Oh, my friends! My HEART is so happy it’s the first day of February! My girl and I will be putting out our few little Valentine's decorations today. Nothing over-the-top, just some kisses of red and pink around the house. And since this month is all about love, I'd like to share one of my favorite love languages. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Gary Chapman's five "Love Languages": words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, gift-giving, and acts of service. I can most certainly identify with more than one of those languages, however, I'd like to propose another love language: FOOD! And maybe it’s not really it’s own separate love language but rather it encompasses ... Read more
February Fun
I’m late on completing a couple of posts I have in the works, one of which is my son’s birthday post from two weeks ago, but I wanted to pop in and give a quick hello. We are eagerly anticipating another birthday this weekend (my daughter is turning 21!) along with Valentine’s Day! The plans are low key, yet special, and it's always fun to plan menus and movies and bake festive goodies, no matter the occasion. So, in addition to our regular schooling and activities this week, the youngest two and I have been birthday shopping, gift wrapping, cake and cookie baking, and Valentine making!! After school today, we're getting out to make some early Valentine visits to the grandparents. Can't ... Read more
Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching so I thought today would be a good time to share a lovely red recipe. Red Velvet Pound Cake combines two Southern classics--red velvet cake and pound cake--into one sweetheart of a dessert! I shared this recipe several years ago on my old blogsite, but I think it is definitely worth repeating. And I can’t remember exactly where this recipe originally came from, but I’m guessing Paula Deen...maybe. Red Velvet Pound Cake Cake ingredients: 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened 3 cups sugar 5 large eggs 1 tsp. distilled white vinegar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 ... Read more
Sticky Situation
The dollar stores and craft stores have such cute wooden signs for holidays, don't they? They make fun additions to seasonal displays and vignettes. But one thing that bugs me is the stickers on the backsides that either don't come off completely or leave a sticky residue. Here's my quick solution I use on all my seasonal signs: Select a scrapbooking paper in a complimentary color and pattern. With a pencil, trace the outline of the sign onto the blank side of the paper. Cut along the outline, staying a little inside the line so the cutout will be a tad smaller that the sign. Spray some Craft Bond on the blank side of the paper. This is the side that will be bonded to the sign, ... Read more
Looking Back: Winter 2019/2020
Hello again! Yesterday I posted some highlights of FALL 2019. Today I'm moving on to WINTER 2019/2020! As soon as Thanksgiving was over and the fall decorations were packed away, we went straight into Christmas festivities. My tea ladies and I kicked off the season the last weekend in November with a tea lunch at a beautiful tea room, all decorated for the holidays! This leisurely tea time was our calm before the holiday storm. The first weekend in December, our family went to cut down our Christmas tree at a tree farm we've been going to since our oldest was a baby. I took a lot of family photos, and won't post those here, but it was a lovely, sunny day on the tree farm! It's ... Read more
Sweetheart Tablescape
Hello! This was my Sweetheart Tablescape for Valentine's Day and weekend this year! The original post somehow vanished and must be floating around in cyberspace (maybe with cupid?!). So instead of writing it all again, this time I'm just posting the photos. Enjoy, friends! ... Read more
Last Minute Ideas for Valentine Blessings
If you’re needing some last minute ideas for Valentine gifts for teachers, grandparents, or friends, here ya go! During Valentine’s week, the kids and I like to drop off a little gift for the grandparents. Ideas for past years have been baked goodies, lotions (for the grandmothers), jars of mug cake mix, and such. We were trying to figure out what to deliver this year when I spotted these pink and white azaleas in Publix last weekend. I thought the two-toned petals were so unique! Given that both my mom and Joel’s mom have green thumbs, and with spring planting time right around the corner, I knew they would enjoy these long after Valentine’s Day! And since these beauties ... Read more
Galentine’s Bash 2020: Donut and Hot Chocolate Bar
I adore Valentine’s Day! It is such a sweet occasion. The pinks and reds, the sprinkled goodies, and the LOVE! Not just romantic love, but the love one another kind of love. The love of Christ! My girls have been lavishly blessed by precious friendships in our small group, and Valentine's Day seems the perfect opportunity to celebrate that Christian sisterhood with a Galentine's Bash! After last year's cookie and hot chocolate bar was a success, Country Girl and I decided to do something along those lines again this year, but with a new twist. With a little thought, we decided on a DONUT and HOT CHOCOLATE BAR! It was so much fun, and we will definitely be doing it again! The ... Read more