Imperfect Beauty

Simple beauty from my world today: a spray of fairy roses floated in a bowl of water.
Imperfect.
Some blossoms already spent and ready to shed their petals, some with petals a little tattered and bent, but beautiful just as they are.
You are beautiful too, in all your imperfections and scars, just as you are.
An imperfect creature created in the image of a Perfect and Beautiful God.


Where are you finding simple beauty in your world today?

Simple Beauty

 Seeking beauty in simple things today ...

such as this clearance sale cyclamen.

Vivid, scarlet beauty blooming on the windowsill, brightening winter days, all this for a mere 25 cents.

More simple beauty from my world today:

birds at the feeder
grape hyacinths in the grass
seeds sprouting in containers on the porch 


Where are you finding simple beauty today?
 

The Wonders of Water

Water is the most healing of all remedies and the best of all cosmetics. ~Arab proverb

 I  have to agree, water is indeed a wonderful remedy and cosmetic.
Around our home, a bath is the first order of business when someone isn't feeling well.

A lovely warm bath filled with lavender-scented water is soothing to both body and senses.

Bubble baths are fun, too. Unscented bubble bath dressed up with rose, lavender, and bergamot essential oils is fabulous.

Or how about a nice sea-salt soak for tired muscles? I often toss in a few pieces of dried seaweed to create my own little ocean.

For colds or sniffles, a steamy bath with a few drops of Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint essential oils is very helpful. You can also just fill a large bowl with boiling water and put a drop or two of each oil in it; then lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam.

Water, plain or with a bit of lemon juice, is my drink of choice. I drink many cups of water a day... and a few cups of herb tea, of course!

Water, a blessing often overlooked.

Summer Beauty

Bright beauty abounds in bees and blossoms. 
Glimpses of grace captured at the community garden-

glowing sunflower
stripey orange and yellow zinnia
bright zinnias (reminders of Grandma's garden)
cosmos and salvia dancing on the breeze
sunny cosmos
birdhouse in the blossoms
busy buzzy bees gathering nectar
huge allium orb
beauty and utility- zinnias at the base of the soaker hoses

Another blessing of gardening in community- I get to enjoy everyone else's gardens, too! 

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

Weekend Wishes

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~ John Burroughs

Wherever you may wander this weekend, may you find delight in the simple beauty around you.

Rosewater Facial Moisturizer

Rosewater Moisturizer

This is one of my favorite homemade beauty treats. 

It's very light and refreshing, and smells wonderful!



Mix together:

4 oz. Rosewater

1 tsp. glycerin

1/2 tsp. grapeseed oil (you could add a bit more if you have dry skin)

a few drops of Lavender essential oil



Shake well before using.



Note: this doesn't make a thick, creamy lotion .. but it's very, very nice!