On tonight's menu was homemade cheesy heart-shaped pizza
and chocolate fondue...with bananas, strawberries and marshmallows

And fortune cookies...

We got our v'tine's put together so the kids can take some to their friends at worship tomorrow.
there is a kiss inside and the fortune reads "We're so FORTUNATE to have a friend like you! Happy Valentine's Day MaryKyle and John Mark"
They were so excited that I got chineses take-out boxes for them to carry them in. I'm not sure my fingers will ever recover from the hot glue gun...man those things can be brutal. But they 'cookies' turned out okay. i would have used much thicker gauge wire. I got the idea from Martha....she called for floral wire. I think I'd just do a pipe cleaner next time.....oh how I love to make Valentine's!!

Oh and I should tell you what my amazing family did for me today. I ran a few errands, my last min coupon run since I've not gone to the grocery store all week. And I needed a few things for tonight's dinner. I walked in and you could SMELL clean! I mean they had scoured the main part of the house. The kids were exhausted tonight. They had to have been...I mean they had done what would have taken me hours to do. They worked from the moment I left til the second i pulled in the driveway and then came out to help me unload. i am so insanely blessed it is unreal for me some days! I mean...hardwoods scrubbed, stair spindles dusted and cleaned...all the jobs I hate to do...DONE!! and for me, there is no better gift than that!

"Every Day should be Valentine's Day"

yummy treats

traditional Valentine b'fast of heart shaped french toast

sweet cards from the kids to us and to each other
oh yes and they beat me to the kitchen so hubby and I were ordered to stay in bed until called (tough one...to stay snuggled up next to my perfect Valentine while b'fast is made for us)
The kids had the table set for two with red ribbons tied around the curtains, the rolled up napkins, syrup and even the forks were adorned! We enjoyed waffles (frozen...as in they were still icey), wheat cracker sticks, and a granola bar, with perfectly made coffee...that's right my son can make a great pot of coffee, which makes washing down a frozen waffle easy as can be!

hot cocoa (coffee for M&D) in a red mug




Dancing (although in this rhythm lacking house not sure it can be called that) around the family room to Laughing Pizza's "Every day should be Valentine's Day" which you can actually download free today!!

yep...that's just before lunch time...every day should be Valentine's Day!!

one year ago today....

....my life was so very different than it is today. It's truly hard to believe for me how drastic it is.

(Aaliyah dancing/playing while we put together Valentines yes she put on the shoes and socks herself..hee hee hee!! Seriously how can you NOT smile at this child?)

I'm making out my list of things to do tomorrow to help make Valentines day a super fun day...since I have to live without my Mom's traditional red-heart shaped jell-o...no one sells jell-o molds any more...seriously what's up with that?! ha ha! Does anyone eat jell-o any more is the better question??? Was Jell-o a fad?
As often happens when my world is quiet, my mind wonders to my little girl just a bit (understatement for sanity's sake). In a very few short days it will have been one year since she's been gone. I dread that milestone I think more than any other...it means a lot of time has passed and will continue to.
It just SOUNDS huge for goodness sake (even if it doesn't feel as if there is any way its been that long). So for now I'm going to remember HAPPILY that one year ago today my home was filled with the silly smiles of a gorgeous toddler whom I love so much my heart wants to sing! And if that is depressing to you I'm sorry...it's not to me...not entirely I'm not letting it be right now! How could it be?? the wool socks and clown looking shoes...look at them...now how can you be depressed...really?!!
(and if you still are, go down a couple posts and watch the "I love Jesus but.." video, that should help you smile...because there are days when we all need a little help finding the humor)

Valentine yummies

Christmas ends...then comes Valentines....let the sugar rush begin (again)!!

Have spent my evening making a 'few' (about 53) cupcake pops for a friend for a party she is having tomorrow and for her kids to hand out as their Valentine goodies. Stuck some down in the closest glass to me to snap a picture (don't worry it was clean!). Sorry I'm no food photographer, but you get the idea perhaps. I put 13 together for her quickly to hand out at dance class tomorrow morning and will finish the rest in the morning in time for the afternoon party!! Plan to throw some pinks in too, just didn't have a second double boiler.
Note to my darling hubby: I'd like about 3 more handy dandy fit any pot double boilers! hmmm, I wonder if perhaps there is a holiday approaching that might perhaps warrant a token of your affection???? My fabulous man, don't be fooled by silly girls that don't appreciate kitchen tools for such tokens...I'm a lover of good kitchen tools and find them quite romantic!!
Throw in a pretty new apron and WHOA.....

and for those of you who wonder....what's a cupcake pop? check out www.bakerella.blogspot.com you will be amazed and I can pretty much guarantee you will be inspired to try something yourself!
This particular variety are red velvet cupcake with creamcheese frosting hand molded into a heart shape placed on a stick and dipped in candy melts! pure sugar indulgence and the way to my man's heart...he loves the things so I'll have to make a few extras
for him or i'd be a dreadful Valentine!
Me, kitchen appliances. He, things produced by said kitchen appliances...
Yep, he's my perfect Valentine!!

a Tablespoon of laughter on a cold and dreary day

okay so I'm not a fan of nor do I watch the Ellen show....but this is downright laugh outloud funny! A friend of mine posted this on her facebook, and my husband and I were laughing out loud at it...Laughter is the best medicine after all...so just thought i'd share