Let's Look ~ Valentine's Edition

 I am sharing today our Valentine's decorations.  In spite of the cold weather in our area this week, we have transitioned from winter to Valentine decor!  It was fun to decorate because my daughter helped and gave some ideas of where to put things.  Welcome to our home as we gear up to celebrate the holiday this weekend!

I love this little candle I found at TJ Maxx with hearts and says "You Complete Me".  This is a line from Jerry McGuire, which my husband always says that movie reminds him of us.

I keep our twinkle lights on a timer year round on our window frame above the mantel.  The heart hanging on it came from the Dollar Tree a few years ago.  The frame is from Hobby Lobby and the heart garland from Target.

I love filling my candle jar with seasonal decorations.  This was purchased from Pottery Barn probably 10 years ago!

This is a sign in my bathroom.

And some new hand towels by Rae Dunn for our guest bath, also purchased at TJ Maxx. TJ Maxx has great holiday finds!

This heart garland is around our lantern on our outside table.

Stay warm & cozy out there!

Weekend Wrap-Up: Birthday Weekend ~ February 8, 2021

 Happy Monday blogging friends!  Today, I am linking up with Tanya for a weekend recap.

We headed out of town Thursday evening so we could be in the same city with our college girl on Friday as she celebrated her 20th birthday!  She had a fun, busy day with friends, but we did manage to have lunch and dinner with her, and then we hung out at her place that night late with she and her friends.  Our lunch was just the 4 of us, which was great.  My in-laws and sister in-laws came with their kids to meet us for the weekend too, so they joined us for dinner.

Isabella picked out this pizza place for dinner.

We had gone to her house earlier to decorate.

We had fun hanging out with her group Friday night.

A little fuzzy, but we had brownies, 20 candles and a round of Happy Birthday sung!

Saturday, we spent some time in the afternoon with Isabella.  

There was a birthday dinner that night honoring her and my father-in-law, who turned 70.  Isabella and her friends performed a murder mystery party for us.  They really got into the roles!

Family photo with relatives in town

Sunday morning, we woke up to some snow on the ground!  It was beautiful to see it along the first part of our drive, yet the roads were clear.

We headed home then over to a friend's house with our church group to watch the Super Bowl.

The weekend went by so fast and our time with Isabella was so quick, but she enjoyed herself her birthday weekend, so we are thankful.  Can't believe I have a 20 year old! 

Hold those little ones tight.

Currently ~ February 2021

Today I am linking up with Anne for the monthly Currently series.   

I am currently......

Loving - I am loving some freedoms I have had these past 10 months since I was furloughed from my job.  It has had its ups and downs, but no doubt, I have settled into a new routine of being at home most of the time with flexibility with my schedule. With that being said, I am also looking for some part-time work in addition to helping with my husband's business.

Reading -  I finished reading my January book, I Declare War.  I know that doesn't sound like much, but for someone who doesn't read much, reading a book in a month is reaching a goal for me!  There was a lot to take in from this book.  I am still working on making notes.

I am also reading through Ree Drummond's new book, Frontier Follies.  I am a fan of Pioneer Woman and went to visit the Mercantile and lodge 2 years ago.  The copy of the book I have is a signed copy!

Remembering - Last year for my 50th birthday, I received this book from my daughter.  As I have begun to write in it, it causes me to remember past stories and ask questions as well.  (don't mind the beauty blender pictured here, which I also received:))

Sharing - I am trying to do better with sharing my time considering my family.  That feels strange writing it and there are some thoughts behind that, but I will leave it at that for this question. 

Wishlisting - It has been a dream of my husband to build us a home one day.  Even though we are 5-10 years from that, I am beginning a wishlist of things I would want in a new home.  I really like our home now, so actually, I would love a new home to have a similar layout, but would change a few features. 

Happy Wednesday and to all your currently activities!! 

Prime Purchases ~ January 2021

 Today I am linking up with Tanya for Prime Purchases.  I just have a few things to share this month.  This is one of my favorite monthly posts from everyone!

ONE

Christmas Tree bag

We store our tree standing upright, so I bought this bag to put over it.  Don't ask me if I have used it yet....maybe I will before next Christmas :).

TWO

Magnetic To-Do Notepad

These magnetic notepads always are used at our home on our refrigerator to make grocery lists mainly, but also other random things.  I am sharing a few these with some family members.  Just a handy, little item to have for the kitchen.

THREE

Shower steamers

I mentioned last week I received some of these for a birthday gift.  Below, is a different brand, but I ordered these for my niece after she had a hard January.  This set includes 6 scents to help with stress relief, sinus relief, relaxation, immune boost, refreshing and cooling.

FOUR

Marriage book

This is a book I bought as a Valentine gift for my husband and I to read together.  I'll report back later to give my thoughts, but am interested if anyone out there has read this yet.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

Friday Favorites ~ January 29, 2021

Happy Friday!  Thankful to have this first month of 2021 almost behind us.  I am sharing some of my favorites this week.

ONE

These sayings spoke to me this week as great reminders.

TWO

For my birthday last fall, I was given several shower steamers and I used my stress relief this week.

THREE

I am usually not a cereal eater, but I got a random craving a few weeks ago for Honeycomb cereal.  Instead of buying it, I actually tried this healthy version of cereals.  We tried the frosted, fruity and cinnamon flavors.  The frosted and fruity are pretty good, but the we decided the cinnamon tastes better dry.  Have you tried this or any other healthy cereals?

Another morning this week, I made a new to me recipe of sweet potato toast.  I sliced one sweet potato &  baked it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, I warmed some real bacon bits in a skillet for a few minutes, then removed them.  I whisked 3 eggs then poured them into the same skillet.  I let them cook for 1 minute without stirring, swirled it around then cooked it for another minute. I added about 1/4 cup of cheese and covered the skillet one minute for the cheese to melt.  Afterwards, I put the bacon bits on top and cut the eggs into strips to serve on top of the sweet potato.  It was a different, creative breakfast for us this week.  I took this to eat while doing some computer work :).

FOUR

I have enjoyed burning this Woodwick candle in January to have the sound of crackling wood when we didn't have a fire going.

As I transition from winter to Valentine decor, I did find this sign at TJMaxx this week.  I mentioned it on my blog yesterday on Monthly Musings because if someone were to ask me do my husband and I have a special song, it would be Always and Forever by Luther Vandross.

Have a great weekend friends!

 

Monthly Musings ~ February 2021

 Today, I am linking up with Monthly Musings sharing about Valentines and love.

1. How do you show love?  What is your love language?

I tend to show love in acts of service, but am trying to get better in other ways that relate to my family better.  I would have said 6 months ago acts of service is my love language, but that has changed to quality time and physical touch. I do still love an act of service though too!  It is interesting how the needs of love languages change with new circumstances.

2.  Do you have any fun Valentine's traditions?

I always decorate our home for the holiday and give my husband and girls a small gift and candy.  I usually purchase Valentine paper products to use for our meal.  When the girls were younger, I would make heart shaped food for breakfast, like pancakes or biscuits. 

3.  Favorite Valentine's memory?

I just love all the simple ones we had when both girls were at home.

4.  Favorite Valentine's treat?

I am a fan of chocolate and think of chocolate caramel hearts or a chocolate cheesecake.  Not going to lie, I saw an advertisement of a new chocolate cheesecake at McAlister's Deli, and it looks delicious!  Also, I can't refuse a chocolate covered strawberry!

5.  Do you wear Valentine's Day fashions?

I usually try to wear something red, pink or with hearts, although I don't have many "heart" clothing or accessories.  I remember when my girls were younger, all the Valentine clothes seemed to be short sleeves, yet it was usually pretty chilly on February 14th!

6.  Valentine's Day...love, like, or hard pass?

Love!  I love the opportunity to focus on God's love for us and love for others.  This is not just a romantic holiday by any means.  

7.  What do you think is the most romantic song?

I would have to go with the song "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross.  This has always been a special song for my husband and I.  I actually saw this sign at TJMaxx this week and had to get it!  It is sitting on our bathroom shelf.

8.  Dine out, take out or cook in this Valentine's Day?

Usually, I cook on Valentine's Day.  With it being on a Sunday, I imagine I will do the same this year....just don't know what the menu will be yet!

9.  Pink or red?

Do I have to choose one?  I like both and I even like them combined together!

10.  Flowers or chocolates?

Once again, do I have to choose :)?  I do love them both and neither of them will last too long.  Actually, the flowers would last longer than the chocolates, ha!  Since I will make a dessert on Valentine's Day, I may go with flowers though as my final answer.

This is such a fun post and looking forward to reading others musings!