December!

December has arrived already! We've gotten through Thanksgiving, and are careening into the December holiday season. It's a busy time for most of us, and I am certainly no exception. I must admit, though, that I love the holidays, from Thanksgiving until New Year's. I must also admit, however, that I do get stressed over the busy schedules, more hours at work and at business, and fitting in decorating, cookie baking, and everything else that comes with it. I may never find a comfortable balance between all that I want to do and keeping things manageable. I feel like I have Martha Stewart desires without her helpers! How about you?

With my girls, I started the small project of painting our foyer. For a small project, though, there's a lot to do--move everything out, find all of the equipment needed, wash the walls and spackle, prime, and paint. I was hoping to do it all in one day, but now I hope it can be finished in two! This was something I should have done in September rather than late November, but here we are, nevertheless. Are you ever guilty of putting off a project, and then doing it at the worst times?

We all know that for those who celebrate Christmas, shopping is an important part of the season, and I would like to make it more enjoyable for you. Order online and skip the mall!

Here's the sale:

December is a month for giving, and I'd like to give to my customers. So, with any $25 purchase for someone else, (not including tax or shipping), you'll get something for you! Just tell me what you want when you place the order, and if I have it in stock, it's yours. If not, you'll get a 2nd choice, but it must be an in stock item.

In addition, Tuesday ONLY, get a free gift with any purchase!

Not on my site are:

Cinnamon stick bundles: A bunch of cinnamon sticks, about 12" long, with authentic cinnamon scent, and a little allspice for good measure, tied with ribbon. Just $5.00 each!
Bath salts: a tube scented with Sugary Spruce, Sweet Snowflakes, and Cranberry Spice, and tied with a festive ribbon. Perfect stocking stuffer. Only $4.00! (Pictures on last post)
Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed week!

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays. It's all about thankfulness, family, and food. I serve a very traditional meal, almost exactly as my mother did, and that's the way we prefer it.

Reading magazines and watching cooking segments on tv, there's always a twist on an old favorite or a new dish to make. Many of them look delicious, and might be good to try some other time, but not on Thanksgiving. If I made a meal with new dishes or barely recognizable old ones, I would not be a popular person! This is one day where we're not looking for novel, we're looking for tradition.

Why? I think it's because tradition is comforting. It serves a purpose in providing us with security and a set remembrance of whatever there's a tradition for. Our Thanksgiving traditions link us in several ways. It links us with our relatives, even between generations, with friends and acquaintances who share our dinner table, and even with the rest of society, as we join together in taking this day to do the same thing. We gather together to spend time with those who matter most to us, by sharing our homes and food.

I thank God this year for my husband, my three kids who are still living at home, and my dear friend, Janet, all of whom will be, Lord willing, at our dinner table on Thursday. Maybe they'll help with the dishes!

To explain the posted pictures: The first is Beau, my Peek-a-Poo who was just groomed. Look at that underbite!
The 2nd is the bath salt tubes I just finished. Only $4 each! Scented in Sugary Spruce, Sweet Snowflakes, and Cranberry Spice.
The 3rd is Roseberry Bath Whip. Decadent, but don't eat it! It has salt, sugar, and raspberry seeds for exfoliation.
The last is the beeswax ornaments I made recently. They are scented, and only $2 each. Make your tree or car smell good, or hang in a window to scent the room.

Since November is the official month for giving thanks to God for our abundance, I'd like to encourage us to remember what we're thankful for. Therefore, anyone who reads my blog and leaves a comment about what they're thankful for will receive a free bar of soap with any purchase! I do reserve the right to halt the sale if I need to, but I plan on running it through November.

In addition, at the end of the month, I will draw from the names of anyone who has commented on my blog and purchased from me, for a free box of gifts! Start thinking of Christmas giving.

Note: I am closed from Nov. 25 - Nov. 28, but any orders received during that time period are eligible for the special.


Not on my site are:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

It's 2009!

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by, already. I'm working at catching up on all I've fallen behind with during the holidays, and will be setting goals for the new year. This month, I'll be catching up record-keeping for tax time. What about you? What goals do you have for 2009?

Right after Christmas, we drove to see our newest baby, Giovanna, as well as her siblings, Noah and Frencesca, and their parents, David and Amy. We had a good trip, and enjoyed them all very much. It's great to be home, though.

I would be remiss if I didn't add how spoiled I was by my family today, on my birthday. They helped clean up, shopped, and cooked a delicious dinner for me, and I had a wonderful day. They even got me some sweaters, one a periwinkle cashmere. How nice!

Now, I'm energized for getting back to normal and accomplishing what I set out to do this year; one of which is convincing my readers to take a bath. But, don't take an ordinary bath, take a bath with something that helps your skin, or just smells lovely.

We've seen how bath salts, oils, milks, oats, baking soda, and cornstarch all play a part in a therapeutic regime. Now, let's see how herbs can help.

* Chamomile has been used historically for skin healing and for relaxing. Do you remember Peter Rabbit's chamomile tea? Use this herb in a bath for its cosmetic value, and relax at the same time! If you have ragweed allergies, however, use it with caution, as they are of the same family.

* Lavender is a classic bath herb, thought to have both cleansing properties as well as relaxing properties. It also has been used historically for skin healing. Just like chamomile, lavender is an ideal bath herb, and most people love its scent.

* Comfrey has little scent to add, but does contain allantoin, a cell-regenerating ingredient. This herb is a plus for any bather!

Now, add lip balm to the list of products that are not on the website. For just $3/tube, you can protect and moisturize your lips with many terrific flavors.

Throughout January, I'd like to extend this offer:

Buy any 5 products, and get the 6th free! If the item is not on my site, just email me, and I'll take care of things for you. All products are included, and the free item will be the one at equal or lesser cost than the other 5. Shipping is not included.