Sometimes memories knocked at the closed door of our heart and remind us those moments we forget due to the sand of time passing by.
Its a true fact that smells trigger more emotional memories than images and give you the feeling of ” being brought back in time.” Smell has a very strong influence upon my life though. In my childhood, I still remember those soft and subtle colored , sweet fruity fragrant pencils which I and my elder brother brought eagerly from a far distant grand stationary shop called “Al Maktaba” in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia and yes! I also feel the mouth watering smell of “Bang Bang” pink chewing gum, only available in “Astra” super market at that time, and was used in making large sized bubble gum competitions held by my class fellows and neighborhood friends. I also remember my first childhood small sized perfume bottles of “Petra” and “Amor”, my loveable Papa gifted me with great love, as well as the exotic smell of “Anais Anais” my Mama frequently sprayed over her ravishing clothes. My dearest Papa’s after-shave lotion ” Old Spice”, its white colored typical bottle design with scent is also in my memories. The other fragrance I remember is that specific smell of my beloved Mom’s ” Swiss Miss”, “Medora”and “Yardley” lipstick and nail polish which I often used secretly when my Mom slept in the afternoon, after a tiring hectic exertion of house hold work. As far as the nostalgic feeling is concerned, whenever we came to our hometown, we sadly missed the smell of chickpeas , boiling in the pressure cooker in my granny’s vintage style kitchen and also the peculiar smell of railway engine that passing through nearby. And of course, that innocent smelling Johnson’s baby powder used by my younger brother, always felt so good. Ah! ” I wish every relationship comes with the same tag as Johnson’s baby shampoo: ” No more tears”! Oh my goodness, lots of precious memories with full of sweet fragrant feelings!!!
Beautiful memories are just like flowers. We shed our tears to freshen up our memories. Potpourri is one of those lovely memories which are associated with my friends. First time, in late 90’s I came to know about potpourri in my friend’s beautiful home.
Potpourri is such an amazing decorative item that is full of creative elements and enthusiasm. Mostly made up with dried petals of flowers, herbs, spices and some other plants leaves. It is a NATURAL room fresher with no harmful side effects. It is consists of any decoratively shaped dried plant material with strong natural and synthetic perfumes and often colored dyes added, not necessary from scented plants. Its gentle natural scent and soothing aroma freshen up your surrounding.
Where to place Potpourri :
It can be used anywhere such as office, car, study room, dining hall, living room, bed room, kitchen, drawing room and even in the bath room. Basically it is for interior environment and most commonly in residential settings. Display it in a decorative container or use it to perfume sachets, cushions and linen. You can make perfumed soap, stationery, greeting cards and drawers by storing potpourri with them.
Plants used in Potpourri :
Naturally scented plants used in traditional potpourri include:
- allspice
- cedar wood shavings (toxic, a moth repellent)
- cinnamon bark and cassia bark (smells like cinnamon only less potent)
- cloves
- cypress wood shavings (toxic, another moth repellent)
- fennel seed
- incense-cedar wood shavings
- jasmine flowers and oil
- jujube flowers and blooms
- juniper wood shavings (toxic, a moth repellent)
- lavender leaves and flowers
- lemon balm leaves and flowers
- lemon peel
- marjoram leaves and flowers
- mignonette leaves and flowers
- mint leaves and flowers
- mugwort (toxic, adds a musky note to the mix, another moth repellent)
- orange peel
- pelargonium leaves from the scented varieties
- pinyon pine shavings and cones
- rose flowers, hips, or oil
- rosemary leaves and flowers
Types of Potpourri :
There are mainly two types of potpourri: dry and moist. Dry potpourri is easier to make and more decorative, since it preserves the form and color of the flowers. Moist potpourri darkens in color but creates a stronger fragrance.
How to make Potpourri :
Making potpourri is an easy and interesting craft. You can add a single element or use your favorite blend to combine different scents and colors.
Air-dried flower heads, petals, leaves, wood, bark or fruit form the bulk of the mixture and set the theme for a dried potpourri.
Air-dried herbs such as thyme, mint and rosemary add interest to the dominant perfume. Spices such as allspice, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla beans contribute fragrance and texture.
Fixatives retain the scents of the other ingredients over longer periods of time. If you don’t use fixatives, the potpourri will lose its perfume quickly. The most common fixatives are gum benzoin and orris roory potpourri.
Dry Potpourri :
- Combine ground spices, fixatives and essential oils in a mixing bowl. You may need to rub the dry ingredients between your fingers with the oil to get them to mix.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix well.
- Place the mixture in an airtight container and leave in a dark place for at least six weeks, to allow the mixture to mature.
- Shake the container every day for the first week.
- After six weeks, the potpourri is ready for use.
Moist potpourri :
- Collect petals and let them dry until they are leathery for about two to three days. Fill a wide-mouthed crock or a glass-lidded storage jar with alternating layers of petals and non-iodized salt. Do not use a metal container.
- When two-thirds full, place a weighted plate on top of the petals to compress them.
- Stir the pot every few days, breaking up any crust that forms on the top.
- After a minimum of two weeks, mix the petals thoroughly and add spices, roots and aromatic and fixative oils. The longer the potpourri is left standing, the stronger and more lasting the fragrance will be.
- Make again and allow to mature for another two weeks. The scent will be a little raw at first but should soon mellow.
Another easy recipe to make potpourri :
Dry rose petals as required, 1⁄4 cup whole cloves, 1 cup whole allspice, 10 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces, 8 small bay leaves, 4 whole nutmeg, 3 Tbsp star anise, 2 Tbsp whole cardamom pods.
Mix well all the above said ingredients and add a few drops of perfume oil.
Potpourri Container Ideas :
Traditionally, a potpourri container is provided with a pierced fitted lid, through which the scent may slowly diffuse. Dried flowers can last anywhere from two months to 20 years, depending on the chosen blend.
Properly made potpourri will last longer when stored in closed container. But you can also keep display potpourri in decorative bowls made of glass, crystal or ceramics or in vintage bowls, serving dishes or plates, glass jars or wire pots.
You can tied it in a small sachet made from sheer fabric or net cloth. wooden boxes, baskets or clay pots are also good option and common potpourri holders.
- Avoid metallic containers because they react with the essential oils.
Tips to Refresh Potpourri :
Following tips surely help you to make customized and awesome dry and wet potpourri for your interior. You must try to re-scent and keep your potpourri smelling fresh with these tips.
- If you expose a mixture directly to the atmosphere it may maintain its scent for up to six months while a sachet may last for twice that time.
- Hide a charcoal briquette in your potpourri bowl and it will absorb foul odors. Not only that, it will absorb moisture, which will help stop mold and mildew build-up in the bathroom (just make sure to use briquettes that haven’t been soaked in lighter fluid). Then you can enjoy the beautiful scent of your potpourri even more.
- An easy trick to clean your potpourri: Pour it into a resealable plastic bag, close the top, and use a fork to poke some small holes into the bag. Shake the bag over a garbage can to catch all the dirt and dust that will fall through the holes.
- When your potpourri stops smelling good after a couple of weeks, spray it with some perfume.
- Throw in some pretty pebbles or other eye catching accessories so your potpourri looks as good as it smells.
- Place your potpourri container under the lamp and turn on the bulb and keep the lid open before the arrival of your guests so that extra aroma released by the heat of light.
- Choose non-metallic container or vessel to display your potpourri as metals can react with the essential oils.
It is a great way to make your potpourri last longer.
Hope your life is full of good smells, good feels and good memories !!!
