It's Valentine's Day Tomorrow

Something appeared on my end table a few days ago. A small package wrapped in white tissue and a card in a red envelope. My hubby went to his workshop and "made" his own gift wrap. He is meticulous about things and it took him some time to do this. He covered the paper with little perfect red hearts in red marker.Tied the package with red crinkle ribbon that he curled and fashioned into a bow on top. He wrote little messages to Balisha on the top. I was bowled over that a man would do this. It doesn't matter what is in the package...the paper is enough. I was touched.

The first picture is a pile of Valentine M & Ms. Maybe we should sample them. MMMMM! I love these little treasures. So glad that someone thought of coloring them for different holidays.

I am making a special dinner tomorrow night. The menu is Steak Diane, Oven Garlic Potatoes, Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Mini Corn on the Cobs ...and a tall Parfait dessert.

I love Valentine's Day. Lots of memories for me. In grade school...the valentine box and all it held. I remember using lots of crepe paper in my day to decorate. Twisting the red, white and pink streamers to decorate my room. Helping my little children to select then make out all those little penny valentines. My first engagement came on Valentine's Day. Down through the years hearts, flowers and candies. Little homemade valentines held in my kids sticky fingers (glue and glitter) They proudly gave me their creation. All through the years their little artwork would be proudly displayed on the refrigerator.

The kids always had these little conversation hearts. I love them still. Pop one in your mouth after selecting just the right message. The pink ones are my favorite. Now they have new messages on them. Abbreviations like text messaging. Time marches on and the thought is still there. Hubba Hubba....My Girl......Love U.....My Guy and on and on.

I have made thousands of heart cookies in my lifetime. Years when things were tough this would be my gift to kids and family. I have always made them for my neighbors. I have packaged them and shipped them to other states. I have made them for bake sales. Then to grade school for the Valentine parties. I was room mother many.. many years and this was the favorite party to plan. Valentine cookies, pink punch and Valentine candy. Everything sweet and loaded with naughty calories. The party was at the end of the day and the kids sent home on a sugar high. I can't forget all the years of being a scout leader...cub, brownie, and girl scouts. We made valentine treats for all the meetings and parties. Wasn't life fun years ago...when it was simpler?

I didn't make the cookies this year, but sent the Grand kids cards and a little money. Sent my kids and friends computer ecards.I took little Barbie and soccer candy next door to my little neighbors and bought my hubby his favorite...chocolate covered cherries. I do miss the old days when my kids were growing up. My life was hectic and very busy, but all the work was worth it when the kids would make me a gift and hold it behind their back and give it to me with their sticky fingers. I guess that's why I was so pleased with the paper that my hubby made for me. It did bring back a few memories.

My wish to all who read here....Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. I love you all for keeping me at this new hobby. It has changed my life and made my heart expand to hold you all near.

Balisha (PS: This was a fun post to do.)