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?
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| 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?
Yes, I know it's only the middle of January. . .Yes, I know it's freezing cold outside. . .But. . .Need I shout it from the rooftops? . .I'm ready for SUMMER. . .
Actually. . .I've been writing about the Fourth of July for the last few days. . .Editing photos for the Fourth. . .Trying to wrap my head around that time of the year for the articles. . .and Setting up some extra photo shots. . .which makes my brain rather confused. . .I so engross myself in Summer images that I have to stop and think at times just what month this is. . .Well, I don't really have to think much. . .All I have to do is look outside at the gray or step out on the porch without a jacket.
I do know one thing, though. . .I'm leaving the house set up as if it IS summer. . .in hopes it quickly comes. . .Plus, I love the black and white straw-trimmed hat on my new blanket chest. . .I really don't want to change it. . .Such a simple setting. . .
I brought out the summer flower pillows for the bed, too. . .and the rug is always cheerful. . .
The thing is. . .I live each Winter for Spring and Summer and could totally do without the cold weather. . .whether writing or not. . .It's fun until Christmas is over, but then I'm ready for the sun to shine again. . .
Christmas is over for another year. . .The decorations are coming down. . .BUT. . .I'm keeping the wreath.
Everyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely, positively LOVE RED for pops of color. . .and I've loved this wreath from the first time I saw it. . .I've used it for Christmas a couple of years now. . .in various places around the house. . .and I often store it as the Winter season ends. . .Not this time. . .Nope. . .This time, it's staying on the living room wall. . .where I can enjoy it everyday. . .
(Note: My apologies for the photographs. They did not upload as they look in my folder. I used a new editing program. . .that I certainly won't used again! I will try to change them out soon!)
And below it, I put a press-on with some inspirational words directly on the wall. . .
Words I need to see everyday, too. .
I'm changing up the living room a little. . .I can't show you the entire result, yet, because I'm still working on it. . .Still adding and subtracting. . .
I did find this old crate in storage for a table. .a quick clean-up was all it needed. . .I may use it in front of the couch. . .
While I was at it, I brought in part of my crock collection from the back porch. . .putting them at the fireplace to dry after a good soak in the tub. . I think some of the larger ones might be nice in the living room, too. . .Crocks are great anywhere in a farmhouse. . .
My little helper. . .Mr. B J LaShay. . .has been there with me every step of the way. . .Getting into EVERYTHING. . .
So. . .although I haven't made any New Year's resolutions, yet. . .I HAVE made a New Year's decision. . .I have two "keepers". . .the WREATH. . .AND the CAT. . because. . .Both make me SMILE. . .
"Twas a week before Christmas. . .and all through the house". . .as my story was going. . .for all was turning out really well. . .and ahead of schedule. . .
The decorations were up and sparkling like snowflakes. . .The baking was done with lingering whiffs of gingerbread and fruit cake. . .
I was loving the metal Christmas trees. . .and the big log cabin stable. . .with the dove above. . .The greenery and candles. . .the tiny lights. . .Yes. . .All I needed to do was light a fire and snap a few photos. . .because the entire scene was envisioned with a big blazing fire in the background. . .
I walked over to the exhaust fan. . .and turned it on. . .Our fireplace smokes without it. . .There was a whirring sound. . .but no fan blades turning. . ."Must be frozen" I thought. . .since we had had rain and the temperature was well below freezing. . .I waited an hour. . .Then another hour. . .Then another. . .Only a whirring sound. . .
My visions of a beautiful Christmas setting with a crackling fire in the background were dashed. . .
Yes. . .Here they are again. . .as promised. . .The FARMHOUSE FOLK ANGELS are flying around in the living room. . .and landing on a tabletop tree. . .
BABY'S BREATH sits among the bottle brush limbs. . .while TINY LIGHTS twinkle like fireflies. . .
I think SANTA BABY (my John) will be pleased. . .He does love gingerbread. . .and I think I'll name an angel for him, too. . .Won't he be surprised?
