Appreciation Bouquet

My friends Amy and Anna are getting married today.

I wanted to get them a toaster, but instead of presents they asked for appreciations.

Here is the appreciation gift I made for them.

The little tags are tied onto the flowers with hot pink raffia, and each card

contains an appreciation like "I love Amy's giggle"

Speaking the truth on a deeper level

Our speech is one of the most important ways we can take into the world the lovingkindness, or metta, that we develop in meditation .

I’ve said already that mindful speech should not only be honest, but should be meant kindly. One of the most effective means of being kind in our speech and of helping others is to express appreciation of them.

This is an excellent practice.

From Wildmind.org

Mother's Day Gift: Citrus Peel Soap

Calling all dads and children looking for a sweet homemade gift to make for Mother's Day this year. All natural citrus peel soap smells good enough to eat, is rich and nourishing to the skin, and is easy to make. So gather up the ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and head into the kitchen with your little one. This soap contains Olive Oil, rich in vitamins and antioxidants to reduce free radical skin damage; citrus peel, a natural exfoliant and fabulous source of vitamin C, also a strong antioxidant; and lovely essential oils to provide moisture and soothing aromatherapy. Mom will love it.

I always delighted in giving my own mom handmade noodle necklaces, macaroni frames, and giant lumps of fired clay in the shape of ashtrays (she didn't smoke). The homemade gifts were the ones she kept. Long after the gilded spritzer of perfume from Christmas was carefully stored away, the awkward and crooked homemade gifts were the ones permanently displayed on the coffee table. She must have felt the love in them.

You'll Need:

• 1 lb block soap (olive oil, glycerin, goat's milk are all good choices; available at craft stores)
• Molds (mini loaf pans, muffin tins or special soap molds are good choices)
• Turmeric powder (available at herbal and health food stores).
• Lemon and orange essential oils
• Fresh lemon and orange
• Zester
• Pretty paper and ribbon for wrapping

Try it Now:

1. Cut a block of soap into approximately 4" x 2" chunks and place in a microwave safe pitcher or bowl. Warm for 30 seconds to one minute, taking care to catch it before it foams over.
2. Remove from microwave and add 1/8th teaspoon turmeric powder. Stir with a spoon until dissolved.
3. Add 2-4 drops of orange essential oil until you are satisfied with the smell
4. Grate 1 tsp of orange zest into the mixture and stir until combined.

5. Pour into selected mold. Let set for 45 minutes and freeze for 10 minutes more before demolding.

6. Repeat with process for another bar of soap with more or less color. Use just a tiny speck of powder for lemon soap and substitute lemon zest and essential oil for orange. Make as many bars as you like.

7. Wrap in pretty paper or tissue and tie with a ribbon.