At Home: Winter Cozies

We'll take another little break from England to check up on some real-life at home, books and more! (If you want to catch up on England posts, click on the England 2024 tab above.)

I'd like to think we've survived the polar vortex. So far, so good, but who knows? We still have a few months of winter. Meanwhile, Lizzie and I are hunkering down and doing some bird watching!

Cork Poppers Celebrate Wines We Love for Valentine's Day (or any day!)

Our February Cork Poppers gathered at my house (crammed in between Christmas trees and decor because the basement is awaiting its mold removal!). Since it was only a few days before Valentine's Day I decided the theme should be "Wines We Love" and every couple was to bring a particular wine or a type of wine (Pinot Grigio, Malbec, etc.) that they loved. Or from a place they loved. Shouldn't be hard (and it wasn't)!

And This Is How Our Days Go

The good thing about February is that we see signs that winter won't be forever here in Michigan. Yes, we will still get snow -- maybe even a lot of it. But then you have melting days where the temps are warmer and the snow begins to reveal the grass beneath. And, as we celebrated Christmas late, we did Valentine's Day late, too -- so only about a month till "official" spring. Time flies!

All Kinds of Valentines

Hearts. Chocolate. Love notes and pretty cards. Valentine's day is one holiday that can be divinely fun or deeply depressing. Or, a day everyone, it seems, but you, seem to be celebrating.

This is a story of friendship. Back in the 1980s, there was a group of seven of us in various stages of life disrepair. Broken relationships or no relationships, unfulfilling jobs, losses. We seven were good friends -- three women, four men --  about half of whom worked together, the other half made up of people who had volunteered for our television station's fundraising events. 

A Little Love in the House

I'm not quite sure how we got to February. I'm not complaining -- but the year seems to be flying by! It was time to deck the halls for Valentine's Day.

I don't do a lot for Valentine's Day. It seems to pop up so fast and then boom! It's gone. But it is a time where we celebrate love, so I thought I'd better bring a little love into the home, starting with the front door!

Have a Heart!

I haven't done a lot around the house for Valentine's Day this year. To be honest, my house looks like a mix of seasons -- the Christmas poinsettia (or what's left of it) and my two trees, the snowfolk of winter and now a bit few hearts here and there!

So, a short, quickie tour through a few of my vignettes as I welcome "heart day."

This year it has a new meaning to me. The past year has brought Rick and me even closer together, our mutual support system saving many a day.

And of course, when you start to deal with a heart issue, you think about that a bit more.

 If it's a nice day on February 14, Rick will go for a ski in the afternoon.

Then he'll come home and make me a lovely dinner. 

Between now and then I need to come up for a new idea for his annual poetry "yearbook." I recap key events of the year -- the places we've been, the things we've done -- in bad poetry, nicely displayed! 

I'm going to have to work hard this year -- that's what happens when you go nowhere, do not much! 

Wish me well!

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Valentine's Day - Better Late than Never!

We were ready to celebrate Valentine's Day. We were just a little short on the willing and able!

Cards and present made? Check.

Valentine gifts wrapped? Check.

Dessert cookie baked? Check. (Never mind that I couldn't find my heart-shaped springform pan. I free-formed it pretty well!)

No one told us about the possibility of nasty colds that made the whole prospect of spending a lovely evening together, complete with Rick's wonderful cooking and bread, a less than appetizing prospect! True, we enjoyed some bread and cheese, then said goodbye. Rescheduling a must!

I did get his gift finished. Those of you who have been reading awhile know that each year I make him a book that summarizes our year, complete with bad poetry! This was no exception.

The cover was a collage using dictionary pages, acrylics, leather die cuts and stamps. Inside, a look at our year.

No subject  was off limits, whether in a photo collection...

.... or poem.

Or both.

And of course, the Toddler Twosome made up more than a few pages!

I didn't get a lot of painted Valentines done but here is one...

...and another. I later painted the address of the recipient on the mailbox.

We figured we would try again on Sunday. After a day with minimal sleep the night before and a dishwasher problem at my house (it was overflowing and then dripping into the basement. I think my basement just wants to be wet), I was looking forward to being pampered!

And I was. Only, Rick's sink was having water issues too and not draining. So, he brought over dinner and cooked it here! My favorite, shrimp and grits! (Dishes by hand.)

I came up with a very impromptu table!

It was all delicious -- even the Valentine cookie. (Monique, thanks for idea and the link to the recipe HERE)

After dinner, we enjoyed "Midnight in Paris" before retiring to our respective corners and trying hard not to contaminate the other. We'll see if it worked!

A Wintry Valentine Week!

It has been snowing in our world. There has been so little, I'll not complain. I should have taken photos yesterday when I was out, but you get the idea. A marshmallow world!

A few cheery tulips and it's spring inside!

Rick got back from his trade show in Nevada yesterday. Since then he's slept like Rip Van Winkle. I was delighted to cook a lovely meal on the new stove -- and then didn't take a single photo. But I mde a wonderful artichoke chicken casserole.

I also made a Swedish Visiting Cake. Between what we had last night and what I took to friends on Friday, there is only one piece left! (It's prettier with the raspberries surrounding it but just as good without!)

I haven't done tons of decorating for Valentine's Day. Things from the kitchen aren't yet where they are supposed to be, which doesn't make entering my house like a walk into the pages of Country Living. You will note that all the photos are very tight shots!

But I did put up a few things to bring some seasonal cheer! Among the favorites are these two new little ones from Vintage by Crystal. Aren't they sweet? Wrapped cotton with crepe paper for skirts and sweet faces!

This is what I'm waiting for. Silver white winters that melt into spring!

A few years ago we did a Christmas wreath at Southern Exposure, using this frame with greens. I didn't use it at Christmas this year but repurposed it with some lace hearts I made a year or two ago.

The mantel, too, has it's share of Valentine cheer. A "love" sign I did awhile back, flanked by with baskets and sweet little houses. They were great fun to do! I have a few more wooden forms. Maybe I should get those made up, too!

I pulled out lots of vintage valentines and postcards this year, some of which are with my snowfolk atop the china cabinet.

Just a little bit of love!

Travel Break: Valentine and Winter Touches

Continuing our travel break (there are more to come and I don't want to wear you down too much!), I thought we'd take a look at real-life around here.

Along with that comes Valentine's Day and winter decorating. I scored these three tin Christmas houses at Michael's at 80 percent off. They had no holiday decor on them, but I puttied in a heart on each and we're good to go.

My little white tree got Valentiney too!

And this is a favorite gift from a good friend long ago. I love Mary Engelbreit's art -- she has my heart for sure!

And should you think that Conversation Hearts are forever gone, just look for another brand! These are Brach's. Since neither Rick nor I particularly like to eat them, they are the one Valentine candy decoration that usually survives to the holiday!

Valentine decor is just a part of it. When the Santas came down, the snowfolk went up!

The poor poinsettia is looking a tad the worse for wear, but this snow guy is one of my favorites.

And so is this one!

Of course, it's not all snow people.

Here's the inside of the big cabinet -- the skiers have made a comeback!

A closer look!

I have to say, I love their faces. These were acquired by my mom long ago. I'm so glad I didn't have to divvy them up between brothers or sisters, because I really love these!

There's also a series of hikers and those are on the Southern Exposure swag.

That's it for now!

Back soon with more!

Love you!

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