30 minutes with a Cup of Tea ...week 2

Welcome to the second week of six in 30 minutes with a cup of tea series.

 Garden work ...

Doggie walks in the forest ...

Can leave you exhausted and your feet feeling like dirty doggie paws, 

after a walk through early morning dew... 

 After your shower ... all you want is to sit with a nice warm, soothing cup of tea...

While sitting enjoying that cup of tea, why not give your feet some extra TLC... with a FOOT BATH!

I'm not talking a pedicure ladies, I'm suggesting a relaxing foot soak. Some warm water, salts, to soak your feet. All you need to done is sit back and sip your tea. I love my foot bath, it has jets and the round thingy with the small bumps is great for rubbing the bottom of my feet over - a mini foot massage. Think a little reflexology (you might find your neck and back feel better after your foot soak too!)

After your foot soak (about 15 minutes), dry your feet and apply some moisturizing cream. Sometimes after applying the cream I like to put on a pair of socks which help to act as a wrap for the cream to penetrate better.

The teacup I'm using today, is a Kate Spade by Lenox , appropriately named Garden Party ( part of a set gifted to me from my sister). 

With it's generous size and garden motif it's perfect after a day of gardening.

Foot Bath Tips:

You don't need a fancy foot bath. For many years I used a simple plastic tub purchased from the Dollar store.

Adding some rounded pebbles to your foot bath, is a great way to get the added reflexology massage feature ~ Marbles also work great for rubbing the bottoms of your feet over.

A tip I learned from the fabulous ladies at Chi Chi Nails, where I go for my pedicures- is to add lemon and limes to your foot bath... instant refreshing for the feet.

And who said Chamomile tea is just for drinking? This recipe will have your tootsies feeling well cared for and refreshed. 

Chamomile Tea: 

4 bags chamomile tea
12 fresh mint leaves
4 drops Essential Oil of choice

Steep in 3 liters of hot water for 10 minutes before using in foot bath.

Do you enjoy foot baths regularly? 

When was the last time you pampered your feet?

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...


sharing this post with:   Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday  Inspiration Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~   Under the Table Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party ~  Mosaic Monday 

The Tulip Garden ...

The cool/damp temps have been preventing us from getting in the garden to start the spring clean up. But all changed last week, as you can see by the garden waste bags and piles of collected branches that came down through the winter.

The warmth of spring has sprung and one of the first gardens to bless us with Mother Nature's colourful paint brush is the tulip garden. 

The birds and squirrels are enjoying their feast ...

Spring has arrived ....

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

  Sharing with: Mosaic Monday - Bloomin' Tuesday - Tuesday Garden Party -  Outdoor Wednesday - Cottage Garden Party - Fertilizer Friday - Farm Fresh Friday -Feathered Nest Friday

After the Rain...in the garden

As with many friends all over BlogLand, we have been experiencing very hot,humid and a "where's the rain?" kinda of summer. Well for the past few days, Mother Nature decided to pour out her laundry basin on us. The gardens are most thankful! 

Let's take a walk down by the stream first...

Everything is so lush and green after a really good down pour...

These grow wild along the stream.... a very pretty soft pink

The Butterfly garden is changing once again ....

and the colours are vibrant ...

Over at the Angel garden it is now mostly green .... but there is a small hint of purple

The Blue Bird is calling to our feathered little friends to come and cool off in the rain water...

The hot sun has tired these beauties out ....

and some new garnet like lilies have join in the choir of the garden...

"Of all human activities, apart from the procreation of children, 

gardening is the most optimistic and hopeful.

 The gardener is by definition one who plans for and believes and trusts in a future, 

whether in the short or the long term." ~ Susan Hill 

Sharing this post with:
  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays  ~Twig Studios for Sunday Show Off ~ Under the Table Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party ~  Mosaic Monday - Bloomin' Tuesday - Tuesday Garden Party -  Outdoor Wednesday - Cottage Garden Party - Fertilizer Friday - Farm Fresh Friday -Feathered Nest Friday

A Day in the Gardens

There is nothing better for mind , spirit and body than a spring day in the Garden.... of course unless it's a day in the garden with friends willing to roll up their sleeves and help get things in order for a wonderful garden season.

This year even getting in the garden has been a bit challenging, which often leaves me frustrated. Mr. G's outdoor spring list for the property is already enormous, that I feel guilty asking for him to do more. Especially when it's things that I should be doing without a problem. So, I put it out to the Universe and next thing I know, our friends from Vermont came to visit ~ and one of the first things they said was "Ok guys, what needs to be done? We are here to work, we've brought our gardening clothes".

After enjoying their company... our guests reminded us that they wanted to help and started tackling project after project ... While the English green thumb hubby gave Mr. G a hand with the chainsaw; moving some brush, trimming trees. My sweet Parisian friend (his wife) made it her mission to get unsightly weeds under control.

All I can say is "thank  you" first to our dear friends English Hubby and French Wife ... for being the wonderful friends (extended family) you are. We truly treasure you and our friendship, and are most appreciative of your hands on attitude! and Second for remembering to ask for help ... our Angels really do listen, when we ask HIM for something and they are most happy to set about putting things in motion.

So, lets take a stroll.....

Our little Magnolia tree made the week as it dazzled us with its colorful soft lilac blooms ...

Our Angel Garden is the first of the gardens to bring to life the colors that only Mother Nature can produce!

Of course our tulips offer up a bit of sunshine too!!

Butterflies take flight in search of a spot in which to bask in the warmth of the day's sun....

Even a robin is not scared off  by our noisy human presence ... it continues on about its day.

Our little Gabbana is delighted that she has found a flower that is not told to leave alone...

As all gardeners know, to enjoy one's gardens there is a labour of love that must first be done...

Here our Butterfly Garden is starting to come alive ... giving us various shades of green. But not all that is green should be in the garden...and boy do the weeds seem to find their perfect home alongside the flower plants.  The photo above is our Butterfly Garden BEFORE ......

Our Parisian friend and nature loving friend discovered the dandelion/weed "thingy"... 

no weed had a chance ...

And here is the Butterfly Garden breathing happily with no pesky weeds and a good turning of soil.

and a day in the garden would not be complete with out lots of water and fresh fruits to keep one going..

(merci mon ami... it was perfect ).

This is how we get around our property and haul things to and from the gardens...

This little Fairy ... is the inspiration for a new garden we are creating this year...

I'm so happy you joined us for a day in the garden!

Do you garden? 

What have you found works best to keep the weeds away ?

sharing with ...

What's It Wednesday ~ Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style

Favorite Things Thursday ~ Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday ~ The Vintage Farmhouse  

Transformation Thursday ~The Shabby Creek Cottage 

Open House Party ~ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday ~The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday ~ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Show & Tell Friday ~ My Romantic Home 

Dolce PawsPost - Mommy is back

I am so happy that Mommy is back from her trip. I have forgiven her for leaving me behind; after all she has been taking me for lots of walks in the garden this week.

With all the rain, the cutting garden is blooming with lots of colour. This makes Mommy smile alot.

The Angel Garden is looking really good. When the paths are filled in with pea gravel Mommy says I can go for a walk in it. Hopefully it will be finished soon!!

Looks like Mommy has some projects to complete - this would be great sitting rest area -if it was stripped down, painted and more cushions added. I thought the gazebo was going to be moved closer to the stream - a sitting area added and climbing rose bushes planted. Hmmm, maybe Mommy should not go on any more trips until her summer garden projects are finished.

                

 No, Frog friend to see today.

Hmmmm.... What's This?

         

 Wow!!! I Can see the stream really good from up here!

I'll just rest here ... maybe my friend the Frog will show up...

                

Paws and licks , until next Friday!