Lifting Your Senses

Now that the Most Wonderful Time of the Year has come to an end, I don't think that we should have to say goodbye to all the Comfort and Joy. Lets face it, unless you are enjoying the snow with your children or a winter sports fanatic, the winter can seem too long and kind of dreadful. We spend most of our time indoors, hibernating. I have some suggestions on how to make the best of your indoor surroundings and they all focus on Lifting Your Senses.

Body, Mind, Spirit Tidbit - In the winter is easy to lose the satisfaction we receive when we use our Five Senses. Especially after they have been so heightened during the holidays. So if you are feeling the void try some of these suggestions to Lift them back up.

Sense of Smell - We all know what smells can do for our mood. Whether it's the scent of a Loved One's Cologne, the smell of Fresh Grass when it's cut, the Ocean Breeze on a warm summers day, or the fresh scent after a Spring Rain. All of these scents can trigger a lift in our mood. Now think of what scents make you feel good and recapture them in your home. Take a trip to a local Candle Store and Treat Yourself to a Familiar, Feel-Good Scent.

Sense of Taste - Another thing that also smells terrific, but most of all tastes terrific, is Food. The next shopping trip that you take I would like you to think about Lifting Your Senses. Some of my favorites are Fresh Herbs. The smell of Basil when you first cut into it is a lift in itself, then add some Fresh Tomatoes, Creamy Mozzarella, topped with Spices and a Sweet Olive Oil. It's a Feast for your senses. Or what about Fruit, a Delicious Bright Orange, can you say Juicy and Refreshing? One of my favorites is cooking in my kitchen right now, Beef Stew. The Woodsy Aroma of the array of Fresh Vegetables and Spices stewing comforts me on a cold winters day. Served in a over sized mug with some Fresh Warm Bread and Butter. Is your mouth watering yet? One More! Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies with some Ice Cold Milk. Go Shop for your senses.

Sense of Sight - Now that we are intoxicated with aromas and salivating lets move on to some Eye Candy. Take a trip to your local Florist or Super Market and get your self some Fresh Flowers! I like to buy a big Bouquet and separate it for different rooms.
*Use small jars or tea cups and fill three on a windowsill in your kitchen.
*Make a little bouquet in a decorative glass for your bathroom sink.
*Put a full arrangement on your table in a glass water pitcher filled with lemons or limes. It's a refreshing reminder that Spring is right around the corner.

To keep the flowers fresh change the water and add a pinch of baking soda every couple of days and trim the stems.

Sense of Touch - For me it's as simple as a Warm and Cozy Throw, some Warm and Fuzzy Slippers, a Heating Pad on my lap or shoulders, a Hot Bath or Steamy Shower, Cuddling, A Warm cup of Hot Chocolate in my hands with the Hot Steam hitting my face as I lift it up to take a sip.

Sense of Hearing - Take time to listen to your little ones as they talk. Hear the sound of their voice, the squeaky adorable little voice that won't last forever. Take time for silence, it helps you to hear what you are saying on the inside. Play some classical music and listen to the story being told. Listen to the wind on a stormy day or the rain drizzling on your window.

Do some of these suggestions and I know that you will have Fun Lifting Your Senses.

Mommy Time

As a mother of five boys, a household coordinator, a chef, a maid, a driver and so on, I need to remind myself to take some time for me every once and a while as I am sure that you do too. As mothers we tend to put everyone else's needs before our own, so to keep my stress level down and my spirits up, I schedule in some Mommy Time.

Beauty Tidbit - When I was single I used to go for mani's and pedi's and go to the spa quite often, but now when I probably need it the most, I don't. So instead I bring the spa to me. I have Saturday Spa Day for myself in my own bathroom at least once a month. I run a nice and Hot Bubble Bath, I light some Relaxing Scented Candles of lavender and chamomile, get some Magazines together that I haven't read, my MP3 player, and I lock the door for a good hour or so. I put on a clay mask, I file my nails, I use a scrub and after I lather some cream on, paint my toes and nails then Vwa La! I feel Refreshed and Beautiful! Although I don't spend the fortune you would pay on a spa day, I do treat myself to Bubble Bath, Sea Salts, Creams, Scrubs and Candles for my Spa Day. If you are one of the fortunate ones to still visit the spa, "You Go Girl!" but if your not, schedule in a Saturday Home Spa Day today and make sure to tell hubby that your doing so.

Extra Tidbit - When I have had a hard day and I am feeling stressed out I need to take some space when my husband gets home. But some days, when it's really bad. You know what I'm talking about, right ladies? Those pull out your hair days. I grab a feel good movie from my Girlie Movie Collection, I make myself some treats, I lock myself in my bedroom, light a candle, dim the lights and watch a chic flick. This is what I do to unwind and when I come out I feel so much better. Ready to serve once again! If the chick flick is not your thing, just make sure you find some kind of hideaway and stress reliever to go to when those days get tough and you need some Mommy Time!

Extra Extra Tidbit - At the start of a New Year it is my tradition to make a New Year's Resolution Collage. It is not only Relaxing and Fun, but it is a way to have a Visual Reminder of your Goals and Dreams for the upcoming year. I know it might sound too crafty or even cheesy, but it is said that having a visual reminder can help you to achieve whatever it is that you would like to accomplish.

To make the collage you will need a poster board cut to size, some scissors, magazines, and glue. All you do is flip through the magazines and find words, phrases as well as pictures of your goals and dreams for the year, then paste and fill the board. I also try to find pretty pictures and power words. My collage for last year says things like, Think Inside the Box, Save More, Worry Less, Bed and Breakfast, Some Fun for your Little One, and phrases like "when my kids need to burn off steam, we just turn up the radio and dance". It also has pictures of beaches, wonder woman, a tree house, and a revamped backyard. You get the picture. It's Fun and it's Personal so get out your creative side and start one today. Place it somewhere that you will see it daily and watch some of your dreams come true :)