Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Scents That Trigger Happy Memories?

As pictured above fragrant pomanders made with oranges and cloves hanging around our house perfumed the air. Other favorite spice aromas in the kitchen came from ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The smell of freshly cut cedar which we got from our woods for our Christmas tree and door wreath was pleasantly pungent. Colorful fruit bowls of oranges, tangerines, satsumas, and apples were a feast for the eyes and nose and tongue. The wonderful smell of a huge ham covered with whole cloves and brown sugar baking on Christmas morning was mouth-watering. Southern-style fruitcakes packed with pecans and saturated with good bourbon gave off delicious smells when the tins were opened on Christmas Day. Which Christmas scents trigger happy memories for you?

9 comments:

Aiyana said...

I used to make these when I was a kid. I still remember how good they smelled, both while making them, and when they were placed. Yours are beautiul!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday, and a great new year. Thanks for visiting my blog over the past year. I appreciate it!
Aiyana

CanadianGardenJoy said...

It is amazing how strong bonds are between the sense of smell and occasions like holidays. Yours looks absolutely wonderful and I wish I had done some up like that. Note to self !!!!
Cinnamon pine cones .. we have them every year and they are heavenly : )

Steve Buser said...

I was just thinking about this yesterday -- the Christmas season gets a reputation for all the lights and gifts, but the real backbone of the season is the scents -- evergreens, eggnog, candles, baked goodies. It a rich basked of aromas.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post!

The scent of cedar always brings back Christmas memories, for me. We have fresh cedar, here in our home, this year.

Merry Christmas!

Philip Bewley said...

Hi!
Merry Christmas to you, Jon!
Thank you for your good wishes!
I love pomanders. I usually make them, but I did not this year. There is still time!
Best regards,
and a very merry Christmas!
Philip

Phillip Oliver said...

I love these but I've never made them. The scent of cedar always brings Christmas memories for me.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jon, wonderful memories are made from those pomanders. We, meaning the kids and I, made several one year and rolled them in a cinnamon and orris root mixture to preserve them for a few years. The little kumquats were the cutest, and easiest to stick the cloves into. I think the smell of cinnamon and fresh evergreen tree scent says Christmas to this old nose! :-)
Frances

Barbara said...

We still have these oranges and mandarines decorated with cloves. It belongs to Christmas time. We also have our typcical Christmas cookies with the various spices you mentioned. As I'm baking several days, the house is filled with this wonderful mixture of Christmas scents.
Thank you for your kind and good wishes which I want to give you back. May the new Year be a better year for you than 2008. All the very best wishes,
Barbara

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing with us.. Nice blog..


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