FRESH FLOWERS

I make it a point to bring home fresh flowers on a regular basis.  They add such cheer to a room.  This huge bunch is from Pike Place Market in Seattle and cost a mere $15.00!!

OBJETS D'ART

This sweet little brass moon hook, mounted on an old peice of siding, was purchased from a local antique store.  What a great way to recycle!!  It will hang in my utility room.

BREAKFAST IN BED

I wanted to celebrate Valentine's day with a wonderful breakfast in bed for me and my honey.  Unfortunately, finding a tray to my liking (that was large enough for the two of us) proved to be very difficult.  All the ones I found were either too small, too awkward, or just plain UGLY!!  Nevertheless, I was going through my garage one day and found this old window and I thought.....PERFECT!!  So I cleaned it up, made the glass all shiny, and used it for my setting.

SO CHARMING!!

A scalloped table runner sits atop the glass. The dinnerware is ''Primvere" by Ballard Designs (my everyday dishes) and the light olive glassware was a gift from my Mother-in-law. 

Olive green tassels and a tiny silk leaf adorn napkins from Pier 1 imports (I've had them forever).

 Tiny silver shakers and some cinnamon sticks tied with raffia add a sweet touch.

The window has an old, worn look to it and has obviously been painted a few times.  It adds to the character. 

A pot of Daffodils topped with Spanish Moss completes the look of the whole setting.

TABLESCAPE: A Valentine's Dinner

Gather the following items:

A warm fireplace

A small oval table for two

2 French chairs

A huge white table linen that pools on the floor and is topped by a red satin tablecloth

5 red matching candle holders of varying heights

 Silver chargers

Red and white "Martha Stewart for Macy's" Dinner and salad plates

Silverware

Crystal goblets with silver rims

Fifth Avenue Crystal made in Poland

A dozen red roses

Decorative grass

2 Fresco Chocolate bars: The best dark chocolate found anywhere in the world!!

http://frescochocolate.com/

Red satin napkins folded into the shape of a heart and tucked into crystal goblets

2 mercury glass hearts tied with red grosgrain ribbon

AND

the most important part.....

Someone you LOVE

FEBRUARY: Images for the Month of Love

Feel free to borrow any of the images in this post!!  Just be sure to refer back to my Blog and give proper credit.  Thank you!!

HEART-SHAPED ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Every Valentine's Day, I like to make something yummy for my little family.  This year I decided to make THESE luscious things.  I have included the recipe. 

Beware:  They don't last very long ;)

1 package of Devil's Food cake mix

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1/2 cup shortening

1/4 cup butter

1 package of French Vanilla ice cream (in the rectangle cartons)

Decorative sprinkles if desired

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat vanilla, egg, shortening, butter and 1/2 the cake mix until well blended.  Mixture will pull from the sides of the bowl and have a dough-like consistency.  Add the rest of the cake mix and mix again until well blended.

Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces.  Roll the first section out on a flat surface until it measures about 6"x 10".  Cut out the desired shapes and transfer them onto a cookie sheet (you can also just roll out the dough ON the cookie sheet if you are having trouble transferring the shapes).  

Bake for 6-8 minutes or until the edges look set.  Prick holes in the top of the shapes with a fork or a skewer in desired patterns.  Let cool on the cookie sheet and then transfer to a wire rack.

Open the package of ice cream all the way.  Cut it into thick slices and into the shape of the cookies.  Sandwich the ice cream between 2 cookies and press together gently.  Roll the edges in the sprinkles and shake off the excess.  Freeze immediately. 

ENJOY!!

Recipe credit goes to Tina.  It is a recipe that has been shared through the generations of her family.

DESIGN: Get your groove on in this sexy red dress!!

I designed this little red dress quickly today.  I'm picturing it in a stretch satin-like fabric with stretch red lace (so I can dance all night :)  The back will dip into a V and look just as the front does (minus the faux wrap look) with an invisible zipper to close up center back.  Wide red lace for the sleeves and hem will complete the look.  I'm making this little number for our trip to Puerto Rico this summer!!    

  

SPRING CAME HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY HUSBAND!!

 

VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS

I've had quite a few people ask me what to do for their Sweethearts on Valentine's Day.  

So.....I've included this fabulous list of ideas that was lovingly compiled by a few romantic ladies.  

One of them even suggests dedicating the whole month of February as "LOVE MONTH" and choosing something special to do EACH day.  Sounds like a good idea to me!!

A heartfelt "Thank You" goes out to Ms. Ducette and her inspiring crew for sharing this with us!!

60 Ideas for Valentine's Day

1.  With 'glow in the dark stars', shape a heart or write 'I love you' above your bed.

2.  Write on his/her side of the driveway, with sidewalk chalk, 'I love you'.

3.  On a freezing night write 'I love you' on his/her car window with whipping cream. (You can also buy window paint for $2 at Fred Meyer)

4.  Make a coupon book.

5.  Order a pepperoni pizza with the pepperoni in the shape of a heart.

6.  Personalize his/her screen saver.

7.  Give a neck Massage.

8.  Give a scalp Massage.

9.  Give a hand Massage.

10. Give a foot Massage.

11. Give a back Massage.

12. Give a leg Massage.

13. Go to a photo booth and have pictures taken of the two of you.  Go out for ice cream afterwards.

14. Plan a whole day of festivities (red velvet cake baked in the shape of a heart, pink heart pancakes for breakfast, Valentine's dinner and sandwiches cut into heart shapes for lunch, etc.)

15. Write a note on a mirror. 

16. Write a note on his/her lap top.

17. Put a favorite snack on a pillow or in a sack lunch. 

18. Play a dice game. (You can get dice with Valentine things written on them at your local Fred Meyer)

19. Have a candlelight dinner, spread out the rose petals.

20. Play his/her favorite game.

21. Detail his/her car.

22. Display old dating photos.

23. Make a candy bar gram/poster with something like; "I'd go across the 'Milky Way', pay '100 Grand' and give you a bunch of 'Kisses' just to 'Skor' with you" 

24. Play his/her old high school music.

25. Play Strip Poker.

26. Go for a walk and hold hands.

27. Make-out in the car.

28. Schedule a night-out with his/her friends for him/her.

29. Watch a favorite movie together.

30. E-mail a love note.

31. Iron his/her favorite shirt.

32. 'Heart Attack' his/her house, front door, bedroom, office, etc. (Put hearts of all different shapes and sizes all over the place)

33. Write your top 10 or 100 reasons why you love him/her. (Frame it)

34. Dance in the kitchen

35. Have a nighty-night. (Lingerie....)

36. Be intimate.

37. Cuddle on the couch.

38. Share a milkshake.

39. Make a favorite meal. (The way to a man’s heart)

40. Write a love note and send it in the mail to work.

41. Make a giant heart cookie, or a batch of his/her favorite cookies.

42. Make cupcakes in Valentine cupcake wrappers.

43. Have his/her favorite drink cold in the fridge when he/she comes home from work.

44. Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast.

45. Enjoy breakfast in bed together.

46. Give small gifts.

47. Plan a surprise date. (Pick him/her up from work unexpectedly and go to a favorite restaurant, museum, etc.)

48. Do one of his/her chores.

49. Take a bath together.

50. For a man, bake a batch of muffins and leave them in a basket in the morning with a note that says, "Good luck today Stud-Muffin"

51. Take two candy canes and form them into the shape of a heart. Place it in front of a hot cup of cocoa with a note that says, "Our hearts were mint to be together"

52. Put a towel in the dryer for a few minutes and have it ready for when he/she gets out of the shower.

53. "Kid-nap" him/her with handcuffs and go to a favorite restaurant (or pack a favorite meal) and take it on a picnic.

54. Put red and white Gummi Bears in a cute cellophane bag that says "I can't Bear to be without you" 

55. Put your wedding song (and/or romantic songs) on a CD and load it into the car stereo.  

56. Buy red cinnamon lips and include the note; " I love your red hot kisses!"

57. Re-create your first date.

58. Have custom M&M's or Sweethearts made with your special words.

59. Write a poem or song.

60. Stay in a romantic B&B located somewhere unique; the beach, the forest, etc.

ENJOY!!

"Imagination is the beginning of creation.  

You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine 

and at last you create what you will."  

~George Bernard Shaw~