~Playing Cupid~

Dean Martin is on . . . and so is my red apron with the green embroidered heart. I was up early this morning to play cupid. 

Set the table for a festive breakfast: German Pancakes (from the freezer section at Trader Joes) with Raspberry Sauce and Whip Cream and Apple Chicken Sausages. It sounds fancy (especially if I capitalize all the words ;)) but it's really just about the fastest and easiest breakfast apart from cereal or instant oatmeal. What makes it really special is all the little touches at the table . . . heart sprinkles in the whip cream, pancakes with LOVE hearts in pretty cupcake liners, lots of pink and red . . . and a couple little presents for my boys. :) Pardon the Oldest's bare chest- that boy pretty much lives without a shirt on in the house. I get cold just looking at him.

I started the cookie dough for shortbread cookies and while they sat in the fridge I donned my wings and played cupid in the dining room, too. I'm preparing a special dinner just for the Husband and I and I love to set a romantic table. Lots of green and pink; white and roses. . . and, yes- a wrinkly tablecloth because this is real life and I just don't have the time! (besides, in nothing but candlelight will it even be noticeable? . . .  okay, I admit I'm the type of person who would still notice, but the Husband is the type who notices nothing, so it's all good)

On the buffet I set the little gifts from me to Him along with desert- chocolate heart cake picked up at New Seasons. Hoping it's good and not too dry. I prefer homemade, but again, this cupid has a very limited time span- as well as energy!

But one last thing cupid needs to do before she says ado . . .

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day- wherever you are, whatever you're doing, don't forget- you are LOVED, and that's the truth!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life! John 3:16

Cheers!

~ Much Ado About Valentines~

It's been one crazy-packed week and the post I began Monday is now being taken into today. 

And is therefore rather picture heavy.

But I like pictures. They're worth a thousand words. And that gives this post about 15,000 words in only a few hundred. 

Because I'm talented like that. And really tired.

So, without further ado: the Valentine Tour. In pictures.

And a few words.

In the Kitchen Nook.

And Elsewhere.

Happy pom-poms.

Mantle Love.

It's been so much fun decorating and tweaking over the last couple of weeks. Bringing my own joy of the season in to warm and cheer us. 

I adore February as the days stay lighter later and the trees and bushes start swelling with buds to remind us spring is around the corner. I love the starkness that is still with us and how much brighter everything else seems in comparison. I love that it is still winter and I am often commanded by the elements to sit inside and pursue the domestic and the dreams. To me February is like one last deep breath of rest and cozy before the stirrings of spring start to take hold . . . and March comes blowing in with a roar and cacophony all it's own.

But the best thing about February? 

Valentine's Day.

I am quite fond of it- whether to celebrate romance or love in general, it just feels good to remind the people around us that we care!

So for our family a special breakfast was made.

The table was set.

And clues to find the hidden treats were at the ready.

I even received a handmade valentine from The Oldest. I was very moved that he would even bother and decided to ignore the fact that he addressed me as, 'The demon raiser'. I'm guessing that that's what a valentine from a thirteen year old boy looks like and truthfully, some days truer words were never spoken. ;)

After the boys headed off to school, the Husband presented me with a valentine as well. He doesn't do cards, but he does pick out some very cute bracelets. I love the shades of green in this set! And this is the first time he's ever picked out jewelry of any kind for me.

It was a very nice surprise.

And speaking of surprises, just to cap off the day with happy, I found a sweet surprise in the mail from my dear friend Lora . . .

a gorgeous antique Valentine from 1909. Isn't it beautiful? 

"Our humanity comes to its fullest bloom in giving. We become beautiful people when we give whatever we can give: a smile, a hand-shake, a kiss, an embrace, a word of love, a present, a part of our life . . . all our life."

~Henri Nouwen

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers!

~Crossed in Love~

Another bustling Saturday.

Cleaning up from the week, adding to the Valentine decor, baking bread pudding and finishing up things left undone.

I designed and created this little cross stitch pattern about three years ago . . . finally found a frame just right. Simple and fun- another little token of love for the home.

Got to spend an enjoyable evening with friends over for dinner and a little belated birthday celebration (cue the bread pudding with whiskey sauce- oh, yum!).

Here's a little card I painted for the birthday girl.

Busy, busy with all things Valentine . . . more soon! :)

Cheers!

~Valentine Peeking~

Due to a plantar's wart on my heel causing me to compensate enough to therefore inflame my knees and hips (talk about the ankle-bone connected to the knee-bone!), I haven't done a whole lot of Valentine decorating to date.

Or anything else 'active' for that matter.

Just a couple little things here and there between the must do's and icing my knees.

It's all fine though- really. 

It's given me the perfect excuse to let some of the urgent chores go to other family members.

(as in "Poor mom can barely move! *sniff* Guess she shouldn't make dinner tonight- too much standing")

;)

It's also bought me the time to sit and watercolor again. 

*YAY!*

(It's been almost 9 months!)

So here's a little sneak peek at some of what I've been up to.

Shhh . . . this little valentine is for the cat-lover in our family- the Youngest. 

There's more, but I'll have to unveil them after the holiday so they stay a surprise. :)

Anyone else working on valentines?

Cheers!