Don’t blow it. Love on the woman who’s always loving on everybody else. She feeds you, makes sure the house is clean and (probably most important and possibly overlooked) she makes sure you don’t run out of toilet paper in the bathroom!

Welcome to May! Today seems like the beginning of summer to me. School is almost over, flowers are blooming, days are longer, evenings are pleasant. It’s a lovely, almost perfect time of year. This year May 1 has come on a Sunday so that means Mother’s Day is in fact next Sunday, which does seem early to me. Anyone else feel that way?

If you’re like me and need a gentle reminder and/or a few suggestions on what to get a special woman in your life, read on. I’m going to give a few recommendations below.

BOOKS. I love reading but often reading gets put on a back burner. With farm chores, mom duties, house work, feeding people, home schooling, errands and daily life my time is often filled with things besides sitting by myself in a quiet space. But! When I am gifted a book it’s as if the gift giver is saying to me, “I see your work and dedication. Thank you. Now enjoy time for yourself.” I read a lot and have lots of recommended books on Instagram and on previous blogs. But quickly here, I’d recommend Dearie by Bob Spitz (a biography of Julia Child) and A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman. They’re both available on Amazon prime and I know y’all don’t need that link!

PLANTS. A lot of people send flowers. I get it. They’re easy and beautiful. For about three days. And then they die. Houseplants though will cost you about the same amount of money and last so much longer (depending on the caregiver). My favorite shop is The Greenehouse in Greeneville, TN (https://www.shopthegreenehouse.com/)

CANDLES. I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy candles. Whether you’re wanting them for beauty or for scent they’re always a hit and easy ambience for entertaining or just daily life. My favorites are carried at Reclaimed Inspired Goods in Johnson City, TN (https://reclaimedinspired.com/)

KITCHEN GADGETS. I know not everyone cooks or enjoys time in the kitchen. You can give a gift that reflects her love of kitchen or disdain for it. If she loves cooking then there are so many great gadgets (y’all know my love for my stand mixer!) and if she doesn’t a charcuterie board and accoutrements are perfect. Everybody entertains. And charcuterie boards are great ways to have a restaurant-worthy meal in mere minutes. Open cheese blocks, grab some fresh fruit and crackers and people think you’re Martha Stewart!

COOKBOOKS. I almost put this in the book category but for me cookbooks are separate entities. Of course I’m gonna plug our book. There are so many fantastic cookbooks out! I would recommend you find an independent cookbook and buy it.

There you go. I hope there’s something here to spark interest and help you as you search for a perfect gift this week!

Let me know how it goes!

Aliceson