One glorious morning not long ago I was given the gift of being able
to awaken when my body was ready to awake, not when the alarm went
off, or the kid asked for breakfast, or the cat smothered me wanting
food. I lay around for a few moments, savoring the peace, petting
said cat, who had slept in as late as I. When what to my wondering
eyes did appear but my boyfriend, laden down with a beautiful wooden tray.
On this tray was a breakfast of coffee, orange juice, toast, and vegetarian
sausages ( I dont eat meat), along with a pretty cloth napkin, my paper,
and a flower placed strategically around the coffee cup. He asked where
he should put it, on my lap, or on the bed. I said 'bed'. He then threw
wide the curtains, opened the french door of our bedroom onto our
beautiful English country style backyard, and sat down beside me.
A soft breeze blew in on me, the birds were chirping, the cat was still
sprawled across my ankles and this gorgeous guy was sitting next to me.
I thought to myself, "People pay money for moments like this."

It's true, you know, people do pay good money for a piece of relaxation
that we can all find within our own homes. I am very fortunate to happen
to have found a picture perfect little cottage to call home, but you can
do this whether you live in an apartment, or a house, a suburb, a farm,
a city. All it takes is a little creativity, and the ability to relax in
your own home. I spent a long time learning how to relax in my own home.
I used to be so anal about keeping it showcase tidy, and with so many
pets that took a lot of time. I thought to be a good housekeeper
meant having a perfect little house all the time, but it doesn't.
What I have come to learn is that the measure of a good housekeeper
lies in the happiness of the members of the home. Not to give you some
idea that everyone's happiness is YOUR responsibility, it isnt.
What I mean is that if your family can relax and find comfort in your
house, if YOU can relax and find comfort in your house, then you have
succeeded. That might mean a house with toys strewn about all over,
and pet beds in every corner, or a house with calm order and serenity
about it. But whatever the style, or amount of clutter, peace can
sometimes still be an elusive entity. I hope that this page will help
you discover some hidden peace where you had not thought to find any.

Meditation. I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is. Not everyone
has to go to a structured class to meditate. It can be as simple as
a quiet 5 minute sit by an old tree with your eyes closed or as complex as
the above mentioned group meditation. But it is one of the simplest
and most affective ways to relax, to care for yourself. Have you found
a beautiful stream somewhere while out on a day hike? Sit quietly
with your feet in the water and let your mind roam. Nature meditations
of this type will also help in learning to communicate with nature,
as described in other pages. Hard day at work, hug a tree for 30 seconds,
feel the power and strength and quiet assurance of the tree. Feel better?

Your bed. This has got to be the single most important item of furniture
in your home. After all you spend a third of your life there, better make
sure it's the one you want. A good medieval style bed is a tall one.
The kind you have to climb into. Pile it with thick feather duvets
and a feather mattress. Even those of you who prefer harder beds,
like me, can get the affect of a feather bed by layering one over a good
firm mattress underneath. Lots of feather pillows to lounge around on
during the day, and maybe a more therapuetic one for sleeping on. The
extra pillows can get tossed onto the floor at night. Use good quality
sheets in high thread count cotton. I have two duvet covers, a white
battenburg lace one for summer months, and a red velvet one for the winter.
I gotta tell you, there is nothing like sleeping naked under velvet.
People ask me in horror sometimes, "But what about cleaning it?!!!" No
problem, I throw that thing in the washer and dryer. Delicate cycle, cold
water. Velvet is surprisingly tough. I had a friend make mine for me, but
you can probably make one very easily by sewing the right amounts of
velvet together to get the right width, and then sewing those sides
together to create a pocket of sorts. Sew some buttons into the fourth side
and slip your duvet in there, and viola. It isnt cheap, but oh man, is
it worth it.

Take lots of baths, every chance you get. Become a bath-connosieur.
There is nothing like a steamy hot bath, but they arent good for cellulite,
so unless you are Kate Moss I would go easy on the heat. But there are
tons of bath products out there to purchase to make your bath more
enjoyable and a true luxury. There are also some things you can do at home
to add to your bath. If you have some rose bouquets that are past their
peak, but still have some scent, you can make a rose water infusion to
add to your bath. I do this with most of my deadheaded roses from the
garden. Boil water, add the rose petals to the water, and simmer
gently for about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool, then put in an old wine bottle
or apothecary bottle to save for your bath. Keep in mind though, that
there are no preservatives in this method, and it wont keep for too many
days. Always have lots of soft thick towels, and a good comfortable
bathrobe to toss on. Dont forget comfy slippers or cushy socks.
No point in lettin' your feet get all cold and stiff again.

Here's a quick, cheap perfume if you run out or just like something out
of the ordinary. Choose your favorite incense, light it and place it in
your closet, keeping it well out of the way of any clothes that it might ignite.
Close the closet door tight, and let it burn down, then let the smoke sit in
there for a few hours. Your clothes will come out smelling faintly like
an Indian temple. Be absolutely sure you like the incense though, or
you will have an awful lot of laundry to wash. And who says you have to
waste time ironing? Steam your wrinkles out by hanging them up in the
bathroom while you are taking a shower. Works on all but the most stubborn
wrinkles.

Another use for roses. If you have red roses, take their petals, and
put them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill them. When you
take them out, bruise the petals lightly with your fingers, then place
the petals over closed eyes. Helps relieve tired swollen eyes.

More beauty tips the wisewoman way:
Smooth almond oil on your skin 2 to 3
times a week, let it set for about half an hour, then gently remove with
a tissue. Great for dry, or blemished skin.; dont get rid of your empty
avocado skins before you rub the insides of them on your hands and other
dry skin.; or how about when you use a mask on your face? Instead of
washing away the excess thats on your hands spread it around your hands.
If it's good for the face, it's got to be good for the hands. You cant
really touch anything for a while, but, hey, you are supposed to be relaxing
when you give yourself a facial anyway.

Seasonal Care Tip

Summer

Well, with the kids getting out of school older folk graduating, getting ready
to go on vacations, or just about anything else that adds to summer's
hectic schedule, we could all use a break about now, yes? Why not learn
something new? Take a class. maybe it's something you have always wanted
to learn, like playing the harp, or cooking Indian food, maybe it is
something you have never even thought of, like belly dancing, or rockclimbing.
The empowering feeling of accomplishing something you didnt think you
could do will energize you and make you prepared to conquer
your everyday stresses. The time away from your noraml obligations
will be a welcome break, your weekly vacation time. Think of it as forced
relaxation time....

Archived monthly tips click here for last months care tips

History and Reference The Croft Medieval Housekeeping Wytche's Kitchen Medieval Gardening Care for Body Mind Soul Spells For the Season The Grimoire The Language of Animals Links Wytche's Award Webrings