Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

 

The scene on Saturday at one of my favorite florists

Roses Are Red (and pink and white and yellow), Violets Are Blue

I Love These Flowers and Most Others, Too.

This may be one of my favorite flower combinations, 

Roses, tulips and peonies

What are your flower favorites? My other favorites are lilacs. We had lilac bushes when I was growing up and the scent of lilacs for that sweet, short season in spring brings back memories of springtime with my parents so long ago.  

Blessedly the weather is above freezing and most of the time it's sunny. I know we will still have a month (or so) of winter, but I'm relatively sure that the worst is over. I've put my heavy boots back into the closet and fingers crossed that it's the last of them for 2026.

To make the most of the sunny and warmer weather, I took an excursion to Rockefeller Center yesterday to see the ice skaters, always one of my favorite activities. 

Today was a day at the gym and a lot of little errands. I'm not sure how the weeks have gotten so busy with things to do, though I think as the years have gone by I'm not able to get as much done in a day as I once did. Has anyone else noticed this? And  where do all these errands come from? They seem to grown like weeds. By the time it's night I find that I'm just tired. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Hearts and Flour(s) for Valentine's Day

Flour(s) for Valentine's Day

Four our 2022 Valentine celebration Buttercupland is going slightly unconventional. We do have hearts -- please see the fabulous loaves of bread above -- and instead of flowers we're going with flours. I found these goodies at one of my favorite places in the neighborhood, Breads Bakery, and I was dazzled by their creativity.

Here are our hearts of flour. Please pardon the puns, but I couldn't resist. 

I stopped by Breads on Friday and enjoyed the fifty degree weather -- felt as though it were spring -- at their outdoor tables. It was blissful. I was sorely tempted by these heart shaped breads as well as pastries in the picture below, but I stuck with my mainstay, spinach pie and of course, coffee. 

Here are our Valentine "Rose"lach, a pink take on the delicious rugelach

 that's a standard on the Breads menu. 

This is only part one in our Buttercupland celebration of Valentine's Day. I'll be back later in the day with my favorite bouquet photographed during my walks around the neighborhood. 

Are you a hearts, flowers or flour person? I'm a flour/low carb baking blend person for my treats. I love looking at flowers, but I feel so sad when they fade away. I like candy and know I wouldn't say no to a candy heart, but I love cookies. I'm thinking of mixing up a small batch of chocolate cookies as my treat tomorrow. 

Happy hearts, flowers and flours, my friends. Hugs and more hugs for Valentine's Day. Thank you for your friendship. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a sweet day!

Pink Saturday Valentine's Day

 

Love and hearts on Valentine's Day!

I loved this beautiful bouquet at a very high end florist...

I loved both of these beautiful bouquets at the same florist... 

And these beautiful orchid plants.

I found this beautiful floral collection at a florist just a few blocks from the site where I got my second dose of vaccine on Friday morning. I stopped and snapped a few Pink Saturday valentine pictures while I was out and about. I wasn't sure how I would feel for the next day or so and couldn't let some fabulous floral shots go by. As Friday progressed I was achy and tired, and the feeling went on through last night. I got up this morning with just the usual collection of aches, but feeling good. I'm very grateful for having come through the side effects as well as I did. I did skip my monthly bible study -- couldn't keep my eyes open -- but was awake for a 70th Zoom surprise birthday party for a friend from Girl Scouts.  

Fortunately, the predicted sleet (my least favorite weather) didn't take place and it's a relatively warm 35 degrees. I'm going to take advantage of something I haven't seen all that often lately and have sorely missed, sunshine. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

A Few of My Favorite Valentine Things

Always on the lookout for unicorns,  even during a quick stop at Walgreens 

Since I heard about the sad passing of Christopher Plummer, aka Captain von Trapp, yesterday, I've been humming songs from "The Sound of Music." The first one that came to mind was "My Favorite Things," a song that always makes me smile. During a visit to the drugstore this afternoon I saw several Valentine candy boxes that also made me smile. Instead of buying candy. which I absolutely don't need to eat, I started snapping pictures. Inspired by "My Favorite Things," I'm posting a few of my favorites for Pink Saturday fun. 

Minnie and Mickey have begun their Valentine celebration

I love the look of the pink unicorn and Minnie and Mickey, but for eating enjoyment I'd pick this box. I know dark chocolate is the healthiest, but I am a fan of milk chocolate and I love, love Reese's. I'm also a big Kit Kat fan. It's not a fancy box, but this is the one for me. 

Anyone a fan of conversation hearts? These bring back memories of grade school, but I'm not sure I've had one in decades. I like the idea of the SweeTARTS version. 

What's everyone else's favorite Valentine candy? So far I've resisted buying any candy, though I'm sorely tempted. I try to wait until after the holiday and pick one favorite at half price. I'm a big candy fan and if I started eating now I' have eaten much more candy than I should eat. My eye is going to be on the Valentine Reese's. 

Miss Fluffy thanks everyone for the kind thoughts. I hope to  feature her next week. She was part of a very special wedding, that I'm hoping to blog about on Wedding Wednesday.

I made the most of what, may be, the last sunny and relatively warm February day for the next week. I made sure to get my three miles of walking done -- pictures to share tomorrow -- and several errands. I stocked up with groceries and managed to bypass wings, chips and all the Super Bowl temptations at the grocery.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sweet Greetings from New York/Buttercupland

 

For most people Valentine's Day is winding down, but here in Buttercupland I'm still enjoying the sweet feelings of the day. Valentines 2019 included texts, cards, a fun exchange from a group I belong to on Facebook and a rose from a Weight Watcher friend. 

 

I thought the excitement of the day was over by dinner, but my mail included a package from my friend Nellie, of  Berries and More. Once again I've been blessed to have "blog friends" become friends. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Nellie when I visited Tennessee in October and we've kept in touch since then. I had been thinking I'd put my coat on and go out and get candy -- a bad idea for so many reasons -- when I went downstairs to get my mail. I knew having a bag of candy would be like having krypton in the house and then the perfect amount of chocolate arrived in the mail, with my name on it. Yummy, delicious and thoughtful! Thanks, Nellie, and friends throughout the world who made this a very sweet day. 

 

Tuesday's snow is gone and I've spent the last few days enjoying my routines. I've walked throughout my neighborhood and enjoyed seeing Weight Watcher buddies, having coffee and going to the library. I know there's a month (or so) more of winter, but as the days get longer, I'm happy that the longest and darkest days of the winter are behind.     

 

I hope everyone had as sweet a day as I did and has a great weekend. As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

Valentine Pink Saturday

 

Sending bouquets...

 



 

And more bouquets...

 

 

 

 

And still more bouquets...

 

 

 

Of Happy Valentine Wishes!

 

 

The polar vortex has arrived, but I'm not letting the cold get in the way of warm Valentine wishes. I hope everyone on the Atlantic side of the country is keeping warm and our California friends are keeping cool.

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a Pretty in Pink Saturday and a wonderful Valentine's Day. 



Valentine Card Shower Pink Saturday

You are cordially invited to join the Valentine Card Shower

For the  fifth year in a row I am happy to be a participant in the Valentine card shower for Children's Hospital of Kansas City. Thanks to my sweet bloggy buddy, Melinda, at "Country Dreaming", for once again organizing the effort in Blogland. I'm not especially crafty, but I know there are some very talented crafters who are part of Pink Saturday, and could make beautiful Valentines to share with kids who will be patients at Children's Hospital on Valentine's Day.

Please stop by Melinda's blog for details. Even a few cards will make children very happy and you may discover a crafty side you didn't know you had. I've got my red hearts and owl stickers ready to ask "Hooty Hoo wishes you a happy Valentine's Day?"

We're smack in the center of winter here, single digits in the morning and snow predicted for a few days next week. I promised not to complain about the winter, and I'm making every effort to keep that promise, but it's getting tough. I had reservations to go away for February, but then decided I liked being home too much. I do like being home, but I think next winter I will be away for some time in January or February. I'm just not a winter girl.

I did get to the gym today and restocked my yogurt, fruits and vegetables. I've got a couple of fun recipes that may (or may not) be next week's feature on Foodie Friday, and I've got my very first spaghetti squash waiting to be cooked.

As always, thanks for visiting and keep cozy! Baby, it's cold outside.   

Happy Valentine's Day

Since many of us are weary of winter and ice and snow I thought I'd do something a little out of the norm for my Valentine's Day post. Thanks to our friends at  Guinness World Records we're going to look at a few of the record breaking ideas people had to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Yes, it's the world's largest chocolate truffle!

The largest chocolate truffle weighed 1,768 lb 11 oz  and was achieved by Mirco Della Vecchia, Andrea Andrighetti, Rimini Fiera, Fabbri 1905, Icam and Martellato (all Italy) at the Sigep Fair in Rimini, Italy on January 21, 2012.

Another Guinness World Record fact is that Richard Cadbury -- the son of the founder of the candy company -- created the first known heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, 1868.

Jackie Miley and the world's largest collection of teddy bears

Jackie Miley (USA) had 7,106 different teddy bears, as of March 11, 2011, which she has been collecting since 2002. When Jackie began the collection in 2002, she had no idea things would turn out as they have. When the collection grew, she thought she would like to collect as many teddy bears as Hill City’s population (780) for a goal. Since then her collection has grown to such an extent that she now has them in a little house of their own called Teddy Bear Town. It is located across the street from her apartment.

What's your favorite Valentine treat? Flowers, chocolate, a romantic dinner out? I don't have a favorite, though some of that truffle would be fun, and if the temperatures are above freezing tomorrow I'll be a very happy New Yorker.   

I spent a quiet day at home. The snow looked pretty and it didn't look too treacherous from my fourth floor window, but when I went down to mail a letter the sidewalk was very icy. I retreated back to my apartment and spent time reading, decluttering -- always a useful activity -- and I took an afternoon nap.

As always, thanks for visiting. Take good care and keep cozy, warm and safe.  

Get Your Hearts and Flowers Ready...

...and all your card making supplies. 

For the fourth year we have been asked by Melinda at "Country Dreaming" to be part of the Valentine Card Shower Party. To make things brighter for kids who are in the Children's Hospital in Kansas City over Valentine's Day -- it makes me sad just to type this -- one of the local radio stations sponsors a card party. It doesn't matter where you live or how crafty you are, you can be part of the fun. I'm not so crafty -- maybe the card class I'm taking next week will help -- but I had fun last year with stickers and fun, too, knowing I could make the day sweeter for little ones who couldn't be at their class party or enjoying Valentine's Day at home. 

The details are on Melinda's blog. Just click the link above. You'll get all the information about the card party and you'll get to meet Melinda, too, and she is a sweetheart. The cards need to be at Melinda's on February 8 so she can get them to the group in time for Valentine distribution. There were six bloggers who participated last year and wouldn't it be great if we could double the number for 2014. I've got my heart stickers ready and I just need to buy the cute pink scissors I saw at Michael's last week. 

We're gearing up for snow here. Tomorrow's going to be a baking day and I'm perusing banana oatmeal bread recipes. I think there may be a pot of soup that needs to get made tomorrow, too. I've got books to read, papers to shred and blogs to visit, and I am so glad I don't have to go out until Wednesday morning. 

As always, thanks for visiting. Keep warm and cozy and take good care of yourself. 

I Came to Crochet...Pink Saturday

On my trip to Michael's on Monday I discovered that a craft open house was scheduled for today. If I booked classes today I would get a discount on the class and a discount on supplies. Finally I was going to learn to crochet.

  I spent my bus ride dreaming of the yarn I would pick for my first crocheting project. I kept debating whether I would crochet a scarf or if there was an alternative for a complete beginner. 

When I arrived at Michael's there was a table near the entrance for all of the craft instructors. There was jewelry displayed, cake decorating supplies and cards, but there was no yarn. I asked one of the women sitting at the table where the crochet teacher was and was told that there were two of them and neither had arrived, even though the event had begun an hour before. I didn't want to register without asking a few questions and while I waited for the instructor I made a quick change in plans. I was going to take a different class. The nice woman I had chatted with was teaching card making and I certainly could use a refresher course in that topic. I signed up for "Card Tricks in a Flash," and I have high hopes for this years Valentines. The jewelry looked good, too, but that will have to wait for another time. 

Instead of yarn I have this to look forward to...

...and I think I'll add a pretty in pink scissor, too. 

I really need the pink striped model. Really!

I came to crochet and I departed a card maker. I'm excited about my card making class and I'm already dreaming of the cute cards to come. 

I arrived in time to be early for my Bible study group this afternoon and enjoyed the conversation and the study. We are slowly making our way through Ecclesiastes and feel so grateful to be part of the group.  I walked most of the way home in sixty degree weather, which felt like spring. Very unseasonable, but so nice after our arctic conditions earlier in the week. 

So enjoyed being part of Pink Saturday. Please stop by and meet some great bloggers. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care! 

The Ghost of Winter...Past, Present and Future

One of the advantages/disadvantages of retirement is listening to the news and the weather. I used to feel that I never got to leisurely enjoy watching the news and weather -- especially in the mornings -- but now I feel I'm watching all the time, sucked into a vortex -- word of the day -- of weather over-information. Out of a fear that I might never leave my apartment again I tried to run every errand I could yesterday morning. I got to stores I hadn't visited in months -- the boot kept me out of a lot of random jaunts -- and I found myself at Home Goods, Michael's and Whole Foods.

I had a great time and especially enjoyed my visit to a very uncrowded Michael's.

This is the ghost of winter past...Lots of temptation, but I had inventoried cards and ribbons and Christmas decor and needed very little. I did buy three little snowflake decorations that I can actually envision using. 

This is the ghost of winter present and the Valentines I need to be working on now. Yes, it's January 7, and yes, there is in theory lots of time, but the two cute packages of stickers may well take up permanent residence on my craft shelf if I don't get going now. I hear their little voices crying out to me. 

   And this is the ghost of winter future, or spring! I believe that spring starts just about at St. Patrick's Day, and if the St. Patrick's Day decorations are out, can spring be far behind? It gives me hope that we won't be living in an eternal Polar Vortex.

Life today in the Polar Vortex...

My cards and decorations are now on the third shelf of my linen closet and, I'm happy to announce that the linen closet got some long overdue rearrangement. I had nowhere I needed to be today and more than enough food to keep me well-fed. I even did a little beautification -- some might call it upkeep -- and deep conditioned my hair. I was beginning to have a serious case of hat hair that has been somewhat relieved. 

I hope those of you deep in Polar Land are keeping warm and cozy. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Will You Be My Valentine?

Source: catchmyparty.com via Sheilz on Pinterest

Nothing would make me happier

Wishes for hugs and love and happiness on Valentines Day and all through the year!

A Hop and a Skip to Country Dreaming

My sweet blog buddy, Melinda, at "Country Dreaming" , is once again participating in the card project for children in the Kansas City Metro area, who will be hospitalized over Valentine's Day. I know there are lots of talented bloggers out there who could make fabulous cards! All the details are on Melinda's blog -- just go to the link above. It's a chance to let your creativity for hearts and pink and fun go wild, as well as bring smiles to kids. It's one of my projects for this weekend, and a perfect activity for a cold weather weekend.

I took today off and a had a lovely and relaxing day. I spent some time exploring Whole Foods for my paleo shopping list, stopped off at Staples for a quick errand and had my annual appointment with my opthamologist. He said the loveliest words, "See you next year." I also discovered several programs for "senior women in transition (e.g. retiring)" at the local Community Center. The first is on Thursday night, and weather permitting, I'll be there.

I had signed up for a program at Etsy in Brooklyn for tonight, but the thought of coming home at this time of night in this cold -- it's a bus ride and a train ride and a walk -- was too much. I will be on the lookout for other Etsy activities when the weather gets nicer.

Please don't forget to visit Melinda's for details on the card project and to meet a lovely blogger. 

Wishes for a cozy night!

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing you

Source: flickr.com via Carol on Pinterest

Hearts...

Source: Uploaded by user via Carol on Pinterest

 

Flowers...

Source: sweetdaze.blogspot.com.au via Carol on Pinterest

and everything sweet on Valentine's Day.

With love from Buttercup!

A Hop and A Skip to Country Dreaming

I have a good dozen blog posts in mind, but between an evening meeting on Tuesday and a birthday celebration for a friend last night, they are still unwritten, and I am sadly behind on visiting blog buddies. But as I was skipping through Google Reader I saw a post from my friend, Melinda at Country Dreaming.

Melinda is collecting Valentine's for children in Kansas City who are hospitalized over Valentine's Day. As she wrote, 

  "I told you about a children's hospital here in Kansas City that sponsors a Valentine Card shower for the patients that are at the hospital on Valentine's Day. One of our local radio stations also assists with the shower by collecting and delivering the cards to the hospital on Valentine's Day. The children get to choose from the array of cards that have been brought in." 


Please stop by her blog -- you'll enjoy the visit -- and you will find all the details. I am a big fan of Valentine's Day and this will be a great way to get into the spirit of hearts and flowers.  


Coming up tomorrow, Pinterest Healthfest!

Love is in the Air...

...Of course, it's Valentine's Day!

The cute love bookmark is thanks to my blog friends at Paisley Cat Designs, who have some of cutest blog decor in the whole of Blogland. This was a sweet giveaway that I wanted to share on Valentine's Day. 

Valentine love and hugs, friends! 

It's Never Too Soon...

To ask my blog friends to be my Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day

Hi Bloggy friends! So glad it's a long weekend. Will be back over the next few days to catch up, but want to make sure to wish everyone a very happy Valentines Day.