Crazy Train

You know it's been too long when you have no idea where to begin. I've been on the crazy train for months. It just doesn't slow down long enough for me to jump off!

I'm going to throw in some pictures, a few blurbs, and hope you can read between the lines and get the big picture of what's been going on in my little neck of the world.

Nicholas came home to go skiing in Vermont then headed down to spend a few days with me. Time with him was just what I needed! As a nice suprise, he was making dinner for me when I got home from school one evening. Such a sweet boy! We had a great time together, I really enjoy spending time with my son. I'm very proud of the man he is becoming!

We had quite the snowfall ~ blizzard! It lasted two days and left us with almost 3 feet snow. It was beautiful! I'll be honest, it was nice to be snowed in for a few days with no schedule! I was able to tackle many projects that I've been meaning to get to. Nicholas was bummed that he was back in North Carolina and not up here to take advantage of the fresh snow cover.

I made a few goodies for my friends and family. It wouldn't be a special day if I didn't make sugar cookies and homemade candies. This year I made heart hand warmers for my teaching buddies. If you worked in my school, you'd appreciate the need!





I have to be honest, Valentine's hasn't always been a holiday I've looked forward to or enjoyed. I've always done special things for my son and students but didn't really like all the hype for adults ~ expensive dinners out, the expectations of flowers, or expensive gifts and so on. My husband began the tradition of making dinner for me at home several years ago~ as in shopping, cooking and cleaning the kitchen. It's the greatest gift. Now I LOVE Valentine's day :)





I'll close with one of my new recipes ...




I've been experimenting with overnight baked oatmeal. The one pictured is apple and cranberry ~ yum! This is part of my new plan of eating cleaner. I'll go into that other time since this is getting rather long.

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Love Knots

When I found this idea a few months ago, I knew right away that I wanted to do this for my Valentine's gift to my classroom children. It was perfect for our "teammate" approach this year. The friendship bracelets were a huge hit! All the children were so excited to choose their colors and put them on! Due to the excitement level, I plan to make them again next year. 

*I made 27 of these sweet little things and it took me almost an entire day over the weekend. This did not include the time it took to make the cards and assemble them.  Next time, I'll pace myself and begin early!

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My Sweet Valentine

This is one my favorite days of the whole year!

It has nothing to do with chocolates or flowers {not that I don't love getting them} that are a highlight of the special day.

On this special day, I'm given one of the greatest gifts ... a home cooked meal by my husband.

This is true love!

He creates a fabulous menu, shops for all the ingredients, cooks, and cleans the entire kitchen {this is a gift in and of itself!} while I sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the show.









Our menu ~

Porterhouse steak with green peppercorn, garlic, and sun dried tomato butter

Lobster tails

Goat cheese mashed potatoes

Fresh green beans

Spinach salad with strawberries and a homemade vinaigrette







How can you not love a man who turns your strawberries into hearts?!




For dessert {as if dinner wasn't enough} we had Ina's brownie pudding with salted caramel gellato ... yum!



It was all amazing.


I'm a very lucky lady to have such a sweet hubby!




*I made a delicious salad for lunch today with some of my leftovers :)

The greatest gifts are given from the heart ~ these are the ones that are priceless and will last a life time!

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Feeling the love

Showering those I love and care for …

Gifts and goodies wrapped in pink and red.

Homemade truffles.

Sourcream sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting

Gift bags and packages decorated in hearts and flowers

The gift every mother gets teary over ...

Roses from her sweet son!
He had them delivered to my school ~ litle does he know that he made my day, week, and month!
I was the talk of the school ~ he impressed the entire staff with his sweet gesture.

I am one lucky mother ... thank you Nicholas!
They mean more to me than you'll ever know.

The gift of relaxation from my husband ...

He poured me a glass of wine and told me to relax while he prepared dinner.

Pure heaven!

I didn't know what to do with myself :)
This is such a TREAT that I now look forward to each year well in advance!

 

Dinner ...

Grilled romaine salad with blue cheese {SO good!}
Stuffed lobster tail
Porterhouse steak with maitre d' butter

Hope you felt a little love on Valentine's Day!

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He loves me ...

I had a couple days off this week to celebrate President's Day.

My sweet husband told me he had a little something up his sleeve on Valentine's Day. To my glorious surprise, he had planned the perfect little rest and relaxation overnight.

On Valentine's, he gave me beautiful flowers, a bottle of massage oil, and a sweet card. Inside the card he told me where we were going and what he had organized.

{the pictures are out of order but I'm too tired to redo them}

We had dinner at Todd English's Tuscany

This is one of my most favorite places to dine.

He took this of me when we arrived. The room was lovely and I was thrilled that I was being treated like a princess.

My beautiful flowers. I don't care for roses, don't judge me, but I do LOVE tulips!

The massage oil that was the "messenger" of my surprise.
We went to Elemis Spa. I was treated to Stress Reducing Massage and a pedicure ~ ahhhh.

Please note the bow on the bottle. It's tied like a tie.
The inside joke to this one is that I always make fun of how he ties his tie. He can't put it around his neck, he has to tie if off his neck and then puts it on.
He cracks me up!

It was the perfect little break out of the norm and I enjoyed every minute!

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Sweet sentiments

While going through some paper work this week, I stumbled upon this Valentine from Nicholas. He was in 4th grade and the assignment was to make a Valentine for your parent. The message inside needed to contain that weeks spelling words.

This was his message to me ...

Dear Mom,

Thank you for caring and respecting me on Valentine's Day. You are so lovable and I adore you. Ever since ancient time you have inhabitant me with appreciation. The affection of that has made me smitten with other intelligent people. Now I have an admiration to care and think of so many other people.

Love you tons,

Nicholas

When he called this morning I reminded him of the card and read it to him. We both had a fun giggle over it and he reminded me of how I cried when he gave it to me Valentine's day. What he doesn't know is that his teacher called me and shared how impressed he was with Nicholas' sincere affection for his mother. He gave me a heads up that I would need a tissue (or two) when I received my card.

I made these pretty posies for my students. My school encourages the children {and teachers} to make their own Valentines. I personally love that they do this. We have grades pre-K through 5th grade. This provides for a very wide range of ability and creativity. The mindset behind this is that parents are involved with their children during a school project which provides the perfect opportunity to talk and spend time together. What children don't realize is that they are more comfortable and relaxed during this time {they are focused on the project} and end up sharing more than they would during a regular conversation. The time spent with the child is priceless.

My husband is taking me out to our favorite restaurant. It's a small but upscale local place. The chef is incredible
 and has never ceased to amaze us with his culinary creations.
He also has something up his sleeve ~ details will be revealed this evening ;)

Hope you're all enjoying a little love today! 

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Filled with Love

May you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

This year my husband is home so we are spending it together. He is making me a special dinner at home. This is a real treat for many reasons. I am lucky to be married to an amazing cook. Unfortunately, due to long work hours and travel, he doesn't have much time to indulge in this area.

When he does cook, he goes all out. His creations are always amazing. I love the fact that he pours me a glass of wine and escorts me to an area to relax while he does the prep work. I wander back towards the kitchen around the time he begins to cook. However, I am not allowed in the kitchen. Luckily, our kitchen opens into our family room so I can curl up in a comfy chair by the fireplace and still enjoy being with him. It's nice to be able to talk and laugh with him. I love this time of catching up with him, hearing his thoughts, and talking about our up coming plans.

What ever menu he has planned, I know it will be delicious and I will enjoy every bite. Relaxing and lingering over a fabulous meal with my husband is something I look forward to and oh so appreciate it when I have the opportunity.

I don't need expensive gifts, or a dozen roses, the time we spend together is the best gift of all!

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