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!

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: 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?