"I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening.
His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea;
and she gave a dose of it to Peter!
'One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time.'"
~ The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
If your little rabbit is overtired and needs some rest, here is an aromatic bedtime spray to give him or her some in-scentive to sleep. A few drops of chamomile essential oil is just the dose prescribed by Peter's mother!
To prepare:
In a clean (travel sized) spray bottle, add the following ingredients in the order they appear:
- 2 drops of chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil
- 1 - 2 drops of orange essential oil
- 1/4 tsp. vodka, optional (cheap kind is fine) ~ It helps to disperse the oils, acts as a preservative and is also a disinfectant and antibacterial. Some people use rubbing alcohol but it is not as natural a choice as vodka. However, if you have a weakness to alcohol, then I encourage you to skip this ingredient altogether. Being this is only a 1/3-cup recipe, it will keep (meaning the essential oils will not lose their potency) for the time period it takes to use the spray up.
- Approx. 1/3 cup of water (distilled is best but I use tap water) ~ Add to spray bottle after the ingredients mentioned above.
The chamomile essential oil will be soothing and calming, lavender will further relax the atmosphere while the orange essential oil adds a pleasant citrus touch to keep the aroma fresh.
How to use:
Shake before each use. Spray the nursery before bed or nap-time. You may even mist the bedding for some aromatherapy benefits. This acts as a nice room deodorizer as well.
Printables:
Notes:
I like to use travel size bottles for our room sprays. Glass is a superior choice when working with essential oils as it doesn't leach but feel free to use what you have. I often use plastic in a pinch.
"He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand
on the floor of the rabbit-hole and shut his eyes."
This "bedtime blend" would also make a sweet baby shower gift if packaged with The Tale of Peter Rabbit, the Complete Collection of Beatrix Potter Tales or even the coloring book! If you enjoy the illustrations of Beatrix Potter, then you may be interested in "Gardening with Peter Rabbit" as a way of playing with and teaching your little one at the same time.
This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays, The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. All illustrations by Beatrix Potter.
Peter's mother knows best, and your bedtime room spray sounds like just the thing for calming mischievous (and obedient:) young rabbits. You're right this would make a wonderful gift for a new mother. Thank you for the recipe and label. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment Magnolia Tea :)
DeleteLove it! Can't wait to try this one (need chamomile oil, have the rest.)
ReplyDeleteThank you again.
I use it in our bedroom for sweet dreams :)
DeleteThis looks so darling! I will print it and try it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amy Jo
Have a wonderful weekend! :)
DeleteAbsolutely LoVe this idea for baby gift!! I already give small jars of chamomile salve for diaper rash or comfort massage but this will be beautiful packaged together. Thanks so much for the formulation. I may have to treat myself to this spray!! JES I appreciate your creativity very much.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, your chamomile salve sounds wonderful too! I may have to make some myself when I do a baby basket! Thanks for sharing your ideas :)
DeleteThis is seriously so adorable! I love that you included a printable! I am definitely pinning this for later.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it ;)
DeleteAdorable label! :D My 12 year old and I made citrus blend spray for his room.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteThanks so much Jes. You have the BEST ideas. I'm definitely going to make some for baby gifts. Thanks for the printable. -Abby
ReplyDeleteThanks Abby, you are a sweetheart ;)
DeleteWe made this spray this past week after reading about Peter Rabbit's adventures. My 5 and 3 year old loved making these (although the 3 year old had hers dumped out before we could use it at bedtime:)) They had so much fun that my 5 year old had to make another one for Grandma's birthday. She thought it was so cute and loved that he made it for her. Thanks for another great project!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Thanks for sharing your follow up story with me :)
DeleteWe made this spray this past week after reading about Peter Rabbit's adventures. My 5 and 3 year old loved making these (although the 3 year old had hers dumped out before we could use it at bedtime:)) They had so much fun that my 5 year old had to make another one for Grandma's birthday. She thought it was so cute and loved that he made it for her. Thanks for another great project!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Thanks for sharing your follow up story with me :)
DeleteLove this story and your recipe for sleep. All those oils are wonderful. I will share this on google & Pinterest . Visiting from WIldcrafting Wednesday. Have a wonderful healthy day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marla :)
DeleteSweet Dreams! I'm so glad you linked this us at our All Things Spring Link up party.
ReplyDeleteAnything Beatrix Potter, but especially Peter Cottontail stories and pictures, touch my heart. These were the stories mom told her three little girls and young son Peter. Perfect stories to teach what happens when you do not listen. We never tire of them, lost mom and fur siblings last year, so difficult. Thank you for memories and tears. Tears help us release our grief, and grief is our last gift of love. Bless you.
ReplyDeletePaulette
Oh Paulette, thank you for sharing! We have used Peter Rabbit in many lessons also. And what a blessing to have had such a gentle mother to teach such necessary lessons. I am sorry to hear of your losses. May God send comfort to your aching heart and let the tears slowly release the pain...
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