Smells like teen spirit

On my run this morning, I noticed a sweet shrub about to start blooming. Praise. Jesus. My all time favorite smell! When I was little, my neighbor would baby-sit us and we would play on her giant swing under her oak tree. She had a HUGE sweet shrub in her yard. I didn’t know what it was called back then, I just remember the smell of it. It wasn’t until I was in college in Dr. Eakes’ Small Trees, Shrubs, and Vines class, we were walking around campus identifying plants, that I smelled the bloom and immediately was back in her yard playing on the swing.

The older I get, the more I realize how connected I am to my senses. Sights, sounds, and smells all have a tremendous impact on how I feel. Spring just makes me happy. With everything in full bloom and the grass getting green, I’m so energized and ready to tackle all the exciting designs coming my way!

My grandma taught me to love flowers. Granny Franny (yes, that’s what we called her, don’t judge) loved her garden. I remember her being so happy when her gladiolus would start blooming. Sometimes it’s the memories you aren’t trying to make that stick.

Responding to my surroundings is not always a good thing. For example, in a house full of boys, I’ve noticed that I very rarely actually breathe through my nose when they are close. The smell that comes from a hormonal tween is something special. It’s indescribable. It’s too distinct to even attempt to put into words. You know it if you’ve smelled it.

And by "it", I mean my son.

We have so many amazing fragrances coming our way over the next few weeks. Wisteria, Tea Olive, Gardenia, and Sweet Shrub are some of my favorite scents. Take the time to get outside and enjoy the beauty around you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – just stay away from the Bradford Pear (that one smells more like my son)!