Oh What a Beautiful Day!

What a beautiful day it was here! Over 60 degrees and sunny. It was just what we all needed on the last day of February. Most years there is still snow on the ground at this point.

 I love how the sunshine and warmth improves the mood of a whole community of people.

I went outside and found this little flower. Not sure what it is, but it made me smile.

Hopefully the rest of spring is following close behind!

Music Monday: Johnny Cash-"I Walk the Line"

This Music Monday, I thought it only appropriate to honor Johnny Cash. He would have been 80 years old yesterday.

Here is "The Man in Black" wearing white.

I admire how he was a man that wasn't afraid to admit his mistakes.

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."

Well said, Mr. Cash.

Be Humble Day

February 22 is "Be Humble Day." I think we could use more of these days. Looking around, there unfortunately appears to be a lack of humbleness in our society. I'm not sure at what point people stopped teaching children how to be humble. It seems what is being taught is that being the best at something is all the matters. The goal is to get to the top and to be recognized for every achievement.

I really like how Dictionary.com defined the word:

                                hum·ble

 [huhm-buhl] adjective 

1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.

Being humble does not mean you are not successful. It means that you do not credit that success to yourself. You don't need the recognition.

I like to think of it in another way. If you are doing something, would you still do it even if no one saw you do it, if your name was not listed as a donor, if no one thanked you? If so, I believe that you are doing it in a humble manner. Believe me, I completely understand how challenging this is! It's something I struggle with regularly.

We are called to be servants of others, which requires a humble spirit.

This Lent season, I think instead of giving up chocolate, I'll give up my self-focus.

Have you been truly humble today?

Music Monday: "Make 'Em Laugh"

I picked up the soundtrack for one of my favorite movies this past weekend. I decided we could all use a laugh on this Music Monday!

(Singin' In The Rain, 1952)

Dotty Swap

Recently, I participated in a my first blog swap. It was the Dotty Swap that was organized by Holly at

 

It was so fun to hunt for polka dot items!

I was paired up with Lisa from Pupylov Memories.

She sent me the cutest package! I opened it up to find a sweet note and a handmade tag with my initial on it. I took these first two pictures right after I opened it in the evening so they are a little darker. Obviously, I couldn't wait on the sun for good lighting because I was too excited!

Inside were three presents that were perfectly wrapped with dotty paper!

Have you ever seen tape this cute? It is SMASH tape. I can't wait to find things to use it on. There is 65 feet of it!

The next thing I opened was a pack of dotty playing cards. I think Lisa read my mind! I've been wanting to learn more card games recently and have been telling my family they need to play with me! I think playing with cards is such a traditional activity. A deck of cards is so versatile. Won't these look so cute being held?

We ended up sending each other similar items! She sent me these adorable pink and purple mini baking cups. I sent her pink and purple regular-sized baking cups! Great minds think alike, I'd say. Now I just need to think of a yummy recipe! Do you know of any good ones?

Thanks again to Lisa for these wonderful gifts. Also, thanks to Holly for hosting such a fun swap!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Music Monday: Jason Jones-"Ferris Wheel"

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate something else besides love:

Ferris Wheels! February 14th is Ferris Wheel Day. Why the 14th? Apparently it's the birthday of the man who invented it-George Ferris.

To celebrate both occasions, what better than a song about falling in love on a ferris wheel?

It's sung by one of my favorite country artists, Jason Jones.

(Jason Jones, 2011)

So romantic!

February 1953

I'd like to share a little vintage "love" this Valentine's Day.

As you may have read in my "About Me" section, I collect things that most people my age would probably  pass right by...including old hankies!

But how could I pass by these two?

I've had them in my collection for awhile. They are so cheerful to pull out during the gray days of winter!

Hankies are so dainty. I love the polka dot hearts on these two.

I love how there are hankies for every season. I like to set them out all year round. They look so sweet hanging, too.

Here's another item from my vintage Valentine's Day stash:

McCall's, February 1953. Only 25 cents!

For Valentine Girls...they suggest a tea. I think that's still a classic idea!

Here are their suggestions:

I love the size of old magazines. Here's an article on cakes. I love the simplicity of the colored frosting with white frosting words. They suggest phrases such as, "Stay as Sweet as You Are" or "I married an Angel." In my family, we still always celebrate with a cake!

These were made for a magazine, but they have a homemade feel that appeals to me. They do suggest, though, "...on a busy party day, we strongly recommend your using one of the good mixes on the market rather than taking the time to make up a cake recipe from scratch."

A lot of the fun of looking through old magazines is seeing the ads. Apparently, "you can whip up a Swans Down Cake Mix beauty with such old-fashioned home-baked goodness folks want to kiss you!" Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Here's a romantic ad for Cashmere Bouquet Soap.

This would be perfect to use on Valentine's Day in 1953. It is "a fragrant invitation to romance!" It "adorns your skin with the fragrance men love!"

Are you ready for Valentine's Day 2012?

Love

-Katharine Hepburn

 

Music Monday: "Tale As Old As Time"

My cousin and I went to see the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast this past weekend. It was outstanding! I've seen this classic many times, but never before so vividly.

I've chosen "Tale As Old As Time" for this week's Music Monday song.

I'm told that around age three or four, I'd twirl in circles with my arms out singing "Beauty and the Beast..." over and over among the roses.

(Disney's Beauty and the Beast, 1991)

Belle has always been my favorite Disney princess. For a long time it may have been simply because she has dark hair like me. Over time, I've realized there are other reasons as well. She knows she's different, but she is confident in herself despite what others think of her. She loves to read. Who can forget the library the Beast gifted her with? I covet a room that size, full of books.

 

With Valentine's Day so close, I also think the message is appropriate. Love is looking past differences. It's being willing to make small changes in your way of thinking that will allow a relationship to deepen.

Super Bowl Snacking

The game has started!

I thought I'd share the snack I just finished making. We munch on these little footballs every year. They have become a Super Bowl tradition in my family.

They are just Rice Krispies Treats, using Cocoa Krispies instead of regular Krispies.

All you do is follow the regular Rice Krispies Treats recipe which can be found on the side of a Rice Krispies box. Here are the highlights:

A pile of marshmallows is melted over butter.

Once that has melted, and before the Cocoa Krispies are added, a 1/2 cup of peanut butter is mixed in.

After it's taken off the heat, the Krispies are stirred in.

Then, it's time to shape it into footballs.

The icing for the laces is just confectioners sugar mixed with water.

Here they are!

You probably noticed the 10. We are Indianapolis Colts fans during the regular season, but we're rooting for little brother Eli and the Giants tonight!

Enjoy the game!