Roses are used in both of the projects below. Rose hips are scented with blue spruce oil in the first, and rose potpourri is used to make the lace rose sachets in the second. Both are wonderful remembrances of time spent in the garden in the summer, collecting rose buds (and rose hips) while ye may!

​Each rose sachet is made with 

• a nine inch circle of lace
• 3 Tablespoons rose potpourri
• 20 inch lengths of satin cord or satin ribbon

Place potpourri in the center of lace circle. Gather the top, keeping edges even. Tis with ribbon.

​The sachets make wonderful Valentine girts. 

Recently Mycala, my oldest daughter who works in the Occupational Therapy Department at Towson University, invited me to a fund raiser at Bill Bateman's to support the Surfer's Healing Event in Ocean City, MD. The event was well attended with high energy (evidenced by four exclamation points on the flyer! I love it!!! I often use three but with four you know there is enthusiasm and support!) I've been to numerous fundraisers at Towson and this was by far the best! I haven't heard how much they earned, but hope a lot!

One of the prizes was a hand cut crystal vase trimmed in 24 karat Killarney vase from Ireland. It was filled with chocolate and the girl who won it didn't want the vase, so I was the lucky recipient!! This morning as I journaled I enjoyed periodically glancing at the vase, filled with the most gorgeous roses. Today's treasure will bring lovely memories for years to come!

It's been awhile since I posted on my blog! A trip to Paris and purchasing a new home in the city of Baltimore have kept me busy and I've spent very little time on the computer! I'm back in classes at Renaissance and I'll be spending more time on the computer. Our entire trip was spectacular but here are a few highlights! 

Several times through out the year I'll grad a sheet of paper, fold it in half vertically, title it "Same" and "Different under the day's date, and begin to list everything that was the same in my life at this time last year, and everything that is different. 

This is fraction of the list but it can give you an idea. It's helpful to see the progress over the year. I often complete tasks and projects and don't really take the time to celebrate the achievements. You may also be accomplishing more than you realize.  

As I review my lists, I'm able to see areas that have improved and others that could use more attention.  The first time I did this it was the result of journaling about sameness. Everything was the same as it had been for years. Same house, same job, same road to work, same activities, same foods, same  . . . . oh, it makes me glaze over to think of it. But it was up to me to change it! That's when I began Collecting Firsts and adding more spice to my life!

 When we think of 'feeding' ourselves, our first thought is "when do we eat!", but there is so much more to feed us than food. This afternoon was a delicious reminder of all things sensuous. 

Mycala, my oldest daughter, treated me to a 1 1/2 hour massage for Mother's Day. The experience was self indulgent and not something I would do for myself. Maybe I need to rethink that! 

Even before the masseuse began the session, my senses were stimulated. A very delicate fragrance of lavender permeated the air.  An instrumental background selection was the perfect choice. I melted into the softness of the sheets on the massage table, cocooned under the weightless blanket. 

All of this, followed by ninety minutes of skilled attention to knead and relax muscle tissue transported me to a meditative state. I stopped thinking about what was next. I became reminded that I can shift to be in the moment in an instant, simply make the choice to pause and be aware of the gifts of this moment, right now. 

There is a Zen saying, "Don't hurry. Ever." In today's world we can feel rushed, pushed and pulled, and don't often allow ourselves that gift.  When we slow down and experience the present moment, we can become aware of so many pleasures that will soothe our souls. We can enhance our experiences through fragrances, music, textures, thoughts and soothing sights. How can you make your home or office more spa-like? Flowers, scented candles, a favorite hand lotion, soothing music, inspirational quotes, a favorite painting, and soft throws can bring our focus to beauty.

My Mother's Day gift will live with me beyond the delightful experience. It will remind me to proactively integrate more delightful experiences into my life. Thank you Mycala!

Roses were undoubtedly the year's predominant theme! My original inspiration came from my Easter Roses. I took several photos and shared them with friends, at times mentioning some of the legends related to roses. One friend suggested I write them down, so i did! The result was a free e-book along with my June newsletter to celebrate the rose's special month.

As I was completing the book, my friend Ted sent some rose photographs! Serendipity! I asked him if he'd help me with rose photographs to complete the rest of the book and he did! We also took a trip to Ladew Topiary Gardens to gather more images!

Years ago i was walking through the grocery store and picked up a rose, deciding as I reached for it that I would make a commitment to myself not to buy anything in the store that I didn't believe to be healthy. If I did, I'd return the rose.  I was tempted numerous times, but I didn't want to put my rose back! I've continued the process for years and roses continue to remind me to make healthy choices!

That was the beginning of a shift for me in how I cared from myself. Years later, in January of 2011, I designed and delivered an online course, encouraging others to make healthy choices because they deserved the very best. The course was well received, but I didn't do anything further with it until this year.

This is the rose I drew to re-create the Take the Rose Instead coaching course, this time including a poster and a six week course. There is also an application to be certain that people are ready to take the steps to commit to improved health.

June is National Rose Month, the perfect time to celebrate the Queen of Flowers and United State National Floral Emblem! Roses have graced us with their fragrance and beauty since . . . well, reportedly about 35 million years! Yes, that's how long roses have been with us! The oldest fossil of a rose was found right here in the U.S.A., in Colorado. 

I've been collecting rose trivia and my mini e-book is almost ready for its debut! It is filled with rose legend and lore - some fact and some fiction - a light look at this lovely flower!

Faith is living in pure peace, knowing that we are in the perfect place at any given moment, loved and supported unconditionally. It guides us to give up the struggle and enjoy the present.

For those of us living with seasons, summer represents the flower of a  year's journey, beginning with fall's harvest, winter's quiet dormancy, and spring's budding promise that the blossoms will reappear. 

We are not afraid. We do not doubt summer's return. We trust in the cycle of seasons We release fear because we've seen this pattern time and time again, year after year. We trust in nature and seasons' cycles.

It is the same in our life's journey. At times our lives have been abundant with harvest. Other times have appeared bleak and fruitless. Without a predictable time line, it is easy to forget that our personal winter is also a time of unseen growth, powerful in its deep rooted and often invisible mystery. Spring follows, then summer in glorious abundance. Lack of faith will not change the result. Summer will return, but the doubting will only create unnecessary stress.

Maybe you could - reflect back on your life's journey. Notice patterns of productivity and harvest. Recall times of stagnation and frustration (often disguising times of the greatest growth), followed by promise and abundance.As you do, rest in the peace and faith that these patterns of learning, growth, accomplishment and ultimate reward will continue. Allow these patterns to enable you to release fear. Use that energy instead to embrace the present moment, follow your dreams and believe in the promise of summer!

Diamonds will be most comfortable seeing this chronologically, listing blocks of time by years, for example.

Amethysts will prefer a mind map or broad concepts - childhood, middle school years, teens, young adult, etc. - and may use colors, doodles and sketches to capture concepts. 

Rubies may want process their memories with a friend or family member, reflecting on feelings. 

Emeralds will get right to the point with a broad overview of past events, focusing on facts and results. 

You are a priceless treasure - lovely and full of wisdom and promise. You have gifts to share unlike any other person who has ever lived! As you flower from within, your gifts will bless others. Have faith that you are exactly where you should be at this moment and the universe is unfolding its blossoms of promise..

Wishing you a beautiful summer!
Mikell 

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”  Anaïs Nin