I’ve always found it curious how smells and tastes and sounds can bring back such vivid memories of things past or places lived and traveled.
We went in to Joplin today and Dev had a reward card for Starbucks that got her a free frappuccino. Of course, she never goes to Starbucks without getting me something as well, but today we just didn’t have the cash, thanks to the unemployment office putting off her pay until later this week. So, we shared a tall double espresso mocha frappuccino. The very first taste and I was back in Oregon, sitting in Pioneer Place with Dev and Kuma, enjoying a frappuccino as we watch the mall goers and wait for our favorite japanese buffet to open for lunch.
Peppermint w
hite chocolate mochas put me right back in Pioneer Square, in the center of downtown Portland, sitting on the benches in the gentle cold of a holiday decorated city. The lights were bright, the people were joyous, and music rang from at least three corners as street performers played holiday carols for passersby.
The smell of cakes cooking puts me back at my Grandmama’s house throughout my childhood as she baked cakes for every occasion. Guess who got to lick the whisks and spatulas most of the time? Yep! Kid’s privelage! I got first dibs, so long as I stuck around. If I didn’t I was bound to lose the batter whisks to my aunts who sometimes playfully vultured around the kitchen as though they were no older than me. That’s the wonder of Grandmama’s cakes!
The smell of candies being made, melted chocolate, powdered sugars, puts me back at that same home from my childhood, during one Christmas season when I got to help make chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate lollipops, sugarplums, haystacks and so many other holiday delights.
The smell of funnel cake and I’m standing in a thick sweater (I think mine was red), cuddling up next to my mom, aunts and grandparents for a picture at Six Flags during their holiday hullabaloo. I only remember going to six flags during the Christmas season once, but I remember that photo very well.
The smell of fake caves and fountain water (like at a theme park) brings back memories of floating through the old Spelunker’s ride (I don’t remember the full name of it) with my mom at Six Flags. It also reminds me of how frustrated I was when I found out they replaced it with some Warner Bros. ride instead.
The smell of barbecue and horses makes me think of Mom’s company parties. I always begged to go on a trail ride (and if I recall right, I normally got to).
The smell of incense and herbs reminds me of my favorite little herbal/pagan shop in Denton, TX. I wonder if they’re still open?
What kinds of smells or tastes bring back vivid memories for you?
To you bloggers who visit here, I challenge you. (I’m lookin’ at you Cait, Erin, Rachel, Shava!) I’d love to read about 8 smells or tastes that bring back memories of your life, places you’ve lived or visited, etc. Consider yourselves ‘tagged’.
To the rest of you, feel free to leave a note of some special memory you have that is brought back to you by a taste or smell.
Remember, folks, to dream big and think positive!
Cait Says: June 11th, 2010 at 18:22:52
Well…since I’m done posting for the day and have literally just read your post, I will answer it here! Though it does make for a great subject!
8 smells that bring back memories for me would be…
1. The Smell of burning leaves. When I was little this always meant my birthday was near. I loved that smell and still do. It reminded me of Halloween and something about the air always felt “crisp”. I love it so much!
2. Clean Linen candles. I have always loved this smell. Ever since I was hardly a teenager. Someone must have gotten the candle for my mom at some point, who knows. I always have a Clean Linen candle on hand.
3. Baked chicken. This smell reminds me of the days (few and far between) where my mom would bake! I like baking chicken in our house. It makes you feel warm and happy just from smelling it.
4. Hot Apple Cider. It’s not the strongest smell, but when you bring the cup up to your mouth, you can really smell and taste it. This always reminds me of really, really cold winters in Wisconsin and the days we spent sledding and snowboarding. It also always reminds me of the time we went to Indiana for a visit (family) and saw this entire park lit up with Christmas lights. They handed out free hot apple cider. And there really is something magical about drinking it as a child, surrounded by multi-colored lights that are on everything!
5. Freshly washed dog smell. I had a dog named Kong. Much like your situation. I was moving out of state. I tried for months to find a place I could afford WITH him. When it was getting too close, I worked with a rescue (which I also volunteer with for a year or so) to place him in foster care. About 4 months after I moved he found his forever home. I got an email that said, “Kong’s going home for Christmas!” It really was the best gift. He’s with two loving children and a mom who adores him. I always miss him when Mikka (fiance’s dog) get’s a bath.
6. Turkey and stuff. The smell of Thanksgiving. What isn’t to love about it? I’ve gone to my Gram’s house every year of my life (just about) for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Living out of state from family is hard. I made a turkey once and just smelling it made me wish I had all the home-made goodies that she’d always place on the table.
7. Wine. This is a very recent thing but a good one. My fiance (hehe!) likes to drink wine on occasion. I think about him all the time…but also whenever I see/smell wine. I think, “I wonder what he’d think about this one…” I’m not a wine/alcohol drinker, so I barely taste the stuff. Not my cup o’ tea!
8. Chocolate Cheesecake. The smell, the taste, and everything about it takes me back to every year of my life. I used to get one for my Birthday every year. That trend has continued, though I am the one making it nowadays. When I was little I would be covered in the batter. Not much has changed!
The taste of memory :Totems and Technology Says: June 12th, 2010 at 21:02:33
[...] tagged myself, Nekota over at Honey And Rain did tag my dear Faeldray to respond to his post about the evocative properties of smell and taste, so I figure I’ve got a good enough [...]
Rachel Says: June 13th, 2010 at 13:55:57
Hehe, I remember when they got rid of my fav ride at Bush Gardens in florida. I would go there to see my grandma and we would always stop at Bush Gardens when down there, and I loved the ride Questor. I was so pissed when they got rid of it -fumes-.
Ok now for smells/tastes….
1) Coconut Cream Pie
This is a nostalgia thing for me, because whenever my grandpa on my mom’s side would visit he would buy one. It was his favorite pie, and he loved it so. So whenever he visited we would get to have some, I do miss my grandpa, he was awesome. But this is why whenever I am at village inn I buy a whole darned coconut cream pie.
2) Mowed Grass Smell
I remember when I lived with my parents, and life was a lot more simple before I decided to transition, I was the one who mowed the grass. I may have grumbled at my father about it, but it was enjoyable, just myself and the mower pushing along the grass. I love the smell of freshly mowed grass, its so fresh, clean, and it reminds me of summer and how much I love it. I actually can’t wait to have my own home so I can mow the lawn like I used to do.
3) Taste of GOOD SUSHI
It has to be good, reminds me of when I was living in New Jersey, and food was a wondrous new experience. Ever since I left NJ the food just doesn’t compare. I mean the food is still good, but I cannot ever find a place that serves proper sushi, or proper pizza, or at least compared to what I was used to in NJ.
4) New York Style Pizza
This was the stuff that really made me purr, for I grew up on it. The thin crust, the sauce, the cheese, it really brings back great memories from when I was a child. I may not be in the right body, but my childhood didn’t totally suck, I still had good memories with my parents. Thankfully they weren’t the type to force me into gender roles, so for the most part my childhood was happy, because I love my family, and this type of pizza, properly made, brings that back.
5) Campfires
I loved campfires, hiking, camping, despite them being called the “boy scouts” I had a lot of fun there. I may be a girl inside, but the camping, knot tying, and the ritual of maintaining a campfire was great. I love the smell it leaves on your clothing when you smell the clothes when you get home, that woody, earthy kind of smell. I really do miss camping, it was some of the most fun I have ever had, because nothing mattered out there, what you were, how your body is, just you and mother earth relaxing together. No worries, no depression, just you and Gaia having fun out there, I was at my most relaxed out there amongst the trees and the wonderful spirits out there. For the record, steak cooked on the coals of the fire is tasty as gross as it sounds.
To be honest that is all I can think of, but those are the good ones. Yeah, I know, I’m a food hound, what can I say, I love food.
Flavors of the Past Says: June 18th, 2010 at 12:34:03
[...] friend Nekota tagged me to write about 8 smells or tastes that remind me something of my past. My first thought [...]