You have from now until Sunday February 7th to comment on any of our 2010 blog posts. For each comment you leave, your name will be entered into a drawing. If your name is drawn, you will receive something red and frilly from Yours Truly just in time for Heart Day!
It is almost the big Heart Day and I have a few things to say about it and am hoping you do too. I know a lot of us are disgruntled with consumerism run amuk and that Valentine’s Day is now seen by many as just another ploy from the greeting card/floral industries to guilt us into spending too much. This got me to thinking and recollecting…mostly recollecting.
What I am thinking is this; most of us are pretty happy when someone they care about (or even a stranger, for that matter) goes out of their way to be thoughtful. And, for most of us, the thoughtfulness does not require mass amounts of stuff (I said most of us). I very much hope we all have touching Valentine’s Day stories that back up my theory. Here are a few of mine.
When I was in fourth or maybe fifth grade my mom wrote all of my fellow students’ names on their Valentine’s cards in Calligraphy. Lots of these kids kept these Valentines in their desk long after the big day because they felt special every time they saw their name all pretty-like on those cheap little see-through white envelopes. Thank you for doing that, mom.
A decade or so later, my then boyfriend Tom wanted to give me a Valentine but had little money. He handed me a single red rose with a ribbon attached. Tied to the ribbon was an abalone shell ring. Tom died last year at forty years old and even though we had fallen out of touch I will always treasure that ring and how special he made me feel that day.
My friend Mary loves hearts and so do I. A couple of years ago my friend Laurie helped me make heart soaps in honor of Mary for Dakota Blonde’s Annual Valentine Show raffle. Last year, during the concert, Mary surprised me with three beautiful black and white photos of the band, one in a sweet antiquey silver frame. Warm Fuzzies.
As for the pot pie you see pictured above, this was not a Valentine – but the bonus red pepper heart brought much happiness that day and this photo pretty much sums up what I am getting at. I was a very happy woman…all for under five bucks (can’t remember – may have even gotten an employee discount on it).
And now, for my favorite Valentine’s Day story…Paul and I had our first date on Feb 12th, 2006. We had such a nice time that we decided to meet again the next night. Instead, I ended up in the ER (car accident) and don’t remember that Valentine’s Day at all (pain meds) but I do remember him picking me up at the hospital and taking me back to his house and nursing me back to health for the next several days. He has been my Valentine ever since : )
I am pretty sure I don’t need to tell you this…but it would be great to hear some of your very own Valentine’s stories : ) Just click the comment link above and type away.
PS I have nothing against cards and flowers. I love them both. I just think we could all use a little reminding that there are lots and lots of (inexpensive) ways to love and be loved. Here’s wishing us all extra X’s and O’s this Valentines Day!
Our friend Alane of Blissful Botanica just brought to my attention this blog:
http://www.greatcakessoapworks.com/handmade-soap-blog/index.php/soap-needed-in-haiti/
Don’t have any soap/shampoo to spare? The crafting community is also stepping up and showing their support. Find out how by going to my friend Rachel’s blog:
www.lostintheattic.typepad.com/
And if you are needing or wanting anything from Mary Janes Farm, please consider purchasing those items this week as 10% of sales will go to Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts:
Most of us cannot begin to imagine the circumstances the Haitian earthquake victims now find themselves in. Thank you for doing whatever you can to help. Hugs,
Valynne & Paul
PS I just sent 50lbs of random soap chunks in 2 large Priority Mail boxes, which cost me $29 total. Two normal boxes would have cost me around $80 to send. Be sure to use the “Flat Rate” boxes, which you can pick up free of charge at the post office.
Bob The Cat
Kevin and Alicia Shea make it easy for me to refer them for several reasons. I met Kevin while browsing a house sitting forum on www.housecarers.com. It was here that I noticed that he and his wife Alicia live in Massachusetts (not far from our current sit) and had recently been profiled in a New York Times article (please see my November posts for the full article).
I contacted Kevin in hopes he would be interested in exchanging ideas and we have established a rapport these past few months. Alicia designed their website www.kevinandaliciashea.com, which happens to be the best caretaking website I have come across. All that aside, the biggest reason I can give for referring this couple stems from Kevin’s most recent post on the Housecarers forum…
Bob’s favorite thing is to pluck on the window screen in the office. He gets to it by hopping up in the porch handrail, and then strums it so as to tell us, “Hey, open the door!”. So the door valet gets up, opens the door and waits the designated time as Bob slooooowly enters the house. Of course, he then eats a bit and leaves quickly through his cat door.
So, my main reason for referring this couple is that these are the kind of people I would want to be taking care of our home and pets. Kevin and Alicia not only caretake – they establish relationships and clearly enjoy the lifestyle they have created for themselves. Thank you Kevin and Alicia for allowing me to share a bit of your story!
*If you are looking for caretakers in the near future, you can contact Kevin and Alicia through their website, which is listed above and to the right, under blogroll. If you are interested in caretaking, feel free to contact me for ideas and inspiration. Or, If you simply have any questions and/or comments to share, please click the comment link at the top of this post – I love comments!
BYOD?
I know nothing about New York real estate. That being said, this mansion is for sale on the Upper West Side and I am tempted to call the realtor and ask if the doors and windows are extra. Just curious, is all. If it weren’t a waste of people’s time, I would love to see the interior. But it is a waste of people’s time. Maybe if I said I was an up and coming blogpreneur? I mean, I did just break the 3,000 hits mark (thanks all)! Still, a waste of people’s time. Drat.
Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter I
Alice’s Tea Cup is really sweet (as in Strawberry Chocolate Scones sweet). I asked for lavender tea and ended up with this wonderful blend… “Serene is the composition of chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, wild crafted linden herb, organic peppermint leaves, organic osthmanthus flowers, organic jasmine blossoms, organic lemongrass and lavender flowers”. Bliss. And they make their own Ginger Soy Dressing. I could drink it. Seriously.
Fiocchetti ai tre formaggi e pera
MEZZOGIORNO Restaurant is on the corner of Spring and Sullivan in SoHo and has been since 1987. What you see here is small pasta pouches filled with cheese and pear. Tuscan Cuisine…definitely in the top five on my Life’s Loves list. Oh, and all of the interior furnishings, including the Florentine bar, (and the owner) were imported from Italy. You may know this about me by now, but I have this, this thing for Italy…
And Ireland. I certainly could not visit NYC without stopping in an Irish Pub. Of the several times I have been to New York (as an adult, anyway), I have proudly upheld this tradition. These pics were taken towards the end of our stay. Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake the night before and I couldn’t sleep for thinking of all the people in crisis. Having been thrown out of bed and across the room during the Northridge Quake (CA) in 1994, I know the damage earthquakes and their aftershocks are capable of. The Northridge Quake was a 6.7 and no where near as devastating as what Haiti is now facing. So, while Paul met with coworkers on Madison Ave, I hoofed it to one of my new favorite streets and found me St James Gate and ordered me an Absolute Bloody Mary (because drinking always helps, she thinks sarcastically to herself). 
Bartendress Siobhan and I contemplated many things; mostly having to do with technology and the quake. A man named LR at the end of the bar piped in every now and then…he reminded me of the man who sits at the end of the bar at Vesuvio in San Francisco; similar beards and caps and dress; as if they stepped out of another era. A better era. LR drank his pint and whiskey while reading Chronicles, Volume One (for the fourth time) until he decided to get back to work, warning Siobhan that he would most likely be back later. ..