cookies, cake and cocoa...more happy heart stuff!

there's still time to do something special for Valentine's Day,

so here are a few last minute thoughts.

you don't even have to leave the house for this one...

write a love note!

i feel sorry for kids these days.

they are introduced to texting and all that crap WAY too early.

which means most of them will skip THIS stage...

passing love notes:)

remember those days?

better yet was when you had a friend pass one for you...

even the notes that weren't so loving are priceless...

even still...they are love notes.

so for Valentine's Day, maybe we simply need to write a note 

and say "I Love You"...

like the good ol' days!

and if you're creative...a mason jar with a pretty tag to hold those

love letters:)

for my personal, favorite kids valentine idea of 2012,

one i would have done in a heartbeat...

is that cute or what?

and one of the easiest kids projects in the world is fingerprint art.

we made vases, cake plates...even decorated a wagon

for gardening.  

simply use your kiddies fingerprints.

 i especially like this artwork...

here's one more love note for the lunch box...

i say why not?

it isn't like they eat the skins.

i'm going to try this:)

and now a few more ideas to get you your sugar fix this hearts day...

Heart Cookie Roll.

this is SOOOO easy, no recipe needed.

just 2 rolls of sugar cookie dough, one tinted red.

plenty of SPRINKLES...

and bake.  That's it!

or...red velvet cake roll from "lickthebowlgood".

(click on the link for the recipe)

Red Velvet Cake Roll 

Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

photo...twopeasandtheirpod

Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

Make your sweetheart feel like a newlywed this year with this simple melted ice cream cocoa, served in chocolate-dipped mugs for an extra-special treat.

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 pint strawberry ice cream
• 4 cups water
• Whipped cream
• 1 cup Mini chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles

In a medium-sized bowl, melt the chocolate chips and dip the top of four mugs into the chocolate. Set aside, allowing chocolate to harden.

In a medium pot, whisk together the butter, sugar, and ice cream over medium high heat until melted.  Whisk in the water, one cup at a time until your favorite texture/flavor is achieved.  Heat just until steaming.  Pour into chocolate-rimmed mugs.  Garnish with a dollop of whipping cream and a sprinkling of chocolate sprinkles.  Serve with your favorite bite-sized cookies for dipping. 

ENJOY!!!!

A Christmas Love Letter...

 

Dear Child of Mine,

I see you sitting there...tired, stressed, worn out and empty.

Another year has used you up.

You sometimes feel happy...and you sometimes feel helpless,

like a baby.

That's okay.

I know all about being a baby.

I was born one for you many years ago. 

 I know the ache you feel to be held and loved,

and that is why I came.

I knew you would be sitting there in the future, 

praying and asking me to hold you...

and I am, dear one.  

I am holding you.

Let me give you a special Christmas gift of love

as I breathe new life into the center of your soul.

Do you know that I think of you every moment of every day?

I watch you as you go through your day.

I watch you with the children I gave you and i know how badly

you feel when you get frustrated and lose your temper.

I forgive you, my child, just as you forgive your children when they make 

a mistake.

I'm so proud of you and how you followed me when I asked.

Your sacrifices say that you love me.

I know all about sacrifices.

I left everything that was mine when I came from heaven.

I know how you feel when the Father asks so much of you.

Look at me, my child.  You may feel beat up, but do you know that

you are still beautiful? 

I see that smile.  

Yes, you're still as beautiful as the day I created you.

I love who you are and I'm whispering your name.

Can you hear me?

Remember, my child, this is not your home.

You really belong here with me in heaven,

but I want you where you are now,

to love the friends and family I gave you.

Don't give up.

Don't despair.

Trust me.

I won't let you down.

Every promise I've made is true, and someday,

I'm coming back for you.

For now, rest in my love.

Tonight...and tomorrow when you wake up, 

I'll be here watching over you.  

I love you.

Merry Christmas..

And thank you for celebrating my birthday:)

(Merry Christmas, my friends!

 i received a letter in my email this morning.

it was a devotional for homeschooling moms.

talk about a WINK from God!

it got me thinking how we ALL need a love letter like this,

especially those struggling right now.

so i re-wrote it...from me to you.)

XOXOXOXOX

Suzanne

a beautiful love letter...

i'm not sure where i came across this out there on the web,

but it is a sweet, touching love letter,

written by former President Ronald Reagan to

his wife, Nancy Reagan.

they always said theirs was a great love story. 

if this letter is any indication, i would have to agree.

(i KNEW i liked that man!:)

here's the letter...

the writing is kind of small so i'll re-write it for you.

"My Darling Wife,

     This note is to warn you of a diabloical plot entered into by some of our so called friends (ha!), calender makers and even some of our own children.  These and others would have you believe we've been maried 20 years.

20 minutes maybe......but never 20 years.  In the first place,  it is a known fact that a human cannot sustain the high level of happiness I feel for more than a few minutes......and my happiness keeps increasing.

I will confess to one puzzlement but I'm sure it is first some trick perpetrated by our friends (Ha again!)  I can't remember ever being without you and I know I was born more than 20 min. ago.

Oh well......that isn't important.  The important thing is I don't want to be without you for the next 20 years, or 40, or however many there are.  I've gotten very used to being happy and I love you very much indeed.

Your Husband of 20 something or other."

so SWEET.

a real life love story.

that's it for today, my shabby friends.

still waiting on news of my Dad.

thank you so much to all of you who have contacted me

and to those of you who popped in for a visit and took the time 

to say a prayer for him.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Suzanne