Happy Valentine's Day

A second day of sunshine! How little we appreciate such an event in the summer but by the time mid-February rolls around, the sunshine has been so rare that seeing it again is like a Valentine's gift. More clouds, rain, and snow are in the forecast which will make me treasure this day even more. The picture above is a scene from my kitchen window in late summer... flowers to enjoy today by the magic of technology (have you ever stopped to think what generations past would say about color photography?).

We will celebrate Valentine's day spending one more day at home. I did receive a "gift". My husband encouraged me to purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers at the grocery store over the weekend. I have enjoyed them so much... a combination of mums, carnations, and lilies in shades of lavender and rose. They make a beautiful display on my dining table. They remind me that one can be frugal and still enjoy a wonderful gift of flowers... $9.95 flowers from the grocery store rather than a $70.00 gift of roses delivered by a florist. (Someday I'll have to tell you how my daughter created an absolutely gorgeous wedding on a small budget.)

Thursdays are one of the weekdays I have to get out of bed quite early to pack Christopher's lunch and make certain he gets started on time. He picks up another student and they both need to be at the college by 7:50 am. After he left, I enjoyed a second cup of coffee and watched a Fine Living repeat of Real Life In the Tuscan Sun, about Frances Mayes and her husband's life in Tuscany. I'd forgotten it was going to be on so I missed half of it but I still enjoyed the second half... such a beautiful home and surrounding countryside! I want to live with such romantic surroundings (yes, it is possible... even within the realm of farms and forest... the American Midwest... not old beauty... but charming in its' own way).

So... in appreciation of Valentine's Day... I'm going to spend part of my day enjoying beauty. I'm going to work on my scrapbook journal. I'm going to peruse some of my favorite decorating books. I may start a list of beautification projects to work on come spring. I will read some beautiful sections of scripture and thank God for His gifts. He alone is the one perfect Bridegroom.

As for my gifts to the guys... I'm going to declutter Christopher's room and make his bed for him (after washing sheets!). He'll like that gift. Fresh sheets, a decluttered bedroom, and afternoon tea for my husband. I'm thinking a quiche and fruit would make a great dinner. Hmmm... it's a good thing I'm feeling better today.

May each of you know the best Valentine of all... the Saviour. Just ask Him... if you don't know His love in your life... ask Him. God, are you real? If you are then make Yourself known to me. Show me you love me. He will.

As the Good Book says... this is true love that a man give up his life for a friend. God became man... gave Himself up as a sacrifice for all that is not beautiful or pure in this world... so that YOU may know Peace, Beauty, Goodness... Life.

Happy Valentine's Day

Okay, I know this is a Christmas picture but it is what Valentine's Day looks like here at my home. I awoke to a fairytale world outside, it is absolutely beautiful with sunshine and blue skies. The storm which left behind 17" of snow is moving east. It's rather deceptive where we live as we don't have much drifting in front of our house (albeit deep snow) and we didn't get white out conditions until later in the day when my son's friends who live in the area were experiencing no visibility from their house. We figure it is because we live at the edge of a forest and the winds were coming from the west, which is where we have the thickest area of trees.

My husband found his old Army boots and put them on, along with many layers of clothing, to brave the blizzard conditions about an hour before the sun went down yesterday. He shoveled snow off our porch and on the sidewalk going from the porch to our driveway. He backed our car from where I'd parked it (close to the garage) and was able to get it out to gravel lane where he turned it around and backed it just into our driveway enough so the neighbor with a snow plow can clear the lane without hitting it. This way if we must get out before he can get to our driveway, we can do so. My son would normally help but he has not been able to get rid of the cold symptoms which have settled in his chest. It is a good thing he is forced to stay still for a few days!

We never lost power so our Valentine's day dinner will be roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, and a dessert. I decided against making the cheese cake I was thinking of yesterday. I'll go through my files and make something soon. The roast is already in the Crock Pot with some Worcestershire sauce and a can of Cream of Mushroom soup...nothing fancy but they love it. I'll set the table and use fine china and such just before serving it to surprise them. (This is when I miss the dining room in our former house which had DOORS!).

We continue to be under a snow emergency in our county so travel is to be only for essential vehicles. Since the government says I have to stay at home, then that's good enough for me. :) So I'm going enjoy one more snow day with baking and reading. I've decided to finish Francis Schaeffer's back to freedom and dignity as I have only a few more pages to read and then pull out a Grace Livingston Hill. It will be like taking a vacation to another era. Perhaps I'll throw in one load of laundry just to appease any guilt feelings and of course, there will be the usual kitchen cleanup. Otherwise, I'm looking forward to a beautiful, snow covered Valentine's Day inside where it is warm and cozy!

My prayer for you this Valentine's Day is to know Him who heals all wounded and broken hearts, who is building an eternal home for you where there is no loneliness or heartbreak, and who is preparing a meal where true fellowship awaits all of us.

For my honey

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remember when this song was sung by our friend, playing his guitar as we stood before the altar. Isn't it hard to believe it has been thirty-two (and a half) years?

Of course, I was a child bride. :)

The Wedding Song (There Is Love)
(Words and Music by Paul Stookey)

He is now to be among you
at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour
is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here,
has caused Him to remain
for whenever two or more of you
are gathered in His name
there is Love, there is Love.

Well, a man shall leave his mother
and a woman leave her home
and they shall travel on to where
the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning
is now and til the end
Woman draws her life from man
and gives it back again.
And there is Love, there is Love.

Well then what's to be the reason
for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here
or love that brings you life?
And if loving is the answer,
then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something
that you've never seen before?
Oh there is Love, there is Love.

Oh the marriage of your spirits here
has caused Him to remain
for whenever two or more of you
are gathered in His name
there is Love, there is Love.