Friends gave us a lovely lavender plant at the holidays. I have it outside the front door so I can see it and enjoy it without the cats doing a number on the poor thing. I plan on drying some of the flowers for sachets when the time comes. Usually I find lavender to be soapy-smelling, but I’ve learned that it depends on the type (mine is French) and when the flowers are harvested (the further the flowers are open, the less soapy). I’m pretty excited to try this out when the time comes.
Another perk to this particular plant is that it’s not shy about telling me when it needs water- it starts to wilt and then perks right back up again once watered. I appreciate that in a living thing, since I’m not always reliable about such things with less-outgoing plants/animals/people (the cats are very thorough about being in-my-face when the want/need things).
I also really enjoy smelling the plant every time I go in or out the door- it lightens my mood and immediately makes me feel better. I’m not a fan of strong scents and am allergic to a lot of artificial ones, so I don’t wear perfume, use scented deodorant or detergents, or use smelly stuff in the house (a scented candle is about the extent of it, and I never light it because of the cats). That said, I do like natural smells- my sandalwood wrist mala has finally faded to the point that I am acquiring a new one- the whiff of sandalwood at random times during the day has turned out to be a really nice pick-me-up and mindfulness reminder.
My other favourite smells are cinnamon, lemon/orange, and mint. I remember identifying school friends by how their houses smell- this one of a particular detergent, that one of curry, and the smell of hot, wet asphalt always makes me think of riding my bike during the summer as a kid.
What are your favourite smells? Do you have memories associated with smells? Does one ever surprise you?
I am a fan of the strong odors. I really like turpentine, gasoline, macadam, tar, pine sol, and other strong smells like that. My mom says her mother liked those also.
My most surprising fragrance was one of the black willows used to decorate a dance at my community college. It brought back memories of the black willows in a vacant lot near my home – I used to hide beneath the branches that had been cut for clearing the lot!
I love lavender too, but only in small amounts. Some soaps and candles are so strong that I get a headache from them. I always have lavender essential oil in the house, it can be so soothing.