Vday is coming! Vday is coming!

...as Paul Revere would say, urgently.
I love Valentine's Day.  Growing up, my mom would find ways to secretly put things on our front porch (when she "went to take the garbage out" maybe?) and then ring the doorbell and run.  We would open the door to an assembly of fun little gifties (a heart-shaped pin, a little pencil with a heart eraser, some candy).  Lovely.

Then I grew up a little more and Valentine's Day was all about reading between the lines of the class valentines.  Sure, everyone gave one to everyone but was there an underlying reason that Eddie gave me one with "doggone it, you're wonderful, valentine" on it? (Answer:no.)  Or why someone signed their name love, Mark??  (Again: no.)  Oh, the code breaking (and the heartbreak)!

I still love Valentine's Day. But sometimes it kind of sneaks up on me and I run out to CVS on 2/14 for some quick Valentines treats.  If you're in that boat, too, here are couple of easy + fun ideas I've spotted.

First, if you have kids who need to take a little Valentines card or goodie to school, consider our favorites: Valentine airplanes.

 I posted here (and the year before that but who's counting?) about how to make them.  Basically smarties + a piece of gum + two lifesavers + a cute tag = low fuss Valentines sweetness.  We have made them for--oh--7 years now and they really are a hit.

I've been trying to think what to make/give G for Valentines.  Then I saw this today and decided it could be the perfect thing.  We used to be faithful letter writers--we dated long distance for quite a while, after all--and it's something I'd like to revive.  An envelope book with lots of places to tuck notes and letters, past and present seems like just the thing. Love this!  I think kids would love one as well, a Jolly Postman-type book filled with letters just for them.

~via oh, hello friend

Just wondering: What was your best Valentine's Day ever?

 

Loveliest day

Our last full day in Florence we spent at the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. In a lovely twist of luck, it was the nicest weather day of the whole trip: sunny, blue skies, no wind.  A Room with a View, anyone?  It was a highpoint for me, spending the day wandering around with these people I love.

{On a side note, I love Room with a View.  I made Greg watch the movie when we were dating and he hated it.  What? It gave me pause...could I have a future with someone who despised all things Merchant-Ivoryish?  But then I got over it and I'm glad.  He still doesn't like "pasty-boy movies" but it turns out it doesn't really matter in the big-picture scheme of things.  That's what Girls' Nights Out are for, after all.  And he does love the actual Florence and its views, which is good.}

Happy, Happy Christmas Eve

via flickr (Florence, Italy)

via Flickr (Denmark)

from Bobedre (Denmark)

Wishing you much merriment and hygge on this magical evening.

I love Christmas Eve*.

The pineapples have been delivered.

The clam chowder and bread bowls are beginning to take shape.

The kids are hyper and happy and excited.

Music is playing.

We'll eat.

Open our Christmas crackers and wear the silly paper hats.

Take a Christmas walk.

Come back and light the final advent candles.

Read the Christmas story.

Sing.

Hang stockings.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

May your Christmas wishes come true!

***

*even though I love Christmas Eve, that doesn't mean I haven't cried a few times today...once when we left Louie (for 10 days!) at the kennel, once when I missed family being close and felt a little sorry for myself, and once from a happy/overwhelmed mix.  Just another holiday in Annie's world :)  

What does a "simple Christmas" really look like?

Why thank you for asking, because we are experiencing one around here!

Not one of those well-intentioned "oh, we're so simple" Christmases that, three trips to Target later, turn into a full-blown holiday fest (not that I'm admitting I've ever done that).  

We are REALLY simple this year.  Low-key. Lazy--whatever.

Here's our little tree.  Oh, yes I DID put baby in a corner:

Santa will be bringing stocking stuffers and is under strict instructions to limit his bounty to little gifties and trip items.  {Although Santa, if you're reading this, you're welcome to leave something more substantial for me...No?  Okay.}

I did put some wreaths up outside on our windows, though.  Merry Christmas, neighbors!

And threw a fake pine bough on our festive red cabinet.  Okay, there are also some candles and a nativity out (and most of our Christmas books).  That's it, folks!  And you know what?  It's been liberating!  I'm not saying we'll never go back to the luscious, decorated, sensory feast that is the ghost of Christmases past.

But, for now, simple is good.  Reading out loud.  Playing games.  Making things for each other.  Less stress.  Probably experiencing Christmas like everyone who shops ahead and plans does, not the procrastinated frenzy that is my somewhat usual pattern.

Stay tuned...will the kids remember that the TRIP IS THEIR CHRISTMAS?  Will there be tears on Christmas?  This is my fear.  Generally, I don't think kids get simple. 

Best Christmas Pageant ever

To balance out my rant against Mr. Madoff today, I thought I'd share my favorite children's Christmas play scene, from the classic movie The Bells of St. Mary's (starring Bing Crosby as a priest and Ingrid Bergman as a nun). It's a must see; enjoy: