The aroma of this season
@allknowing (143096)
India
December 13, 2012 12:08am CST
Our Cinnamon Tree is in full bloom, spreading its aroma, bringing in the season. I associate this aroma with Christmas and all that is connected with it. Is there anything that happens in your part of the world that gets you ready to celebrate Christmas?
3 people like this
4 responses
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
13 Dec 12
A Cinnamon tree??? COOL! Around here, I start getting in the mood when the first real pine wreaths show up at the stores--which was last week now. That and if we get snow instead of endless rain. It must be so nice to have a cinnamon tree--I wish they grew here 
.
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@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
13 Dec 12
Pine trees don't have actual "flowers" like you would think of a flower--just these little sort of brown tufty things that don't smell at all.Pine branches, and young pine cones smell very nice--as a matter of fact, we collect the dried pine cones and soak them in cinnamon oil and dip them in wax to make fire starters, so campfires or fireplace fires smell nice.
It doesn't snow everywhere here during the winter, just the northern states. Washington doesn't get much snow even though we are right by Canada, because of the prevailing ocean current called the Pineapple Express--the air and water circulate up the western coast from the south pacific, then past Alaska and down through Siberia, Japan, etc. So on my side of Washington, on the coast, we don't get all that much snow. On the eastern side of the mountains they get more.
The East coast of the USA, especially up around Washington DC and north, gets trade winds called the Polar Express--they come down from Greenland and Iceland, and the Polar cap--they get some serious snow.
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@allknowing (143096)
• India
13 Dec 12
I should have known about weather conditions where you are as I have friends and relatives in California and they never talk of snow.
I did not know that pine trees have no flowers. I got so curious that I searched for information and was amazed to learn how seeds are produced!
I did not know that pine trees have no flowers. I got so curious that I searched for information and was amazed to learn how seeds are produced!1 person likes this
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
13 Dec 12
Yes, the process of cone production is cool, but it is kind of sad that they don't have flowers--a lot of trees over here don't have really impressive flowers. Some do, like Tulip Trees, and Magnolias, but others, like Maples, Birch, Alder, don't. California is about 600 miles south of me--parts of it do get snow, as a matter of fact. Look up Crater Lake, or Mount Shasta, and you'll see snow. But since California is almost 700 miles long from north to south, a lot of it is snow free.
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@Sreekala (34312)
• India
14 Dec 12
I can't find any such trees around. I remember about Christmas when I see the stars infront of the South Indian Store in this place.
There are lots o stars hanged for sale and in the evening time it is a beautiful scene as they have put bulbs in its and all become attractive. Yes, there are lots of cakes also available which has brought from South. Seen there is unusual rush in the store as people are busy on selecting the stars and other stuffs.
On Christmas day, we may get aroma of delicious non-veg items from neighborhood.
There are lots o stars hanged for sale and in the evening time it is a beautiful scene as they have put bulbs in its and all become attractive. Yes, there are lots of cakes also available which has brought from South. Seen there is unusual rush in the store as people are busy on selecting the stars and other stuffs.
On Christmas day, we may get aroma of delicious non-veg items from neighborhood.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (143096)
• India
14 Dec 12
have a good collectio of various trees and this is one of them. It blooms at this time of the year and I associate this aroma with Christmas.
There are other aromas that one can sniff around during Christmas. Stars with lights, Christmas trees decorated, cribs, new clothes, dance programmes all this one sees around this time.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
13 Dec 12
Morning (for me)friend! Starting my morning off with a "spicy"little discussion, are we???
Jealous of your beautiful tree, am I..you betcha??? And I have reason to be..!!
Here, in the Western World, unless we have very, very deep pockets, we are NOT privvy to TRUE cinnamonum..or as you know it "cinnamonum verum" from the Lauraceae tree...grown in the lovely climates of India, Ceylon, Vietnam et al. Here, "Cinnamon verum" goes for about $2.80 to $3.50 for a quarter of a pound or close to 40 dollars a kilo. When one can afford "cinnamon verum" one almost locks it in a safe!
Most persons are NOT aware that the cinnamon that we get here is aka; "ba$tarized cinnamon" that comes from the "Cassia" tree (which is a weed, also) with some 200+ members of it's family and can be also very ToXIC if used in quantity!
I know, from a painful personal experience! After researching the health benefits of "cinnamon" regulating blood sugars/pressure..I merrily added a teaspoon to my coffee, ate cinnamon toast, and used more liberally...only to end up with a damaged liver, a very painful liver!
Now, to get back to your discussion, Christmas begins for me, when I finally buckle down and start the baking..which of course fills the house with aromas, including spices! AND, I have a Helleboros, (Christmas Rose)...a small shrub that blooms around this time of year! Love it most if we should get snow, this lovely pink bloom in the white snow! It may be late this year, as we have only had one frost, and it needs the cold to set it's blooms.
I am basically in the same weather pattern as the previous poster...as she lives only about 70 miles from me, as the "crow" flies!
@allknowing (143096)
• India
14 Dec 12
We have had hectic xmas 'do's before we shifted here. All family xmas get togethers were at our place. Here too we have thrown parties but now it is mostly for orphans. Making xmas sweets have now reduced to an item or two mainly because I need help which is not available. No regrets anyway.
As for garam masala, I use individual items depending on what I am making. I do not like ready made garam masala powder which contains some spices we do not use in our cooking. Spices add flavour to one's cooking and so it depends on what favours you like in your cooking.
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@allknowing (143096)
• India
14 Dec 12
There are as many recipes for garam masala as there are families in India. To each their own. I would only use black cummin seed for example, for my sponge cake. Try it once perga. For pork I would use besides the masala for the curry, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cinnamon leaves. I will use cloves, cinnamon stick, whole black pepper and whole cardamom for my biryani besides of course the other ingredients. I am only highlighting the spices that I use. The rest I put them under the category of condiments. Some recipes recommend that the spices are bundled up in a muslin cloth and added to the stuff while it is cooking and then thrown away. I use nutmeg which grows in my garden for puddings and French Toast. Here is an image of the nutmegs from my garden. The red coating is precious and is used for some exotic dishes.
Happy 'garam masalling' your own I mean
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
14 Dec 12
That is amazing and I bet it is very pleasant. The smell of pine I suppose would be one of the scents that signify the season for me. There are also certain dishes that are cooked here this time of year that make it seem festive. Apple, pumpkin, and that cinnamon of yours would be some of them.
@allknowing (143096)
• India
15 Dec 12
Ofcourse, certain dishes score above all. Here too we have typical Christmas sweets which are made only during this season and the whole house gets filled with their aroma. My house used to be active but now with not much help around I have reduced that activity.
