love is in the air~

Well hello there.

This post is going to sort of be all over the place, but in the end it all comes down to one simple fact... we are set for v~day! Something special about this lover's day that I just can't get enough of. Is it just me, or did it sneak up way to quick this year? To all my pinterest buddies, did you spy these little sweethearts? Couldn't resist~ the peanut butter blossom, with a lovely twist...

I actually posted this recipe waaay back here, for those interested. And gotta send a shout out to one of my most favorite kitchen tools, my cookie dough scoop! Makes life just sweeter i say, and only a few bucks at your local Bed Bath and Beyond! This is me and my sweet nephew Krew~ I was getting some serious snuggles, and loving every minute of it:)

We dug out some keepers from last year~ nothing too crazy, but very special to me. That planter is actually from when my sweet grandma passed a few months ago. I am pretty impressed it is still living;)

Ry-bug celebrated her 100th day of school, and dug into carefully autographing her valentine's~

Parker has been pretty much obsessed with Lego Ninjago, and insists on watching or rehearsing all of their sweet moves... pretty flippin' adorable if you ask me.

Some more quality time on the slopes~ such fun times with my family.

The gals in my family came over for some serious craftin'~ there were goodies involved... Nic never shy's away from a little treat;) Oh! and just to clarify, he does not sport his jersey around the house, unless he is fresh home from a b-ball game... which was the case here:)

I thought a hot cocoa bar was in order for such a night~ um. I made homemade mallows. I will never turn back, they are pure delightfulness. Recipe here.

This little bowl speaks to me;0~ thanks Meg, you are my girl!

These mini-cake donuts are from my kitchen as well, recipe here. They were a little taste of heaven I must say. I left out the maple, and stuck with chocolate and vanilla glaze.

And then it was time to get our craft on!

We laughed until I was doubled over, and crying...

I needed that. Girl time is a must!

And the finished product~

Oh, how I love this bunch!~

{hotta, we missed you!! almost made you a 'hotta' banner;)}

The next day was a lazy one. Playing in the leftover paint mess, making masterpiece's! And special mail~ my favorite!

And got my new banner hung~

A little close up~

And what's going on behind me you ask...

monkey business! We are all about it:)

And that is that folks.

Hope you all have a happy lover's day.

I'm going to be lovin' up on my sweet family;)

And loves to you, too!

~xo

V~Day and an Epiphany

Valentine's Day was lovely. It started, and ended with large amounts of sugar. Surprise, surprise? We normally start out with heart~shaped waffles and strawberry milk, but it was a busy school morning and I thought this might be a fun change...

Pink milk is a must! And chocolates for breakfast unfortunately, is kinda our style. (though I didn't intend for them to be eaten right away:)

Kaden was the first to wake up and find the goods. He was super excited to find his box of chocolates {he's been dropping hints for a couple weeks now}, and I still can't believe he can read his own card...

When that Daddy~one and the sis joined in, the party really got rollin'...

Parker didn't waste any time diggin' in to his chocolates...

Throughout the day we delivered valentine's to special neighbors and friends. And then, as if we hadn't had enough sugar...

in preparation...

For fondue night!

We were all so happy to have Mimi & Papa, and Gramy & Papa stop by to see us...

We were feelin' pretty loved...

Do you think Ry~bug was enjoying herself?

Me and my valentine. Sure do love this boy~ he is definitely my better half. He keeps me in line, and makes me the happiest girl in the whole world.

For some reason I was lovin' seeing these 5 strawberry milks lined up in the refrigerator. Just wondering if there need to be 6? That is my dilemma right now...

Last night we took our Laurels to the WSU Basketball game. I was feeling grumpy about it. The weather was terrible, and I was really dreading the drive. But in the end we had a great time, and made it back safe and sound. As we pulled into our neighborhood I was mesmerized by the way the snow had frosted each and every tree branch on our street, and with the soft light from the homes illuminating them it was absolutely breathtaking. It made me pause, and remember to notice the beauty around me, and be grateful. Because I truly have so much to be grateful for.

This morning I couldn't help but snap a picture of them...

And my attitude of gratitude has carried into today. I am thankful today that i have the family that I do, for the true joy and happiness they bring me, for our home that is a safe~haven, for good friends and extended family that are always there, that my children have full tummies, that they are growing and learning every day, and that I get to witness it all.

Funny the things that capture your attention, put things into perspective, and help you remember:

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured."
~Gordon B. Hinckley

Conversation Hearts~

Nothing screams Valentine's Day like conversation hearts. They are not necessarily my favorite candy, but man are they cute! My little sister Cassie found an awesome recipe for them, home~made style... just the way i like em'.

First you are going to take

1 pkg. gelatin

1/2 c. water

2 T. Karo syrup

Whisk together in microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds, and whisk again.

Add 2 lbs. powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time~ beat well, put mixer down, pause... continue 1 cup at a time until sugar is gone.

{it is going to get thick! my mixer was smokin':O}
On clean counter surface put down a good amount of powdered sugar, and continue kneading dough until completely combined and smooth. Next, divide into sections (as many as you would like) and one at a time you will flavor and color each section. Roll out 1/4 in. thick, and cut into heart shapes...
Place hearts on wax or parchment paper, and allow several hours to dry...

This is a double batch... it makes a lot of hearts!

Once candy has hardened, you take an edible pen or marker and write sweet nothings on them...

And in the end you will have a sweet, and personalized treat!!

Cassie~ thanks again for this fabulous idea and recipe! We had so much fun making these over the weekend:)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Ready for Valentine's?

Why, yes we are. Our kitchen has been covered in loving words to one another, and a few sweets...

Last week the kids and I dug out all of our supplies, and got to work...
I absolutely love that they they want to hang out with their Momma all afternoon, and cut out hearts...
Rylie made at least a dozen hand~made valentines... Kaden made me a couple of very special valentines~ I was loving every second of this...
Not quite sure what Parker was up too over here with the saran~wrap?? But he was a big help:) I thought we needed a new center piece for our table, and definitely wanted to incorporate some sugar (although I kinda wish I had used chocolate:)
My all~time favorite candy... The candy corn {in valentine colors~ too cute} and delicious!

Thanks for the tip on this table~runner Sharstin, I absolutely adore it.

(My kids have already left their mark on it. Crayon and marker~ hoping the magic eraser will come through:)

I saw a rendition of this in Better Homes, and loved it! This was our version~ not quite as cute, but it'll do the job:)

My little helper. Helping himself to some treats...

And then we had our traditional f.h.e. on love and eternal families, and wrote love notes on the hearts we cut out. It is one of my favorite traditions...

So our kitchen looks something like this around Valentine's... but usually there is some sort of meal taking place, and it is a mess!

Some of my favorites this year...

You guys know I am never going to live that one down. But it's okay, as long as I was able to make at least a few people smile~ or even laugh! I am glad to share, even if it is at my own expense:) Some more of my favorites...

( I had to help Rylie and Parke out a little)

Nic asked Parker if he loved his Mommy, and he said, "Ya, she's my bwes fwend." If that doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what will. He is an angel. Speaking of angels~ Kaden wrote this note at school, and it makes me smile every time I see it...

To me, Valentine's Day is simple, thought~out, hand~made, serving and showing love to everyone around you. And I've learned that when you do, your heart will be full, and your days will be happy:)