It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.......

The brilliant red flowers of the poincianas are covering the horizon everywhere I look, the storm birds are gathering and the heat of the day is smothering, I can smell the scent of frangipani blossom in the air.  It's nearly Christmas in the Tropics. It's a time for hastily baking goodies to pack in hampers as gifts for dear friends and filling orders for Christmas puddings to be enjoyed on the day. The kids will soon be finished school and the sound of their voices will be heard through the rumble of thunder clouds.

This year will be a bittersweet Christmas for us as our first born prepares to leave home for the big wide world of university.  I still can't believe I have a child heading off into the world, where did that time go to? Seems like only yesterday we were bringing her home from hospital and then it was her first Christmas.

As I'm sitting here writing I have puddings in the steamer, the delicious aromas of cinnamon, ginger and spice are pervading the kitchen. It's one of my favourite smells. Aromas, fragrances, scents and perfumes are all so evocative of memories. Tweed and Old Spice will always remind me of family members now passed, Brut and Drakkar Noir of first loves, Johnsons Baby Powder of new borns and soft skin and cinnamon of Christmas time. I can tell you if a cake is nearly finished cooking by the smells emanating from the oven and I love the smell of wood smoke on a winters day.
I hope that when my kids have their own homes that fragrance will remind them of home and bring back memories of family and friends and places.
Merry Christmas everyone, may you find joy and happiness with your families this year.