My Valentine's Day Heart

Crouching over without gloves I scooped up handfuls of fresh snow. The dusty flakes wouldn't stick, so I used my warm palms and fingers to slowly sculpt the snow into a sticky mass. With icy wet fingers, I was able to eek out an iPhone photo and a short love note.

Dusting off my fancy red coat, I picked up the bakery bag from the salted hood of my car and warmed my fingers on the large paper coffee cup sitting next to it.

Ah submission! Letting those creative moments happen. Knowing when they are waiting.

Solo Valentine for Dear Teacher

Hand cut card in cellphone sleeve with 

torn tissue, button fixtures & silky floral ric-rac.

I love

this creative process and how it literally pours forth.

This Valentine's day I produced only one beauty.

Yet no love was lost on the purchased versions. 

Instead, those find me and turn into a year long collection - 

just waiting for the next Valentine's Day.

Hello Valentine's Day!

I'm ready to have a great day and you're not even here yet. What a fun weekend I've had buying little presents for my family and actually having a real date with my husband. We had a lovely meal and then ended up in the bookstore. Romantic? Well, if you consider the bookstore is the location of our first time going out with each other, I would say "YES". Sometimes just getting to be yourself in a time frame that is unrushed and in a mutually inspiring setting, without being right next to each other is romantic.

Tonight I made a delicious homemade caesar salad dressing tossed with romaine, of course. I tried a new flourless and almost butterless chocolate souffle recipe, which was too large of a serving much for me - never thought I'd say that! I only had three ramekins, but the recipe called for four. Next time I'd like to add a little vanilla and heap them with whipped cream or fresh sliced strawberries. I also served broiled grass fed beef steaks with roasted garlic. Wow.

A surprise treat bag is waiting for "J" on the front door. He'll see it as he heads out the door early in the a.m. Yes, a romantic card, chocolate, Caribou coffee gift card, a bag of trail mix and some bath salts ... sure thing, it's all packed with a big kiss.

I'm off to wrap some presents for "E" on my very clean and organized art table and I am so excited. I love to wrap.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Lovingly Puzzled

Genius valentine art by KT.

Brownies Lavendula

Loving Collage

Creating this card inspired the start to a short story.