the home is centuries old. One ancient and delicious way to do this is with potpourri.

The word “potpourri” means a medley of things–exotic blends of herbs, spices, and dried flowers set out in pots or jars to scent the surroundings. The idea is still a charming one, and it’s so easy to make fragrant all-n/atural potpourris that can actually make a positive difference, improving the atmosphere in our homes on every level, relaxing us, helping us to feel more clarity and calm. Gathering the ingredients is fun for the whole family, and the results are sure to please.

Generally speaking, potpourris fall into two categories: Dried and Moist. Dried potpourris are the easiest to make and require all dry ingredients. Their fragrance is less intense, however, and you may find yourself repeating the process after several months. Moist potpourris, on the other hand, can sustain their fragrance for many years with only slight rejuvenation. These potpourris are those whose recipes have been handed down from generation to generation.

What follows then is a recipe for a moist potpourri:

First, "salt cure" your rose petals by collecting about 4 cups of various fragrant roses (reds, pinks and whites preferred). Spread them atop a newspaper and let them dry two or three days. (The petals will feel like soft leather when they're ready.) Layer the partially dried petals with 1/2 tsp. non-iodized, coarse ground sea salt in a straight-sided, crockery bowl. Place an inverted plate on top of the petals and weight it down. Be certain to cover all the petals with the weighted plate. Cover the container with foil and seal the edges. Stir the petals daily with a wooden spoon. After 14 days the petals have "cured," reduced in bulk to about 1 1/2 cups, and changed colors (usually auburn, cream, deep rose and purple).

In a separate bowl combine the following:

1 1/2 cups cured rose petals
1 Tbsp. crushed whole clove
1 Tbsp. cedar shavings
3 crushed bay leaves
1 crushed cinnamon stick
1 tsp. fresh shaved nutmeg
10 drops of Dewi Sri Spa Javanese Rose Body Mist
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest or lemon extract

Place the mixture into the curing crock, replace the plate and weight. Seal with aluminum foil and rubber band. Do not stir the mixture and don't peek! The potpourri will smell a bit "raw" for the first three weeks. (If you peek, you'll understand why the literal translation for potpourri is "rotten pot"!) After the fourth week, it can be transferred to a moist potpourri jar or "scent jar." If it dries out, you can refresh with a few drops of alcohol or Dewi Sri Spa Javanese Rose Body Mist.