Thursday Thirteen: Smells

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Thirteen of the Best Smells in the World!

1. Fresh baked bread.

I remember reading that if you're selling your house, you should bake bread right before prospective buyers come by. I can understand why! There's just something about the smell that .... mmmmm......

2. Milkweed blossoms.

Yes, really. They smell like a cross between roses and lilacs and are absolutely my favorite "flower" smell in the world.

3. Freshly mowed grass.

Maybe it's because it smells like summer, but I could sit outside and inhale for hours after we cut our lawn.

4. Vanilla.

I love the smell of vanilla when I'm baking. I even used to use vanilla scented lotions and sprays LONG before they were as popular as they are now.

5. Puppy breath.

For those of you who've never held a little puppy (8 weeks or younger) and just smelled them, you're missing out. Puppy breath is the best (and it comes in the cutest package!).

6. Cinnamon.

We boil cinnamon sticks in water on our wood stove during the winter. I really love that spicy smell it sends all through the house.

7. Roses.

I can't grow roses worth a darn, but I really enjoy them. Our library has the walkway from the parking lot to the steps lined in them, and they're just beginning to bloom. I walk through really, really slowly!

8. Babies.

Babies have this great smell of milk and clean and baby-ness that is such a great smell. I'm sure they smell attractive to most people so we'll be suckered into taking care of them (*G*), but I love smelling babies (unless, yanno, they need a diaper change).

9. Liquid smoke.

I suppose I could put "jerky" instead of liquid smoke, but the fact is, I know what makes it smell good. It's why even the dog treats I use make my mouth water -- what is it about liquid smoke that really does it?

10. Freshly brewed coffee.

Best smell EVER in the morning. Mmmm.... and I love to go into coffee places and just sniff. The Gloria Jeans in our mall draws me like iron to a magnet. DD laughs at me, because I slow WAY down as we pass, my nose goes up in the air and I just sigh in ecstasy.

11. New Books.

Even DD agrees with me. When she gets a new book, she'll flip the pages with her face only inches away, breath in and say, "I love how books smell."

12. Molasses.

I think I like the smell because it reminds me of horses. I really miss owning a horse.

13. Fruit.

Just about any fruit, really. Fresh fruit is the best stuff! And anymore, instead of vanilla scented lotions, I use fruity scented ones. I really like them!

What are your favorite smells?

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You Try to Tread Lightly

You would like to make the world a better place, but you also don't want to inflict any damage on it. You try to live a green and sustainable life. The environment matters deeply to you. You are thoughtful in your decisions and words. You think everyone should try harder not to harm one another. You don't think big... in fact, you tend to think small. You know that one small action can make a big difference.

The Footprint Test

Um... not really... maybe a little.

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Monday Morning Meme and more

Dust is just a country accent. ~Author Unknown



1. You have just been hired to clean your own home, what is your first complaint?

That hardwood floors are impossible to keep clean! I hate them... hate them. I'll Swiffer and mop and five minutes later there is a fine layer of dust. ARGH!!!!

2. Are you able to ignore a ringing telephone? How often do you allow a ringing phone to go to voice mail? Do you answer your cell phone, out in public, every time it rings? Or do you silence it and get back to it when you’re in a more private area? How often would you say you’re on your home phone? Your cell phone? Do you like talking on the phone or do you view it as a necessary communication tool?

I seldom outright ignore a phone, but I will check caller ID and won't answer a call from a number I don't recognize. My cell phone almost never rings -- I'm not a big phone person and am always amazed at people who have their phones all but glued to their ears. Is there really that much to talk about? But, yeah, when it rings I answer because it's typically either important or it's my mom (who is also important!).

3. When did you last go for a bike ride? Do you own a bike? Do you encourage your children to ride bikes? Given the most popular New Year’s resolution of losing weight, would you consider putting bicycle riding as one of your exercise options? Why or why not?

We did LOTS of bike riding this summer because we'd take Dakota to wear her out. It was the most efficient way to get rid of all that crazy energy she has. But, using it for weight loss or fitness? Nope... because there are so few nice days to ride. We've had frigid temps and snow on the ground for months and have months to go. There is more winter here, than summer. I'm trying to get DH to say "yes" to a treadmill. I'm such a lump.

4. If you had to name a smell that always makes you nostalgic, what would it be? What sorts of memories does the smell evoke?

Leather. And before some of you let your minds run away with that (get them out of the gutter RIGHT NOW. You know who you are), the smell of leather reminds me of horses. I really, really miss having a horse. *sigh*

What about you?

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Attention authors: I am going to begin a "What, When, Where, Why, How" day on the blog. I'll ask you five questions beginning with those words -- you answer (feel free to be verbose. No three word answers, please.) and I post them on the blog. This is in lieu of the guest blogging I had last year. I'll also include an author bio, your site/blog and one book cover. I won't schedule your day until I receive your responses back. IMHO, it's a fun and unique way to showcase yourself.

Interested? email me at authormariannearkins AT gmail DOT com and I'll send you questions.

C'mon... be brave.

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We got about a foot of snow yesterday. Whee.

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You Are Chocolate Chip Pancakes

You prefer sweet and rich foods. You shy away from anything that's overly bland or unnaturally fat free. It's not likely that someone would find low fat cheese or sugar free cookies in your kitchen. Instead, someone might find a pan of brownies baking in the oven or warm popcorn covered in real butter.

What Kind of Pancakes Are You?

Yep. Hence my need for a treadmill!!!

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