It Smells Like Christmas

I walked into my neighborhood Walmart and that familiar smell hung stiff in the air. I sniffed, and sniffed some more. My face lit up in a big smile as I sniffed even harder. The familiar scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, pinecones, aaaaaahhh. Those delicious holiday scents. And the words out of my mouth were ‘It smells like Christmas.’!

Thoughts of fruit cakes (and I bake a mean fruit cake mind you), stocking stuffers, trimming a tree (oops, where are my ornaments), dressing my dinning table for Christmas dinner, fire side chats with family members dressed in fair isle prints and oversized chunky sweaters and hats, sipping hot chocolate out of mugs that double as hand warmers or taking sips out of their brimming goblets of merlot, all kinds of fond memories of Christmases past came flooding into my mind.

I stood there, transfixed and took it all in. Still sniffing and smiling. Every which way I looked I saw Christmas, but wait a minute, is it time already? Halloween just happened like yesterday right? Erm, what about Thanksgiving? I brought out my phone and took pictures of the isles beautifully adorned with ornaments in every which shape and color, trees, reindeer, wrapping paper, inflatable Santas etc.

I thought to myself, 'if I could name this section of the store, I’d call it Santadale'. In memory of a friend of mine that passed from cancer a few years ago. She lived on a street that was heavy on Christmas decor. I mean every home was lit up like a Christmas tree. Even their street sign was changed from Shannondale to Santadale. I swear it’s different since she passed but we still drive by, admire the beautiful displays and say a prayer or two for Marina.

What is your favorite holiday scent? I have two. Pomegranate Noir by Jo Malone which I use in my bedroom and Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath and Body Works for the rest of my home.

What is it like in stores where you live? Here are some of the pictures I took. Are you smiling yet? It’s truly the little things, :). Enjoy...