roses are red. and yellow.

This year, C1 really pulled through for the V-day thing. I can't wait to hang this print in my new creativity room! We had some delicious Crown Burger, too--something I think we should make a tradition!

I loved making these valentines last year and decided to do some more. I've told you all to paint before. But really, I mean it. It's so much fun.

Here are some of my favorites from this year's bunch:

For someone who LOVES giving high-fives.

For someone who had a decision to make (he chose Utah!! yay!!)

For someone who drinks diet Dr. Pepper--like a lot.

For someone who found out we're having a baby girl in August!

Dear C1,

Remember how we were talking about what to do for Valentine's Day? And I said (with not enough regret) I don't really do anything for you for Valentine's Day, but YOU usually clean the kitchen and get me flowers? And how you said yeah, but flowers are ridiculous. And I agreed? Well, I have an idea for this year:

I saw on Robbie and Catilin's blog (hueandhum.blogspot.com) that Caitlin is doing an oh-so-cool Valentine "Pay What You Want" deal on some of her prints. She says whether it's a small or large donation doesn't matter--she just wants to share her art!

I love how she has a "friend-tine" and a valentine or "lover-tine" option--I think either would be great on one of the empty walls in my creativity room!! This would be the perfect replacement for flowers this year, don't you think?

I'm just trying to give you some suggestions...but don't feel too pressured to do anything...it's not like the whole Internet knows what I'm hoping for.

Love,
Your mean wife

p.s.
For those of you who don't know these amazing folks at Hue and Hum, Caitlin sells her art for screaming deals (obviously) and is always finding fun creative projects, and Robbie is a real live rock star and releases free songs on their blog. One time in High School Robbie and I performed a duet for our East High Seminary class. It's no surprise to anyone that HE is the one that went on to be in a band on tour.

Now the REAL holidays can start

Or so C1 says.

We had a pretty good Halloween, though!

I decided to get festive for our meal and broke out the watercolors again for some hand-painted name cards. I love painting--you should try it some time.

We dipped caramel apples at my parents' house. My mom is serious about her chocolate.

Please notice the shirt. And yes, it's puff-paint.

I had the best and only costume of the night (other than the trick-or-treaters, anyway).

C1 liked to smooth his caramel by hand, while Joe (along with the rest of us) chose the drip method.

mmmm mmmmm. Now that's one scary-good apple.

Two Goods and a Sad

This past week

I went to my sister's voice recital. She is amazing. I'll post the sound as soon as I can get my hands on it, but for now...you can just gaze and imagine the songs...I went on a Northern Utah adventure...on a quest for delicious ice cream and pyrex with my Retro friend. I found a lot more than that though...(more to come on my DI/Antique finds).
And, sadly, my managing editor left Utah Business to work for a national publication. She always called me "Miss Candace" and I'll miss that (among many, many things).

JT knows just how to say it

etsy artist

Well, the sun's not so hot in the sky today
And you know I can see summertime slipping on away
A few more geese are gone, a few more leaves turning red
But the grass is as soft as a feather in a featherbed
So I'll be king and you'll be queen
Our kingdom's gonna be this little patch of green

Oh, september grass is the sweetest kind
It goes down easy like apple wine
Hope you don't mind if I pour you some
Made that much sweeter by the winter to come

thought you might wanna know...

My mom is giving away this cook book on her blog.

The neat thing about it, is it's going to be signed by the artist--Melissa Peck. I've mentioned her art before. It's so unique and I love how bold and brave her style is. You can read more about the cookbook and enter to win it here.

Heaven on Earth

Honestly,

I cried the night before C1 started his new/first "real" job. This is how it went:

C1: why are you so sad?

me: I'm not sad.

C1: then why are you crying?

me: I'm not crying.

C1: why are you crying?

me: I just don't want to grow up.

C1: well then how about I just grow up and you don't?

me: OK!

But tonight, since the grandparents are out of town, C1 snuck upstairs and played the piano. I mean he really played it. And the music sounded so nice. And sooo much better than the sound doing homework makes (ummm...no sound at all?). I honestly can't remember the last time he did that.

And then I decided. OK. It's kinda fun to grow up. As long as it means there's more time for piano.

My Favorite Part About April

I think I will be posting about The Napkin Lady every year in April--do you remember hearing about her last year? I can't believe you'd be tired of seeing her...she's just amazing! and she is one sassy lady, hu? And we get to see her every April at my mom's house. My mom started a really cool series on her blog called "A Note from the Napkin Lady." She's sharing good old-fashioned thoughts and advice straight from The Napkin Lady. Don't you want to know what she's saying? It's amazing. go see.

Luck O' The Irish

Every little leprachaun deserves to have warm feet!

Especially if he is our cute neighbor and only a few days old!!

more hearts and hands

C1 knows I am going to try to win his heart with food. But I know that the real way to win his heart is through something University of Utah related...so I compromised with this cookie...

These bran muffins were inspired by my mom--heart healthy and festive! Oh, and delicious! Mom, don't you think this muffin has incredible crumb? I posted that picture just for you.

I went to an incredible "galentine" party on Friday night and left C1 home all alone...he was supposed to be catching up on homework. It turns out he was busy doing other things. I came home to this:

and this (really, is there anything better than clean kitchen?):

Isn't this birdie print so delightful? It will really brighten up my office, I'm sure of it!

I was definitely feeling the love, so naturally I had to share the love. I spent my Sunday morning painting these for some of my favorite people in my life. I'm really loving watercolor these days.

February Past

When I was in the 4th grade I wrote a poem called February Grump...I can't remember how it went but I know it involved an old man being upset about Valentine's Day. To prevent myself from turning into a February grump, I decided to look back on what February brought me last year...and I don't know February 2010, you have a lot to live up to...

baby Sarah Grace

baked oatmeal

crocheting hats like crazy

Ebay money and a roomier closet

making some sweet earrings (too bad that didn't last too long...)