Maybe it's just me, but I can smell when fall is coming. It has a very distinct smell.
Not in the same way that I can smell a group of sweaty teenage boys emerging from the basement after a long session of jamming on their drums and guitars. Or a stinky dog after he's rolled in some exotic "doggie perfume" in the yard. Yes, those things have very distinct smells too and believe me, I have had the opportunity to experience those on occasion. But those are not good smells.
Nope. Not good at all.
The smell I'm talking about is that sweet smell in the air that says fall is on its' way. That summer is fading. The air is changing. The leaves are going to start falling. And all I want to do is sit outside and absorb it all because I love that smell. I can't even describe it, but I know it the minute my nose detects it.
And if I HAD to describe it, I would say that it smells like leaves, and campfires, and crops being harvested. And it reminds me of so many good times.....
... like seeing my kids with only their heads poking out of a huge pile of leaves, and the first time that they realize that it isn't a soft landing when you jump into that huge pile....
... and meeting my husband, Tom, knowing instantly that I was going to marry him. We met in the summer of 1985 and got married in October of 1986....
.... all those camping trips with the kids, hiking through the woods, and staying up late by the campfire....
They are all good. Good smells. Good memories. Good times.
Now, about that smelly dog? Well, that's not so good.
And I know from experience that it takes more than just water in a can to make that smell go away.
I'll take the smell of fall over that, any day!
Now, make sure you head over to Sandy's blog (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com) to see what Fall-o-ween project she's come up with for you! And keep leaving those comments. I love reading them and it ensures that you will be eligible for the fabulous prizes at the end of the hop!
I know exactly what you mean about the smell of Fall. Each season arrives with a certain scent and Fall is very distinctive. Wonderful memories!
Posted by: Sandy | September 28, 2010 at 07:46 AM
Camping is the best in the fall! Be back tomorrow!
Posted by: Angie Wood | September 28, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Oh I remember all those camping trips with my guys.
Posted by: Sue Bennett | September 28, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Yes, how about a tractor/combine out in the field cutting down cornstalks, or bailing hay? A campfire. Baking gingersnaps in the kitchen is a fall smell to me too!
Posted by: Bev Eckert | September 28, 2010 at 08:11 AM
I just love the picture of the dog looking up so innocently at the watering can.
Posted by: Tiffaney | September 28, 2010 at 08:34 AM
What great memories - we used to go camping when our kids were little. There's nothing like the smell of marshmallows roasting over the fire!
Posted by: Darlene B | September 28, 2010 at 08:34 AM
I love the smell o fall too... when the air gets just crisp enough to smell the smoke from the wood fires going... mmmm...
Posted by: upstatelisa | September 28, 2010 at 08:51 AM
My husband is a hunter and in the fall after he has been outside and comes in he has a distinct fall "yummy" smell about him. A few years ago our daughter told us that her husband had been out side for some time and when he came in he smelled like her dad used to...it brought back great memories of her childhood fall days
Posted by: Ruth Hawley | September 28, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Funny, how we know smells and can't describe them...........we just know what they are! What we like and what we don't!
Posted by: Linda P | September 28, 2010 at 08:54 AM
I know that smell, the nice one of fall, and it's one of the reasons I love to live where I do; a place where the change of season is distinctive right down to the smell. Your boys sport similar hair styles to my own son so I am guessing that they would be around the same age. I also recall the fun we have had over the years of gathering and then playing in the leaves. The best of times!
Posted by: Colleen Gander | September 28, 2010 at 09:08 AM
We are not campers but we are farmers, so I know what you mean about the harvesting of crops. It is a wonderful time of year.
Posted by: Rhonda Beam | September 28, 2010 at 09:14 AM
ONe of my fondest memories in Fall was making "tree forts" from the fallen leaves.
I used to love to "listen" to the crackling when wading through the leaves. My brother and I used to go "steal" the neighbors leaves. LOL....Funny thing is that later I learned the neighbors were so happy that we did "steal" the leaves - that way they didn't have to rake them. So much for being sneaky....LOL
Yeap, Fall scents are here and I think it's time for pumpkin picking right in my own little pumpkin patch. I believe our grandson counted 12 pumpkins...YIPPEE !!!
Posted by: Cindy Carlson | September 28, 2010 at 09:17 AM
I love the smell of walking through an apple orchard. Such a crisp, fesh smell. And, the taste! Well, that’s for another post. And, I am so with you on that not so exquisite doggy smell. My older dog is terrifeid of the hose so getting her cleaned up after a roll in something yucky is quite the challenge.
Posted by: Claire | September 28, 2010 at 09:39 AM
We live in the deep south, so we don't experience many of the scents shared by everyone. But we do enjoy lighting candles and filling the house with the warm scents of fall.
Posted by: Jocelyn | September 28, 2010 at 09:48 AM
I love the smell of the fall air - the leaves, the dampness, bitting into a fresh apple, I can't wait to escape the city later this week and head out into the countryside to enjoy this special time of year.
Posted by: Big Rig John | September 28, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Ahh! I LOVE Fall :) We just moved from Maine to Texas, so I will have to get used to the new Fall smells of West Texas. But, really there is nothing like the smell of campfires and apple pie - life is good!
Posted by: Laurie | September 28, 2010 at 10:21 AM
What more can be said of the smells they are all here and I love them too. Patchall
Posted by: Patty Hall | September 28, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Love seeing your darling little guys!! thank you for doing this Blog Hop again,I love to get to know all of you and your work better. Bonnie Nyquist bonniesline at aol dot com
Posted by: Bonnie Nyquist | September 28, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I love fall and I do have wonderful memories with my kids.
Things always seem more fun when kids are around.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St.Germain | September 28, 2010 at 11:10 AM
What a fun blog today! The pics of your family, and the dog, such neat pictures. The fall does have it's own distinct scent, the air just smells fresher, the house can be opened up to let that wonderful air in now. Yep, fall, it's my favorite time of the year. Enjoying this blog hop. Thanks to you and the others.
Posted by: Sandra Cudd | September 28, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Isn't fall the best time of year? I just love it!
Posted by: Pamela | September 28, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Fall is my favourite time of the year. Apples, Pears , pumpkins, squash all come to harvest.
Posted by: linda | September 28, 2010 at 11:27 AM
That's funny about the leaf pile. They do look soft and fluffy, though, piled up that way!
Posted by: Louise K. | September 28, 2010 at 11:29 AM
What a lovely sentiment about you and your DH...very sweet!
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | September 28, 2010 at 12:15 PM
You nailed it - with the scent of fall in the air. It can't be described accurately except to say you know it when you smell it. I've smelt glimpses of it here in western PA. And you know it's time to pull out the lightweight jackets.
Posted by: Anne Walizer | September 28, 2010 at 12:20 PM
I know that smell. And it doesn't come on slowly. One day you go outside and it's there. The smell of frost, the scent of trees and plants getting ready for their winter rest, and all the things you mentioned ("like leaves, and campfires, and crops being harvested"). And it's energizing! I've always felt that September should be the beginning of the new year. It's a distinct transition, unlike the first of January which is just like the month before it and the months after it.
BTW, I also love the smell of imminent thunderstorms and the after storm smell. I think that has something to do with the ozone generated when lightning splits oxygen molecules from O2, to O and O.
b/
Posted by: Brenda Wiseman | September 28, 2010 at 01:03 PM
Ahh! The smells of autumn are so distinct. They provoke so many good memories!
Posted by: dawn | September 28, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Oh my! Love that dog and watering can pix! Priceless! Polly
Posted by: Polly | September 28, 2010 at 01:33 PM
My mom always asks me, "does it smell like your birthday yet?" I said this once when I was about 7 ... and EVERY year for ... oh maybe a gazillion years - she calls and asks. BTW - my birthday is in early November.
Posted by: Mary | September 28, 2010 at 01:38 PM
What wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing. Reading all of these Minnesota posts makes we wish I could smell the things you are all writing about...we don't exactly have crops being harvested in my suburban neighborhood in Seattle! :)
Posted by: Teresa | September 28, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Fall in Canada is the greatest. there is an escartment near by and its so beautiful at this time of year. And the smells are wonderful ,apple pies and pumpkin yum yum.. Apple picking with the kids O ya..
Posted by: Paula Johnson | September 28, 2010 at 03:10 PM
To me the smell of a wet dog is part of Fall (and spring). If its raining (or snowing) my dog is out the doggy door and running and playing, or just laying in the yard. It happens often enough that she is trained to come in and bark, and stay in the washroom until I towel dry her off.
Posted by: Lovie Ball | September 28, 2010 at 03:20 PM
GREAT pictures!
Posted by: Liz A. | September 28, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Camping is the best in the Fall! Hmmm...maybe we should go this weekend!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 28, 2010 at 03:44 PM
what cute children!
Posted by: Robin Crittenden | September 28, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Love your photos!
Posted by: Mary | September 28, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Such cute memories. Camping in the Fall sounds so fun!
Posted by: Wendy P | September 28, 2010 at 04:41 PM
Ahhh the smells of fall!
Posted by: Cindy Keery | September 28, 2010 at 04:42 PM
I sure am glad to hear someone else say that fall has a smell all its own, the air just smells 'different,' like you can smell the cooler evenings and mornings, too. enjoyed your post, too!
Posted by: Kathy J | September 28, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Oh how special fall must be for you! Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: wendy | September 28, 2010 at 06:06 PM
There is a definite smell in the Fall and it is definitely here.
Posted by: Jackie | September 28, 2010 at 06:12 PM
I love the boy's chairs!!! And I also love camping.
Posted by: Pat Dillard | September 28, 2010 at 09:16 PM
Yep, when those first cool days come, I step outside and say to my husband, "Camping Weather". Campfires and bundling in a blanket to read or chat by the fireside. What a life!
Posted by: Vivian | September 28, 2010 at 09:35 PM
I know what you mean about that slightly funky scent that the dogs seem to roll in! My bichon likes to roll around on the earthworms that come out in the fall rains on the driveway... ugggghHH!
Posted by: Colleen | September 28, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Lovely pictures. Neat sentiment. Great kids.
Posted by: Leslie Schmidt | September 28, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Amazing how smells can take us places, remember people of change our mood
Posted by: Erika | September 28, 2010 at 11:59 PM
I keep telling my husband you need soap to clean a dog. He thinks other wise.
Posted by: Lisa Arndt | September 29, 2010 at 12:56 AM
You can definitely feel and SMELL fall in the air. I know what you mean. There is something refrehing in the air and after a long hot summer, very much overdue.
Posted by: Laura Hayward | September 29, 2010 at 01:05 AM
Cute boys and dog!!! Love all the smells of fall...
Posted by: Beth Bush | September 29, 2010 at 02:56 AM
I count myself lucky that I only had the really stinky dog experience once. That's all I need to know about it, too! Peeeyeeuwee!
Posted by: Jay | September 29, 2010 at 11:40 AM