Icy Ideas

Caroline Graham Swann

Days of being iced in at home for two or three days can be fun at first and then cabin fever creates such boredom.

One has a choice of two things: stay inside or make the best of it.  Remember all those times of wishing more time was available for soaking one’s feet ,  placing cucumbers or tea bags on puffy eyes to take away the tired look, reading a good book, trying a new recipe or  telling family stories to the kids?

OK, darlings, let’s start with a relaxing foot  bath. Pour two cups of very warm water in a  bowl large enough for one’s feet, add 1/2 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup peroxide and mix all together.

Place a bowl on a thick towel , with another towel  ready for drying the feet. Soak for 30 minutes while meditating or watching a great movie. Remember to slip into the comfort of a soft warm robe before getting the soak ready and a cup of hot tea or coffee by your side. After soaking for thirty minutes dry the feet well and softly scrub the dry skin off with a soft brush, rinse the feet once again in the soaking mixture.  Use a pointed Q-Tip, yes pointed, they are in the cosmetic section with the regular Q-Tips,  Dip the cotton tip in peroxide and push  each cuticle back on the toes. Smooth on a scented lotion and wrap the feet in a warm towel for ten minutes.

Now darling  reader, do you not feel like a new woman?  Your feet are a new level of softness and comfort!

Prop up those perfect feet and place a wet chilled tea bag on each eye, keep your eyes closed and think pleasant  thoughts for the next fifteen minutes. My what beautiful eyes you have: any puffs are gone and they sparkle like the snow in sunshine.  The caffeine in the tea reduces the puffiness and takes away the tired look.  Cosmetics for the eyes to erase puffiness cost a fortune and are made from mostly caffeine. Just  remember you kitchen cabinets hold many beauty treasures.

May this beauty treatment make your icy winter days a bit more comfortable and exciting.