Romance and Adorable Bouquets

It may still be January but I can't help dreaming of pretty dainty blue forget~me~nots.

And especially since a very special holiday is due for arrival.

But we'll talk about that in a little while...

                                           For now, let's talk about early spring flowers. I can't help
                      it because every time I'm in a grocery store I am embedded with hyacinths, daffodils,
                             tulips, crocus, orchids, primrose, asters and violas. Today I broke down. I just had
                      to take one (or was it two) of those little guys home with me. So, my fair pink orchid and
              bright yellow daffodil embraced the freezing cold temperature from the store to the car and came
                                                       home with me. I'm very happy.

                       
                                         There is something beautiful and rustic about old barns.
                                  I would love to begin something that would keep and restore
                               all the old barns around the place I live. Hmmm. But for now I will
                                      ooh and aw over pictures and drive by's. Such as these!

                                    More forget~me~nots. I'd like to say I just picked these from
                                                           my garden, but alas I did not.

                                                        Don't these just sing songs of joy
                                                             to your heart today? That's
                                                            okay if they don't. Just keep
                                                                  looking and listening.

                                         Here are some of my most favorite bouquet collections
                                                        

                                                                      Isn't she cute?                                                             
                                                 The best part of the thawing snow as January
                                               nears it's long end and February begins is the little
                                           glimmers of color peaking out from their long winter's nap.

                                       Spring is near...I can feel it. I can almost smell the flowers.

                                                     Beauty against rigid and rustic.
                                                        Changes your entire perspective
                                                          of what your looking at.

                                         I know two very special little girls who especially love
                                                    pink and purple tulips. "They are princess flowers" ~Hailey and Audrey
       

      
       ~Okay...it's that time...Time to
          to talk about a very special day~
          

           ...Valentine's Day is vastly approaching.

Valentine's Day is definitely a girls holiday. It's the one time of the year when we can get away with wearing red and pink at the same time. When polka dots of red and white are completely acceptable in public and consuming large quantities of chocolate is most definitely required!And to purchase roses for yourself is okay, too. Because it's Valentine's Day, after all.

                                      I have an early gift for
              you my friends...

                                                           ...Viola! This is for you.

(Pretty just like you!)

         Remember when we were children and we'd
         pass out our carefully addressed Valentine's to
         our friends with candy taped or tucked inside each
        envelope? When we'd carefully pick out each expression
       meticulously so that each fit the friends we'd give to?
      Setting aside the most suitable card for that special boy?
               Remembering our most beloved teacher?

            Tis the day as grown~ups when the anticipation for  the most beautiful bouquet of deep dark red roses
       graces the front door upon his return. Lace and doilies. Truffles and red wine. Bubble bath and a good book. Diamonds. When you have the excuse to wear your most beautiful dress and high heels. When you make "Dinner Reservatons" at the towns' utmost fancy restaurant. When your special Valentine wears your favorite cologne and a tie. Another reason to buy new candles. When you get to use your heart shaped cake pan and play good ole boy Frank Sinatra on the cd player. When you absolutely with out a doubt must pour some sparkly champagne!  oooh, la~la!

    
All these valentiney things are wonderful but Valentine's Day certainly doesn't have to be only about Romance. Valentine's Day is when we are given the opportunity to show the ones we love how much we care. When we have high esteem for them with much gratitude, apreciation, love, thankfulness, admiration, friendship and all the other zillions of reasons why you love them. Since Valentine's Day is such a day for girls, we should make it extra special for our friends...our girlfriends!

  
                                   Shall we begin with hand made cards?
      I think so. Write out your favorite 5 reasons why
                 they mean so much to your world.

                            Tuck inside your card a recipe card with
             your favorite Valentine cookie recipe
               for the girlfriend who loves to
                              bake!

                   Bake and decorate heart~shaped cookies and surprise her at the end of the day with them! (Be sure to bake enough for her family too!)

                                     Tuck in a special charm bracelet
                or heart jewelery in the envelope
                    so when she opens it she'll
                        feel extra special.

                                                Treat all of your favorite
                 girlies to lunch at your house
                    or your favorite diner.
                  Then give them each little
                    bags of chocolate treats.

                  Anyway girlies, I hope this gets
              you thinking of how you can spend this
           year's Valentine's Day with whomever it is.
                      It's not that far away...

          "I have a gift to give away.
        all you have to do is leave me
            a comment (in the comment box below)
             you can win this darling
                   cookbook!"

                      

                            Bye, Bye xoxoxo ~ Julei