How One Who Loves a Garden Takes a Bath

Last weekend Brad and I went to the coast to celebrate Valentine's Day.  While there, we experienced the most exquisite sunset. I snapped this photo of it with my old camera phone. It has been touched up a bit, but this depiction is how I remembered it. One week later, and I realized that I needed to share it here. At the end of the day, it was the only photo I wanted to post.

What does it have to do with taking a bath?

Because taking a good bath is an art, and I am a professional bath taker, so I would know.  In fact, I just got out of the tub with a few ideas about how to really enjoy a bath which I'd like to share. I must note that I realize it is a huge water waster. The bigger the tub, the more guilt one must endure and let go, but large or small, take the time to get in one soon. 

Here's how to make the experience a little better...

First, pour in your bath salts and start running the water at a nice warm temperature. The salts don't have to be expensive or scented, but they are great for alleviating your aches and pains, and afterwards it makes the water good for watering plants (I'll get to that part later). Also, make sure to have a decent amount of bottled water to drink, and remember to hit the play button on your favorite relaxing playlist before you get in too. 

I like to start with a hot bath, leaving some room to add water later. I add cooler water when I wash up at the end. I give myself a time limit, because just like a massage, all good things must come to an end, but like most folks, I have responsibilities. About 10 minutes before I get out, I add the cooler water, and as I wash off, I psyche up for what's to come: bailing the water for my garden. When I get out, I don't drain the water (it's not very dirty, but even if it was, plants live in dirt so I don't worry about it). 

Before I bail, however, I do apply a lot of lotion to my whole body, and I suggest you do too. I relax a bit more before bailing, with a different more upbeat playlist. When I'm ready (dressed with hair and basic makeup done), I put Miracle Grow in the tub water, and I use my 4 buckets of water to begin watering my flower garden and fruit trees. I do this in an assembly line fashion. I fill all 4 buckets, I cart them all to the bottom of the stairs in the first heat. Then I water the plants in the second heat. Sometimes I rest in between, but I repeat this process until all the water is gone. It's a great workout and my garden is gorgeous!