‘Olfactory-evoked recall’ is one of the terms used to describe the sudden burst of memories and emotions that can be summoned from a sudden whiff of a certain scent. This happens to me a lot. For example, two-stroke engine oil reminds me of riding on the back of a motorbike when I was younger, and the smell of sandlewood reminds me of a soap we always seemed to have as a kid.
Yet none is as strong as the memories and emotions that come racing back from the scent of sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) and creosote…. My Dad made my sister and me a ‘Wendy House’, and would use creosote once a year to keep it in good condition. He would also use it liberally on the tree house, and fence panels.. So the smell immediately puts me back into the Wendy house, pretending that I owned a cafe/garage etc. And sweet peas were always grown in my Grannie’s garden. I would pick her a bunch each time I went to see her. My Dad also used to grow them, and to me there is nothing quite as beautiful, yet understated as a sweet pea…..
As I am not really likely to do much in the way of creosoting, I shall happily make do filling my olfactory system with the smell of my newly flowering sweet peas 😀
Go on, take a sniff….
What smells evoke memories for you?
Happy planting 🙂
Katiepede's Blog 
I love when smells take me back to a place! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.
You have gorgeous flowers there !
Thank you very much, they make me smile every day! x
I think you would appreciate Marcel Proust – if you can read in French, much better than the translation.
Alas no, I was taught Deutsch at school, and never did that terribly well. However, I was speaking to my friend who lives in France yesterday, and I was saying that once I have finished my current studies I was going to try and learn. So maybe in a few years I shall be able to appreciate the French version 😀 Thank you xx
Excellent news, it is so so worth it, do it! 🙂
Such pretty flowers 🙂 freshly cut grass reminds me of summer and playing outside…odd but you can’t beat it!
Ah yes, the classic freshly cut grass….. yes, that does bring me joy as well 🙂 Lovely x
Perhaps rose, tuberose, and orchids that would evoke memories to me because of my parents though they do like all flowers. 🙂
Beautiful sweet pea!
Thank you very much, this is the first time I have grown them myself properly, am so happy. 🙂 May your nose smell lots of happy scents this week 🙂 x
Beautiful xxx
Thank you Mum, they are my favourite as you know x
So very pretty, and you have given me a new appreciation for them 🙂
Thanking ye kindly…. I love sweet peas! (Have I mentioned this)? x
Oh, I adore the scent of sweet peas! For some reason I was able to grow them when I was a child, but I’ve never had any success with them since then. Lovely lovely colours and flowers. And your photos take me back, too. 🙂
Thank you, I am glad you feel the same about these beauties 🙂 x
Thank you, I am glad you feel the same about these beauties 🙂 x (and stick at it, I had no success until this year)
I just adore sweet pea, I grow them every year. Lavender and old English roses bring back memories to me of my grandad. Lovely post x
Thank you, I have just relished cutting flowers nearly every day to put in my kitchen 🙂 x