I was reading the May issue of Readest Digest while on the train to work this morning and came accross a short article on how certain aromas have the power to stir up strong emotions and even change our mood.
A new study of 4000 people in the UK looked at the scents that appeal to us most. Here's the results of TOP SMELLS THAT MAKES US HAPPY:
1. Freshly baked bread
2. Clean sheets
3. Freshly mown grass
4. Fresh flowers
5. Freshly ground coffee
6. Fresh air after rainfall
7. Vanilla
8. Chocolate
And here's the list of the aromas that makes me happy 
1. Fresh air after rainfall - this reminded me so much of the village where I grew up. Not just it smell fresh I has a vivid memory of chicken running around catching little 'kelkatu' (I do not know the name in English) which normally will come out from underground after heavy rain. And also the adults/children standing by the riverbed ..... fishing or just hanging around :)
2. Clean sheet - ohhhhh, nothing can beat the smell of clean sheets.
3. Freshly ground coffee - I just love the smell of freshly ground coffee (even though I am not such a heavy coffee drinker), especially in a cold damp day ....
4. Vanilla - who doesn't like the sent of vanilla?
5. Freshly baked bread - as an Asian, we don't live on bread. BUT I started to like the smell of fresh baguette when on holiday in France. Love the aroma ever since ...
6. Freshly mown grass - this reminded me of my school days .....
7. Fresh flowers - to be specific fresh roses and jasmine! And I am also try to recall how the almond blooms smell like ...
8. Chocolate - If I can only choose 8 aromas, I would prefer caramel as no. 8.
So, what are the scents that makes you happy or that can affects your mood (positively)? 
Have a productive week ahead!
Love - Larra
Baking cookies :) Yes lets hope for a good week. those are always allowed!
ReplyDeletekelkatu - long, soft creatures used for bait? .....here they are nightcrawlers or worms. We go out after a night's rain to collect them for fishing bait.
ReplyDeleteCookies or bread baking is the homiest smell. Almost as good as coming home and smelling the pot roast before you even make it to the door.
As a woman, the smell of Jasmine or Gardenias sends me into ultra feminine mode. The air after the rain- I feel perfectly in balance. Sheets fresh from the line leave me feeling pampered and relaxed. Fresh mown grass is energizing, I want to be out and busy in the gardens.
Good thoughts awaken with this scent blog. Thanks, I needed that! :)
Have a good week. ...HUGS!
I don't bake cookies much! :) But I do love the smells each time I walk passed by cookies stall at our local Mall or whenever my sister cook cookies for Eid celebrations :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe they are same creature :) I am not sure about using it for bait ... but the kelkatu love light. Normally at night after rain, hundreds of the kelkatu will fly into the house. So, we will end up switch off the light and light the candle or carosene lamp outside the house to sort of fool the kelkatu. :)
ReplyDeleteStrange isn't it - at first I thought I am the only one who's weird. LOL
ReplyDeleteIf it's rain at night, I will be looking forward to take a stroll in the morning .... it does makes me happy and light ... feel like I am floating in the freshness of the air. :) Nature can always do wonder
Well, definitely not the same creature then if kelkatu fly.I don't think I would at all enjoy a garden full of flying nightcrawlers.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't at all weird Larra. We aren't so far different from each other at all.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the scent of rain is so calming. I love it when it storms at night as it is bound to do here quite soon.
ReplyDeleteAre you at lunch ? It is after midnight here.
ReplyDeleteIn about 30 minutes, we break for lunch at 1 pm :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe because the rain will 'wash away' all the 'dirts' and the 'sins' of human being on earth? ;)
ReplyDeleteThought it must be about that time for you. I snuck back in to gaze at your dendrobiums again. Can't seem to sleep tonight.
ReplyDeleteA cleansing yes. Possibly we are just another species of flower enjoying a nice shower? lol
ReplyDeletePerhaps.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you like to be if you are a flower?
I am tempted to be a field of daisies . Heheee
I don't think you are at all big enough to be a whole field. Perhaps you will be happy to be just one?
ReplyDeleteThough I would love to be a Gardenia or rose, I think I must either be a flower that grows near a lake or river or in a wood. It would be a wildflower I'm sure and also very common.
ReplyDeleteSingle daisy doesn't appeal to me ... But when I first saw a field of wild daisies .... I felt so happy! :) It such a simple and small flower, yet when there's a field of it .... it looks very pretty and pure and calming . Maybe because the white color of daisies that influence me :)
ReplyDeleteYour reaction is the same as mine. I found them in the grass by the river last week. They are simple joy. Make you smile.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are also white.
ReplyDeleteStrange, but my whole life...my work, gifts given, it's all been about flowers.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Wild flowers are free to chose their place where they want to be :) They will be loved by people who walk pass by .....
ReplyDeleteNo owner to decide how they should 'grow' , which side of the garden they are suppose to be :)
You are very fortunate ! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe when I retire I will do something that involves flowers or wild flowers .... :)
Free to choose.......I like that. I love the surprise guests around my place the best.
ReplyDeleteI usually make room for them where ever they land.
ReplyDeleteThe garden though weedy still, was so beautiful today at home. I want to go home so badly.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's why the wild flowers 'find' you ..... :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have forget-me-not in your garden? Herbie have quite a lot in his garden. I just love this flower. I don't mind being fmt either . hee
ReplyDeleteMaybe. You would like to be a greenhouse grower or similar? I've always been a florist in a shop. A designer. I also help people with their gardens......or did. Too busy this year.
ReplyDeleteForget Me Nots blow in on the wind every few years. I love their wispy clouds. I found Brunnera is very similar. I was just admiring that one today. It's blooming a blue cloud! This is its first real season among us at Foxberry.
ReplyDeleteThe greenhouse is quite alien to us here ....
ReplyDeleteAnd I am no florist desinger or flower arranger. Don't have skills at al. LOL
How is Herb? Does he share photos of his gardens with you as things bloom?
ReplyDeletePerhaps a flower photographer then. You are very good at that!
ReplyDeleteHis doing good. Just getting old as days pass by (shhhhh, don't tell him I said that. lol). I am only worried if he gets sick - so I always nag about his health. :)
ReplyDeleteHe normally will take pictures for me. Before we went to Spain we bought few species of poppies, hoping that the flower will come out when we get back. But it didnt so he has to take picture for me when it does comes out :)
Maybe you will retire to England. You and Herb could create new gardens and drink tea in the shade on summery afternoons.
ReplyDeleteOps, it's time for me to go and grab some lunch. Have a good night sleep and dream of yourself being your favorite wild flower.
ReplyDeleteBuenos noches! Adios senorita!
I like this idea! Will tell Herbie . LOL
ReplyDeleteI've had my tea now. Should try to go back to sleep. A good day to you.
ReplyDeleteDid you want to tell me something Larra!
ReplyDeleteErrrrrr .... errrrrr ......... :P
ReplyDeletereplyfoxberryjule wrote on May 11
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will retire to England. You and Herb could create new gardens and drink tea in the shade on summery afternoons.
The only trouble is that summery evenings in the north of England are few and far between - Southern France and Northern Spain may be more to our liking
I was going to suggest that Herb. I haven't had the pleasure of visiting England, but gathered it might be cool. Larra, the snow, the cold.......she is a tropical flower.
ReplyDelete