My Favorite Candles, Christmas Inspiration, and More
Hello, friend! I am in San Diego to help out with my 95-year-old mother. She is recuperating after some rough falls. Mom is a tough lady…mother of six kids, lots of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren (who are all crazy about her).
1. Ambient Candle Tips
Apartment Therapy published this recently: 7 Ways Are We Burning Candles All Wrong.
And basically, they said to trim your wicks and find ways to use the candle vessels again. I liked this unscented beeswax candle from Target (below) so much that I bought one for my sister, too.
Here you can see how I used the Ella candle holder from Crate and Barrel as a pencil cup on my desk. It had a pleasant natural, woody scent of santal and eucalyptus.
I bought the Thymes Frazier Fir Candle for my daughter and her boyfriend…until they decide about a real versus faux Christmas tree–there is a controversy 🙂 It has such a great pine scent.
Rogers Gardens Christmas Decorations
A trip to Roger’s Gardens has definitely inspired me to bring out some Christmas décor early.
Fave Suede Slippers
I have told you about these $20 suede slippers (comes in different colors) and I just bought these to wear at my mom’s house. Notice the contrast heel!
Those are “My Favorite Candles, Christmas Inspiration, and Slippers. You may also like Fall Decor Items That Easily Transition to Christmas.
It’s heartbreaking to see Mom in pain from her injuries after such a beautiful, dignified life. Please keep her in your prayers.
On Thursday, Annie, Cindy, and I along with a couple of friends are showing you our favorite winter coats (such as you need them in California). So be sure to drop by as I’m going to be dressing in what I wear in San Francisco (classic) versus San Diego (casual).
Now go check out my friends’ Fave Fives!
Cindy Hattersley
Most Lovely Things
Take care!
Mary Ann
Keeping your mom in my prayers. 💕
I’m sorry to hear about your mom Mary Ann! I know what a difficult time this is having been through it with my parents and in-laws.. Hospice is wonderful, I always say they are like angels.
My favorite aunt passed away in July, the day before her 90th birthday. She had fallen at home and sustained a few vertebrae fractures and some ribs as well. She was ready to go, didn’t want rehab. She had already fractured a hip, was using a walker and on oxygen. We hadn’t been in touch much the last few years (she lived in Arizona) but I sent her a birthday card this year. She called me a couple weeks later, a week before she fell, so I was in disbelief when I received the news that she was gone. I am SO grateful for that hour I got to talk with her.
I bought the same Frazier Fir candle last year and also found a similar candle at Banana Republic after Christmas that smells really close to a live tree. I have actually bought some candles just for the vessel it came in. :o)
I made your Kale salad with the pumpkin and pomegranate seeds recently. Yum!
Linda
Oh I am so sorry Linda..praying for you.
Mary Ann! Im thinking about you and your sweet mom! That’s such a sweet photo of your mom and Tommy! Or am I supplied to call him Thomas!? Sorry!
I LOVE that you are using that candle holder from the Leeanne Ford collection for your pens and pencils! So smart! It has such a great shape!
xoxo
Mary Ann, Always love your 5 favs. I’m keeping your mom, you and your family in my prayers. It’s so hard to see our loved ones in pain. Hugs!
Mary Ann,
I hope your sweet mom makes a quick recovery.
I love scented candles.
Best to you this season
xo,
Karen
Praying for your mom, MaryAnne. So glad she’s home with you and your sister. I’m really tempted by those leopard slippers! xo
Prayers for you and your Mom. My Mom is also 95 and has had several serious falls. So hard to see the once very vibrant, hard-working woman that kept our family going in tough times, becoming frail, hard-of-hearing and reduced to using a walker and her pain medication makes her more worse than ever. I sure hate to see her quality being taken away from pain medication (and that is for bursitis of hips, not the falls) and the Dr. won’t listen to me. But my Mom, like yours, is tough and hanging in there. Best wishes to you and your family. Stay safe.
Oh your poor mom, Peggy. I’m saying a prayer for her right now.
Your poor mom, Peggy. Saying a prayer for her right now.
What I have learned in the midst of loving and the inevitable aging of those I love, is how grateful I am to be with them at the end of their life. Its a paring down that happens, and if you are lucky enough to be there, you know your place in their life and you in theirs. I hope very much someone describes my life as beautiful and dignified. What a wonderful compliment. Hugs to you and your mom:) I loving this long lately…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4yVj0MdhmI
That was beautiful, Ava. Made me cry.
Oh my so thinking of you as you know been there and done that. You are so wise to have called in hospice they have so many resources available that will be helpful to both you and your mom. She has such a loving family she is so lucky that you all have her best interests in mind.
Thanks so much, Cindy!
I am very sorry to hear that your mother is unwell.
It is terrible enough at any time to have someone special to suffer but it is undoubtedly tougher to have it happen under these difficult circumstances.
Sending her and her beloved family my best wishes!
Sincerely, Sonya
Thank you so much, Sonya.
Your mother is beautiful. Prayers for continued healing.
I love your five favs – look forward to them every week!
Thanks so much, Dawn. Such a nice comment.
So sorry about your sweet mom. Prayers to all of you. Thank you for the recs on the candles, I am getting ready to order Thymes Frasier Fir.
Thanks, Shelly…I think I will splurge and order one for myself, too.
I don’t see info on the beautiful glass candle holder holding the beeswax candle! Most eye-catching item pictured!
I got it at Crate and Barrel several years ago, Louise. You could google “large glass hurricane candle holder.”
Glad you could be with your Mom. Precious time. How are you finding things in San Diego County? Are places open? Out door dining?
There is outdoor dining, Linda, but mostly we have been cooking or getting take-out.
Mary Ann,
So sorry about your sweet mom. When my own mother started down this same path, we called it the “dwindles.” It helped us to have a name.
Peace to you and to your entire family,
Diney on Camano Island
Thank you, Diane. That is a good name for it!
Mary Ann,
I will be sending prayers your way. We lost my 91 year old Mom this summer. It was so difficult to watch her struggle. She died peacefully with 5 of her 7 remaining children and assorted grandchildren at her side. May you all find peace in this very difficult journey.
Thanks, Maureen. You are comforting!
Prayers for your mom!
Shelley
Thank you, Shelley!!!
Many prayers for you and your Mom! Was she injured from a fall? My brother, husband and I are in our 60’s, and we are rehabbing my 94 year old mother that started with a broken elbow from a fall and continues to lead to other issues. It is sad to see our once caring, hard working, vibrant mothers failing. Again, much love and prayers for all of you!
Yes, she fell and then fell again. God bless your mama, Teresa!