"Be Good To You"

I've known my friend Wendy for years; she always greets me with a big embrace and when we are parting her words of wisdom are always, "Be good to you!"

The past two or three weeks have been particularly hectic surrounding work and I knew that going into this busy period I would have to be diligent about getting enough sleep, eating well etc.  But I have also been looking for ways to nurture my senses and my soul.  Here's a quick list of ideas that have really helped:


Creating two serene spaces to practice yoga




I cleared off my back deck and have been using that platform to do my morning yoga.  Its private, quiet and peaceful.  Feeling the morning air and a slight breeze is refreshing, a great way to begin my day.

I also tidied up my indoor yoga area and created a small

 "alter" with candles, some pretty stones and little mementos  

that have special meaning to me.

Sitting down to drink a cup of tea



I know it seems silly but I'm usually carrying my mug of tea from room to room (often forgetting it and finding it cold, hours later) while I multi-task.  So I've been allowing myself the privilege of sipping my tea quietly without jumping up (okay, trying not to jump up to do something).  I've found that sitting outside on my balcony with a book is very, very relaxing.

A bedside bouquet

Last weekend I indulged in a small bouquet of fresh flowers.  Normally I would arrange them and place them on the kitchen table or counter but this time I found a little china milk jug, trimmed the stems and put them on my bedside table.  Waking up and going to sleep beside a pretty bouquet feels absolutely luxurious.

Unscheduled time

I'm a maniac with my planner.  Yes, I'm the one with the blocks of time colour coded and hi-lighted, the tasks all scheduled in for the week in their appropriate time slots.  So I'm trying (really trying) to leave space for a day, or even just a morning or afternoon totally open.  This isn't easy, all those lines with the times of day beside them cry out to be written on!  

Being good to yourself may mean something totally different to you than what it means to  me; it could be a manicure, a drive in the country, a lunch with friends or an afternoon nap. Whatever those special indulgences are for you, make some time to allow yourself the luxury of enjoying them; you deserve it.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

Be good to you,
Sandra

Jam Jar Door Bouquet

The art of welcoming.  We go all out to welcome our family and friends into our homes, we want them to know that they are cherished and appreciated.  But how do we welcome ourselves home at the end of the day?
What  could be nicer than a fresh bouquet of summer flowers to greet you (and your guests) every time you walk through your front door?

Jam Jar Door Bouquet

Materials list:
small jam jar
plastic pill bottle that fits inside the jam jar
picture hanger/nail
picture hanging wire
flowers/water

• Wrap the wire around the top edge of the jam jar tight enough that it won't slip off.  
• Leave enough wire to create a loop that will hang from the nail.  
• Drop the pill bottle inside the jam jar and fill with water. (I use a pill bottle inside because the smaller diameter requires less flowers and creates a "tighter" arrangement.)  
• Arrange cut flowers and leaves inside the pill bottle. 
• Nail picture hanger into door at suitable height (wooden doors only).  
• Hang your summer bouquet and change flowers when they begin to wilt.

If you don't have a wooden door try hanging your bouquet from the  mailbox
or your civic number sign

Last week I used forget-me-knots in my arrangement and this week its daisies.  I love the idea that the bouquet will change throughout the summer according to what is blooming in my garden.  Why not practice the art of welcoming yourself home, is there anyone who deserves it more than you?

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Be good to you,

Sandra