Since making an effort to move our lives away from consumer culture, and towards a simpler way of doing things, I find I enjoy holidays and celebrations more. For example, we made this past Christmas a "Handmade Holiday" and it was the most enjoyable we'd had in many years.
Valentine's Day, humble holiday though it is, is no exception. I used to go out and buy cards and chocolates and plastic decorations for my husband and children, but this year instead of buying decorations we made a mobile out of hearts we had cut out of watercolour paper. I also put up a hand-crocheted banner I bought from an Etsy shop called Sugar Yarn, which is owned by another homeschooling mom of 4. This sweet little banner makes me smile every time I look up at it and think that someone far away made it with their own hands.
(You can just see our mobile in the background.)
For dessert tonight, we have a very yummy New York style cheesecake awaiting us. I made two kinds of brilliantly red fruit sauce to go on top: cherry and raspberry, made from the very last of our local frozen fruit from last summer.
I'm happy that the last of our fruit is being used for a special occasion, but I'm also very sorry that it's all gone! We've decided that next summer we need to freeze and can a lot more fruit.
I am thinking now that the kids would have loved it if we had made heart-shaped sugar cookies. Next year I'll have to remember to do that. I love creating new family traditions. Next year as well, when I am not feeling so largely pregnant and fuzzy-brained, perhaps I'll find the energy to write a little romantic verse for my love. I usually write poems for everyone in my family on their birthdays--it's really quite a fun thing to do if you have a moment to sit down and think. I don't know why I never wrote one for Valentine's Day before.
Well, that's my post for today. Nothing grand. I hope all my readers have a day filled with love!
Your crochet hearts are adorable hanging there. We don't celebrate at all, it is lambing season. next week is family day however and we do take great treasure in having a fun family day, whatever the weather. When is your baby due?
Posted by: Marlyn | February 14, 2011 at 09:29 PM
My due date is April 2nd. :)
Posted by: Laura Jeanne | February 14, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Not far off now.
I always wanted an April baby because I thought of having them bundled in the pram on a beautiful spring day.
yep they were born: Oct 27, Feb 27, June 7, Sept 17 ( twins), May 23,Dec 10 and Oct 7. I should have just tried to hit "7's" instead!
Hope you are feeling well.
Posted by: Marlyn | February 15, 2011 at 09:22 AM
How fun to stop by your blog in a blogging surf to see my hearts hanging in your home! So glad you all enjoyed them. Thanks for making my day a little brighter by blogging about it too =)
Posted by: Karista | February 27, 2011 at 06:27 PM