Milestone Leather

I like my doc. I do. What I don’t like is that even though I show up on time for my appointment I still always have to wait 1-2 hours before I get back. No mom has time for that...😒

Made a thing. A special thing. For my special thing.

The Mississippi River and the old Chain Rock Bridge. I would’ve loved to see this sad, decrepit old bridge in its hay day of the 1920s-30s. For some reason it was closed for walking across today so we walked down to the river instead. (at Chain of Rocks Bridge)

Morning Ningxia Red to give me the endurance to keep up with these two restless rascals. . Ningxia Red has an insane amount of antioxidants in it. Insane. I like it with a La Croix, some lime oil, and Red Shot oil. Red Shot essential oil blend is only available during the holidays so I’m savoring every drop. 🍷

A little cold weather won’t keep this kid from his favorite pastime! #swingsislife

Really stoked to have room for a Christmas tree in our home this year. . Also really stoked to have an actual mantel to hang our stockings. . And even more stoked to have that third stocking there. . (Glowing thing on mantel is a glass head stuffed with twinkle lights. Stockings made by me with a 1942 wool Army blanket, deerskin, and handmade conchos)

R E A L talk. . There is absolutely no one on the planet I miss more than my dad. Every single day. But especially during this time of year. And especially this first year with my son, a grandson he will never meet but would have loved so much. Our relationship was hard. It was rocky. It molded me in a lot of unhealthy ways but also a lot of great ways. And every day I’m thankful that that last year of his life we pulled the junk out of our hearts and replaced it with love and respect. I’m thankful that the last time I saw him, one week before he unexpectedly died, the last words I heard from him were “I love and miss you.” Sometimes, even still, I forget for a second at a time that he is gone and my whole being aches for one of his all encompassing hugs. Sometimes, even all these years later I collapse in a puddle of tears because I can’t share something with him, like my son. We had a rough relationship because our similarities brought a lot of his insecurities to the surface but those were also the ways in which we bonded and in a lot of ways he was an incredible father. Theodore already reminds me so much of him.

It’s not too late to shop for Christmas, friends. You can still order any of these Oily pouches and any of the diffuser necklaces (by the 15th) and get it delivered in time for Christmas! (They make amazing stocking stuffers....😘)

Can’t. Even. 😍

Sometimes you can’t pick a favorite. TBT to Sunday Funday in gorgeous St. Charles, MO. We loved it so much we just might move there. (at Saint Charles Christmas Traditions)

My mini me.

When I woke up and came into Theo’s room to turn on his light this is how I found him. Time to lower the crib...again.

◾️O N Y X◾️ . One of a kind long necklace with a gilded onyx stone, long hand cut leather tassel, and lava stone beads that sit at the chest. . “Onyx grounds and stabilizes the emotional body, bringing strength in difficult or confusing circumstances and during times of tremendous mental or physical stress. It calms nervousness, quells anxiety and fear, soothes tempers and restores rational thinking and self-control. It emanates the energy of self-mastery, imparting self-confidence, focus, ease in one’s surrounding, and the gift of wise decision making. It lets flighty personalities move into a more stable way of life, and helps one explore new ideas, as well as to carry out even dreary tasks to completion.” . I suggest pairing the onyx stone with Valor or Sacred Mountain therapeutic essential oils by Young Living. . Hung on a strong gold filled chain.

Happy Holidays from my little family to yours. Thank you all for shopping Small this season! . As a little thank you I will be adding a little something special to each one of your orders, big or small, between now and the 15th. . Please note, the 10th is the deadline for bag orders for holiday delivery! The 15th is the deadline for all other orders. Place your order today!

Huntin’ Christmas Trees. Fraser Fir is the tree of choice (always). . So happy to get to have a Christmas tree again. 🎄 (at Eckert's Country Store & Farms)

🍪BAKING with oils🍰 . I’ve been baking my entire life. From making up recipes as a child to baking professionally (including as a gluten free baker) for many years. Baking is therapy for me. My zen spot. But never have I ever baked with essential oils until these past few months. . This Cranberry Orange Cake is a favorite and one of the only recipes I will repeat (there are so many amazing recipes out there I generally only make something once). I found this recipe online a couple years ago and altered it a bit to make it my own (as I always do). Now, I say Orange oil because whoever heard of Cranberry Tangerine recipes? But, I actually much prefer tangerine oil over orange. It’s much more zesty and the flavor profile packs quite the punch. . Slide through for the recipe!

🌊Abalone Mother of Pearl💦 . “The believed abalone healing properties of today are very similar to ancient beliefs of the shell. Abalone healing carries energies of protection and emotional balance. It brings with it a natural shielding that blesses the person holding it with tranquility. Abalone healing is especially helpful for those going through emotional turmoil or those having a hard time dealing with a situation in a relationship. Through it’s soothing energy, it provides a layer of protection that perches the spirit up with the confidence necessary to view situations from a new, more understanding perspective. If you think of abalone as representative of water, like many cultures do, it is the water that will tame the flames of one’s emotional strife.” . I suggest pairing this necklace with Stress Away, Valor, or Clarity therapeutic essential oils by Young Living.