Gifts

Look at the lovely parcels that arrived for me yesterday. I was very lucky to win a giveaway from Serendipity Patch.

The beautiful fabric roll is made from recycled shirt fabrics in fresh, summer colours. I had just been talking to a friend about wanting to make some children's quilts. I would love one for my son's room. When I got home I found the email letting me know I had won. I couldn't believe it. (You can see a gorgeous quilt that Debbie at Serendipity Patch made with these shirt fabrics on her blog). I love the little lavender bag. I am keeping it close to me so that I can breathe in the scent of summer throughout the day.

I read that lavender (lavendula officinalis) is good for depression in aromatherapy. Though to be honest when I had severe depression there was really nothing that helped, other than the occasional sleeping pill, which was the only way I could sleep  (I chose not to take any other prescribed medication, because I believed I would make a stronger recovery without it, which was true. That was my choice - it's not a recommendation). However, lavender is good for lifting the senses, balancing the emotions and will lift our spirits if we are feeling lethargic and irritable which is quite common at this time of year. Also, contrary to advice usually given, be cautious using lavender as a sleep aid. Sometimes it can actually be more of a stimulant. A massage therapist told me this and advised I use a blend that has citrus in it. I found Botanics Time to Unwind range and really love it (available in Boots). It is a mix of orange, juniperberry and frankincense and comes as a bath, body and massage oil, as well as the essential oil on its own. I would really recommend it for a soothing soak in the bath. 

I had another surprise package: a late Christmas gift from my Aunt Alisoun in America; a big tub of sugar coated pecans! They are not going to last long. I considered hiding them from my husband. I also got a package from my mother-in-law Celia; a lovely pair of grey and black striped woolen socks and Froggy, a toy my boy had left behind at Christmas. Receiving gifts in the post is so wonderful. I will be having my own giveaway soon. Thank you everyone X