February Love

February seems to be going by quickly, though, I have enjoyed every minute (except for a power outage and snow in the attic).  It's been all of the best for me, snow, snow days, Love Week, our wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day and a house party with friends. All the loves.

 This sunshine was the calm before another storm.

 I like to get outside in the snow so I shovel the driveway, bring in the firewood, get the mail and take photo walks. Any excuse to be outdoors!

 It was back to school on Friday and since there hadn't been school Monday through Thursday, we celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday. And y'all know how much I love Valentine's Day at school.

 It's all so sweet and first graders are really kind and thoughtful.  

 On Friday evening our friends arrived to spend the weekend at The Stone House. We had a Valentine dinner for them.  The girls dressed for dinner.  It was fun and cozy.  

Since I had four snow days that week, I worked on my napkin folding skills. 

Hubby created some delicious cocktails and helped with the cooking.

 It was so great to visit with our camping friends in February.  We are making a point of meeting up in the off season.  I love it!

 Annie is safe in the carport but still gets snow due to the NE winds.

I have two Sisters on the Fly trips scheduled for 2019.  Hubby and I have about 7-8 other trips on the books.  I know, right? It looks like a fun summer!

It's snowing like crazy right now and sooo pretty!  Get out there and enjoy it.

Love Week 2018

Oh February, I love thee. The sights, the smells and the lovely feelings are a mid winter treat.

Hubby and I celebrated 30 years of marriage this week. We made a point of planning something special to commemorate 30 years. We made reservations at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa. We had a beautiful room, gorgeous weather for walking, a spa day, cocktails at Galloways, and a delicious dinner at Keenen's on the Pier.

We decided to get dressed up for our special occasion.  Life is as special as you make it.

A suit and tie, a velvet dress and fur cape do make an evening more special than jeans and boots.

 On Valentine's Day, I subbed and I LOVE to be at school for Valentine's Day.  Oooh, they were wired, snow and a holiday that involves cupcakes, chocolate and a party!  Oh. My.  I only had a half day, which was fun and enough.

I came home where I had soup in the crock pot, the table set and guests arriving shortly.  It was my turn to host Pie Pals and since it was Valentine's Day I decided to have lunch instead of pie for them.

 Holly had given me my vintage truck and trailer cake topper and I dolled it up with hearts.

 Oh Miss Becky!  We miss you.

 Hubby made dinner for Sam and I, another delicious meal and a good visit with Sam.

Today I am home, trying to get caught up, cleaned up and sorted, and get rid of my second cold.

Late next week, Palm Springs! The sunshine should help. 

#poolside 

Love Weekend 2015

 It was a lovely Love Week at the Stone House and all of the other places we went to celebrate.

On Friday evening we had old and new friends over for a traditional Valentine's dinner.  The only consistent menu item is the heart shaped meatloaf.  I did make a different recipe this year.  Though no two meatloaves have ever been the same at our house. I don't usually follow a recipe.  I just add whatever I want to add and it usually turns out just fine.  This year though I followed the following recipe.  Well, as best I can, I always change recipes just a bit.

 

Stove Top Meatloaf

2 lb. lean ground beef ***I use one pound of Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage and 1 pound of ground beef

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 cup water

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce, divided *** I used ketchup and I don't top with ketchup.

Heat oven to 375°F. Place meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs and 1/4 cup barbecue sauce in bowl.

Mix just until blended.

Shape into loaf in 13x9-inch baking dish. *** I shape it as a heart.

Top with remaining barbecue sauce. Bake 1 hour or until done (160ºF). 

My former high school Spanish teacher and our dear friend, Senorita Adelene, joined us for dinner.  New friends, Les and Marlene joined us and we had a delightful evening getting to know them.



 On Valentine's evening we had dinner at Mark and Karen's house.  She fussed, he grilled and we felt spoiled and loved.  Vern and Shelly were there too.  Many of my readers will be happy to know that it was decided to bring back the Garden Party in 2015.  After a two year break we are going to try to find a date for August.

 Karen made Coeur à la Crème for dessert.  Mark's Mom made it when he was growing up and gave Karen the ceramic pan that is necessary for the recipe so that she could make it for Mark too.  Ohmyheavenlycreamygoodness!

It was served with a raspberry sauce.  Karen baked shortbread cookies, had an assortment of chocolates and a tawny port to serve with the Coeur à la Crème.

Diets, clean eating, eat less, move more were not spoken of or thought of for one evening.

 

Hubby and I are very thankful to celebrate 27 years of marriage and Valentine's Day in the same week.  It's a lovely week and this year was no exception.

 

I am a little behind on my blog posts so look for more coming up this week.

 

Happy President's Day-

Love Week 2015

It's LOVE WEEK!  Today Hubby and I are celebrating 27 years of marriage.  I still think he's the best thing that ever happened to me.  Yesterday, he proved it again.  I was in the city all day.  I came home to flowers, clean sheets and a lot of progress on the Aloha. 

I'm a lucky girl, for sure.

We're not in Hawaii right now, but it is our favorite spot.

 

Tomorrow our friend, Ad is coming over for a Valentine dinner.  Yes, there is a heart shaped meatloaf on the menu.  I am going to try a new meatloaf recipe.

 

We've been invited out for a Valentine dinner on Saturday night by our dear friends, Mark and Karen.

It's always lovely and special at their house.

 

I got a box of chocolates today from one of my favorite guys.

 

All in all a lovely LoVe Week.  I hope you're all feelin' the love too.

 

And lastly, a gentle reminder to my guys to remember to do something sweet for your sweethearts.

 

Pepto Pink

Love Week is over for another year.  The pepto pink blog background has been retired.  We had a fabulous time celebrating our marriage.  Max came home for the weekend.  Hubby went to visit family.  The house got tidy, laundry got caught up, and the pasture got its Spring cleaning.

Hubby and I are going back to work today.  And it feels good.  We had a good rest. 

Now it's time to jump back into the routines.

We're ready.

We both have jobs we love.

We have projects to complete at the Stone House.

We have goals to work toward.

It's all good.

Second Honeymoon

Sometimes the second honeymoon is even better than the first.  We are having a wonderful time on the Oregon coast.  Hubby even did the slide.  You know, THE slide.  You're at dinner and he slides a box from the jeweler across the table.  Yes. That slide.  There is nothing better than a jewelry box sliding across the dinner table.  Every girl knows it but not every guy.  My guy gets it.  I love that guy!

Valentine Dinners

2012  Scrabble Theme

2011  Love Birds Theme

2010  Red and Pink Theme

 2009  You Mean the World to Me Theme

For twenty four years I have made a heart shaped meatloaf for Valentine's Day dinner.  This year we will be busy celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary during LoVe Week.  The meatloaf will be delayed...

I didn't make meatloaf on our first Valentine's Day as a married couple as we were on our honeymoon on the Oregon coast.

This year we will be celebrating a second honeymoon on the Oregon Coast on Valentine's Day.

Our nest is empty, traditions are changing, I'll make the meatloaf when we get home.  Set the table, make a special dinner and sit down with your family for LoVe week.  Make the most of your family time, it's fleeting.
Then there are new traditions as a couple and that is pretty great too!
Enjoy!

It's Valentine's Day!

Yesterday Hubby and I went snowshoeing for our anniversary. It was a fun day-nice weather, beautiful scenery and good company. We hope to do more snowshoeing. I am finished with downhill but I still love the snow.

Hubby and I have dinner with friends tonight. Tomorrow we celebrate with our guys and special friend, Adelene, in honor of single awareness day.

And what am I wearing for Love Week?Happy Valentine's Day! I {heart} you!