My Most Favorite Holiday Recipe

Yes, just in time for this last week before Christmas, I'm going to share my most favorite recipe of the holiday season. I discovered this recipe more than twenty years ago and have used it every year since. Even if you're not a cook, you can still make your whole house smell as if you've been baking up a storm. It will smell like Christmas.

Oh, and did I mention it can double as a perfect gift idea, too?

This is my holiday scent I always have simmering on the stove from Thanksgiving till New Year's. And it's super simple. 

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup whole cloves

Now simply quarter the fruit and put two wedges of each into a large saucepan along with the spices and a quart of water. You can save the rest of the fruit for another batch later. Bring to a slight boil and then turn heat to a simmer. Add more water as necessary. 

That's it! It will last for several days. Simply put a lid on it and refrigerate overnight. And as far as giving it as a gift, put all of the ingredients except for the water into a clear cellophane bag, tie with a pretty bow and add a tag with instructions on the back and you're good to go. It's as pretty as it is practical. 

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. A week from today is Christmas Eve. What do you have planned? Does your Christmas center around that one day, or does it spread out over several days like ours usually does? 

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.