I hope everyone is enjoying their summer thus far; it never seems to last long enough for me. We wait ever so patiently for it to arrive, then *BOOM* it’s gone in a flash!!

So, I figured I better tell you about some of the wonderful fragrances I’ve created for summer before it gets too late and I have to start working on new ones for fall……

One of the yummiest new scents that Jayde Mountain is pleased to offer is “Summer Sorbet.” It reminds me of fresh flowers and fresh fruit….two of the very things that make summer, well, summer! It is simply a mahhhvelous blend of yellow and white woodsy flowers, fresh lemon slices, melon and other citrus fruits …..ahhhh……this one just oooozes with summer freshness!

This next one could be great for Fall as well….. but it reminds me so much of the outdoors, which is where I love to be in the summertime. “Nature Walk” is a gentle yet unmistakably rustic scent inspired by fresh apples and the invigorating mountain air! You’ll love this one!

I have also introduced a lovely combination of Patchouli and Ylang Ylang. These are 2 of my favorite fragrances (along with Lavendar) so I put them together in a candle and I absolutely love it!!! Ylang Ylang is said to be helpful in many ways… from helping to ease motion sickness, to relieving high blood pressure to being used as an aphrodisiac! Patchouli is from the mint family and its scent is rather  strong. Patchouli has many uses as well, and is very popular used in incense or as an air freshener. Patchouli has also been used to relieve headaches, nausea, colds and abdominal pain. I find the combination of the two fragrances simply blissful!! I will be busy in the next few weeks as well and will soon have dye-free soy candles available which I am very excited about!

In the meantime, give one (or two or three) of these lovely new scents a try and keep checking back for new stuff!!!

Blessings,

Paige

Every once in a while someone passes through your life and has an impact so strong that you will think about them for eternity… Such is the case with Simon, and this is his story.

Simon is a cat, an old cat at that..(couldn’t resist…) He joined our family 2 years ago after we adopted him from the Valley River Humane Society near the town in which we live. The Humane Society has a climate-controlled trailer that they transport the animals in and park it at various places throughout the county in the hopes that someone will stop by and fall in love with one of the loveable critters on board. We did.

My oldest son and I were at a car show, and while we were looking around my son spotted the trailer and its inhabitants. He was looking in all the cages reading their names, ages, sex, etc…… Soon he spotted Simon. He wasn’t perky like most of the other animals, he mostly just lay in the corner of his cage- oblivious to the ruckus outside. He wasn’t really even an attractive cat- kinda skinny- looked like he had a long, hard life. And Simon was old- eleven to be exact. Being the animal lover that my oldest is, of course he asked if we could take him home. Believe it or not, I actually considered it for a minute then I thought about our very large (though very friendly) dog and our aging cat, Spooky who was pushing 16 and very happy being the only feline in the equation…. I told my son no and explained why. He was a little upset but understood the circumstances.

About 3 weeks later I was with a client when we spotted a tiny stray dog that looked like a Yorkshire terrier. I am a complete sucker for strays and picked him up and brought him home. I promised myself that I would diligently work toward finding this little guy a home, as we simply did not need another mouth to feed. Needless to say, in the two weeks that I had this little dog (who we named Humphrey) we all fell in love with him. My oldest cried when I told him Humphrey had a home and he begged and begged to keep him. I am still uncertain as to why I said this (I chalk it up to fate) but I told him since we found Humphrey a home, perhaps we could go to the Humane Society and see if Simon was still there. So that is what we did.

My three kids and I walked in and my oldest son asked the lady at the counter if he could see the oldest cat there. She replied “That would be Simon.” All of our hearts skipped a beat! We were so excited to still find him there. My son explained to the very sweet lady that he did not want Simon to spend his last days at the shelter and we would like to give him a “forever home.”  To my surprise, it was 2 for 1 day and we adpoted a 2 year old cat named Rebel too.

As I said before, this was 2 years ago. All Simon wanted was love and in return all he gave was love- lots of love. All he did was lay around, purr, eat, purr some more and snuggle with the children every second that he could. We were told that Simon was brought to the Shelter  because his owner that he knew his whole life had passed away, and there was nobody to take care of him. The workers at the shelter told us that he was very lonely and depressed and they were just trying to make him as happy as they could……Sigh…..

In April my oldest son found Simon laying on the floor bleeding from his nose. This was around 9:30pm and I immediately called our vet. He was not on call, so I brought him to another vet and she told me that Simon probably had a tumor and was given a 50% chance of surviving the night due to his age and the amount of blood that was lost. This was April 24th to be exact. I left him there and cried the whole way back home. Luckily my mother came over to sit with the children until I could return… The next day I received a phone call. Simon was doing better!!! The doctor said “He’s a fighter, and he’s not ready to give up.” I picked him up later that day along with a small suitcase full of medicines. He needed the medicines to keep the bleeding under control, and to keep him pain free. He took his medicines and seemed to be doing just fine! Sadly, however, on April 29th Simon went missing. He just vanished. The kids and I prayed and prayed that he was safe, that someone picked him up and saved him, that someone loved him like we did. This cat affected the lives of myself and my children in ways that are simply indescribable. All he wanted in his lifetime was a warm place to sleep, food, and a gentle touch from someone that loved him. There is honestly not a day that goes by that I don’t wonder where he is, or what happened to him. My sincerest hope is that he did not suffer in any way and wherever he may be is definitely a better place because he is there. Our family will always remember Simon and the unconditional love he gave and was given, and of this I am sure; if God allows cats into heaven, then Simon is there, watching over us all….. We love you, Simon.

I have been missing Florida lately… I have lived in the glorious Smoky Mountains for almost 8 years and love every minute of it!! However, lately I have been missing South Florida; the sun, sandy beaches, the balmy evening breezes and the undeniably calming scent of the orange groves when the trees are in bloom…ahhhhhh.

This has inspired my latest floral creation simply called “Orange Blossom.” I LOVE this candle. It reminds me of home… I was almost going to name it “Memories of Home” but I opted for the wonderful scent that it really is…..an intoxicating blend of orange blossoms with sweet vanilla undertones and a pinch of fresh raspberries!!! OH my! I think I’m in love!!!!!

Blessing to everyone on this glorious summer holiday!!! The 4th is by far, the most relaxing, stress-free holiday; no presents to buy, no one to impress, just living what summertime is all about! Picnics, fun, food and family… Grab your loved ones and celebrate America’s Independence like never before!! Peace~ xoxo

Paige

I have been so very busy this week….. not only is tomorrow “THE” American Holiday, and my youngest son gets baptised on Saturday, I have to rush out of town for a swim meet this afternoon, and I have candle orders to fill on top of all of that……..whew!! Well I have made hundreds upon hundreds of candles this week and I am so excited to share them with you!!

The first one has a little story to it. I am the very proud (single) mother of three absolutely wonderful and socially concious children. They (my daughter especially) are very into this “green” thing right now. We recycle, try to conserve as much energy as possible, grow vegetables…etc.

My daughter came up with the name of one of my newest candles based on the “Going Green” principle. She said I should make a candle and simply call it “Green Planet.” I thought that was perfect!!! To come up with this wonderfully “Earthy” scent I combined patchouli with cedar and mossy undertones and blended that with Jasmine and other subtle florals…. It is a beautifully woodsy and somewhat masculine fragrance…give it a try!!!

I will have more to post in a little while…. today my computer has an attitude and is not co-operating… ahhhhh…. c’est la vie…..

As of late, I have had the mindset to appreciate all that surrounds me….from the flowers and trees to birds and bees….and the absolute majestic wonder of the mountains that I am fortunate enough to be living amongst.

The other morning I was getting ready for work and I saw the most beautiful redbird perched on a branch of the massive oak tree in my backyard *sigh*

It immediately called to mind one of my most favorite poems ever….. Although most of you have probably already heard it; great things are always worth repeating! ~Enjoy~

TREES by Alfred Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

a poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

As I sit here listening to the beautiful voice of Norah Jones singing “Turn Me On” and listening equally as intently to the words she sings, my thoughts drift not far from my heart. Today is my parent’s 38th anniversary of their wedding day. I can only imagine where they thought they would be on this day, 38 years ago…… What were their hopes and dreams? As children, we really don’t pay much attention to what our parents dream about. Our lives are “all about us.” They are our parents. Boring. Square. Not regular people, but our PARENTS….

I wish I would have asked them more often about their dreams and hopes and desires, their wants and wishes…..Did they dream of being pilots? Acrobats? *wink* Did they dream they would have a daughter, did they dream of living in the mountains, did they dream of having the most awesome grandchildren one could only wish for~ including all the ballet shoes, baseball cleats, horses, frogs and other accessories that have accompanied them??? Did they dream of Italy in the summer and Colorado in the winter. Did my mother dream of driving to town in her Bentley while my father cruised endlessly on his Harley? Did they dream this is where they would be on this day……….

All I can say is I hope so. They are two of the most wonderful, amazing, funny, courageous and loving people that anyone could ask for as parents. My wish for you both is that your dreams have been fulfilled and you are where you want to be in life, I know I wouldn’t want you anywhere else. I want to be like you when I grow up.

I love you,

~Paige