Seasonal smells

Yesterday I started to make wreaths for my father-in-law. This was somewhat timely, as we had the first snow that stuck on the ground, at least for a little while. Cutting up the brush for the wreaths filled our basement with the smell of winter, and it made me think about the smells that make me embrace the arrival of each season.

Without a doubt, balsam is the smell of winter and Christmas for me. Mixed with that are the aromas of goodies baking, but those can be found throughout the year at our house! Springtime is announced by fresh dirt. Not glamorous, maybe, but oh so wonderful. It is such a rich smell and clearly affirms the break of winter. Summer's smell is that of raspberries--the height of summer and it never fails to bring me back to my childhood. Picking berries with my family. Walking up the road to our neighbors, flanked all the way by berry bushes. And I always know autumn is surely here by the smell of leaves on the ground--the reds and oranges from the tree blending together as they turn crisp and brown on the road. The arrival of each smell makes me welcome the changing season even more and I feel so lucky to live in an area where all four are so distinct.

So, although by the time March comes around, I'm so anxious for the longer days and warmer weather, I am always so excited by the first snows of the year. Here's to winter!