“Friendship Gifts”

Have you met Kathryn from The Writer’s Reverie?

She describes her blog as “Whimsical Inspirations & Devotional Ruminations” and that’s what you’ll find when you visit. And you will certainly feel uplifted.

I was blessed to win her giveaway and she put together a special package for me featuring ‘lavender’!

It was so much fun to open and even had the scent of lavender on the tissue paper.

One of my favorite creations was this beautiful tag.

And I really appreciate the books.

She wrote Fragrant Fields and signed it for me.

She’s a special friend and an inspiring blogger.

Thank you very much for the thoughtful gifts, Kathryn.

Her blog is HERE . I hope some of you stop by to visit her soon! You’ll be so glad you did!

A Lavender Gift and GIVEAWAY reminder!

My blog buddy, Danice from Homespun Hannah’s surprised me with a lavender present

…a Lavender Dreams pressie!

It’s a tin can with my blog name on it! How sweet is that?!

She sent a lavender candle, potpourri and a sweet card, too. It sure surprised me and made me feel special!

Here’s a post on her blog showing some other cans she’s transformed. Click HERE .

Thanks Danice!

Today is the last day to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Click HERE to enter!!!

Princess Pressies!

I feel like a Lavender Princess today!

I moved my Lavender Dreams quilt from the back of the lanai sofa to the cushions to stretch out and enjoy my new Princess slippers.

My girlfriend Twyla from Two Crazy Crafters made them for me! She surprised me with this pressie! We have cold floors here in our home in Florida so they are just perfect. Usually I walk around with socks on but now I can be a Princess!

Lynn from Present Letters sent me a precious Christmas ornament that she made. I got this book from Amazon HERE and she gave me this as a Thank You.

I got them on the same day. So I declare myself Princess for the Day!

Want to join me? We can live the life of luxury together!

And have you read this book? It’s really good! My bookmark was made by Marcia at The Shop Around the Corner.

Aren’t blog buddies the best?

I’m squeaky clean!

Or I should be…I love SOAP!

One of my favorite stores is downsizing and having a big sale. Magpies is going from 2 locations to 1 and everything in their store is 40% off! Time to shop!

I bought these precious little chicks and this beautiful cube of vanilla honey soap!

I decided to enjoy it right here by my computer for awhile!

I also won these soaps and a bottle of lotion in a giveaway by Homemaker on a Dime.

The soaps are made by Rebecca at Soap Delicatessen! Visit her blog HERE!

Look at these wonderful scents!

A special THANK YOU to these sweet ladies!

And Bath and Body has a new hand soap…

fresh lavender…perfect for my bathroom!

And I don’t want to leave out my Lavender Dreams soap that Tracy..the Screaming Sardine …and Sunburnt Cow Handmade Shop(don’t you LOVE the name of her blogs)…made just for me! I brought one bar with me to the condo! I better use it sparingly!

Do you have a favorite soap? What scent do you like best?

Happiness is.....

Lots of little things! Don’t you agree?

An amazing photo that my hubby took (not edited in any way)!

Dandelion Wishes even encourages you to make a “Happy List”! Doesn’t that sound like fun?

I saw it on Ricki’s blog Art @ Home first!

She has a wonderful blog! Be sure and visit her!

Some of the little things making me very happy today.....

Getting a photo of my son, Douglas in the mail today!

I MISS my boys !!!

Taking the little doll I bought at the Festival this weekend....

and making more! (although I have to admit that this doll was WELL worth the $4 I paid!)

But it made me happy to make them!

And to walk into the lanai and see them together!

Seeing the beautiful sky....

and the azaleas blooming in my flower bed!

And finding a new blog called Karen Maggies Crafts 

and this delightful post on lavender HERE !

(this is HER photo! AMAZING!)

 

I am linking to the Dandelion Wishes Happy List !

She even has a giveaway! Click HERE to enter!

What makes YOU happy today?

*** Florida Fun ***

It's great fun to live in Florida when Christmas comes!

These first two photos are our Lavender Cottage!

Everyone decorates with style...(our neighbor's home!)

and holiday decorations show up everywhere!

These are hand painted Christmas balls...

and a painted shell with glitter!

And when you get a delivery

here comes UPS! (I think he liked getting his photo taken!)

Our Christmas cards...

and  tea towels!

*** Merry Christmas Y'all from Florida! ***

  We're having FUN in the SUN!

I'm linking with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for the 'Boring to Better Party'! Click on the link to visit the other party goers!

Bringing Beauty into our lives….

***Update… Jessica has another post about Essential Oils today! Thanks Jessica! ***

Do you love the simple things in life that bring us beauty? What comes to your mind when I say ‘everyday beauty’?

We are surrounded by beauty at this time of year here in the mountains!

A photo of the mountains on Sunday when showers came in to give us a much needed rain.

I found a blog…it’s new to me, called Welcome to Sew Homegrown  !

She has some wonderful topics but one in particular really impressed me and I asked her if I could share the info here! So THANKS Jessica!

Feminine Essential Oils

As women, we have our own special set of physical discomforts and emotional fluctuations.  Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite essential oils that aid in womanly discomfort.

Clary Sage - has a calming effect on the nervous system, lifts minor depression, and, as an anti-inflammatory, it eases the discomfort of premenstrual cramps.  You can add a few drops to a warm bath, or mix with a carrier oil and massage into your lower abdomen.

Rose Geranium - relieves mild depression and anxiety, and balances hormones.  It is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.  This is the first oil I turn to when I am having PMS.  I usually put a drop on the inside of my wrist, rub my wrists together and inhale deeply.  This fragrance of rose geranium is quite strong, but the more you use it the more you will love it.

Lavender -  of course.  Lavender heals all.  If you never know what to use or if you have never used essential oils before, start with lavender.  It is safe for all ages and produces feelings of peace and calm - aiding in balancing those dreadful mood swings.  I like to put a drop on the outside of my eye mask, pull it down over my eyes and go to sleep.
So those are my top 3 essential oils for women.  Just a note - if you have never smelled essential oils before, they can seem very strong and some people think they are downright stinky.  Unfortunately we are used to more synthetic fragrances (dish soaps, lotions, shower gels, shampoos).  Essential oils are in their pure state and can be very overwhelming.  I want to encourage you to keep trying them anyway.  The more you use them, the more you will come to appreciate the potency - and certain oils will become your favorites.  If you have any questions about this post, or about essential oils in general, check the Contact Me section for my email or leave a comment on this post.  Have an aromatic day!
jessica

I took this photo of Lavender!

And for even more beauty….My girlfriend at Oodles and Oodles gave the new US website for Cath Kidston…click HERE !  What fun we will have visiting that website!

And then there are the creative blogs…listed under Artists in my sidebar! And all of the prim Blogs with cute things for Fall listed below that! It’s just a great time to have a blog and visit our friends!

Enjoy your day! Bring some beauty into your life today and share it with others!