When life gives you lemons...

I stayed in an upbeat mood all day today, despite the unpredictable nature of my two-year-old and having a list of chores to do. I have my sister-in-law to thank; she thoughtfully gave me some lemon-scented hand cream for Christmas and I tried it out this morning. It's hard to be grumpy when the scent of lemon meringue is drifting around you with every move.

Love's Baby Soft, coconut, fresh coffee, Dr. Pepper lip gloss, and ooooh- a ripe, juicy peach...yikes. Best scents ever. Who doesn't have some memory attached to a certain smell? The smell of fresh cantalope will always instantly remind me of my Gran'pa making breakfast. Eucalyptus brings me back to summers in the 80s, visiting my dad and stepmother in Richmond, Virginia. Mangoes and sunblock take me right across the ocean to Hawaii. Nina Ricci perfume and lipstick? My mom.

All winter most of us stomp around all cranky and we blame the lack of sunlight. We're cooped up in our spaces, layered up in heavy clothes and blankets, breathing in each other's hot air. Yuck. No wonder we're so gloomy! Maybe we could just use some good old-fashioned aromatherapy.

I'm going to do my part to lighten the mood a little the rest of this winter. I'll be using that lemon hand cream every day. And if that doesn't work, I just might keep my daughter's little scented Strawberry Shortcake doll in my pocket as back-up.