Where has your chapstick been?

Dislcaimer....  this is not my story, just a funny story I got in an email.  And we can all use a laugh once in awhile.



We had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died. Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on the mat in our bathroom. We have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old.

  The middle one is Eli. Eli really loved chap stick. LOVED it.. He kept asking to use my chap stick and then losing it.
  

Finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom that I kept my chapstick and explained he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to put it right back in the drawer after he finished because I used it sometimes several times a day.

 That year, on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around to try to get ready for church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys are fighting over the toy in the cereal box..
 
I am trying to nurse my little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a mess and everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is motherhood.
 
We finally have the older one and the baby loaded in the car, and I am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally go into the bathroom.
 
There was Eli. He was applying my chap stick very carefully to Jack's rear end. Eli looked right into my eyes and said "chapped..."
 
Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right - their little bottoms do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to mind. And the only question to ask at that point was whether it was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth!?!
  
And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever, because it reminds us that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures,there will always be that day when you realize.... they've been using your chapstick on the cat's butt

Please Stand By...

Today is a crafting day.  

Much crafting to be done.

Color me excited.

There may be photos later.

There may not be, as I may also end up in a guacamole coma.

Just sayin'.

Red Velvet Cake...

... is what cakey dreams are made of.   Why, oh why, have I never had this before?

Anyways, here are just a couple snapshots from our wonderful Valentine's dinner last night.

The centerpiece.

I have made cards for D and the girls.  I also made them each a list of  "10 Things I Love About You" that I placed on each place setting.  They so enjoyed reading their lists.

Then once we were all served up our dinners, Darin and the girls each took turns making a list of 10 things they love about me.  Yes, I cried.  I was so blessed.

Well, my plate seems to be scraped clean and the laundry calls.  Blast it.

The Big V Day

Happy Valentine's Day.

I don't really think of V Day as a day just for lovers anymore.   I think of it more as a day to just celebrate my loved ones.  All of them.   So, today I celebrate my husband, my children, our parents and siblings and their families, our extended family, our friends and you.  Some of you may fall into more than one these categories.  Woo, double celebration!

Through the years, I have had some very memorable Valentine's Days.  Most included a whole lot of money being spent.   One year, Darin treated me to a night out on the town, with a romantic dinner at a beautiful restaurant, taking in some bands and dancing at several night spots, finished off with a stay in wonderfully luxurious hotel, champagne and strawberries.    Seriously, it's hard to top that.  He set the bar so high.


Most years included spoiling the kids with cards, candy and some kind of momento, a nice dinner and lots of treats. 

One year, Lexi helped me turn my dining room into a romantic little bistro setting and I made a four course romantic dinner for Darin and I.   I think I may have a picture...

That was one of the best memories.  I believe that after dinner, we put on some music and danced in our living room. 

Thank goodness Lexi was there to help provide some creative decor ideas.  We used items I already had.  And overall, it was an inexpensive, but lovely, romantic and memorable evening.


This year, ummm, today, we can't afford to go out for dinner, or buy a bunch of candies, stuffies, or jewelry, etc.

So I am going to bless my family and celebrate how much I love them by doing some of the things I do best.  I am cooking a lovely meal consisting of rosemary roasted potatoes, some kind of chicken dish to be determined yet, cheesy cauliflower (a family favorite) and salad, followed by a sinfully rich and delicious red velvet cake at a beautifully set table with candles, sparkling cider (my girls LOVE to drink bubbly drinks from stemware!) , and love notes strewn about.   It's simple.   It's LOVE-ly.   I can't wait.

What are your plans?

Etsy!

I am very excited to introduce my brand new, very first, so exciting to me, Etsy shop.

I don't have much in it yet, but its a start.  

If you are an Etsy shopper, please stop by and show my shop a little love.  Add me to your circle, and I will add you back.   

Click my logo below to go there now.

In a word ...

...  stifled. 

In more words... not feeling the creative groove.  But, I have found some interesting blog posts by some interesting bloggers that I thought I would share this morning.

Random moment:
Don't you just want to
hug this little guy?







Okay... as promised before the elephant distraction... here are some great links... 


Creative Cheap Valentines Day Ideas  by Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
I LOVE this post and this blog.  Jennifer (the blog hosetss) is always sharing great, creative and inexpensive ways to bless your kids, family, home, friends and yourself.  If you don't click anything else, click this one!



The Many Uses of Baking Soda by Good Life Eats
It's inexpensive and oh so versatile.



Custom Children's Mural Giveaway  by Boufe e Bambini
If you are expecting (ahem Misty) or a baby, or grandbabies even and would love to win a custom mural for your nursery, you need to see this!



Sweet Valentine Treats  by Southern Hospitality
A couple recipes to share with your loved ones on Valentine's Day



Pasta ai Quattro Formaggi by the Pioneer Woman
Because I love pasta.  I love cheese.  And I love Ree Drummond's blog.  (She's kind of my hero)


Happy reading.  Hope you are having an excellent day.  May you bless and be blessed.

Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

Because it's a dreary rainy day here in Washington...

Because many people across the USA and Canada are still snowed in...

Because I am sick and this made my morning....