The Scent of Life

This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation and Social Moms.

There's nothing quite like being in the woods to make me feel alive and at ease in the world. Whether I'm hiking up a mountainside in Washington State, discovering new places somewhere in Europe or simply hoofing it through the woods in Wisconsin, I just love the woods.

I've been hiking in the woods ever since I was a kid. Every summer we piled into our family station wagon and went adventuring to various parts of the country. It almost always involved an art museum, a picnic somewhere and a long hike in the woods. My sisters and I were not always grateful during these excursions but have come to appreciate our parent's efforts to show us the wonders of the world in later years. :)

What is it about the woods that I love so much? It's that certain smell. A mix of pine needles, fresh earth, decomposing leaves, new moss and old wood. It's nature the way it really smells. Not some artificial "mountain mist" or "sea breeze" scent but a true earth-made scent. Do you know what I mean?

The sounds and the sights in the woods are wonderful too. The crunching of brittle pine needles, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds in the background. The filtered light trickling down from the tops of the trees - those few rays that are lucky enough to reach the ground shining luminously. The shadows. The myriad of soft browns, yellows and greens. I love it all!

When I walk in the woods, I feel alive. I close my eyes and breathe in that magical, earthy scent and I feel like I'm where I should be. Not doing laundry, not typing on my computer, not racing through the grocery store. Instead I'm living, breathing and smelling nature, just as it is. Perfect!

What is your favorite scent in nature? Do certain scents remind you of your childhood or bring you back to a particular place? Do you love to walk in the woods as much as I do?

To celebrate their new line of naturally scented dish soaps, Seventh Generation asked me to write about my favorite scent from nature.  I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for compensation. For more information on how you can participate, click here. If you are interested, Seventh Generation has an awesome giveaway going on right now: Enter to win a trip to Italy, France or Vermont in their Nature Makes Perfect Scents sweepstakes!!

 

{image credit art.dutra's photostream via flickr using Creative Commons}

Comments

[Suzanne Holt]

My family and I spend a lot of time in the woods Spring through Fall. What isn't wonderful about the woods? It is so refreshing and tranquil. The small of the air, the sounds of birds and crickets, it's all heaven! And the best part is it's all natural!

Suzanne
Radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning.

[Micaela]

Hi Suzanne - Happy to connect with someone else who loves the woods as much as I do! :)

 

[Lisa]

I so agree that certain scents evoke memories of days and years past. Our sense of smell is so powerful! I used to use candles but never liked the smoke or soot that was left behind. After my son was old enough to be "everywhere at once" I decided the candles had to go. Not long after, I found a way to have my wonderful scents by candles without the flame, smoke and soot. Once again I can have my candles without sacrificing the health and safety of my family and home.

[Micaela]

Hi Lisa - I agree it's nice to have a pretty scent in your home sometimes - but without the toxic chemicals or soot!