Just a little announcement:
I’m excited to let you know I had another essay appear in Alexandria Living magazine!
It’s always a thrill to work with the kind folks at the magazine and as an Alexandria, Virginia resident it is especially fun to contribute.
Below is the link to my piece in the online version of Alexandria Living. If you like, please comment on the magazine website just below the essay itself.
We love the feedback!
https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/lifestyle/perkins-just-some-vanilla/
Thanks again to all those who’ve asked what I’ve been up to lately. Blogging continues to be great fun and has proven to be an exciting pathway to opportunities such as this. Exciting!
Stuart M. Perkins
Storyshucker 
I love how so many of your stories start with a spark of memories and come back to the present.
Thanks Shannon!
Yay! Congratulations.
Thanks Fairen!
Super Stuart! Congratulations!
Thanks!
What a lovely memory! Vanilla has always stood out in my memory. It went into so many wonderful things that my mother baked. And yes I remember trudging through deep snow with cold nose and cheeks. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks! And thanks again for always being so supportive with your comments, for years now! Stay safe out there!
I enjoy your words Stuart.
Where would we be without our wonderful memories. Thank for sharing yours.
Vanilla makes the world go round sometimes.
And we need all the help we can get sometimes!
I often can trace a wandering memory to a scent. Vanilla is definitely one of them. Congratulations on your story being published!
Thank you for that!
I commented on Alexandria Living Magazine. Thank you for sharing! I really enjoyed your memory.
Thank you for that and I’m glad you did!
Congratulations!
Thanks Dan!
Congratulations! Wonderful to hear about your newest accomplishment! Bravo!!
Blessings,
Tamara
Thanks Tamara!
My pleasure!
Another fantastic piece that made me cry at the end, even though I had kind of figured it out before I got there. Reading this I thought of my own grandmother, the few rare snows we had in my home town in NC when I was a child & how my granny would make ‘snow cream’ & add just the right amount of vanilla that gave it the taste I still remember today.
I’ve still never had snow cream! I’m from Richmond, so we did have maybe one good snow a year, but still need to try making snow cream! Thanks for the great comment.
My grandmother always scraped the “dirty snow” off the top & scooped up the “clean snow” underneath in a pot & took it inside. She added milk & sugar & vanilla. No matter how many times I’ve tried to make it since living in VA as an adult where there’s a lot more snow, it NEVER has tasted quite like hers.
I’m going to try it this winter! I’m still in VA but moved a few years ago from Richmond where I’m from up to Alexandria now. Hoping for some snow….
I loved it;) me
Sent from my iPhone
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How are you doing?!!
We all need nannies like that! Nice story.
I agree! And thanks!
I enjoy your reads. But I need you to update my email from gigi2d@outlook.com to cgmazurek@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Gail
Get Outlook for Android
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Loved this story of children and snow and my favorite fragrance, vanilla. Odors can trigger such strong memories. Mothballs make me think of an aunt. Vicks, my mother. Cherry tobacco pipe smoke, my father. Great story. Congrats.
I agree about odors bringing back memories instantly, really! Thanks for the comment, Sally!
Bravo and well done! I’m heading right over there.
Haha! Thanks as always!
Stuart, that was such a lovely story! Poignant, sweet, and exquisitely well-told. When you collect your stories into a book, I’ll need to buy a copy for myself. Keep up the good work!
Thanks again for your support, you’re always so encouraging!
You’re welcome. And I’m serious about the book.
Always love your stories!
Thanks Ruthie!
I love your stories!
You have a special way of writing, with a hint of mystery.
I truly enjoyed Just Some Vanilla, it was so touching.
Your Nannie must have been a wonderful blessing to all who knew her.
Thanks for that, Mary Ann!
Congratulations, Stuart, on having your delightful story published. When I finished reading it I felt a warm spot in my heart in the midst of the snowy day we are having in Ohio..
Thanks, and glad you enjoyed it. Stay warm!
My goodness. It never ends! You keep getting published. Guess it means you’re really good at it. Congrats again. Happy New Year too.
Congrats! Can’t wait to check it out.
Thanks!
A little brown bottle of love from you to your grandmother and then back again. Great story.
Thanks for that!
Hi Stuart, I’m fresh to your blog – following-up on a “like” of yours. I must say, I love this one, it is just my cup of tea. These gentle, personal stories, prompted by childhood experiences really hit the spot for me and I find whenever my writing wanders into this space, my children love it too. It is interesting that the messages seem to be universal and can so easily be lifted up and dropped down on my side of the pond without losing any of their warmth. Great stuff.
Thank you for that! I started blogging when a friend told me others might like the stories I constantly told (bored people with…). I didn’t think so, but I’ve come to find out through telling my stories that we, all over the world, are so much alike. More alike than we are different, I really believe. Thanks for such a nice comment!
Well done. Deserved.