Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello friends! What a wonderful, if incredibly wet weekend this has been! AND Happy Valentine's day to you all! Even though I'm STILL single and this day remains the "National Singles Awareness" day to so many of us, I've always loved Valentine's because it's a day where I can freely and effusively tell people how much I care for them and them not think I'm totally off my nut! I have a ton of pink and red goodies I prepare (anyone can ask my family and they'll attest to this fact) and typically will create items for my co-workers and friends. I've made chocolate heart lollipops and pink and red biscotti. I've thrown pink parties and hosted Valentine's dinner parties. It's just a loving time of year and I love it. Yes, it's over commercialized and yes, it does make one feel a bit awkward talking to a single man on this day. What does one say?

This year has been a little bit different. I didn't make any goodies and the day fell on a Sunday...more about that later. I had the particular joy of spending yesterday with my cousin Rhonda and her little "shavers" (Dalton-10 and Olivia-7) as her and Creg call them. It could not have been a better day! Anyway, I went over to Rhonda's house where she'd prepared a yummy meal of chicken enchiladas and a birthday brownie. Oh, I think I neglected to mention my birthday is on Wednesday...Rhonda and the kids wanted to celebrate with me! I opened presents from them: yummy licorice and a Dairy Milk bar from the REAL Cadbury -- before Kraft's recent hostile takeover. Rhonda got me this charming little "tea for one" set from Poland. It's really quite cute. We went shopping, spent time just visiting, watched a movie, officiated a sibling battle or two. It was a spectacular day! It was wonderful sharing the day with them.

Today was another great day. I had a rough night last night, though. At about 2am, I heard this massive crash. I thought I was being broken in to. I thought the crash came from the lounge/conservatory doors as I hide my ironing board in the curtains coming from the lounge. So, I was thinking someone had gotten in to my conservatory (only windows in that room) and was attempting to get into the main part of the house. As it turns out, it wasn't the ironing board falling from behind the curtains (I keep it there as I iron while watching tv), it was the sound of my shower curtain crashing onto the tub and hitting some candle holders. Because I was scared someone had broken in, I was slowly (but bravely and looking very "Johnny English" ) investigating room to room. Oh, did I mention that all I had to do was to roll into the hallway to see into each room. Alas! It was the shower curtain. Whew. What a relief I didn't have to take on any burglars. My nun chucks skills are rather rusty!!! Anyway, after attempting a few times to get the darn thing back up (even at a much lower height) I went back to bed. 2am is really not a good time to attempt anything with much success!

Nevertheless, nocturnal excitement aside, I got up and went to church this morning and all throughout the service was reminded how very much God loves me. One of the ladies at a prayer meeting before the service had felt the Lord wanted us to really sense God's love for us and His delight in us. Our time of worship was focused on God's "singing over us." National Singles Awareness day? I think NOT! I hope you all had very wonderful Valentine's.

Oh, and as promised, I have some pictures from my pottery factory outing. Here they are: The Burleigh pottery factory shop,



and from the carvery where we had lunch after a "tough" day shopping!



Until next time...have a great day!