Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HYC / Light a Candle

There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
~ Edith Wharton


Tonight is weigh-in, and I'm not sure what results I'll see. It's been an up-and-down week as far as food is concerned. Most of it's been good: I've journaled, but not as carefully as in weeks past. So we'll see what happens tonight. Either way, the week is over as of this evening, and I can put it behind me and have a fresh start in the morning.

* * * * *

Do you like candles?

I'm kinda crazy about 'em. Maybe obsessive might be a better term! I find the flickering flame to be so soothing to my spirit. A lovely scent doesn't hurt, either.

Hubby and I spent time last summer in upper Wisconsin, at the lakeside cottage of his twin brother and his wife. They are very early risers, usually getting up before the sun did. Hubby and I, not so much (besides, we were on California time!) When we did finally crawl out of bed, we'd find a glowing candle burning on the kitchen counter each morning. I thought it was such a nice way to begin the day. So I started the same tradition in my home.


As I type this, an Autumn Gold Yankee Candle is glowing here on the computer desk. I wish blogs came with scratch-and-sniff, so you could smell it! It brings a feeling of Fall to the air.

I light this one when I'm sewing. It smells like fresh cut grass. And it's made with soy wax, which I understand is a better way to go than traditional wax. I don't know about that: I just know that it smells wonderful!

This one is in our bedroom. True Bliss - isn't that great name? Again, I wish you could smell the tangerine/vanilla combination. It's a little slice of heaven!

Now, lest you be thinking otherwise, I do NOT own stock in Yankee Candle Company! I just happen to like theirs best. But really, when you're looking for something to calm you down or perhaps to lift your mood, any candle will do. I think it's the act of lighting it, of taking a moment to do something special for yourself that makes it work. The lovely scent is just an added bonus.

What simple things do you do to feed your spirit and soothe your soul? I hope you'll share a thought or two. We can all use ideas on simple ways to care for ourselves.


Until next time...

17 comments:

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

I agree candles are delightful! I have many I usually buy what ever strikes me fancy or my nose... LOL
Diane

Lynn said...

Heh. I have to be very careful with candles. My husband is highly allergic to most synthetic scents, while I tend to be aggravated by things like beeswax. Mostly, I just don't buy candles.

For soul soothing, I listen to music. On my computer I have over 20 days of music, if I never listened to the same song twice.

Mary - A Merry Life said...

I love candles but I am so used to not being able to burn them (they weren't allowed in my dorm at school) that I forget I can light them now! I need to remember because they are so soothing and wonderful.

Things I do... I listen to music and just think or, my favorite, I go for a walk (doesn't matter how long) during that really pretty twilight time of day when its cool and the lighting is gorgeous and everything feels right in the world. I just walk and enjoy nature, something pray, sometime think, sometimes just walk. Its fantastic and soothes my soul and body.

jillytacy said...

I love candles with a sugar cookie scent. It smells like you're baking cookies which is one of the most wonderful scents in the world!
Good luck at your weigh in tonight!

Chubby Chick said...

Mmmm... I love candles! There's one sitting on my desk right now... a Wears Valley Candle Co. in "Apple Ginger Snap." I think I'll go light it now! :)

Big Girl said...

I love candles. They really can change the ambience in a room. I love to light one while the little miss takes a bath.

grammy said...

I love to read. Give me a good book and I am a happy girl. I buy candles then I end up saving them. For what, I don't know.

Manuela said...

I LOVE Yankee Candles and am a huge fan of the made in Canada Country Home collection. Favourite scents are of the apple pie variety or anything spicy. I just lit one when it was cool a few days ago. I love lighting the fireplace and curling up with a book with music in the background.

Thanks for the kind thoughts--just waiting for the antibiotic to kick in and I'm still feeling a bit of pain but did manage to get myself registered for classes!

Good luck at weigh-in :)

carla said...

ooooh great question.

reading. quietly. or, more recently just being quiet & still.

Miz.

Kathy said...

I love any of the autumn scents and keep candles going a lot from apple season through the Holidays. I burn lilac or peach during the spring and summer...also vanilla and clean linen!

I think my favorite things to pamper myself are great teas and coffees. There is something so luxurious about having a pretty cup filled with a hot drink!

And then there is buying the best yarn I can afford to knit up a little jewel of a project!

Lora said...

I'm a candle nut too. Love them! I light tons when we're at the lake. Like "Seashore" or "Sand & Surf" And outside - we have this rock wall that I tuck tea lights in every here & there sometimes. It's so pretty...

And Christmas time? Oy!

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

I love Yankee candles! I've been staying away from them lately (a few too many on the shelf), but I'll check out those scents when I give myself the go ahead to purchase more. :)

Good luck with the weigh-in.

Deborah said...

I love candles. Sometimes I turn off all the lights and light every candle I have and just enjoy the mood.

I've never seen some of the ones you have pictured. I prefer Yankee also and will have to go to their web site and check these out.

Just sent you an email so be sure to read it.

Nonnas News said...

I love candles! I burn them more in the winter time for some reason.

SL said...

I'm going to have to check out the field of dreams candle. The scent of fresh cut grass sounds great. And speaking of field of dreams -- watching baseball soothes me! It's lovely to be sitting outdoors, following the game (and the nuances of the game), visiting with friends (and sometimes strangers sitting nearby).

RunningNan said...

You are going to make me run right out and buy that candle. I love the smell of autumn, and lord knows it feels like it up here this week!

My cousins wife is a yankee candle enthusiast. She has a huge cupboard full of them in their garage. It helps that we have an outlet near us!

Susie said...

Hi Pattie!
Those candle scents sound yummy. I tend to burn candles more in the winter time I think..
I love to putter in the garden, read, or just sit quietly and "be" I must admit I don't get lots of time to do the latter!!
xo