in defense of vanilla

how often i've heard the phrase - she's so vanilla - meaning dull, plain, lacking spice. and i'll be the first to admit that vanilla cake is not my favorite because it's rather bland, but it occurs to me that vanilla is getting a bum rap as a nothing kind of flavor/scent.

there is something comforting about vanilla.  i have two candles on warmers in my bedroom, and during the night, catch a whiff of sweet simplicity, calming and warm.  among my toiletries, along with lavender, there is warm vanilla sugar lotion, toasted vanilla shampoo, vanilla lip gloss and body spray.

it can be an unpretentious essential that lends and blends with cinnamon, chocolate, lavender as a dulcet undertone, or it can stand alone, pure and unassuming in a way that is anything but bland.  i prefer to think of it as quiet.  it simply has no need to be loud or overwhelming.

and now, for my morning snack, i shall open the box of vanilla wafers to go with my coffee.

have a good sunday.