Valentine's Day Fun

Knowing my fondness for Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and, I assume, the pleasure at having this bread with our evening meals, my husband gave me my own copy for Valentine's Day. Also knowing my fondness for quotes, he included "bread" quotes in the front cover, and I must share my two favorites.


"I would say to housewives, be not daunted by one failure, nor by twenty. Resolve that you will have good bread, and never cease striving after this result till you have effected it. If persons without brains can accomplish this, why cannot you?" Housekeeping in Old Virginia (1878)


"How can a nation be great if it's bread tastes like Kleenex?" Julia Child

 Here is a "secret" Valentine's Day message from my daughter. Can you find the message?

I discovered chalk board paint a few years ago and we put this one on the wall in our dining room. 

I gave Ella some chalk and quiet time and this is what she gave us.

 

Trying a new homemade card style I came up with this valentine.

  

One day I gave the children paper, markers and glue sticks. Here are the love notes they made:

 

 

My husband and I happened to have already scheduled a winter walk at Weston Bend State Park for this weekend. We don't necessarily celebrate V-Day, but we don't purposely dodge it either, and now having children I think we'll be celebrating it more with them. It was wonderful to have a quiet moment together in the wee morning hours. The park opens at 7am...we arrived already full of coffee and cinnamon rolls for our walk.

Our walk took us along the Missouri River,however when we came across these bluffs we decided to climb them for an even better view of the river. 

Here is the view going up:

  

And here is the view looking down at the river.

  

Yes, we took a moment to capture US.

  

And we picked up some beautiful dried plants that now stare at me as I work in the kitchen.

 

This walk, I am proud to say, was my idea. I've always loved taking walks, but it wasn't until I met my husband that I learned to enjoy nature. One of our first times together many moons ago was taking a walk on our university campus. My husband, then friend, pointed out all the details of nature surrounding us. I will never forget that walk. I was in awe that someone had taken the time to know what was around them and to share the knowledge in such a caring way (meaning he never put me down for not knowing!). Now, I can point out God's creations to my children and actual name them. It's wonderful to be coming along. Ahh, the breath of fresh, Winter air was invigorating. We're ready to schedule another hike!

Oh, celebrating a holiday isn't complete without a sweet treat. I tried a new recipe, Red Velvet Whoopie Pies. We'll be baking these again!