I find my house looks empty this time of year, I was hoping for some inspiration so I came to this forum. DH and I took down the Christmas tree shortly after Christmas because we headed to Puerto Vallarta for a month. Then came home to an empty house and a full work schedule! I love Valentines Day. My mom always gave us a Valentine at breakfast when we were kids and would also leave a small heart shaped box of candy under our pillow that we would find after school. It was also her mother's birthday. Almost twenty years ago her husband (my stepfather) committed suicide while she was in the house on Valentine's Day. I don't think the timing was intentional, but I'm sure she remembers that, as I do when the holiday rolls around. Because of that I always make sure I make a fuss over her. When she wintered out of state for a few years after his passing I would make sure to send flowers and had my kids making homemade Valentines and get them in the mail so she would receive them on V-Day or the day before. Now she's only about 5 miles from me (and doing very well!) It is also my anniversary. I hate it when people talk about how much they HATE Valentine's Day. I agree with oldalgebra...do as much or as little as you want to! But don't HATE it! So here's looking for a little inspiration. You gals have been great. I never used to decorate beyone Christmas and you all got me into fall and looking forward to the next Holiday so that the house seems empty in between. I am looking forward to seeing Karen's inspriation album.

Thanks again ladies for the nice compliments. Yachter..I know what you mean about wearing all those nice clothes to church the tradition of an 'Easter Outfit'...top to bottom.. I feel sad too that kids today don't have that at all. It's hard to get them to dress up for anything now a days. As far as not keeping anything.. don't beat yourself up.. I think we've all parted with something that we've regretted, down the line. So, you're not alone with that. Oh Jay...Now you made ME smile reading about your 'Pin' story!! I can relate to it all. I miss not getting to wear 'my stuff' each day. I was Always such a jewelry freak and had a huge jewelry armorie that made it very easy to see, and grab something to put on everday. I loved having everyone 'enjoy' it too, just like you. It's so nice to know we share the same 'jewelry history'! I agree with you on feeling that the way people dress for church.. it's sort of disrespectful..but times have changed and so have attitudes...I'm greatful for the time I grew up in. Lynn...thank you...I'm glad you liked the vignettes espec the one with the gloves. I thought I'd try something different and took the pic in a sepia tone. I think it came out pretty and Karen's idea to frame two of those pictures I think is a great idea. I feel like a kid thinking up different ideas with those cloches..I'm sure it will wear off in time...lol OA...I guess I really 'touched a nerve' with everyone, on the subject of Hats & Gloves for Church. If I took a vote ... I think everyone would want that tradition back again. I really think, when they stopped the dress code for church, that's when everything changed drastically. It went from casual to 'Sloppy'! I still have a hard time seeing people with T-Shirts and jeans on. It also brings on a different attitude. But, I guess the church felt they would rather have the people there dressed 'As Is' rather than them Not being there at all. Very sad...all around. Thanks again everyone...I enjoyed all of you sharing with me your memories of how you all dressed for Church. It's nice to know I'm not alone in missing that custom. jane

Thanks again, everyone. The goodies bags were a hit. I got them really cute little notebooks and mechanical pens, masks, mustaches, glow in the dark necklaces and one, plain Hershey bar. But I am actually writing to pass along a great idea. One of my daughter's class mates made up Valentines that were so cute. It was a little snack size bag of cereal (I think they are Golden Grahams). Stapled across the top was a label that said ,in script, "I cerealsly hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day". A clear plastic spoon was attached with a pink ribbon, and the child wrote the "to" and "from" names in pink marker. I loved it, and so did my DD.

I'm off to the store to shop for the tea. I have no idea what I'll find, wish me luck! (rhetorical) Edited to add that my local Meijers had NOTHING in the way of pre-prepared savory appetizers except for maybe those LaChoy "eggrolls" and crab rangoons, both of which would have to be baked the day of and set out right before and might get cold and not very appetizing as time wore on. I bought a wheel of edam cheese and some little puff pasty squares, which they did have. None of that square party rye bread. I'm kind of maybe rethinking the menu to exclude most of the savories, since the time is 3:30 - 4:30, kinda late for a lot of food. I have some date rolls, some chocolates, the cookies and maybe an apple bundt cake that was a favorite of my mom. Possibly a store bought cheesecake. Mom left behind three tins of cocoa powder, but I'm not sure what chocolate things go with tea. Not much, IMHO, maybe something chocolate cherry . . . I have pie crust and those PIllsbury crescent rolls in the freezer that need to be used up. Pie crust tarts are an easy thing, but the crescent rolls taste so much of BHT, I'm not found a good recipe using them that I like yet.