Hello my lovelies,

the project month is nearly over.. and tonight I am trying out something I thought was going to be lily-of-the-valley-like, but turned out to be a very very different scent 🙂

1. #SOTN Amouage – Myths Woman

With the very first spritz I got such a punch to my nostrils! Green herbal oils with a touch of aniseed! So earthy and heady! ..Half an hour later, I am still getting very pungent herbal, mossy scent; some carnation-like green flower… And if I don’t stick my nose too close to the skin, I can distinguish more gentle leathery, musky, patchouli notes… Let me get back to you in another half hour and see what the base notes are like… 🙂

2. Little discoveries of the day

I was pleased to hear on the news today that the wages and pensions for Lithuanians from next year will increase…by 10-30 euros per month… but still! There is an increase! Include a 30 euro payment per child per family, and we are getting something I haven’t seen the government do for a while – they are preparing 200 mln budget for these payments, instead of the original 75 mln..

Another interesting piece of news that I picked up today on tv was a little reportage about homeless people in Lithuania, who have sold literally everything they owned in order to buy more alcohol; houses, apartments, land, family savings, last pieces of clothes, everything.. Back in Soviet times, every alcoholic and drug addict was forced to go through detox, now it is all voluntary unless the person is causing danger to society. Social workers are trying to change the law, help the people so that at least they would not become homeless… However, every single one of those people that were interviewed, said…. nothing will change if the person is not willing to change… And I could not agree more… I can only hope – the ones that do realize this will find that strength and desire to change…

And on a more happy note, as the festive frenzy is just round the corner, shopping centers and supermarkets are going to nuts to attract every single customer. In Lithuania the big dinner and family gathering is on Christmas Eve, 24th December.

All the dishes are meat-free, there are mainly salads, mushroom pates, baked white fish, and very many different variations of herring 🙂 As this is considered Advent according to Christians, and none of chocolate / heavy cakes would be allowed before the Christmas day, Lithuanians have a very olden traditional dishes – a drink called ‘poppy seed milk’ 🙂 and special Christmas cookies made with flour, poppy seeds, and milk or water 🙂 I remember milling poppy seeds at home when I was small, mixing them with sugar, and a spoonful of the poppy mass with slightly cooled boiling water used to be a very fun drink 🙂 My mum would always warn me not to drink more thank two cups so I wouldn’t get dizzy 😀 A handful of Christmas cookies (‘Kūčiukai’) in a cup with poppy seed milk (‘aguonų pienas’) used to be a meal on its own 🙂 So, seemingly now you can buy already pre-milled poppy seeds for your poppy milk drink in supermarkets! 🙂 I can’t wait to see my husband’s reaction when he tries it for the first time…… 😀

3. Something to be thankful for

I helped one girl to find a train station today.. After spending some time with her, and after she was safely on her way home, I was so glad I met her…. I have been scattered for the past few days, and today’s event brought me so much clarity in my own life… It brought me silence and peace; different understanding, appreciation, harmony…

Just few moments before meeting her I thought – I have had a little job in Vilnius and I didn’t go looking for it here in Siauliai… Seconds later, I am on my way helping a stranger…

Good night, my dear… ❤

P.S. Myths Woman is settling down to a more peaceful patchouli – leather earthy base…. Not a very traditional Amouage but still a perfume with vary many faces, and worth exploring….