Mikell's Hidden Treasures
  • Today's Treasure
  • Welcome
  • Gallery
  • Lessons from Nature
    • Legends
    • Animals >
      • Can Animals "Manifest"?
    • Plants >
      • Herbs
      • Weeds
      • Yarrow
  • Women Connect Articles

Lavender Wands

6/14/2020

 
Lavender wands are easy to make and a Facebook friend just old me she has had one for
​40 years and it still holds its fragrance!
Begin the wands immediately after the stems are cut so they will be flexible when you bend them. 
You will need 15 stalks of lavender, ribbon (buy good quality satin - I used about 3 yards of 3/16 inches wide, but amounts will vary depending on the length of the lavender stalks. 
Picture
Cut lavender stems as close to the base as possible. Remove the leaves to use for potpourris or other projects. Gather and loosely tie the flowers at the base with thread. Trim the stalks to an even length. 
Picture
Begin weaving the ribbon over and under each stalk. 
Picture

Tuck the end of the ribbon into the stalks to secure it. Gently turn each of the stems over the lavender flowers.

​
 

Picture
Continue weaving to the base of the flowers.Secure the ribbon in a knot but don't cut it. 

Picture
Wrap the ribbon diagonally down the stem, secure at the base of the stem with a couple of knots, then cut the ribbon. 

Water - A Beautiful Choice

2/26/2020

 
Picture
One of my recommendations in the Take the Rose Instead Course - Guaranteed Weight Loss, one beautiful choice at a time, is counting first! instead of drinking one glass of water at a time, count first by filling a pitcher. It is much easier to keep track of how much more you need daily if you can see it.

Mycala knows I love flavored waters! This is one of my birthday presents - a Fruit Infusion Pitcher. It came with a book called Cool Waters which contains "50 refreshing, healthy, homemade thirst quenchers". Everything they recommend is natural and healthy with no sweeteners or processed products in any of the recipes. I can hardly wait to create some recipes with fresh herbs!

The session on water is below, first with the rationale and followed with the action step.

Thank you Mycala! Tomorrow - Strawberry Apple Ginger!



Drink a full glass 30 minute before you eat. 
You'll be amazed how much it fills you up and you'll eat less!

Picture
Picture
Picture

Take the Rose Instead - Water

When the body sends a signal that we are thirsty, nothing satisfies like pure clean water!  70 % of our bodies are made of water and replenishing has numerous benefits. Unfortunately, we often wait too long before we hydrate. One study states that if you wait until you are thirsty, you are already becoming dehydrated. 

If you need to be reminded, or would like additional incentive to drink regularly throughout out the day, consider these reasons to drink water. 

  • Water flushes impurities out of our systems.
  • It helps us maintain a neutral Ph 7, strengthening our immune system.
  • It contributes to weight loss by suppressing the appetite. Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before you eat. You'll be amazed how much it fills you up and you'll eat less.
  • One of the leading causes of headaches is becoming dehydrated. The glass of water may be as, or even more, beneficial than the pain reliever you are taking to relieve your headache. Next time, take a glass of water first, wait 15 minutes and see if you still need the pill.
  • It keeps cells plumb and moisturized, giving a more youthful look.You’ll be less likely to get dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, and even wrinkles.
  • Drinking enough water increases your metabolic rate.
  • Water has the ability to dilute cancer causing agents and has been credited with reducing bladder and colon cancer.
  • I drink a glass of water as soon as I get that “I’m hungry” feeling. Stopping for water fills my stomach and allows me to assess if I really need food, or if there is something else going on. I am committed to drinking water daily but my biggest challenge is that I lose count! So I have a simple solution.

Count First!

PictureCitrus Water - Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Lime
Find a beautiful pitcher - something that will make you smile every time you open the refrigerator door. You’ll need a container that can hold eight glasses of water. Fill it with water in the morning, cover, and as the day progresses, you will have a visual indicator of how much more you should be drinking. 
  • Simple and effective. I rarely had enough water when I poured one glass at a time! This way I can easily see how much more there is to drink and pace myself.
  • You may chose earthen ware pottery, cut glass crystal, a funky modern blown glass - chose a container that delights you as you reach for it. 
  • Then use your imagination to make your water even more enticing. Sliced cucumbers and mint, or lemon slices and borage flowers will take it to another level! 

Surprise Party at the Bygone

11/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

Happy Birthday Nancy!

My dear friend Nancy  celebrated  her 75th Birthday in late November and we threw her a surprise  party at one of my favorite restaurants  in Baltimore, the Bygone, located  in Harbor East. Nancy  and I  decided on the date and time together which fortunately gave me plenty of   time to collaborate with her daughters who created and sent out gorgeous  invitation by snail mail.

Since the Bygone has a 1920s theme, coming in period garb was suggested but not mandatory. I encouraged Nancy to wear the Roaring 20s outfit she had worn for Halloween. The creativity and variety of costumes were impressive and the restaurant, with it's Art Deco theme and spectacular views was a worthy backdrop!

Yet as the time of the  party drew near, Nancy began to ask about changing the day and/or the time of the celebration.  She thought only the two of us were going and seemed confused that I was so adamant about keeping it at the designated time. 

Everything worked out well and she was  undoubtedly surprised.  Later she said it was the best birthday of her life so the efforts were certainly worth it!
Picture
Picture
If you live in Baltimore, or plan to visit, the Bygone's spectacular views,  scrumptious cuisine and superlative customer service  and attention to detail will provide the perfect setting for your most memorable moments!
0 Comments

Light City Baltimore!

11/5/2019

0 Comments

 

A Festival of Light, Music and Innovation!

 The lights in the harbor in Baltimore are always spectacular, but the city really lights up when Light City Baltimore comes to town! It's an event I don't miss - one of my favorite city  spectaculars! This is the third year and every year the displays vary. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
"In just three years, Light City has become one of the world’s most renowned light art festivals, transforming Baltimore with large-scale light art installations, performances and music. Situated along the Baltimore Inner Harbor and Waterfront, Light City features international, national and local artists, innovative culinary experiences and an interactive children’s area. 2019 marks the 4th year of Light City. Light City is held outdoors in tents, and inside the Inner Harbor’s most popular visitor attractions. The outdoor festival is 100% free and accessible; all indoor venues are accessible and some indoor/private venues may be ticketed."                                          ~  Light City Baltimore 2019 ​

The videos below are the next best thing to being there,
​but it is much more magical in person! 

0 Comments

The Bygone in Baltimore

9/3/2019

0 Comments

 
The Bygone, located at 400 International Drive,  invites you to "step back into  the roaring glamour of days passed." It has a 20s flair, and  is billed as Harbor East's most elevated and exciting dining experience. You enter the Four Seasons Hotel lobby and take the Bygone elevator to the 29th floor for a spectacular view, creative and delectable dishes and  phenomenal service!
Two weeks ago, Carrie and Izzy came from New Jersey and took me to the Bygone for brunch. On Sunday, John joined me for a return visit. It's fantastic! 
I wore my vintage dress with the Baltimore Oriole print (see below) and we spent hours enjoying the view while we dined on the finest and freshest seafood, fruits and vegetables, and delectable pastries. It's an experience you'll  always treasure! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Playing with Silk Batik Scarves

5/30/2019

0 Comments

 
The heavy drapes in the sewing room have been replaced with sheers for the summer - a perfect back drop for playing with the gorgeous silk batik scarves from my neighbors, Hatai and Sue! 
Picture
Picture
My first project was a flowing caftan, followed by a skirt made from scarves in similar colors. I gave the skirt away before I thought to take photographs. 
Picture
The skirt above is made from 10 silk scarves with the top corners pressed to the outside to form a casing for an elastic band. 
Picture
I ripped two scarves into sari ribbons and crocheted the strips to form a matching belt. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Most of the scarves are geometric patterns but there are a few one-of-a-kind batiks featuring animals and landscapes. They are all such special treasures and I will be very thoughtful in how I use them in future projects. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Violets on my mind

2/15/2019

 
Picture
Two days ago I posted about violets, and since then I've been working on a project in honor of this delicate flower. She has such versatility, presence and power. Her impact is really rather remarkable considering she only blooms for a short time each year. This little herb of Venus has influenced history, brought beauty and romance into our lives, and inspired Shakespeare, among others. 




Sonnet 99 by William Shakespeare

The forward violet thus did I chide:
Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells,
If not from my love's breath? The purple pride
Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells
In my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed.
The lily I condemned for thy hand, 
And buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair:
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand, 
One blushing shame, another white despair; 
A third, nor red nor white, had stol'n of both 
And to his robbery had annex'd thy breath; 
But, for his theft, in pride of all his growth 
A vengeful canker eat him up to death. 
   More flowers I noted, yet I none could see
   But sweet or colour it had stol'n from thee. 

Reflections

11/9/2018

0 Comments

 


Picture


"Light cannot be seen without shade.

Shade cannot be seen without light."


By moonlight, we see in black and white. We cannot see colors. There is something fascinating and valuable about seeing the world that way. We see only what is essential.

 We see form emerging from a sea of blackness. . . . We can look at the world so familiar by daylight and see it anew in the black and white of moonlight.
     
You see yin and yang. . . 
The day warms, the night cools. 
The sun moves over a hill, changing the face from brightness to shadow. 
Stand in the middle of a forest and watch all the shadows and sunlight shift second by second.
     You see yin and yang.


     - Deng Ming-Dao,
The Lunar Tao (edited)


0 Comments

Longwood Gardens Spring Spectacular

4/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Light and Ideas Festival

4/15/2018

0 Comments

 
Light City is the nation's only large scale light and ideas festival and it's right here in Baltimore. Don't miss it! Color, lights, community, music, bands, floats! Experience Baltimore's Brilliance!
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous

    "My mission is 
    to help others see and cherish the beauty, 
    romance and treasures within and around them 
    that are often dismissed or completely overlooked."
    



    undefined

    by NatureInspiresStudio

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Baltimore
    Beauty
    Collecting Firsts
    Creativity
    Do The Write Thing
    Exploring Rainbows
    Fashion And Fabrics
    Flood
    Friends
    Health
    Herbs
    Holiday
    Holidays
    Insects
    Insights
    Inspiration
    Jazz
    Journals
    Journey
    Legends
    Lessons From Nature
    Mandala
    Maps
    Memorable Moments
    Music
    Numbers
    Orioles!
    Pay It Forward
    Pets
    Quotes
    Recipes
    Rose
    Seeds
    Stars
    Take The Rose Instead
    Travel
    Treasures
    Universe
    Vintage
    Youth

    Mikell 

    Mikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life!

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    RSS Feed

  • Today's Treasure
  • Welcome
  • Gallery
  • Lessons from Nature
    • Legends
    • Animals >
      • Can Animals "Manifest"?
    • Plants >
      • Herbs
      • Weeds
      • Yarrow
  • Women Connect Articles