My Valentine surprise

So, yesterday I was wondering....how am I going to post what I got from my Valentine exchange, when I didn't get anything! And I certainly wasn't going to say anything. The mail came and there wasn't an envelope from her. I knew she had company for a few days so I figured she hadn't had time to read blogs, or shop.

Then, as I was backing out of the drive way, I saw this package leaning against the house! In the melting snow. We live in a 1940's house, that has a mail slot. You don't even have to go outside to get the mail. Easy peasy. Her envelope wouldn't fit in the slot, and I didn't think to look outside.

I sat in the car, in the driveway, and opened it.

And look at all the goodies inside!

Thank you Grandma Pedens Porch!

On another note, we are working on our house, a LOT. And I noticed, last night, around 6:00 p.m., it was still light out!

And on another note....TODAY is Reality Jaynes birthday! Everyone pop over here and wish her Happy Birthday.

Cindy Bee

It's not all hearts and flowers, or maybe it is!

Yesterday I was looking for a copy of our marriage certificate. We needed it for documentation on something. I found it with our important papers in a lock box, along with some other stuff, and this Valentine. How timely, huh! It was from my Sister, to me, written by her in 1990.

I know that because I wrote on the back of it.
And I don't think there is anything more special than a hand made valentine.

Here's what I didn't know. That one year later, I would be going through a divorce.
He told me he wanted a divorce the end of October. Didn't have anyone else, wouldn't wait through the holidays, and I needed to find another place to live. I was shocked. Zombie like. On February 1, 1991 it was final. He was remarried February 14, 1991. Less than two weeks later. I found out through the grapevine. Woe is me.
BUT THEN!!! DON'T BE SAD for me blogettes!!! I found out about a guy I used to know, who was also going through a divorce he didn't want. He was devastated too. So we went out, as friends, to talk about how miserable we were! We went to Chi Chi's for margaritas. And we continued to go out, as friends, until we kinda started liking each other. Kinda. Then kinda a lot! In 1994, on New Year's Eve, I married the love of my life. We've been married 17 years.

And look what he got me for Valentines Day!

Yup! Laundry Detergent. He walked in the other day from shopping for stuff for our house (building project) and said, "here ya go Babe. Got you a Valentines present!" I said, "just what I always wanted, laundry detergent." He said, "well it's red, that's why I got it for Valentine's Day." And I said, "well that E.R.A. stands for Equal Rights Association and you can do your own laundry!"

But then yesterday he walked in with this rose plant. He always gets me these, and they look horrible by the time May rolls around this part of the country. But I plant them anyway, and they flourish! He also had some chocolates on my pillow. Sweet.

And this morning, I decided to make some scones. I got the recipe from The Pembroke Inn, in Door County, Wisconsin. We went there on vacation one year. Only they didn't use a cookie cutter and make them heart shaped.

And the recipe doesn't say to baste them with cream and sprinkle them with sugar. But I did. Mainly because I wanted to use my new red basting brush!

They turned out lovely.

And I also made some of these rings. Remember these? I posted about them a couple of years ago. I made some on July 4 in Red, White, and Blue. Well, Reality Jayne posted on her blog a pin she made. You can see it by clicking here. They are a box of chocolates pin. I think they are cute. Tacky and cute. I thought....hmmmm...I think these cocktail rings are the perfect accompaniment to go with those Flo pins!

Oh yeah - and today in the mail I got Valentines cards from my nieces!

Handmade! The best. SO CUTE! I love them.

Cindy Bee

PS - Thank you if you participated in the Valentines Day trade I hosted. I'll probably do it again next year. Please post what you got on your blog. Ladybug Dreams is the only one I've seen post what she got. And Julie, Theresa posted her gifts from you on face book. What a haul! Very nice of you.

Valentine's Exchange

OK - since I'm about as honest as they come...

I put all of your names on a heart (aawwww)

and drew them out, one by one.

First name drawn, exchanges with the second name drawn...and so on.

And all of you, except Theresa, are listed on my side bar.

Theresa is the only one blog-less....come on Theresa...start blogging!

So we will count on Theresa to contact Julie.
All of the following blogs are listed on my side bar.

Remember, in an envelope, fun, pink/red/heart, valentine-y stuff, hand-made or not, in the mail.

Ladybug Dreams - The Country Cellar

Grandma Pedens Porch - Bee Lady

(we still gotta mail it - that's the rules!)

Theresa - east 4 plus 1 more (something like that!)

Reality Jayne - just breathe janis (no cheating)

hookin it with mr. lick lick - Granny Bee

I hope you all enjoy this. Post on your blogs what you got.

It'll be a great beginner post for you Theresa.

Happy Valentines Day!

Cindy Bee

Let's Spread the Love!!!

OK - Let's spread some love!

I hope I don't regret this!

It was fun opening that bag of pink valentine-y stuff.

So here is what we'll do.

Let me know if you want to be in the exchange by replying to this post.

That's all you have to do for that part. You can let others know about this if you want to. I always say the more the merrier. But I'm just doing this for fun. So you don't have to "follow me", "tweet", "facebook", etc.

This coming Friday, February 3, I'll put all the names in a hat, a spiffy vintage brown hat with a feather. I'll draw the names out to pair everyone off, and I'll post it on Friday.

You will then contact each other for addresses.

Here's the rules.

Make this simple and fun. It isn't Christmas, it's Valentines Day!

A few small goodies in an envelope.

Hand made or store bought or both.

Think pink or red or heart shaped.

Think small, simple, fun.

And mail it off so the recipient will get it by February 14th!

Cindy Bee

PS - I've never done anything like this before, so let me know if I left anything out.

edited to add - Non-bloggers that read my blog can play along. (Theresa - you can play :)

What's in the bag!

So I opened the bag and started pulling out all of this stuff. Pink safety pins, an alleluia rubber stamp, pink knit-cro-cheen,

Some hem clips, some Love ribbon, some pink ribbon....pink valentine-y stuff.

I remembered last year going to Damask Designs with a friend

during one of their sales. Then we went to the fabric store in search of more pink stuff.

I was all excited about decorating for Valentines day

and I made all of these little hearts

and never finished them

and never decorated. I don't even remember where I found the pattern for them.

Then I got to thinking...a little valentine exchange might be kinda fun. OR it might be just one more thing to HAVE to do. I can't decide...what do you think? (the post office would probably appreciate it!)

Cindy Bee

Look what I did!

Update Tuesday morning - My Shug came home last night and I said, "Did you see the love notes I left for you all over the place?" "No, I didn't see any love notes. Where were they?" "On the walls." "with sticky notes?" "Noooo not with sticky notes....I'll show you my blog." And he stood right beside them. It explains a lot really. He can't find anything in the kitchen and he's lived here for 16 years. {sigh}
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Today I went out to our new home...and I wrote sweet lil' Valentine messages on the 'walls' for my Shug.





So when he goes out there after work, to work, he'll have lil' love messages....

We don't really exchange gifts much, simply because we have too much...

but we do try to be romantic!

I'm also making him a peach pie. His favorite.

And when I was talking to him on the phone, I told him not to get me any flowers that I got them myself! He started laughing and said, "Wait until I tell the guys at work this one." I really am romantic, but I wanted these tulips that I saw at the grocery store. So I bought them!

20 stems for 6.99!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Cindy Bee