Holiday Survival Tip

We are at that time of year when the holidays are in full swing but I'm not going to talk not about preparing for the holidays but rather how to survive the holidays. The holidays are a stressful time of year for everyone with all the activities and gift preparation. It's easy to get caught up with all the hubbub and forget to take care of yourself at this time of year. That's why instead of focusing on all that could or should be done in preparation for the holidays, I'm offering a Holiday Survival Tip.

Mr Puffy's Holiday Survival tip:

My holiday survival tip is to escape to the bathroom for a luxurious bath. It's amazing how time to yourself having a long soak in the tub can improve one's patience and lagging spirits. The beauty of this holiday survival tip is that one can have a bath whether you have company in your home or you are a visitor in someone else's home.

I like to play relaxing music during my bath and a couple of CDs I like to listen to are Time to Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman or Isn't it Romantic by Michael Feinstein. Adding bubbles is not strictly necessary, but bubbles are nice and I strongly recommend them. My favorite bubble bath is Clarin's Relax Bath and Shower Concentrate and ~ may I say ~ it does indeed create a relaxing bath experience. Back when I used to work long stressful days as a lawyer I discovered the restorative properties of this product and have been a devote ever since. Fluffy bathrobe with happy clouds, purely optional.



Knitting impacts virtually every aspect of my life, and bath time is no exception. It goes without saying that a handknit washcloth adds a luxurious element to your bath ritual. I like to make washcloths from the super duper extra fluffy worsted weight cotton chenille that I find at Dancing Leaf Farm. This yarn knits into a washcloth oh, in about 20 minutes, at a guess.


Simple Washcloth Pattern: 1 skein Oh-So-Fat Chenille; US 11 Needles. Cast on 14 stitches and knit every row until you have a square. You can make several washcloths from a skein and that, along with a nice bar of soap, makes a quick and easy small gift.



Back when we lived in the Midwest Mr Puffy would often enjoy a bath and sometimes he didn't wait for you to get out! The first time he hopped into the tub I was so astonished that he was in the tub before I could get out - that was a surprise I'll tell you! I learned that he particularly enjoyed a bath when it was cold and snowy outside, I think, because it seemed to warm him right through on a cold night. Unfortunately, because we now have a sunken tub and it is too hard for him to get in and out of, he no longer takes baths. I did manage to find this old picture, though, that was taken about 10 years ago during bath time while we still lived in South Bend, Indiana.


Even though Mr Puffy no longer takes baths he still enjoys a relaxing spa experience with his own special shower set by Happy Tails (Spa On the Go). He says a shower isn't the same as taking a bath, it's still very nice.

We are heading up North to spend the holiday with Steve's family and will be staying in the quaint town of Healdsburg, California.

That's all for now. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone ~ and take time to enjoy a bubble bath over the holiday!