Last week, as I was walking in our neighborhood, a light breeze blew across my face, bringing with it the scent of fall: a crisp and sometimes smoky smell if one of the neighbors has a fire going. The fragrance of fall is so different from the scent of the other seasons. It says, "Change is coming!"
The sense of smell is not one we typically think of as a conduit for beauty. But what a gift it is! And certain fall-inspired fragrances call to mind moments of beauty for me.
I like to smell apple cider much more than I like to drink it. When we were trying to sell our home during an open house, at our realtor’s request, I warmed a pot of mulled cider on the stove beforehand. The fragrance wafted through our home, making it even more cozy--and hopefully, beautiful--to everyone who came to look at it.
A general store in the small town I often visit has a display of hard candy sticks, 3 for $1. I sometimes buy a clove stick, not because I like it, but because the smell of it reminds me of my grandmother, whom I loved, and our visits to her house, the memory of which stirs a longing for home in me.
A new friend surprised me with a small loaf of pumpkin bread a few years ago. When I opened the foil, the smell of the bread made me want to hide in the pantry and eat every last crumb myself. (I did give my family a few tiny pieces, though.) Her thoughtfulness stuck with me long after the bread disappeared.
My husband, sister, and mother all love pecan pie. A few years ago, I found an easy recipe for pecan pie bars. It has a sugar cookie base with the pecans and gooey filling on top. When I bake the bars for them, the smell of the sugar cookie and pecans reminds me how much I love them.
What are your favorite fragrances of fall? Do you agree that the sense of smell is a conduit of beauty? Let me know in the comments below.
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