Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!  Please see below for proof that you do not have to be all hot and heavy with someone in order to share the Valentine’s Love (although hot and heavy is a bonus)…

Flying Heart

Back in January I was reading my friend Rachel’s blog, www.lostintheattic.typepad.com, when I came upon this flying metal heart, created by Carissa Ann Fox.  I loved it and I wanted it.  The brown eyed fox was giving one away to Rachel’s readers that week and all we had to do to qualify was tell her what made our hearts happy.  Out of 68 comments, guess whose name was drawn? 

Mine!  Now I have my own flying heart!  You can have one, too – just click on her Etsy Shop button to the right of her blog, www.browneyedfox.squarespace.com .  She makes heart bracelets and belts, also – I love this woman’s style and am still smiling every time I think about how I actually won the flying heart! 

While reading my comments one day not long ago, I came across one from “Valynne”.  Hmm – that was a first.  Come to find out, this Valynne was born on Valentines Day, and that is how she came by her name. 

My friend Sean found this picture of Valynne; her father made this rocket for a parade and that is Valynne on the rocket.  I love this picture!  Valynne, thank you for letting me share this and Happy Happy Heart Day and Birthday! 

The Other Valynne!

I was telling my new friend Judy the other day that Paul and I were keeping it simple when it came to gift – giving these days and next thing I know there is a call from her telling me to check the mailbox.  Judy had found this heart shaped tea cup at the flea market for $.50 and suggested that I serve Paul his morning tea in it on Valentine’s Day (today).  Judy – you are so thoughtful – thank you – Paul loved it!

Valentine's Cuppa for the Englishman

Speaking of tea, I am on an herbal kick these days (today actually marks my second week of Beach Body, which I will blog about soon).  My friend Emily of www.thingsgreatdaneseat.blogspot.com fame sent me this little Valentine Package…have you ever had Tea Forte?  Heaven, I’m in Heaven…

And she actually knit a heart into this washcloth!  Oh, and Rachel (aka she who loves the polka dots), I had to share this wrapping paper with you.  Thank you, Em, my thoughtful (and very creative) friend.

Joy

And, Sunny –  I am so excited to have yet another heart to add to my collection!  Thank you, dear friend.

I met Sunny through my friend Kit.  Five of us women met at least once a month to share our creations and otherwise motivate and inspire each other.  We called ourselves the BAG ladies – short for Bolder Artists’ Group.  I miss you all! 

Sunny is working on her website as we speak www.sunnymonacodesigns.com.  Keep going, Sunny – I can’t wait to see more pictures of you and your mom’s ceramic & wire wonders!

Oh, my.  I seriously had no idea just how much Valentine’s Love I had to share this Sunday.  I’m gonna have to keep going – can’t seem to help myself…

Heart Day on the Bay

I mean, just look at this morning!  And it keeps getting better…Paul is back with a Sunday Times and a Latte (latte’s signify special occasions for us)…

CC Sunday Morning

And you know what is really yummy with coffee?  And just about anything else for that matter?  Blosm. Whipped. Cream.

I met Michael Markley at the Conifer Farmers’ Market in 2008.  We traded soap for whipped cream that first day and I knew that it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

I have witnessed the blossoming of Blosm (sorry, couldn’t help that one) and am proud to know him – his whipped cream is natural and divine, and he was so much fun to have as a fellow market vendor. 

You Colorado peeps are so lucky – you can pick up Blosm at your local Whole Foods Market!  If you are lucky enough to meet Markley at a Blosm demo, please give him a hug for me.

Check out the Blosm website www.myblosm.com and find out what inspired Markley and his wife Kelli.  Oh, and be sure to enjoy a can of Blackberry Amaretto for me…serious YUM.  Which leads me to this:

Premier Issue of WWC

What does this have to do with Blosm, you ask?  Well, both are YUM, for starters.  My friend Christine won a copy of this Premier Issue of Where Women Create magazine in my last contest.  I love this magazine and am so happy it went to someone who will really appreciate it.  Especially since the premier issue has been sold out for a long time now.  If you want your own copy, prepare to shell out upwards of $100! 

Christine and Markley and I were The Three Muskateers at many a Farmers’ Market (That’s right, I am indeed talkin’ about Christine of Christine’s Canine Cookies fame).  Christine and her hubby Simon have a new baby boy named Oliver – so if you don’t see her at the market’s this summer, you’ll know why…

Sweet Milo Boy

Speaking of babies, this boy is most likely the closest Paul and I will get…is he not adorable?  And no, I did not plant that teddy bear for a photo op – Milo loves his stuffed animals and must have picked this one out for today, especially.  We. Love. This. Dog. 

OK, I think it is time for the NYT Book Review…

Again, Happy Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you…Here’s to sharing the love…whatever kind of love it may be. XOX from Valynne and Paul