My mother passed away in November 2014 and it’s hard not to feel a bit sad that she is no longer here with us. But I know she is happily with my Dad in heaven. There are quite a few Mother’s Day gift posts, but I though I would share items that I personally use or love that you may want to give to your Mother or a special woman in your life.

Anything to Help Promote Sleep

As we age, getting a good night’s sleep is critical to good physical and mental health. Here are a few items that I use and love. Why not put together a basket of these goodies?

This small, weighted, microwaveable blanket is 44″ x 18″ and is perfect on a chilly night or if your sheets are cold when you slip into bed. The combination of climbing into warm sheets, the weight of the blanket and the smell of lavender, is SO relaxing. You can find it here on Amazon, and it comes in different fabrics too.

This small aromatherapy ultrasonic essential oil diffuser produces a calming, aromatic mist that covers a room up to 300 square feet. With an automatic shutoff, you don’t have to worry about it after you have fallen asleep. The link to this particular one is App enabled so you can operate it from your smart phone. You can use different essential oils too.

We have a Lather store nearby and I recently purchased their Quiet Night Relaxing Balm. For the last four nights this seems to be positively affecting my sleep. I rub the balm on my temples, forehead, back of the neck and on my inner wrists before bed. After a few relaxing deep breaths, it does seem to settle me down for sleep. It’s $10.00 and here is their website.

I have good luck with Soma (a division of Chico’s) Cool Nights fabric pajamas. It’s a special blend of lightweight rayon fibers that stay cool to the body and keep the fabric from sticking to the body. They come in a variety of styles from sleep shirts to shorts. Here is the link.

Loves to Read?

Do you read an actual book or use an E-reader? Since I am paying more attention to the harmful blue light from computers and smart phones, here is a clip-on reading light for night-time use. This Hoogalite blocks 99.94% of light from the blue part of the spectrum, which is perfect for reading at night without disrupting your circadian rhythm. At $12.99, it is also great for traveling. You can find it here.

When I do travel, I love taking my Kindle where I can preload many books to read. Though mine is a few years old, the newest version has a larger display and an adjustable warm light.

For the Gardener

Personally, I wear these shoes ALL the time…so comfy. A gift from my sweet friend, Janie, I love the chicken motif so much so I also bought the rain boots. Not only are they made in the U.S.A. but they come in multiple colors and designs. Right now they are on sale (-13%) on Amazon for $34.99.

Made from recycled plastic bottles (!) are these protector Farming Sleeves. A Christmas gift from my sister, Susie, again, this is a gardening must.

The farming sleeves protect my arms from nasty rose thorns and numerous cuts, as well as plant irritation, harmful UV rays and overheating. It is is pretty breathable barrier between your skin and the elements. Here is the link to Farmers Defense and you can find similar sleeves on Amazon here.

Beauty Essentials

Rarely do you find my name and beauty in the same sentence, but I do have a few products that I love and trust.

There are two Trader Joe’s products that I recently discovered and I cannot say enough about them.

The lemongrass coconut oil does help with dry skin and has a nice scent. I use the Rose Water facial toner every morning and evening and it’s a lovely hydrator for your face. Both products are under $10.00 and if you do not have a Trader Joe’s nearby, you can order the lemongrass coconut oil here and the rose water toner here.

This pumpkin enzyme mask from Peter Thomas Roth smells so good that you almost want to eat it. Reminds me of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. What I like about this product is that you don’t need to keep it on for very long~3 to 7 minutes. It helps even and clarify the look of uneven skin tone and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can easily order it through Amazon here.

I’m a huge fan of this Water Drench moisturizer by Peter Thomas Roth~it’s silky, lightweight and I truly notice the difference in how it locks in moisture. I keep trying other moisturizers but I like this one the best. From Amazon here.

I purchased this GloPro at home facial micro needling kit a few months ago. My kit only has the facial tool, but you can purchase additional tools for your scalp, thighs and abdomen. As stated on their website, this tool amplifies skincare absorption and creates firmer, smoother skin in just 60 seconds a day. As microneedles glide over the skin, skin’s natural rejuvenation response is ignited, which stimulates cells to restore volume and glow from the inside out. LED red light therapy and microcurrent stimulation help stimulate cellular turnover and magnify results.

I use it about 3-4 times per week. Since I tend to be rather critical of what I see in the mirror, I am not sure my skin is improving, but I love how it feels tingly after using it. You can find it here.

For the Cook/Chef

When I am stressed, I put on my apron and spend time in my kitchen….which I love. Cooking, baking or just assembling food is therapy for me. And it starts with the act of me putting on my apron. It doesn’t sound like much but the ritual of it lightens my mood and makes me happy. If you want to peek into my kitchen, click here.

Locally, there is a wonderful woman who makes aprons, Aprons by Lee. You can also find her at the Uptown Farmers Market at Central Avenue and Bethany Home Road (rated the best farmers market) on Saturday mornings. She has a wide selection of fabrics and will custom make something for you too.

I recently purchased this cute apron from The Enchanted Home. The pleated skirt and the deep pockets are a plus. This picture is from their website and really doesn’t accurately show how adorable this is. Plus it made from a nice weight cotton. You can find it here.

Le Creuset is the leader in highly-durable, chip-resistant enameled cast iron and a pioneer in color development. From the pure, rich tones of their colors to the fine quality of their distinct gradient and finishes, Le Creuset’s leadership in color is unmistakable. I own one 5.5 quart Le Creuset Dutch oven that I use all the time, mostly to bake my sourdough bread.

This piece of cookware will be a family heirloom and is often passed down from generation to generation. They are not inexpensive, but a worthy splurge for someone who loves to cook. For a 5.5 quart Dutch oven, it will run approximately $400, and you can find it in 13 colors here.

For the Coffee Lover

My family bought this coffee maker for me for my birthday a few years ago. I cannot speak highly enough about how much I LOVE this machine. When we have guests, everyone lines up for lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee, you name it. Plus it is very easy to use. Ordering Nespresso coffee pods is all done online (or you can go to one of their stores)and is effortless. Seriously, this machine is used several times a day and never disappoints. If you like it in white (or sea salt), it’s less expensive than the stainless. See it here.

Sunday, May 13th is Mother’s Day. Hopefully, this post will help stimulate some different gift ideas for your own mother or those who have been like a mother to you. Or if you would like to get a gift for someone special in your life, these recommendations are tried and true. All of these products are ones that I own and have tested myself. Some of the links will provide a small stipend to me and others will not.

Thanks for joining me today and have a fabulous Thursday!

Please feel free to share this post on Pinterest.

Happy Saturday from Boise, Idaho. Boy, packing for this trip is a bit of a challenge as the weather will range from 70 degrees to 38 degrees and raining. Plus we are attending a black tie gala~nothing like stuffing your fancy outfit into a carry-on! It is always fun to travel here~especially now where they are beginning their Spring while we wind up ours in Phoenix. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week!

Delia Dante Gallery

Every now and again it is so delightful to stumble upon something that rewards you with a memorable experience. During a walk back from breakfast, we stopped by Fire Fusion Studio at Delia Dante Gallery at 1322 W. Main Street in Boise. The artist, Delia and her husband run this gorgeous gallery and also provide classes in enameling, metal smithing and welding.

Look at this fabulous necklace I purchased. The technique is champlevé, which involves filling enamel into the indentations of metal object (copper in this case). Since I don’t buy a lot of jewelry, this piece spoke to me. Meeting the artist and touring the gallery makes it extra special. I love the colors and won’t this be pretty against a white blouse? If you love art galleries and want to see this talented woman, click here.

What is Happening to our Grass?

Check out this strange phenomenon happening with our grass. The grass gets plenty of water and sunshine, but this yellow section appears to be spreading. Any ideas?

Prunes and Bone Density

A recent article from Martha Stewart states that prunes can improve bone mineral density. From her article:

The research team at Penn State analyzed data and the results consistently showed that eating prunes was linked to less oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as stronger bones. In fact, the clinical trials found that eating about 10 prunes every day for a whole year improved bone mineral density in the forearms and lower spine. Additionally, eating 50 to 100 grams of prunes every day for six months prevented total loss of bone density. Prunes are rich in Vitamin K.

Who is with me? I actually love prunes and am always looking for a way to strengthen my bones.

How to Propagate Lilacs

Oh how I wish lilacs would grow here, however, they do not. But if you are lucky to live in an area with lilacs blooming now, check out my friend, Rachel, from The Pond’s Farmhouse tips on splitting lilac bushes. It only takes a rock and Rachel is amazing. See her post here.

How to Make Tin Can Planters

Look how adorable these tin can planters are! My friend, Kippi from Kippi at Home is so clever and gives a very detailed tutorial on how to make this. I will now start saving my cans.

How is Your Penmanship?

Recently, I read a very intriguing post about handwriting, specifically cursive and its potential disappearance. Since it is no longer taught in schools, many do not have the ability to do so. Nowadays, we mostly type on our computers or phones, but what happens when you need to send a thank you note? Or address an envelope? Is your penmanship gorgeous or wobbly?

If you are looking for ways to improve your writing style, you will find this post by The Glam Pad to be enlightening.There are actual classes to take to improve your penmanship and be the envy of many. And of course, like most things in life, if you don’t use cursive, you lose it.

Happy Mother’s Day

If you missed this week’s post and are still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, here is my post with ideas and suggestions.

If you are a mother or have done the hard work of mothering, have a Happy Mother’s Day. We will be traveling on Sunday back to Phoenix but hope to spend some time with my children. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and we will connect again on Tuesday!

I am giving myself permission to do nothing this weekend. The week has been filled with so many projects, I will need a vacation after this quarantine is over! I dream about staring at the ocean with an umbrella drink in my hand. But it is time to slow down a bit and enjoy this Mother’s Day weekend!

Who started Mother’s Day and why? Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis died.

Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. (from Wikipedia).

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother’s Day, held on the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers. Owing to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, by 1911 all U.S. states observed the holiday.

My mother passed away in 2014. She was 89 years old and was suffering from dementia. Dad insisted Mom stay at home and we had a wonderful caregiver who took excellent care of my mother.

It is hard for me to describe my mother, as she wasn’t a warm and cuddly type of person. Mom had a sense of duty and a great deal of pride. She was rather strict with the girls in the family as she didn’t want us to become “fast steppers”. It was important for her to instill lady-like tendencies~~no chewing gum, no drinking beer from a bottle, no swearing or dressing provocatively. Education and grades were important to her~~anything less than an A wasn’t acceptable. She had high expectations of all 5 of us.

I remember her lectures and often hear her in my head. She didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve and she wasn’t an easy person to get to know. But she made sure we were well-behaved, dressed appropriately and had everything we needed for a happy childhood.

My mother loved art~~ to paint and draw. I have fond memories of doing that with her. She could turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. With little money, she could transform a piece of furniture she found on the side of the road to a priceless heirloom.

While I was in high school, Mom and Dad purchased and restored a 1774 historical home in Norwich, Connecticut. During the restoration, Mom carefully removed layers and layers of wallpaper, eventually getting to the first original one. She sent the piece she retrieved to Schumacher and they replicated the design, naming it “Norwich”. The restoration of this old home was their pride and joy. It was a wonderful place to bring our friends.

As the empty nesting years were approaching, Mom went back to school and then started a new career. She was practical. After 25 years, she retired from the State of Connecticut and enjoyed her pension until her death.

When I had my children, I took the lessons learned from my mother, but I adjusted them to fit my life. I would like to think I gleaned the best from her and then improved upon them for my three.

I have had a big corporate career, own my own business and nothing has fulfilled my life as much as being a mother. The blessings and love that my children provide cannot be put into words. Every day I am grateful for their presence in my life.

Wishing you a happy Mother’s Day~~whether you are a mother or have mothered others. Our weather is beautiful, albeit a bit warm, but I understand snow storms are happening in the east. Wherever you are, have a safe and lovely weekend.

God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.  Rudyard Kipling

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who is a mother or has been a mother to others in your life.

In the United States in 1905, Anna Jarvis campaigned to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday.  Anna’s mother, Ann had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers from both the Confederate and Union armies of the American Civil War.  She created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.  Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother and all mothers because she believed they were “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world.” (source)

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Every day I am so grateful for the three children God put into my life.  And even though words cannot completely do justice for the depth of love, admiration and joy I feel, I hope they know how much they have enriched my life.  Children are our teachers~~showing us the world through their unbiased eyes, their hopeful giggles and their strength and determination.  The unconditional love I have for them is boundless. As much as I sometimes long for the days when they were toddlers, I look back and believe I did the best job possible. I am so proud of their accomplishments as they enter the world as responsible young adults.

Being a mother is perhaps the best thing I have ever become, the greatest love I have ever felt and the best part of being me.

Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours.

 

 

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