8. Vanilla extract
Who doesn’t love the smell of vanilla extract and the idea of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies? When I was young, my sister, brother and I would line up kitchen chairs in order at the counter while my mother was preparing a batch of her famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. She would let us all take a deep breath of the amazing sweet smell of vanilla that came to symbolize warm cookies, cold milk, and Mom.
7. Stargazer lilys
My favorite flower in the world! Their fabulous show and sweet, musky scent reminds me of all the wonderful times I have served dutifully as a bridesmaid to a gorgeous young bride in numerous weddings where the Stargazer Lily played center-stage in the bridesmaid’s bouquet.
6. Campfires
I am not a big camper, I admit, but something about the smell of (real) logs burning over an open flame brings to mind for me the few times I went camping as a young girl with my family in Eastern Washington and sleeping in a canvas tent that my father worked so hard to construct. Now it means for me a weekend in our neighborhood called “Dads in the Hood,” where all the fathers take their children down to the neighborhood park for an evening campout, replete with tents, sleeping bags, games, bonfires, s’mores, ghost stories, and NO MOTHERS ALLOWED!
5. BBQ
Texas barbeque has a long, treasured tradition and I am one for embracing tradition! Whenever I smell BBQ brewing in my neighborhood or when we get take-out from our favorite BBQ establishment, Rudy’s, in honor of an out-of-town guest, I am so thankful that the Lone Star State is now my home.
4. Jasmine
This time of year, when I am out walking with my baby girls in the wagon or stroller, I smell the jasmine on the vines long before I can see it. I don’t know if it is a nuisance vine for homeowners here, but I do know that the fragrance of these flowers can make a walk with fussy toddlers very worthwhile.
