Valentines Count Down

So I decided with all my free time (LOL)  that I was going to come up with a little something-something for Ralph everyday of February up to Valentines Day.  I got pictures and thought I would share.  Pinterest gave me some great ideas and some were my own.

In no particular order

Extra gum and Hershey's kisses.  I love extra kisses, I mean really....who doesn't?

back

Bag full of pistachios

We all have bad days...Ralph is awesome being so patient with me.
Could have gone a different route with these, but kept it G rated :)

you should try these - they are deep fried and oh so tasty

"berry" Naked

Two bottles of hot sauce should do the trick

Martinelli's Sparkling Apple

The cup was filled with cinnamon hot lips

This box was filled with all kinds of hearts - juju, cinnamon, dark chocolate, strawberry cream, & Reeses,

Junior Mints - Love the Moose's...Meese?

Chewy Granola Bars - We are kind of a salty sweet mix. :)

The bottle of Mountain Dew was drank before I got the picture :)

this key chain should hold up to his pile of keys

The Last one - saved for Valentines Day won't be shown until after I give it to Ralph.
It has been kind of fun to place them in different locations around the house each day.  He has very carefully stashed each one by or around his computer where he works each day.    I got behind one day and mentioned that I needed to finish the gifties before I went to bed.  He responded , and said "its ok, you don't have to......but I do really like them".

Last Project - Kind of cheesy but very Valentiney

Ralph is good for my heart.

Ta Ta for now

Heart Cakes

I hope everyone has a great day and knows they are loved!

 Confession - I love Necco Sweetheart candies.  I have tried these types of candy hearts by other companies - they just don't taste the same.  I especially love them when they are fresh and semi-soft. They have just enough flavor to match their color and they are fun to munch on. 

It was a busy weekend but very productive.  I love having my Mom here to visit and she is so much fun to hang with.  We ran errands on Saturday, as well as attend a gallery showing of some guys metal work (Ralph was attending an open house for a charter school - so Mom and I waited at the library and saw the art showing), grocery shopping, went to meetings (I bailed, but Ralph was good and faithful) and then prepped for sharing time on Sunday.

Ralph's family usually exchanges some kind of treat for Valentines day - I didn't want to be left hanging, so I made one of Ralph's favorite Valentine treats...Heart cakes.  The recipe comes from his Grandma White.  I will just preface that I don't really care for sugar cookies, unless the frosting is just amazing and even then, they are still not my favorites.  These cookies are just different enough - I love them!  Between the almond flavor and oats, the cookies are great by themselves.  The frosting just adds to an already yummy cookie.  Here is the picture of what was delivered to the family yesterday and the recipe.



Heart Cakes

1 Cup butter

1 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 C all purpose flour

2 C rolled oats (I used quick oats)

Cream butter and sugar - add eggs, vanilla and almond extract.  Add dry ingredients.  Chill the dough.  Roll out to about a 1/4 in thickness.  Using a heart cookie cutter, cut hearts and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

After they have cooled - frost them with this recipe

3 C powdered sugar

1/3 butter - softened

2 T maraschino cherry juice  ( I used a little bit of cherry flavoring and red food coloring)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

( I used evaporated milk to bring the frosting to the consistency I wanted)

  Ralph's Mom will be coming over for dinner tonight.  We figured since my Mom was already here, we would have both Moms over to celebrate the day.  We will be having linguine with a light tomato cream sauce and scallops, salad, home made bread and turtle chocolate cheesecake for dessert.  The rest of the week will be carrots and celery sticks and lots of exercise.

Ta Ta for now

Valentines in the mail

Snail Mail that is.  I am doing everything I can to keep the US post office in business.  Apparently they have posted another loss for January - not because of me.   Anyway...here is one of the cards that got mailed today.

I have seen this bear used to string up all kinds of goodies - so this is not my original idea, but a cute one none the less. The card was thrown together at 10:30 ish last night because I needed to get it in the mail today in order for it to reach it's destination by Monday.  (coloring done with a blender pen - didn't turn out so great in the picture - looks ok IRL)

Stamps - Under the stars, well scripted
Ink - Black Stazon, chocolate chip, early espresso, soft suede
Paper - chocolate chip, Valentines Bundle DSP, real red, whisper white
Accessories - small heart punch, linen thread, three heart punch

More valentine projects will be posted between now and Monday.  Two more cards to make and several cookie boxes. 

I had the opportunity to participate in a Focus group at Stampin UP - I went with my BFF Wendy (she is so much fun to hang with) and we got see some fun stuff.  Can you beleive they are planning a year in advance.  Wowsers.  The Stampin Up building just exudes "fun".   You walk in a say...gee I would love to work here.  I imagine that your work would still turn into a J-O-B then again maybe not.  Playing with paper, stamps and ink 8 hours a day may not be such a bad idea.  I do get a free stamp set out of the deal.  Made it worth taking the morning off to hang with my friend talking about some of our favorite things.

Mom is here for a visit.  YAY!  We have all kinds of plans - catching up on sleep is at the top of the list for some.   We plan on doing some geneology work, window shopping, hair coloring, reading, cooking, eating, exercising because we ate, and temple attendance.  Good times. 

Since their arrival Ralph & I have been taken off the top of Riley's favorite list by a little black dog named Millie Pups - she puts up with Riley, barely, and all he just wants is to play with her.  He wouldn't even stick around for his morning belly scratch before he had to go check on Millie.  He usually loves to ride in the car to drop me off at work but as soon as we came outside he completely emptied his bladder in one spot (not usual for a boy doggy) and pulled on his leash to go back into the house.  He had no interest in coming with me.  He would rather have stayed home to play with Millie.  Where's the LOVE????

Ta Ta for now