Valentine's Day Memories

Hello, my Dear Friends, I want to thank you

for all of your sweet comments and congratulations 

on my last post. I can't tell you how wonderful it is

to have all of you to share life's happy little 

moments, and sometimes the not-so-happy ones. 

Your kindness and support reminds me of why I occupy 

this little corner of cyber-space. 

xoxo

The twins are doing well, but their older brother - who 

is really not that much older (15 mos) - has come down 

with a cold, which he has shared with me, so I have 

been hanging out on the couch under the quilts

and staying warm with hot liquids and my two American 

Eskimo dogs, Whitey Bear and Kai, and Maggie the cat. 

My grandson is on the mend, so I am happy about that. 

Poor little guy. Luckily they have two floors, and 

the twins are in quarantine in their parent's bedroom

 upstairs, for the time being. 

Valentine's Day is such a bittersweet little holiday, 

and can be filled with memories of those who are no

longer by our sides. 

I always tried to make it a special day for my dear Mother, 

by bringing her a card, flowers and a little gift.

 Most were hand-made and I found several in her things,

 which touched my heart. 

One was a valentine card that I made as a child.

I just found the sweet little cherubs Here
at Cathy's blog, 'My 1929 Charmer'.

I also found this darling individual creamer and saucer
at Cathy's shop.

I now have 3 little creamers, but I need 3 more. 

Valentine's cards are such sweet tokens......

I save all of my cards and have pretty, floral boxes full

to the brim with every one. 

Someday they will probably end up in a flea market 

or antique shop and will leave the buyer with 

sentimental questions......

Like this one.....

with a postmark of 1909!

It must have been from someone very special for

 'Miss Mary' to have kept it all those years. 

Cards can sometimes say those sweet things that 

are so hard to put into words......

Ramblin' Man is one who finds it hard to express 

those things, and I am always surprised 

at the sometimes heartfelt sentiments 

expressed in the cards he gives to me. 

Often, I think - is this the same man of few words 

that I live with on a day to day basis? 

These little tokens remind me that maybe 

there is a sentimental soul deep down inside 

that gruff exterior. 

He knows I love roses.....

I saw the very sweetest thing when I was at the grocery 

store last week. 

I was walking down the long aisle to the exit
when I noticed the young man

 that was walking in front of me. 

He was dressed in the 'uniform' of our local loggers.....

Red suspenders holding up heavy denim pants, 

cut above the ankles to prevent the chain-saw from 

grabbing them, well-worn leather boots, heavy knit jersey, 

and a brimmed, oiled canvas hat to protect 

from the always-wet weather. 

His broad shoulders looked tired and he was covered in smudges, 

but he had a brisk gate as he held one thing in his 

work-calloused hands. 

A bunch of red roses. 

xoxo

I'd like to think they were for someone who loved him very much. 

xoxo

When I was a child in school, we exchanged Valentine's cards 

with classmates. 

I can remember one particular year.....5th grade......

mostly for the pretty boxes that we made for the cards. 

We had to bring in an empty tissue box and decorate 

it with pink and red construction and crepe paper. 

My box turned out so pretty - I was very proud of it, 

but those were the days when classmates weren't 

required to give to everyone. 

I was the quiet, shy girl, who sat in the back and had 

very few friends. Usually, I only had one or two.......

but I had a little crush on a cute, popular boy.....

I received 3 cards that year. 

From both of my friends, and one from that cute boy. 

xoxo

He never acknowledged giving me that card, but 

the following year he wrote me a love letter :)

Unfortunately, I moved away shortly afterwards, 

but I still remember his name.....

Sweet puppy love :)

I know that the key to Ramblin' Man's heart 

is candy......especially white chocolate. 

Even better if they are on top of his favorite treat -

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Luckily, I made these ahead of time, because 

I was feeling pretty awful by Valentine's Day. 

These freeze beautifully. 

I had a few of the candies left over, too. 

He always checks the domed cake plate for treats, 

and he was very happy to see these at the end 

of a long day.

We've had many Valentine's Days together, 

some years were good and some, well, you could 

say that Valentine's Day was especially important during those times.
But these happy golden years are some of the best. 

xoxo

An Irish Blessing:

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those who love near you,
and all that your heart might desire.

xoxo