I don’t think that I have ever shared this in the history of Along the Dirt Road.  Are you ready?  Brace yourself.  I have a super-duper sniffer.  It’s actually a family trait and it can drive me crazy at times, if something is offensive.  Couple that with a pretty healthy gag reflex and you can be in a pickle before you know it.  Why am I sharing this?  I am sharing this with you…because it definitely has an upside!  There are gazillions of wonderful things to smell in the world and the scents of autumn are some of them.

The olfactory glands house the sense of smell.  They help pick up the scent of pumpkin bread baking in the oven, the scent of roasting pumpkin seeds and the fall scented wax in your warmer.  Your sense of smell triggers memories in your brain at an amazing rate of speed.  The smell of burning leaves may take you back to childhood.  The smell of apple pie may take you straight to your grandma’s kitchen.  It’s really amazing, the way that our body and mind work…hand in hand.

Isn’t it fun to walk through the door of your home and smell good things?  I love all seasonal smells, but autumn is just so stinkin’ cozy.  I actually just ordered some Cedarwood essential oil and it smells amazing in the difuser. Maybe not everyone is effected by smell…but it’s a huge part of our life around here.  Surely not because Mom is always harping about smells.  lol!

When I started writing this post, I thought back to chores this morning.  I love the smell of cattle. Their sweet breath and the smell of their hide.  Should I say it?  Yes, I will.  Even their poop isn’t all that bad compared to some of the other farm animals.  Ha!  I can see some of your faces!  I adore the smell of a good leather handbag and a pair of boots too.  (Don’t tell our steer!)  I love the smell of feed and the smell of hay.  It all takes me back.  Back to the farm of my childhood.  It takes me back to quality time spent tagging along behind one of the most gentle men on the face of the earth.  I can even remember the smell of the inside of his pickup.  I am extremely thankful for my sense of smell.

If you bake a pie today, or if you make pumpkin bread…take a minute to breathe deep.  When you hug your husband, children, or loved ones…lean in a second and cherish the scent of them.  I do that a lot.  My sweet family is used to a sniffing wife and mom.  I still remember the scent of my dad.  I will treasure that always.

Dreaming of cinnamon, cloves, apples, pumpkins, and all scents autumn,

Before we get started:  Happy first day of autumn!  Some of you have been waiting all year for the cozy part of the year.  Congratulations!  It is here!  Crank up the soup pots!

Autumn is very cozy.  I love the little touches of home that it seems to add to life.  I love to have a pot of chili simmering, just waiting on our family to pile in.  Serving it with hunks of cheddar and crackers…seems to only enhance the cozy feeling.  Today, I decided to share some autumn color with you.  Usually, things are pretty light and airy at the farmhouse.  I love that so much, it also provides a nice backdrop to add some deep and warm color for the season of…warm blankets and good books.

My husband made this jack-o-lantern when he was a little guy.  I love it so much.  It is probably my most favorite autumn treasure.

I love old crocks.  This year, I decided to pile a few faux pumpkins and a gourd in ours.  They make me happy when I walk buy. That is the kind of home decor that I love.  Things that really matter…and make us feel good.

Today, I have chores waiting, a house that doesn’t clean itself, and supper to think about.  You know what though?  I plan on enjoying all of the above.  This morning when I waved to my family and stepped back inside, I could smell warm toast in the air.  Thankfulness welled up within my heart.  I want to be the type of wife and momma and homemaker that actually lives here.  I don’t want it to be a job…I want it to be a life.

(How fun is it that Christy Nockles, Christian singer and songwriter is featured in October’s issue of BHG!?  Her home is lovely!)

It doesn’t take much to add autumn color to our homes.  You may not have a huge array of autumn decor.  No problem.  I plan on looking for a real pumpkin for our table and maybe one for our porch.  Eventually those will get nabbed…and the innards dug out.  The seeds will be salted and roasted.  Then, a happy little gap-toothed smile will emerge on the pumpkin’s big, round, face.  Another good place to pick up a little autumn decor is Dollar Tree.  A little pumpkin or gourd sitting by your coffee pot…just might make you smile, first thing in the morning.

I hope that you have a wonderful first day of autumn!

Love from the Farmhouse,