monday monday..

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sometimes mondays start with a spark 

a flash an energy and excitement to start the new week

***

and sometimes they start with a whimper

a sigh and a little bit of hesitation.

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today it started with a big yawn

and a realization that our sunny warm (ish) weekend

had given way somewhere during the night to

snow.

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what??

this is serious news that calls for drastic measures..

as much as i wanted to dive back under the covers

and bury myself deep deep deep down inside

***

i decided the best way to arm myself for this snowy day

was to take 

a bath.

***

i love baths.

it's a serious addiciton.

(and a very healthy one, if you ask me)

it always has been.

i would spend hours in the tub as a little girl 

playing with bubbles and boats 

pretending i was a mermaid

***

but now i don't play in them as much

i luxuriate in them.

i meditate.  i dream.  i think about the day past, or the day to come.

baths are a place to just be.

they're nurturing, pampering, relaxing

even uplifting.

they help set your mind straight.

really.

they warm you to the bone

on cold nights

(or, ahem, mornings..)

***

and it's easy to pamper yourself

(an oh so neccessary, i think)

***

you can also transform a bath (and yourself)

by adding a cup of milk and a few drops of lavender oil..

or a handful of rose petals or slices of apple

or sweet herbs and flowers from the garden

***

a tablespoon of honey (the raw type is the best)

and a cup of oats..

***

and of course, yummy soaps.

***

handmade and natural are my favorites

especially from here, here, and here.

***

..and then a nice pot of hot tea off to the side

is wonderful too..

of course,

if you're like me and you eventually have to get out of the tub

and actually get a little work done..

a nice strong green tea with lots of caffeine is probably a good idea.

what do you do to take care of yourself?

wishing you a gorgeous monday.

xo

***please click on the stars to direct you to the photo credits.