Hearth & Hive

Since May, I’ve had ever so many thoughts and memories I’ve longed to share, but life happened and days grew long and busy. One of my tasks, a prioritized favorite, is tending my gardens. In the front garden, beneath the canopied trees, is my woodland garden. There, you’ll find varieties of ferns, Jack-in-the-pulpit, yarrow, bleeding heart, trillium, trout lilies, columbine, and bluebells woven among other woodland plants. In the back yard is the kitchen garden full of vegetables. Along the fence near the beehives is my witch (medicinal) garden, tea garden, and kitchen herb garden. Behind the kitchen garden is the pollinator garden for our serenity and a haven for birds, butterflies, and bees. Then, of course, there are flowers and grapes and trees. Gardening and preserving the harvest keeps me busy, thus, a blog neglected.

Apothecaries thrill me. If there’s ever an old village museum, I head for the apothecary. Plants and their healing properties is magical, really. So, I’ve been in the process of building an apothecary in my home. Herbs and plants have been harvested. Now, I’m putting them into sweet jars and bottles until I’m ready to use them. Some will be blended into teas, others into salves and tinctures. There’s something so pure and primal about the old ways of healing. And, I’m a healer, so I’m drawn to the old and natural. Real magic. Healing tea.

For a while now, I’ve followed lovely Rose (Nolemire) on social media. She inspired me to tend my blog as I carefully tend my garden–in other words, to keep up with it. For as long as I can remember I’ve carried so many words inside. Instead of speaking, I’ve tucked the stories down deep inside. They’re finding their way out now. Thank you, Nolemire, for sharing your creativity, your words, your beauty, and your inspiration. I love how you said in your blog that your words there are like a diary you share with the world.

There’s just something about September isn’t there? As summer’s end greets autumn’s beginning, another season begins. Harvest is slowing, and we’re beginning the slower, softer storage season. Like the animals, this is a time to store up and prepare for winter’s sabbath.

September, autumn’s birth month, is a time to slow, savor, and practice self-care. Self-care doesn’t mean caring selfishly about your self. Not at all. Self-care instead refers to caring for one’s mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Think of it like this, if you’re rushed, starved, dehydrated, lonely, and spiritually exhausted, then you’re going to be sick. When you’re sick, you’re unable to give your best self to those who need you. I love the analogy of the teapot: an empty teapot cannot fill empty teacups. However, if the teapot itself is full, then the teapot may pour out refreshing tea to fill teacups. If I’m properly nourished and balanced physically, spiritually, and mentally, then I can offer my best self to others.

And let me tell you—last month, I was far from my best self. Ask those who live with me; it wasn’t pretty. Harsh words spewed from a raised voice that no princess of grace should ever speak. Guttural cries rooted in an anguished soul. I was imbalanced. I’d stopped caring for myself. So, trying to squeeze just a drop of refreshment from a withered, empty self, I cracked. Shattered would probably be more accurate.

Here we are, then. September. As Autumn is birthed, it’s a re-birth of sorts for me too. A re-set.

This month, this season, I’m committed to not only storing up for winter, but also for re-storing balance in my life. Restoration. Whole. Balanced. Complete. Full.

My Re-storing Plan:

• Nourish my body with whole, healing foods
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
• Have daily tea times and rituals
• Journal, read, write
• Slow down, way down
• Linger long at family meals
• Take time to listen
• Practice yoga daily
• Forget power walks and take meditative nature walks
• Follow the sun for sleep rhythms
• Eat seasonally
• Be quiet and still; listen for God
• Do things that make me happy
• Find ways to make others smile
• Forgive; release resentment
• Date my husband
• Write long letters
• Say no when needed
• Stick to my housework routine so as not to grow overwhelmed
• Light candles
• Take long, hot soaks in the tub

Here we are mid-August, riding on the tail end of summer, hanging on for dear life. Hanging on to unscheduled days, dripping ice cream cones, sweet iced tea, sunny days in the water, weekends camping, and nights snuggled together stargazing. This is that rhythm filled season. Long summer days are blending into long autumn nights. Temperatures and weather patterns cycle again. And, children are returning back to classrooms in some form or other.

A lover of learning, I’ve always looked forward to the back to school time. The smell of brand new sharply pointed crayons, crisp blank notebooks full of promise, squeaky clean shoes, organized backpacks, and brilliantly colored pens excite me. The thing that thrilled me the most, though, was that stack of textbooks filled cover to cover with knowledge just waiting to be learned. My curious four-year-old shares my love for learning. She, too, is eager for the back to school season.

Back to school shopping was always an end-of-summer highlight for me. Okay, I admit it–I still love all the aisles of school supplies. I love it so much that before we had Lily, I went a little crazy buying just about every back to school item you can imagine for our niece and nephew. Maybe I just wanted for someone else to be as excited about education.

But it was excessive. The required supply lists schools deliver are excessive. All the varieties and choices and “must-haves” are, well, too much. Way too much. When did we suddenly need scented, color-changing, glow-in-the-dark markers? Who decided the need for three kinds of scented notebooks? And have you been to the notebook aisle?! It’s now plural. A-i-l-e-s. Where did this need–or greed–come from? Entitlement. We have grown into such an entitled society. No longer do we work for things we need or work to improve or enjoy, now, we are groomed to just expect having bigger and better, more and most.

Kristen Welch, founder of Mercy House Global, shares how her family tackled entitlement in her book Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. Haven’t read it? You should! My eyes have been opened not only to how entitlement actually disservices my child, the difference between needs and conveniences, but also how there is a sense of entitlement in my own life.

So, this year we’re doing things differently. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on new, more, and convenience, we’ve sharpened last year’s pencils and crayons, moved around furniture to give an updated feel to the tiny classroom space, focused on natural elements, and handmade decorations. And, you know what? Lily is perfectly contented. She hasn’t complained once. The only thing she’s asked for is more books (hmmm, sounds like her grandfather and mother)! Instead of immediately giving in to her wants, she understands that she must earn new books by completing chores and saving her money.

Have you ever packed a backpack of school supplies for a student of a lesser developed country? Over a decade ago, I sat cross legged on a cold, hard floor in Guatemala. Our team formed a small assembly line, and we packed backpacks of basic school supplies for children there. There were no pineapple scented notebooks or glow-in-the-dark markers included, but I’ll never forget the sheer joy on those sweet, brown faces. Entitled, no; they were sincerely grateful. Those children, living in box-sized, tin-roofed homes didn’t have any concept of entitlement, but they knew real joy.

When you need more and more to satisfy, essentially, you’re never satisfied. You have nothing. When you have nothing and can still smile, you have everything.

Last year’s crayons still color. We’ve eliminated extra and excess. Lily’s seen a different perspective and is learning gratitude and that it’s okay to be different. She’s learning that instead of getting more when she has all she needs, to instead give more to those who truly need. She’s discovered the happiness of choosing items to send to a child who doesn’t have school supplies and the fun of filling up a grocery bag for someone who is hungry. Maybe you’re ready for that deep, satisfying joy that gratitude brings and the relief that comes from overcoming entitlement. Dare to swim against an entitled culture. It’ll be worth it.

A couple weeks ago, my friend, Jen Hutson published an article about entitlement. Because I’d been thinking so much about our entitled culture and the way children are being affected, I was thrilled to see her article and read about our entitled society from her perspective. Jen offers practical advice, and its with her permission that I’m including a link to her article here. Thanks so much, Jen!

https://coramdeo-in.com/adversity-sowing-fruit-in-your-childs-garden/

Dear Lily Willow,

Mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Neither of these foods are frequent in my diet, but the week I conceived you, that’s all I ate. For an entire week, Daddy took me out for mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. I was too nauseated to cook. After four weeks of symptoms similar to ovarian cancer, I was certain I’d developed late stage ovarian cancer. Mommy has PCOS. You’ll learn a lot about that as you grow up, especially because you have an increased risk due to genetics. But, that night, after dinner out, I desperately asked Daddy to take me to buy a pregnancy test on the way home. I didn’t expect to be pregnant; I just wanted to rule out everything before seeing a doctor. Back at home, I went into the bathroom, closed the door, and nervously completed the test. Anxious, I covered the test to keep me from staring at it. Daddy knocked on the door and asked if I was ok. Finally the three hours, er, three minutes was up, and there were two thin pink lines. Pregnant. Positive. I was stunned. After I recovered from the shock, I screamed, “Rudy!!! It says positive!” We were so happy we cried.

Those symptoms weren’t ovarian cancer, but you, Lily. God placed a beautifully perfect little miracle girl inside me. And we loved you deeply before we even knew you. Except we knew that even in utero, you had a taste for mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cheeseburgers, and milkshakes.

I remember everything about your birth, your journey into this wide, wonderful world. I’d made veggie burgers that night. Sitting where you sit to eat now, I felt this strange, jarring pain. After feeling the tight cramp twice more with increasing length and frequency, I was fairly certain you were getting ready to be welcomed to the world. I called Nommy, and she came down, and I called my doctor. I remember feeling calm as Nommy was getting ready to drive us to the hospital. Daddy, though, was not calm at all! He was so nervous, Lily. You’d laugh if we could go back to that night and see Daddy! He was in such a hurry and so anxious that he forgot his shoes!

I remember contractions so intense I’d vomit with every one. And you know, I still can’t eat veggie burgers! I remember being exhausted with the long hours of laboring, but being unable to sleep because I was so excited to meet you. And I remember having to hold that last push until Dr. Moon could get to our room. And, finally, finally, I remember pushing the final time, pausing so Dr. could untangle your cord, and feeling you, my precious baby, skin to skin on my chest.

I remember the unrivaled joy I felt as I held you and whispered, “my baby” in sacred wonder. We were so happy we cried.

We wanted you so badly. We prayed and prayed for you. And, today, you’re four years old. You’ve made these four years some of the best of our lives, and, really, it’s almost impossible for me to remember life without you. You’re growing into such a kind, thoughtful little girl. And, it’s my honor to teach you, but I’m humbled by all that you teach me. I admire your generous heart, your passionate soul, your zeal for learning, your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your love of Jesus, and your wild-tender spirit.

Lily, when you lived in my belly, I dreamed of having a little girl to follow me around the garden, pick flowers and catch butterflies, and splash in puddles with me. You are even more than all my dreams. Even at your young age, you already understand in the simplest ways about Mommy’s and Daddy’s struggle with infertility; I want you to know that even though we’re sad sometimes, you are enough.

You are more than enough. Don’t ever forget that, little honeybee.

And don’t ever forget that I love you bigger than the whole sky and more than all the stars in that sky. You are so loved, precious one. For those who never make an effort to get to know you or who make you feel uninvited, never let it hurt your heart or bruise your spirit. It’s their loss. You are an otherworldly delight.

I so dearly love your sense of wonder and imagination! Your humor is charming. One day, I hope you read this and smile–today, on your fourth birthday, I told you that you were my present. Confused, you said, “I am not a present!” I explained that when God put you in my belly, you were the best present ever. You asked, “when I popped out, did I come in wrapping paper?” Oh, life with you is a marvelous adventure, Lily Willow, and I’ll always have mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese just for you.

I love you always. Happy Birthday.

Love, Mommy

I woke up this morning disoriented. Yesterday was a beautiful grey, drizzly day that made our verdant grass and budding trees look so much more vibrant. When God paints grey skies and blends that with spring green grass, the masterpiece is breathtaking. The Mister was home, rain day for lawn care. So, I woke at the foot of our bed, snuggled next to Miss Bentley, with morning sun filtering through the lace curtains, confused. “Isn’t it Sunday?,” I mused. No. Just Friday.

During sunrise yoga, I heard him boiling water and slicing lemons. What? He’s making our usual morning warm lemon water. But I always do that. It’s routine. How did I forget? Disoriented. After the last sun salutation, wide legged forward fold, and mountain pose, I stepped from the mat to the chair, ready to read about mountains.

My current morning reading is Kristen Welch’s Made to Move Mountains. Want to be challenged, inspired, moved, encouraged? Read this book. Kristen is the founder of Mercy House Global, a fair trade nonprofit that empowers women globally. I read all about not giving up, courage, and companionship this morning. I love Kristen’s thoughts that “there is likely going to come a day when you want to quit….when that day arrives, you have to stand on the mountain of your mess and remember that quitting isn’t the solution–but surrendering is.” My half awake, confused brain is trying to process this while I sip my honeyed lemon water, and you know, I kind of just wanted to give up, snuggle down into my handwoven blanket, and escape my mountain.

There’s this personal self-care rule that I keep for myself–no hard before the holy, meaning no email, news, or social media before physical and spiritual nourishment. After pondering all this good, good mountain-climbing advice while sipping my matcha berry smoothie, I glanced at social media long enough to see a challenge to get up and get dressed from a lady who has been climbing mountain after mountain. Lily’s sweet music teacher has faced frightening health battles; she could understandably stay in her pajamas all day and rest. But, no, this mountain climber got up, put on her jeans, did her hair and makeup, and posted a challenge for others to do the same.

We’re quarantining at home. All day. All week. All month. Who would know–or care–if I put on leggings or even just stayed in my pajamas? I would. And if I can’t take care of myself, I’m unable to adequately care for anyone else.

Caring for and respecting yourself isn’t selfish.

I headed back to the bedroom, determined this time instead of disoriented. I tugged on a pair of jeans, chose a pretty floral top, a mustard yellow cardigan, a necklace from Amazima, and did my hair in something besides a loose ponytail or top knot. It’s incredible how motivating the simple act of getting dressed can be. I didn’t stop there. I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, applied makeup, and perfume.

All for going outside to get dirty and sweaty. My plan for the day was to plant some seeds in a starter flat. Sweat erased the makeup, dirt clung to my jeans, Lily-girl soaked me with the water hose, but I got dressed and started facing and climbing one of my mountains. Just like I’d equip myself for a mountain hike, I equipped myself by preparing for my day. I got dressed.

The seeds are planted. A couple rows in the garden hoed and planted. Flowers planted. Herbs planted. Lily and I splashed and laughed. After planting and playing, we started laundry, made sweet tea, and Joanna Gaines’ chocolate chip cookies.

I’m dressed. I don’t want to snuggle down and escape reality. I’m ready to climb. There’s a big mountain and an even bigger God. I’m not to the top yet, but the perspective and view from where I climbed today looks a little bit of divine.

Kristen closed the chapter this morning with this quote from Mary Anne Radmacher: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying (whispering), I will try again tomorrow.” And tomorrow, I’m going to get dressed again. I’m going to climb a bit higher.

Oh my, y’all! There’s nothing like procrastination is there? You’d think with all this time in quarantine that I’d have plenty of extra time to write, but not so! Daily life during quarantine is much the same as usual, with the exception of taking sweet girl to her three weekly classes. Since I’m on an a indefinite leave from my nursing career to mother and homeschool our daughter, my days are mostly unchanged. So, here we are on the final day of March, and I’m just now sharing the homemade laundry soap recipe I promised earlier.

Ingredients:

• 1/8 bar of Fels-Naptha soap, grated
• 1/2 gallon water
• 1/8 cup borax
• 1/8 cup washing soda
• Essential oils, optional

Method:

• Grate the entire bar of soap. Set aside 1/8 of the bar to use. Store the rest for future batches. I go ahead and divide the remaining soap into 1/8’s so they’re ready to use immediately next time.
• Pour half of the water (1/4 gallon) into a large stock pot. Sprinkle in the grated soap. Heat over medium heat and stir until all the soap flakes are melted.
• Remove the soap/water mixture from the heat. Gently stir in the borax, washing soda, and remaining 1/4 gallon water until combined.
• Add in 25 drops essential oils. You may use your preference of oils. I usually use lavender.
• Cover the mixture with a lid, plastic wrap, or a tea towel, and let it sit 8 hours or overnight.
• After curing, the mixture will be thick and gelled. Stir well. You may divide into batches and use a mixer to mix well. Mister Burke puts my soap into a 5-gallon bucket and mixes it with power tools for me. It works quickly and is still clean!
• Once, it’s thoroughly mixed, you’ll pour the detergent into containers and fill halfway. I prefer using glass jars, but depending on your oil choice, plastic works as well. Fill the rest of the way with water and stir again to combine. And voila! Fresh-smelling, non-toxic, inexpensive laundry detergent!

I’m sitting here with a cold cup of coffee this morning. Sorry, tea, my migraine requires coffee. Coffee’s cold because it takes me a while to finish a cup of coffee. During this one cup, I’ve practiced yoga, did a guided meditation, spent time in prayer and journaling, put lavender in the diffusers, talked to Mister Burke, and played with Lily.

How are you? How are you finding calmness and joy in your time at home? Let’s interact! Comment below or on Tea With a Cup of Grace’s Facebook page with any fun, creative, active, or calming ideas. Share how you’re spending quarantine.

I’ll start. First, a confession. Confession’s always good for the soul, right? At least that’s what they say. But, really, who is “they?” Anyway, my confession. I’m an extreme introvert. I need and crave alone time and silence. Alone time and silence isn’t happening right now at Burke’s on Broadway. We’re all home–together–every minute of every day. There’s this wooden quote on the windowsill above the kitchen sink. It reads, “Love grows best in little houses.” And, I believe it; I really do. At least on ordinary days. But the incessant togetherness in this wee blue nest is tough and hasn’t always been so lovely. Three days ago, I made him cry. Because this isn’t a situation I can control or a situation of ideal perfection, I have to make the choice to make the best of this time. Embrace the imperfection. Create happiness.

Ways we’ve created happiness, sanity, and peace:

• Taking long walks–we make it into an educational scavenger hunt for Lily
• Getting Chick-Fil-A via drive-thru and eating at the park
• Watching Cincinnati Zoo’s At Home Safari
• Playing board games
• Creating art and crafts
• Painting inspirational rocks and placing them around town to inspire hope
• Searching for spring flowers–and picking some in our yard
• Making pot after pot of tea
• Playing music and dancing
• Reading–all kinds of genres
• Awaiting our little chicks to hatch (they’re due to hatch in a day or two!)
• Spending time reading Lent readings in candlelight
• Sharing humor
• Making mud pies
• Taking naps
• Watching Miss Bentley play with her enrichment treat toy
• Visiting our hen house–Gertrude is always a delight, but now there are 2 ducklings to visit, and a new rooster! They are such fun.
• Sending mail and care packages to brighten others’ day
• Journaling

Today, I inspire you to choose joy. Turn off the news for a while and turn on some music. Dance. Sing. Worship. Clean an area of your home you’ve been neglecting. Smile. Then, sit down with a cup of tea. Breathe long, slow, deep breaths. Write a letter (or craft a card!) and send joy to someone else. Call someone and be a breath of fresh air to that person. Read a few lines of a new book, or better yet, read the entire book. Cook a healthy meal using your creativity and enjoy eating together. And before bed, sit with a cup of herbal tea, add a drizzle of honey, and breathe. Reflect on your beautiful day.

After publishing my last blog, which was a love letter to you, inviting you to embrace a sense of calm—intentional calm—in this overwhelming chaos, I thought I’d post a link here to my Etsy shop. This morning, I listed reusable cloths, good for cleaning wipes, face scrubbies, coasters, etc. They’re hand crocheted with 100% cotton, so machine washable! I thought they’d pair perfectly with the natural cleanser recipes I shared. Stay tuned; I plan to share more household cleaner recipes this month, including laundry detergent.

Happy cleaning. ❤️

If the cloths are out of stock, no worries. Just comment below or message me via Etsy. I’m happy to restock and customize to your color preference.

https://www.etsy.com/JuneLiliesandWillow/listing/772823288/bevs-peaches-cream-reusable-cloths?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1584200340905

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Dear Friend,

I’m a panicker, a worrier, and a bit of a hypochondriac. Coronavirus. The word is ubiquitous these days. The virus is causing mass pandemonium. And, strangely, this panic-driven-hypochondriac-pessimist is calm. Is this really me?

I’ve not bought cases of hand sanitizer or purchased cartons of bleach wipes. We haven’t stocked the hallway closet with toilet paper. We’ll probably run out soon with the shortage. But, we did venture out this evening for ice cream. Ice cream is a necessity, right? I’m not purposefully making light of those infected or in critical conditions, but maybe this is a call to slow down our hurried lives, take care of ourselves and our families, and get back in touch with our souls.

But, back to the ice cream. My Mister videoed his path through our local grocery shop to the ice cream freezers. On video, he caught a bit of a fight over some item between an unhappy customer and a stressed employee. It’s a little bit humorous and a whole lot sad. For me personally, fear creates anger. I’ve traced almost every bought of anger I’ve experienced to fear. Globally, we’ve entered a time of fear, and, unfortunately, that fear is causing anger, hatred, and selfishness. This is a time to love, to help, to pray, to give patience, to slow, and to calm.

I’ve been learning the past few months how connected we are as a human body. Really, we’re a whole global family. In previous blogs, I’ve shared some fair trade items and companies. I love how purchasing from these shops and ministries shrinks my world just a bit. I know the name and face of the lady who poured my candles and made my soap, the man who built my teak tub board, the women who crafted my home decor, and the artisans who carved my cutting boards and sculpted my kitchenware. We share, we trade, we love, we live together on this planet.

We are all Beloved by our Creator. We are all Beloved by our Savior. We are all Beloved by our Holy Spirit. And there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from that insanely vast love. Not even COVID-19.

I’m fascinated how this COVID-19 pandemic illustrates how interconnected we are as a human family. Maybe, just maybe, that alone can serve as a reminder and opportunity to live given and share love.

So, are you in panic mode? Beloved, as a nurse, let me share a secret with you: stress is one of the largest risk factors in nearly every single illness and major disease. Stress is right up there with smoking as a risk factor. Trust me, I’ve probably lost more than a few years of my lifespan because of stress and worry. Optimism is about as difficult as losing those stubborn pounds for me. So, why am I so calm right now when our world is chaotic? The profound answer is that I simply don’t know. I do know that I am deeply loved, and the One who made me and loves me holds me in His hands. All I have to do is trust.

Not panicking doesn’t mean that I’m unconcerned. My sweet little girl has a cold right now, so I’ve kept her home from her classes–partially because I would in normal circumstances anyway, and partially because I don’t want anyone freaking out on us. So, at the Burke home on Broadway, we’re doing everything we’d ordinarily do during cold and flu season.

Ironically, for me, and many others, this is Spring Cleaning season. If your local stores are anything like mine, the cleaning supplies aisles are wiped empty! Where the sanitizing wipes should be, there’s a posted sign apologizing for the inconvenience of being out of stock. If this is the same where you are, don’t panic! Cleaning supplies are items that are rarely if never on my shopping list. What?!?! Sounds crazy–and filthy–right? Just hear me out for a moment. These harsh cleansers actually disrupt our endocrine systems. So, unhealthy holistically in the normal household. To stay clean and physically (hormonally) balanced, make your own natural cleansers. This month, I’d planned to share some recipes I use for the cleaners in our home, and it’s perfect timing as stores are having to back order these supplies and sanitizers. Rudy BurkeRudy BurkeRudy Burke

Before sharing recipes for home cleaners, I want to write to you from my heart, in love, always with love. If you’re scared, it’s okay. I get it. My family members can tell you that I worry obsessively over everything, and I always think the worst is what’s going to happen. So, I understand the fear. And, gently, as gently as possible, may I suggest a slight shift in perspective? It’s chaos-central right now. Stress and chaos lead to decreased immunity and illness. How about instead of being fear focused, let’s be faith focused? Wait! Don’t roll your eyes just yet–keep reading, please! Let’s have faith in the One who loves us to do what’s best for us. Let’s have faith in humanity. Let’s have faith that we can and will heal. And, this, maybe just this will sound like the craziest thing you’ve heard yet: how about viewing this frightening time as a time to slow down, breathe, decrease stress, and nurture?

Believe that you’re going to be okay. You are. Focus on calm. I’ll share some ways that you can find calmness and healing.

• Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
• Eat healthy, balanced meals
• Take vitamins, probiotics, and zinc
• Move your body
• Enjoy staying home
• Turn off televised news!
• Listen to music
• Read (want reading suggestions? Ask me!)
• Journal
• Play games
• Spring clean your home
• Take long walks
• Practice yoga
• Soak in the bathtub
• Diffuse lavender and citrus
• Take naps
• Pray
• Dance
• Do that thing you’re always putting off
• Cook homemade soup
• Sit down and call an elderly friend or relative
• Write a letter
• Craft
• Give yourself (and your spouse) a facial, pedicure, and massage
• Make love–lots!
• Light candles
• Deep breathe outside
• Spring clean your yard
• Keep teapots filled with steaming tea
• Discover a new hobby
• Begin a gratitude journal
• Sleep in
• Start seeds indoors
• Plant an indoors herb garden
• Play
• Camp out in the living room, especially if you have children
• Nurture your family as you would during any other time of illness: wash your hands, eat healthy meals, stay hydrated, sanitize you’re home, rest, up your vitamin intake, take elderberry syrup (recipe in previous blog), use a humidifier, diffuse healing oils, moisturize, relax

Wherever you are in our huge, but interconnected world, I’m sending you a hug. A hug and a cup of tea. Relax, friend; you are okay.

So much love,

Lalia

Recipes for Household Cleansers:

Hand Sanitizer

In a small bowl, mix 2/3 cup isopropyl alcohol with 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel. Add 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E. Stir in 20 drops essential oils of your preference.

Multipurpose Cleaner/Sanitizer

Fill a commercial spray bottle 1/4 of the way full with white vinegar. Add 25 drops of a protective blend essential oil (I use DoTERRA’s OnGuard, which is similar to Thieves). Add 1 Tablespoon Castile soap. Fill the rest of the way with water. Shake.I use this to clean everything– sinks, tubs, shower, counters, toilet, doorknobs, light switches, cabinets, car interior….

Foaming Hand Soap

Pour 1/4 cup Castile soap into your foaming soap dispenser. Add 1 teaspoon jojoba or sweet almond oil. Add 25 drops of your preference essential oils (I love citrus for the kitchen and evergreen + lavender for the bathroom). Fill to top with water. Shake.

Furniture Polish

Pour olive or avocado oil in commercial spray bottle to 1/3 full. Add 20 drops of lemon essential oil and 20 drops orange essential oil and 5 drops peppermint essential oil. Fill to top with water. Shake. You’ll need to shake bottle before each application. *The peppermint freshens, but also is a pest repellent.

** Remember that white vinegar is an effective natural cleanser and sanitizer. You can mix 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water to clean mirrors, glass, floors, etc. Lemon juice is also a marvelous multipurpose cleaner. Oh, and lemon is also lovely in tea. ❤️

Enjoy your sparkling home and days of rest, precious one.