A Touch of Red

Since it's only a week until Valentine's Day, I thought I would share my very minimal decor with you. Some of you may remember that my maiden name was Valentine. Such a pretty name...wouldn't you agree? A lady once told me my name had a musical quality to it....Vicky Corrina Valentine. I remember weird things like that but fail to remember important things. Anywho, Valentine's Day has always been special to me because I am a former Valentine so I had to have a few touches of red. :)

The only place I decorated this year was the kitchen because I couldn't get to my box of decor in the shed. We have too much construction stuff in there right now and it just wasn't worth the work to move it all. So, I used a couple things I already had and a few little odds and ends I picked up at the Dollar Tree or Target Dollar Spot. Here it is.....

To the left of the sink....

Some chocolate because it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without it!

I love the cover of this Hershey's cookbook. The vintage graphic is so cute! I added my plaid Thermos because it was just sitting around waiting to find a home.

To the right of the sink.....

And a view of the corner. Just beyond is my pantry. We are almost finished with it and I am loving it! I can't wait to share soon!

The window shelf above the sink....

I love aqua and red together. And aren't the glass hearts so pretty? You might remember seeing them in this post. They were a gift from Karen who blogs over at The Feral Turtle. I knew I would use them for Valentine's Day.

Here's another shot without the light on. Sorry my photos are always dark and shadowy indoors but I live in the woods and the sunlight is limited coming through the windows.

I wanted to save the best for last! A couple weeks ago my sweet friend, Connie e-mailed me ans asked if she could have my snail mail address because she had made me something and wanted to send it to me. Of course, I replied with my address and was so excited! Connie is one sweet and talented lady and generous as well. You should pop over to Crafty Home Cottage if you don't know her already and check out some of her amazing projects...like her adorable art barn where she crafts some amazing things. She quilts and paints beautifully and she has a big green thumb! Her yard is so pretty! Just hop over there and check her out! You won't be sorry and you will make a sweet new friend!

So, when this arrived earlier this week, I couldn't wait to open it and see what she made me! As you may be able to tell in the photos below, I opened it in the car. I was too impatient to drive a few hundred feet to my house to open it...lol! Look at the adorable doodling and stamping on the envelope! Happy mail for sure! She made me a banner....the most adorable Valentine's Day banner ever!

She said she ran across these vintage Valentine's online and they reminded her of me since I teach kindergarten. :)

Isn't it so sweet?

I love the attention to detail and the care with which this was made. I will treasure it forever!

And because this is on the back, I can't ever forget who gave it to me. Thank you again Connie. Your kindness made my heart smile!

Here it is hanging in the opening between my living room and dining room....perfection!

And, I guess I need ti wrap this up since I have a wedding to get ready for! My cousin's son, Justin is getting married today. My son, Dakota is the best man. Justin grew up across the road from us and he and Dakota have always been close. He's like a brother to Dakota. The wedding is taking place at my uncle's house who also lives across the road so we can just walk over. Praying it doesn't rain...it's sprinkling now. Looking forward to the wedding. It's been a couple years since I've been to one and I love weddings. My niece's wedding is just 4 weeks away as well. Young love...so sweet! Hope your weekend is sweet too!

Until next time.....

Seeing Red!

Hello friends. 

I have some Valentine's Day decor to share with you today. I know Valentine's Day is still three weeks away, but I wanted to enjoy my decorations for more than a few days. You may remember me telling you before that my maiden name was Valentine...Vicky Valentine. :)

While I don't do much for Valentine's Day, I do enjoy having a few things out for the occasion. Most of the things I am sharing are thrifty finds, but these two ceramic bears sitting on clouds below were painted by me years ago. They only make an appearance for Valentine's Day...:)

The table centerpiece got tweaked a little. I have been enjoying my fresh bouquets of camellias for the past couple of weeks. I placed my red and white checked table runner under the tray and added a couple heart shaped tea light holders to it. A glitter heart hangs from the bottle as well. 

The banner I made last year is once again hanging on the china cabinet. A few red glitter hearts adorn the milk glass. Please ignore the lack of crown molding. We are slowly working on the trim, but very slowly! 

Here's a closer view of the banner. It is made using tart molds.

I love this pretty rhinestone trimmed bucket. Don't remember when I bought it, but it was thrifted.

The clipboard on the gallery wall got a new print for the occasion.

The small wall shelf in the dining room received some decor too. Remember this beaded heart I thrifted a couple weeks ago?

A pretty heart shaped plate and some Scrabble tiles.

Just a few touches of red makes such a statement.

The buffet got the majority of the decor. I had thrifted two of these books a couple years ago, and the other two I got at the same yard sale as the red beaded heart I shared above. They are perfect for the holiday celebrating love. 

Mama had several of these pretty glittery heart ornaments on one of her Christmas trees and I asked her if I could have one to use for Valentine's Day. Thank you Mama...I love you!

One end of the buffet.....

and the other end.

Here's the middle. I chose to use the bee  with the word mine....BEE Mine, Valentine!

I hung a few things on the wall above.

Here it is all together. I love it!

I also love this.....

I was blessed to win a $200 Visa card on The Shabby Creek Cottage blog. I was so excited! I am trying to decide what to buy with it. I have narrowed it down to a new faucet for the kitchen sink since we begin renovating it soon, or use it towards the purchase of a Kitchen Aid mixer which I have been wanting for a while. I am leaning towards the faucet though. I don't really want the mixer until I get the kitchen redone anyway. Anywho, talk about a sweet surprise!!!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend. I'm having a productive one so far. 

Until next time.....

A Simple Valentine's Vignette

Well, I did it. I finally got my table cleaned off and decorated for Valentine's Day. I have been trying to play catch-up around here after work each day. I am about to get there but still have many things on my to do list! I kept the table simple and it was super cheap too! I already had everything but the baby's breath and I paid just $3 for a bouquet of it that I separated into 4 pitchers. I love how it turned out...so simple!

I love the white ironstone with the red glass and silver pieces on top of the burlap. 

What do you think?

Thankfully I have a 3-day weekend to finish getting caught up. Thank goodness for President's Day! 

The hubby and I are hoping to take the boat out for a few hours on Saturday or Sunday. The weather is supposed to be good....we have had some gorgeous days recently. Today has been cold and rainy but the weekend is supposed to be really nice. A boat ride is always rest for my soul and I am looking forward to it. So many things going on around here. Monday, my dear friend Heather started her chemo treatments and unfortunately had an allergic reaction to one of the types they are giving her. She ended up in the hospital last night. She goes in for a PET scan in a couple weeks and they are going to decide how to approach her treatment after that.  Also on Monday, I heard about a local 18 month old baby who drowned in a fish pond. My son works with the grandfather of the baby and played football with the baby's dad. Such a tragedy. This coming up Monday, my daddy is having 2 skin cancers removed from his nose. I am praying they aren't too deep and there will be minimal scarring. I have so much on my mind and am just trying to stay positive and have faith. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Heather, my daddy, and the family of the precious baby who drowned....life is so hard sometimes. 

I'm ending this post on a happy note...:) 

Look at this sweet picture of Sadie laying on my son, Dakota. She loves him so much. She loves all of us so much (and we all love her). She has little things that she does with each of us that is unique. She loves to play with Dakota. He will lay on his belly and put his face down and call her and she will sail onto his back and start trying to root her nose under his head to get to his face so she can lick him. She is so funny! That's what she had just been doing in this picture and then she got tired and took a rest. She is so spoiled...:)

I really hope she likes the boat this weekend!

Well folks, I do hope you have a lovely end of the week. Two days left for me and then three days off. I am looking forward to tomorrow at work. We (kindergarten teachers) are having a cook-off with our pre-k teachers. The theme is strawberry. I made a new dessert and I think it is going to be delicious. I'll let you know how it turned out and share the recipe soon. Friday morning, the office staff is preparing breakfast for everyone. That's always a treat! Then of course, my classs has their Valentine's Day party Friday afternoon. That will be a lot of fun too...:)

I'm linking up for the first time with Timewashed for Blissful Whites Wednesday...check it out!

So.....until next time....

 

 

Red, White, and Hearts

Hello and happy Friday! I seriously didn't know if I was going to make it through this week! I have just been so exhausted lately and not feeling well and that doesn't jive with teaching kindergarten...lol! Anywho...enough about that! I finally got around to putting up a few Valentine's Day decorations and I'm here to share them...:) Before I do though, I wanted to show you my latest beauty! I found this beautiful ironstone gravy boat last weekend when my mother-in-law wanted to run to the flea market after Sunday lunch. It's all I bought but I was thrilled to find it and the best part is, it was just $1! I love the lines and it is in perfect condition. 

OK...moving on to the Valentine's decor. I have never gone all out for this holiday, but I do like to do a little something. After all, I used to be a Valentine...:)  

Here's my buffet and shelf all decked out.

I love the simplicity of the white with touches of red!

A closer view of the shelf. I already had everything I used except for the ribbon & glitter hearts (Michael's with a coupon) and large, red filigree heart (Target...$1).

 These sweet bears were hand painted by me years ago when I was still a Valentine. 

Remember the apothecary jar from last weekend? Here it is with a little Valentine love...:) 

I can change the decor with the seasons.

Some vintage Avon decor sits beneath various style cloches. These were bought during my Avon selling days....years ago! I love these little guys...so cute!

I love the ribbon woven through my new (to me) milk glass plates I bought a couple weeks ago.

These little glitter heart ornaments were super cheap at Michael's and I used them in several places.

Next up is my china cabinet. It got a little love (no pun intended) as well...:)

The new gravy boat holds a pretty red rose. The little pitcher on the corner holds red and white paper straws and the other pitcher holds rolled sheet music.

A few weeks ago, I bought these vintage metal heart tins and some of you were curious what I would do with them. Well....here it is....a garland! I had the hubby drill holes in the top of each one and strung them on baker's twine. They are turned two different ways to add interest. 

The middle of the garland holds one of my little metal pails with a punched heart on the side. These were a thrifty find months ago.

I wrapped Valentine ribbon around some rolled sheet music and added it to a pitcher. 

I enjoyed adding these little touches for our holiday devoted to love...:) 

Speaking of love...here's a book of answers about love....lol. I thrifted this last year to use in my Valentine's decor but haven't read it. It is a really pretty book though and perfect for this holiday!

Well...this concludes my Valentine's Day decor. I hope to find a few plates to use in a tablescape tomorrow when I go to town, but we'll see. I have several things on my to do and to buy list tomorrow. 

I hope to get it all accomplished! 

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend and until next time.....