#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Valentine’s Day 2011

February 14, 2011 · Narrative

I could say that Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays, but that wouldn’t exactly be true, because I like them all.  I might even go so far as putting Valentine’s Day up in my top three.  I have always loved it, single or not, kid or adult.  A friend e-mailed me this morning and mentioned the overcommercialization of “another Hallmark holiday,” and I agree with him, but I just turn a blind eye to it and celebrate it my way.  Our way.  How can you not love a day designed to celebrate love?

Before The Ex and I were married, I used to get together and go out with my girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.  And since our divorce, we have parties.  Love it.  Like seriously love it.  And it gives me a chance to teach the kids that Valentine’s Day (or Single Awareness Day as another friend called it) isn’t just about romance with your significant other.  It’s about love for your siblings.  Your family.  Your kids.  Everyone. Growing up, my Dad always gave me and my sister a Valentine’s Day card and present that he picked out on his own, independent of the joint gift that my Mom gave us from both of them.  He continued well into the first half of my marriage.  I loved that.

Of course the fact that I have 33 pictures to show you should attest to my love for today too.  Don’t take my word for it – the photos speak for themselves!

Good way to start the dayPerfect start to the day.

Mailbox Treats

Maddie's LunchLove notes for my kids’ lunchboxes.

Little Loves

Cookie at WorkCookie from my boss at work.

Feeling the LoveA present from my littlest Valentine.

You know, this one.
Me and My Little Valentine

Valentine's MailThe mailboxes in Madeline’s classroom.

Madeline's School Bulletin BoardHer teacher has the best bulletin boards ever.

Madeline's PartyCupcakes at Madeline’s Party.

Nick's Goodie BagsGoody bags pails for Nick’s class.

BrowniesCoveting this pan from one of the other class moms.

Chocolate Covered StrawberriesBiggest strawberries ever.

Guess How ManyThe class had to guess how many hearts there were in this jar. Can you believe there were over 500?!

From Nick

Assorted Muffins

L.O.V.E.

DeformedA sadly deformed conversation heart.

ConcentrationOne of our class games was a timed competition to see who could stack the hearts the highest without having them topple over.

HelpingMadeline loves Nick’s classmate, Karen, and the feeling is mutual. She is so sweet with her.

Conversation Hearts

Nick's Art(artwork I spied in the classroom today)

Nick's Wish

Art from My KidsArtwork from my kids.

LoveMy Mom got me the coolest cups ever for Valentine’s Day. Love, love, love.

Valentine's Day Flowers

Mood LightingA little mood lighting for our dinner party for 20 tonight.

Ready

Heart Shaped Donuts

Mini Confection

Mini Sweets

If you’re a regular reader, you know that tonight should have been my E.L.B. post, but I couldn’t bump Valentine’s Day, so mine will be up tomorrow.

Project 365
February 14, 2011, Photo #44

Playing TeacherMadeline playing teacher in Nick’s class. I’m trying hard to ignore the misspelling on the board.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    February 15, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Looks like a fabulous day! Loving all the conversation hearts. And those rainbow tumblers! AWESOME.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    February 15, 2011 at 7:16 am

    What a beautiful valentine’s day! You and the kids celebrated it to the maximum capacity.

    Reply
  3. Kris #40 says

    February 15, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Love all your photos! Those tumblers look very interesting.

    Our class did the same stacking hearts game.
    The pan is from At Home America – I have the same one.
    Great mood lighting – looks so perty!
    Love the photo of you and Maddie together.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      February 16, 2011 at 8:28 am

      Ah yes, At Home America, couldn’t remember the name. She’s a rep for them but doesn’t sell regularly. Do you happen to know any reps in the area? That stacking game was a great way to get the class instantly quiet – I wonder how many times we can play that at home? ;)

      Reply
  4. Ramona says

    February 15, 2011 at 10:31 am

    Looks like ya’ll all had a fantastic V’day!

    Reply
  5. Meg says

    February 15, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Aww, looks like so much fun! I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day, too — single, coupled, sort-of coupled. Always fun.

    Reply
  6. Betsy says

    February 15, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    Great thread. I just had some belated treats from my neighbor. Yum. She has two kids but her school does not allow any homemade treats ever. And, man she is an amazing cook/baker so she cooks/bakes for her neighbors.

    She was soooo looking forward to do those fun school treats, like you posted.

    Love, love, love your attitude about teaching your kids (and adults for that matter) how we all can celebrate 2/14.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      February 16, 2011 at 8:29 am

      I hear ya. My niece goes to a school that doesn’t allow the celebration of “Hallmark holidays,” and I’m bummed about that. Valentine’s Day is especially fun when you’re a kid!

      Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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