Valentine's Day

One of the reasons I'm so glad I ever started this blog ... the memories! All neatly stored here for me to look back at. Since it's almost Valentine's Day I thought I'd share some of the past favorite posts: 

2011 When I was just learning photography and I made these cards for them to give to their friends. They are so adorable! 

2012 It must have been 5 degrees out when I took these pictures! 

2013 Elementary school for Anna! 

2014  I remember this one so well. It is in my heart every time I think about Valentine's day! And that little video at the end! 

2015 

2016 This one with the cold weather, the little cherry dress Abigail is wearing, and going to brunch after Mass 

2017 This one had a Disney surprise and a blizzard! 

2018 My first year back as a classroom teacher. 

There are oh so many more ... but those little years! Magic! 

Never Posted ~ Valentines When She was in China

February 2026 ~ Two years ago Anna was in China for six months studying at a college there and becoming fluent in the language. I must have meant to post these pictures but never hit publish and just noticed it as a draft. Since it's about Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post it now.  

This weekend I got all of the little things ready to mail to Anna in China for Valentines Day. I know that Valentines is not a thing in China - and Chinese New Year IS a big big thing, but I wanted to send a little heart love to our girl over here. 

 All sealed up and ready to goooooo!

It reminded me of twenty years ago when Scott and I mailed another special package to China - one for a baby girl waiting in an orphanage. (pictures from albums) 

Weekend

It was a fun weekend! 

We got to see Abigail on campus (helped her move to a new dorm - that post explaining it all is back here) 

Went antiquing with Scott to a 'new to us' place and fell in love (but didn't get) this little child's desk. 

But I did bring home a great basket, a brass vase, and a pie carrying basket - been wanting one of those forever!

Did a ton of baking - I like to have things ready to go for the week to keep it cozy. 

I made all of my planner pages for this upcoming week. This is where I write out appointments, my to do list for the day and some encouragement for my heart. 

What a great weekend! 

 

❄️Weekend Plans ❄️

Cold

Cleaning

Laundry (I actually can't wait!)

Organizing

Baking

Bread Making

Planning

Correcting

Resting

Sleeping

Reading

Dreaming

Thinking 

Being 

and

Moving 

We are helping Abigail move from one dorm to another. She got permission from Res Life to move in with a friend and it's the coziest little dorm room on the planet. She is happy. We are thrilled. And although she is giving up a whole lotta space from when she had a single, she is gaining

living with a best friend

hot chocolate parties

ice cream parties (the two of them have after they do a lot of studying) 

talking

hanging out

and that in our book is sooooOooooo much better!

They met on retreat way back in the fall and have been friends since. They are both in Grace Notes through Catholic Campus Ministry and are the best of friends. She also has other friends in the same dorm so it's a win win on all accounts. 

So worth heading there Friday night and carrying all of her things across campus. 

💕Our Valentine Home 💕

Well I was really into it this year and took everything I had out that was pink, red, and hearts. I posted the kitchen in my last post but here is the rest of our Valentine home. 

Here we go: 

And antique child's cane chair I picked up at an adorable little antique store with a heart pillow. The garland is from Susan Branch and I adore it! 

I just love decorating for the seasons and for the holidays. I'm already thinking about what I want it to look like for the spring... yippee! 

This is our family room. Sadly, we just don't get a chance to be in here until the weekend and even then we have to make a point to stop working and chill. That makes it all the more special... and something to look forward to throughout the school week. 

I have the brass candlesticks still up, the garland with lights, the paper chain garland I made and this month I added a felt heart garland. 

I found some French ribbon and have that on the mantle with the little houses. 

This is our dining room. We recently added a carpet in there and took out a table leaf. I love it so much more in there. 

This pillow I grabbed up from an antique store and love it so much! 

I kept the rose trees in the hutch and added some lovely books Scott bought me way back when were dating. 

The middle of the table has hearts of course! Simple and charming. 

Looking forward to each day this winter season celebrating the small and the beautiful things that bring us joy! 

💕Valentine Kitchen Love 💕

Last year I barely even got any pink out. And that's ok. This year I took out all of the things I already had and decorated every room. And it was fun! 

I no longer go to those big stores that mass produce 'stuff'. Instead I shop my house. I love real vintage and antiques. And I had more than I thought. So here is our very Valentine kitchen.