I decided to start a Blog about a week ago & it has taken me that long to Blog- There were a lot of choices that had to be made first- it took time. I had to choose one of seven layout choices, colors: pastel or dark that counts for two, and the pictures- huge decision. My husband called this afternoon & I told him I had down loaded pictures from the camera to the computer and then onto this Blog. Now that may seem simple- but it was actually two accomplishments: first we have had this camera for about two years and I have never downloaded a single picture to the computer and second I got the pictures on my Blog. I am not embarrassed to admit this- I am proud that I have a husband who has always taken care of the camera to computer deal.
Valentines Day
I have been wanting to Blog about Valentines Day -since- well Valentines Day & here it is February 17th and I have made it! I only gave Mark a small amount of anxiety. I think he would call me somewhat of a procrastinator- but- umm...I'll talk about that later.
Valentines Day, February 14th 2008
The boys and I started our day of sharing our love, and kindness early. Promptly after breakfast we made cupcakes- white cake with pink frosting and red sprinkles. I always love baking with Blane & Bryce- my favorite moment that morning was watching the boys lick the beaters and anywhere else the batter had fallen. We successfully completed a total of twenty cupcakes, I mention this only because my dear Bryce decided that syrup would be a yummy frosting for a couple of the cupcakes- and I have to admit that Marks thrifty ways almost got the best of me as I had a glimmer of a thought to wash them off and frost them anyway.
While the cupcakes were baking and then cooling we sat down at the table -some of us on top of it- to make cards for Daddy. I cut out hearts and the boys glued them to their cards and colored their pictures.
At 11:00am we went to the nursing home -all dressed in red sweaters -just a few blocks from our house, where the boys passed out Valentines to our "friends" that they had made the night before. Blane picked out Thomas the Train because he said, "the old men would like them."
The Activities Director escorted us to a room where about thirty "friends" were sitting, sleeping, and drinking coffee. I felt proud as I watched Blane walk around the room table to table with the director, as he handed out his Thomas cards and wished our "friends" a Happy Valentines Day.
Blane emptied his little red basket and as we were leaving he said good bye to two "friends" in the hallway, one who had earlier tried to hand him back the card he was trying to give to her- as we walked by he said to a man "I don't have one for you." My heart sank. At that moment I realized what this outing was truly about- it was not about the cards- but about sharing a smile- a moment. And that now it was my job as a mom to teach my sons that giving is not about the gift or the card but about the thought -the smile -the kindness.
After the nursing home we went to the funeral home- wow- that seems uncanny to write. But not to our family- a family that lives at a cemetery. The boys took their cupcakes and cards to Dads office. Again the boys passed out their cards- this time along with a cupcake. They had made a special card for Uncle Mike; of course it was black and gold- GO CU. He was not there so they sat it on his desk along with a sweet snack.
After lunch we ventured to Whole Foods because I wanted to make a nice dinner, and where else do you go when you don't know what to make. As we walked in we admired the beautiful flowers displayed for sale throughout the store, as I went to grab a bouquet of tulips I thought "well maybe just maybe Daddy will get Mommy some."
I decided on the bone less leg of lamb. Mark has mentioned several times that he would like to try it -and something lovingly in me said "surprise him and just do it". I have always been a little hesitant- because I wasn’t sure I knew how to make it- sure it was my main entree for a final in a culinary class at UNLV but that was ten years ago.
Dinner was amazing! The lamb was delicious, accompanied by a mushroom coos coos, baby green salad with vinaigrette, and a crunchy french loaf bread. Mark paired the meal perfectly with a bottle of wine- and the table was just stunning dressed in a red tablecloth kissed with two dozen red tulips. Thank You Mark.
Valentines Day
I have been wanting to Blog about Valentines Day -since- well Valentines Day & here it is February 17th and I have made it! I only gave Mark a small amount of anxiety. I think he would call me somewhat of a procrastinator- but- umm...I'll talk about that later.
Valentines Day, February 14th 2008
The boys and I started our day of sharing our love, and kindness early. Promptly after breakfast we made cupcakes- white cake with pink frosting and red sprinkles. I always love baking with Blane & Bryce- my favorite moment that morning was watching the boys lick the beaters and anywhere else the batter had fallen. We successfully completed a total of twenty cupcakes, I mention this only because my dear Bryce decided that syrup would be a yummy frosting for a couple of the cupcakes- and I have to admit that Marks thrifty ways almost got the best of me as I had a glimmer of a thought to wash them off and frost them anyway.
While the cupcakes were baking and then cooling we sat down at the table -some of us on top of it- to make cards for Daddy. I cut out hearts and the boys glued them to their cards and colored their pictures.
At 11:00am we went to the nursing home -all dressed in red sweaters -just a few blocks from our house, where the boys passed out Valentines to our "friends" that they had made the night before. Blane picked out Thomas the Train because he said, "the old men would like them."
The Activities Director escorted us to a room where about thirty "friends" were sitting, sleeping, and drinking coffee. I felt proud as I watched Blane walk around the room table to table with the director, as he handed out his Thomas cards and wished our "friends" a Happy Valentines Day.
Blane emptied his little red basket and as we were leaving he said good bye to two "friends" in the hallway, one who had earlier tried to hand him back the card he was trying to give to her- as we walked by he said to a man "I don't have one for you." My heart sank. At that moment I realized what this outing was truly about- it was not about the cards- but about sharing a smile- a moment. And that now it was my job as a mom to teach my sons that giving is not about the gift or the card but about the thought -the smile -the kindness.
After the nursing home we went to the funeral home- wow- that seems uncanny to write. But not to our family- a family that lives at a cemetery. The boys took their cupcakes and cards to Dads office. Again the boys passed out their cards- this time along with a cupcake. They had made a special card for Uncle Mike; of course it was black and gold- GO CU. He was not there so they sat it on his desk along with a sweet snack.
After lunch we ventured to Whole Foods because I wanted to make a nice dinner, and where else do you go when you don't know what to make. As we walked in we admired the beautiful flowers displayed for sale throughout the store, as I went to grab a bouquet of tulips I thought "well maybe just maybe Daddy will get Mommy some."
I decided on the bone less leg of lamb. Mark has mentioned several times that he would like to try it -and something lovingly in me said "surprise him and just do it". I have always been a little hesitant- because I wasn’t sure I knew how to make it- sure it was my main entree for a final in a culinary class at UNLV but that was ten years ago.
Dinner was amazing! The lamb was delicious, accompanied by a mushroom coos coos, baby green salad with vinaigrette, and a crunchy french loaf bread. Mark paired the meal perfectly with a bottle of wine- and the table was just stunning dressed in a red tablecloth kissed with two dozen red tulips. Thank You Mark.
