Thinking about Valentines

Home made Valentines candle

I don't like Valentines day very much. It has become too demanding, the popular colour theme of red screams out 'give me attention' and 'instant gratification'. When I look at the commercial aspects of Valentines there is very little there to hook me, in fact it makes me want to run and have nothing to do with it at all. But I'm not happy then either as, after agreeing not to celebrate Valentines with a loved one, hypocritical me is then disappointed not to be surprised by flowers and chocolate.

As Valentines can no longer be ignored (it's commercial presence is simply too high) then it will have to be integrated into a form that I can appreciate. I think that one of the key factors with this is colour. I think of it as a blood red day which brings to mind a vision of aggression rather than love. But a soft pink on the other hand is too cute and cuddly. But pink can work when paired with another colour to bring it back down to Earth, perhaps a nice teal or even a brown (not too girly for the blokes). The pink and brown theme would work well with chocolate cupcakes with pink icing :-)

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I admit it, I forgot to publish this prior to the event but at least it means that I get to share what we did, which wasn't much! My partner surprised me with some chocolates on the 12th which was perfect timing as I had had an absolutely rotten day.  I treated all my boys to a box of quality street that was much enjoyed - I'll have to remember to do this again. For Valentines itself we enjoyed a good family meal including desert, though it completely escapes me now as to what it was! We rarely have deserts so I think that this is the key for us to making minor celebrations special. Much as I like the idea of doing some holiday decorating it didn't happen and wasn't missed in this male dominated household. 

Candlemas - what did we do?

Snowdrops in the garden

Candlemas ended up meaning more to me than I expected. There are lots of ideas ticking over in my head and, more importantly, planning to make them happen. I used it as a kick off point for decluttering the house. The big push is over but there is still more to do so I'm making the effort to clear at least 10 items a day. It has also prompted me to think about my veg patch and to sift through all of my old seeds ready for the new season.

For the family, my boys didn't get it but that's okay, they're happy to celebrate if there is cake involved :-) We had a lovely roast meal with a fancy table followed by coffee and walnut cake. I did want to get a more 'seedy' pudding but ended up putting that back on the shelf when I took into consideration whether my lads would enjoy it.

Coming up is both Shrove Tuesday and Valentines. I foresee Shrove Tuesday as the usual informal yumminess though I do need to chat with my boys about what they would like to give up or learn throughout Lent. Valentines... we will see. I suspect there will be some heart shaped nonsense on the table.

Quotation Art

Canvas waiting to be finished!

My bedroom needs more art but I'm feeling pulled in too many directions to be able to create an artistic piece that I will enjoy. So in steps a quotation. The craft blog world and pinterest abound with artwork of inspirational quotes but I have never got around to making my own until now.

The hardest bit of this project was finding the initial quote, I sifted through so many! Eventually I settled on this one:

Life is learning how to dance in the rain

It's a bit of a statement of where I am today, learning how to enjoy life again. I've always tried to look at things optimistically but this phrase goes a step further by encouraging you to embrace the bends that crop up in our journey of life.

I'm not yet finished but the phrase even in it's unpainted state is already hanging on my bedroom wall.