Hearts and Roses

Valentine's Day comes exactly at the right time of year for me. . .It scoots out the weeks of gray skies and damp, cold weather that always come after Christmas. . .and pops in with bright red hearts and ruby red roses. . .so that all is exciting and festive again. . .

But. . .what I like the most about the holiday is that it reminds us to pause for a moment and think about those whose hearts have touched ours. . .Those special someones who enrich our lives. . .and that sometimes we take for granted. . .I'll sound like an old woman now. . .but. . ."the older I get," the more I realize that life is truly fragile. . .Setting aside time to remember a LOVED ONE (or two) should be high on our list for at least one day, don't you think?

Rich Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Mock Cherry Topping (Recipe Here)

It doesn't have to be a grand affair. . .Just a card will do. . .John knows that the way to my heart is Red Roses. . .but I know that the way to his is a Chocolate Cake. . .Yet, the gift is secondary. . .It's the thought behind it. . . that we stopped long enough to think of the other one. . .and doing what we know will make them smile. . .To tell them how much they are in our hearts. . .

Now I have to ask. . .Is there a better day for that celebration than a cold one in February, when it's rainy outside but warm with LOVE inside?

Yep. . .Valentine's Day comes at exactly the right time of the year. . .

Happy Valentine's Day. . .

from. . .

Something Old-Something New

Don't get excited. . .It's not a wedding. . .Just a little change in the bathroom that's fun. . .At first glance, can you tell what's real. . .and what's not?  I had John doing a double-take when I placed my thrift store find (the big painting/print) behind this grouping. . .The blue Ball canning jar looks even more real than it does here. . .If it weren't for the painted flowers, it might be very hard to tell. . .

It's also hard to tell that the bird isn't part of the print, isn't it?. . .Everything just comes together. . .the old water basin and pitcher. . .the new painting/print. . .the blue berries. . .and the blue bird. . .for a setting that teases the eyes. . .fitting right in with plain and simple style.

I do hope that posts like these will encourage you. . .and show how to decorate in style without spending a lot of money. . .I do prefer buying as many decorator pieces as possible from yard sales and thrift stores. . .because I don't feel I have to keep it forever as I would if I'd paid big bucks. . .I can store or donate those items without any feeling of guilt. . .It's a win-win all the way around. . .

Speaking of Spring. . .(I was, you know). . .I've seen a preview of the Spring 2020 Issue of Country Rustic Magazine and I'm telling you, it is WONDERFUL. . .DJ has been playing with new layouts. . .and working harder with each issue to make it better than the last one. . .You should be getting yours through the mail or see it on news stands soon. . .

Of course, Spring at The Country Farm Home is featured in it, too. . .

You know you can't miss that story!!!

It's the third in the series of four seasons at the farm.

I can hardly believe there's only one more. . .