We've been living in our new house for almost two years! And we're lucky – the neighbors are so lovely. Everyone is kind and friendly. There's even a crew of little boys with whom Miles and Logan have merrily joined up, ranging in ages from (nearly) 8 months to 6 years. The kids are wonderful, and so are their parents. Again: such luck!
I put together a few jars of stovetop potpourri – or "simmer pot" – ingredients to sneak into mailboxes this week. Their construction was imprecise but lovely. I sliced and dried a bag of oranges (200 degrees F for about 6 hours, followed by 300 degrees for maybe 30 minutes) and added cinnamon sticks, star anise (my recommendation is: just one!), whole allspice, whole cloves, and a sprig of a coniferous tree for greenery. I think pine would smell good, but we don't have any nearby. I had a few jars in the basement which found new life in this project, and picked up more through our local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. (And a tip: I found star anise and allspice not in the baking section of the grocery store, but in the international foods aisle.)
Here are a few more things I thought could make simple, charming, useful gifts for those who live close by.
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Homemade jam, jelly, or salsa
A loaf of bread
Compound butter
Infused olive oil
Homemade marshmallows
Homemade vanilla extract
