Happy Valentine's Day

...or as my daughter used to say, "Happy Valentimes Day!"



If you have not yet visited Warm Pie, Happy Home, please do; it's always a happy place where Ruthann dispenses excellent advice and ohhh, that playlist!

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Planning a Valentine Tea

I am planning a ♥Valentine Tea♥ for my Beloved. He's pretty much a coffee drinker to the core. Hot chocolate every now and then and, just recently, I've been able to introduce tea. The Chocolate Raspberry Bliss shown is going to feature prominently at my tea party. You can find the mousse recipe I'd like to try at Celestial Seasonings. I've been wandering through Blogdom looking for something to complete the menu...perhaps some tea sandwiches such as my own Garden Patch Sandwiches (in the recipe section of my sidebar) and something more for dessert. Alice at Tea in My Cup (even if she is on an extended break from blogging) is my first stop. Also there are some delicious sounding coffee drinks posted at Kettle and Cup.

I did bake some cookies last evening...not a hit with the man...oh dear. Maybe that frosting will spiff them up. It occurs to me that the most romantic thing about these cookies is not that they are in the shapes of hearts and strawberries, but that they were baked on a silpat "made in France."














Today, I am busily working on Valentines...most especially the one for my grandmother as she is the one who adores this holiday. I'll be selecting one from Quill Cottage because Miss Sandy always provides great tutorials.

Have a wonderful Friday...gotta skate!

My Favorite "Bulletin" Board

A week ago, I was feeling much less than enthusiastic about blogging. Today I am positively giddy about it. The joy of blogging, for me, really depends on whether systems are up and at'em. I am sure that all those who read and love blogs appreciate Blogdom for the tremendous bounty of ideas. Creativity thrives in Blogdom.

I find plenty of material to think about and lots of ideas at WindLost, one of my favorite blogs. And it's not because Terri and I share similar tastes either. In fact, her taste is much more elevated and sophisticated than my own. Spending time there is a delicious escape, which I tremendously enjoy. But don't let that fool you as she can write with such poignancy that she'll break your heart. That's how I first found her when I read of her experience on a plane in danger of crashing. (See September 26, 2007)

Lately, Terri's been doing a series on office makeovers and she's working on her own home office, too. You'll find the above photo on her These Are a Few of My Favorite Things post on January 2, 2009. Well don't you know that this idea just kept spinning around in my old head until it finally resulted in my going to actually look for the wonky old frame. I knew I already had one, but where?! Found it in the basement in pretty tough shape and home to a spider or two.

This is where John came in..."John, this old frame...can you fix it?" (Course I know that he can fix anything!)

I didn't think much more about it until a few days ago when I visited John's house where I thought he'd be working on ceilings or something. No, poor man had taken the frame all apart, recut each section, and glued it all back together using some special exterior framing to hold it together. Until today, I didn't even realize all that he had done for the sake of my request. I feel so loved...



Yesterday morning when I propped my "new" frame up in the bay window, I was so happy with how it looked right there that it almost didn't make it the rest of the way to the sewing room wall, but it did and I just love it! It's the best bulletin board I've ever had.

The rest will be a little picture story — simple and sweet.

(First bulletin photo allowed to stand after much consideration.)

Another Kitchen Story

Sure. Like I'm going there again...

Okay, I'll tell you this much of what I learned. Supposedly, the number one way to tell that a kitchen is outdated is if the appliances are anything but steel. While steel appliances are not in my budget, this doesn't prevent me from putting my best foot forward to decorate my refrigerator.



There's that charming calendar thingy that we use for writing notes. Important stuff like the mortgage is due! Then there's the handy-dandy scissors holder. I just made that today as the other one cleverly crafted from a pot holder belonged to my sister. So did the red-handled scissors that were in them for that matter. They're packed now. For mine, I used one of those crocheted dishcloths that are ubiquitous. I have a lovely number of them and use them in many different ways, but never as dishcloths. I defy any one of you to tell me that it's not simply sweet!

Then there's that darling little sampler there...



Alison at Posie Gets Cozy tells all about how to find and do one of your own on her January 18, 2009 post. I think it's a great way to design an embroidered pillow or something. If nothing else, it's a great way to waste an hour.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Valentine Idea from MGCC

Do you need a quick and easy, delicious and fun idea for Valentine's Day? Visit Mennonite Girls Can Cook and snag the ♥Five Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug♥ recipe posted by Betty R. Purchase a sweet Valentine's mug from the dollar store and make a mug kit using the dry ingredients from the recipe. Cover with some red plastic wrap and attach the recipe directions with a pretty bow. I'm definitely doing at least one this week. It'll surely look better than this original that we enjoyed. I think that there's room for experimenting with the recipe, too!

(If I'm not already known for my wild leaps in all directions, I will be after this post.)

All week long I have thought about the Elizabeth Goudge book that I left behind at the Book Nook of the local flea market. I could've just kicked myself because at a $1 these books fly off the shelves. I visited A Woman Who Is and noted that she was reading one and Barbara so often touts them. I couldn't believe my stupidity. Would you believe that I even prayed that no one would buy it before I did?

So Saturday afternoon, we followed our transfer station visit with a trek down the road. I held my breath entering that nook, I lost heart as I couldn't find the book anywhere, but then! Then! I saw it on an end rack; I grabbed it; and clutched it to my heart.



It's titled Thorns of Truth by Elizabeth Goudge. What? What's that you say? It's not by Elizabeth Goudge? Eileen? Eileen who? Who in the world is this E. G. imposter?!

Nuts! Foiled again. For a dollar, I hope that I haven't gone too wrong.

Heaven Is...

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

~Elisha A.Hoffman

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -I Peter 5:7

When we pray to the Lord asking for comfort in times of stress or times of loss, it is good to remember that He actually died [and rose again] and so has gone ahead of us to prepare the way. This is not true of any other counselor or grief expert. He understands death in a way that none of them can. ~Philip Yancey paraphrase

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. -John 14:2

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
~Ira Stamphill



"Stillwater Cottage" by Thomas Kinkade is an image that suits my imagination of Heaven. (ETA: You'll have to do your own Googling to see it...sorry about that!) See Jesus walking across the pond or feeding the swans and it would be nearly complete. Peek through the window and see the family seated at the dining room table and the fantasy fills out even more. But whatever our ideas of Heaven, they can not begin to compare with what Heaven truly is and how wonderful it will be to see the Lord face to face.

Have a blessed Sunday and a wonderful beginning to a beautiful new week!

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