A look back on February...

February can be a hard month... for some.

This year we had a mild beginning to winter, but most forget and dwell on the 

present sub-below temperatures.

I've overheard some talk about moving to warmer climate. Not me.

I Love the change of seasons, but sometimes catch myself complaining a bit about

 the heat and humidity of summer.

Sometimes I think about moving to Alaska in the summer, Ha. 

I thought I would post a few photo's that have brought me joy this February.

Yesterday morning I pulled the car over to stop and appreciate this beautiful sundog

I find beauty in winter, 

calm, 

quiet, 

peace 

and tranquility.

A box of candy sent to me by a patient. 

Dark Chocolate is my favorite, I shared these with my co-workers.

Homemade Chocolate chip cookies for Rick on Valentines Day (his mom's recipe) 

Two of my favorite things....Coffee and snow

All 4 of these little we here in February, these just warm my heart!

I bought myself a Hyacinth bulb at Trader Jo's, and watched it bloom over about a weeks time,

the aroma this small flower puts off is intoxication, so lovely!

My next door neighbor is so good to send photo's of our cabin during the winter months when we cant be there. We are looking forward to heading back up north in a few short months.

 Now that February is almost in the books...

I took this photo a few years ago at Breezy Point Cabins in Two Harbors. 

We are heading back up the end of March, We cannot wait to watch the sunrise over Lake Superior, one of our other favorite places to be.

Without action, it is merely a word.....Love

It's Valentine's Day and it's all about Love, right?

How do you define love?

As I have grown older (not old), I have learned that LOVE is really a verb.

 It's not only the things we give each other, it's not even just the words we say, 

but it's mostly the things you do for each other that truly represent love. 

I'm still learning...and working on it.

"I LOVE YOU"  three nice little words, that have no meaning with out the verbage. 

So next time you say, "I love you", and yes....say it often but back it with action,
show that person you love them by...

*spending time with them even when you want to do your thing

*being intentional and sacrificial in your time spent with those you love

*doing a chore they despise

*men, open the door for your wife

*ladies, give your guy a back rub when they least expect it

*ask, "how are you"....then listen

*respect each others opinions.... guess what you may not always be right

*thank each other for the little things.

*go somewhere that you know your spouse really wants to go, even though  you might not want to

*plan a date and surprise the other one (take care of the details)

*put your phones down, this one is a big one!!! Who would you rather spend your time with, your phone, or the one you love?....Prove it! 

I will make my Husband a Valentine's dinner tonight, 

then we will sit in the comfort of our our home and watch a movie of his choosing,
because I knows he likes to do that, and I love him! 

Love is a verb

Happy Valentines Day...

 OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH LOVE......

 Love those sweet cheeks.

Such sweet ones

Oh ~My ~Heart

A little diddy I wrote this morning for my Valentine  :)

Did you do anything special today...I'd love to hear about it  :)

My Valentine showed up....

I've never had a Valentine's day week quite like this one....

I've been staying at my Mom's since Thursday, helping her get around 

and all that goes with that. Today was better than yesterday 

and I'm hoping the momentum stays that way. 

Lets just say it was a very long first night,  

I'm hoping tonight there will be a little more sleep.

Tonight my sweetheart showed up with a box of chocolates

 (He was thoughtful in choosing one with dark chocolate....my favorite)

4 pieces already gone, and yes...I shared  :)

He swept me away to fill a Coumadin prescription for my mom,

 then to Culvers for some yummy custard. 

Best Valentine Day ever !!!

P.S.  I forgot to mention that Rick also installed a wireless connection to my Mom & Dad's computer so I can actually use my laptop. I was about ready to go out of my mind! I'm not a big TV watcher so there was a lot of thumb twiddling going on. My sister will also be glad to know she can now do some of her work from mom & dad's when she comes the end of the week to hang out with our parents.  Thanks Rick, you are the best!

Just to be thought of.....

Most of us think flowers & chocolates for Valentines day 

(and I'll probably get some of that too)...

but I wanted to share another kind of Valentine greeting,

one that comes from a friend...

a, "just thought of you" kind of Valentine!

 This week I received a Valentine note 

with and article tucked inside

 It read, 

"To my sweet Valentine friend, Jackie. 

This column made me think of you"

Love, Valerie

Leave it to my dear friend Valerie to send me this sweet card and thoughtful article,

Valerie knows I'm a "winter lover"

The article was titled, 

Don't give winter the cold shoulder

It was written by a local Lutheran minister named Emily,  She starts out with,

Dearest winter...

Click here for article

I hope you have time to read (or skim the article)

 I found a few sentences I could relate to, as if she were writing about me.

* "some people really, really appreciate you (winter). I'm thankful for those folks too, 

It's heart-warming to see how much they love the snow and even the cold"...that's me :)

* "You are a season that fortifies us. It's a time of year to be strengthened and renewed under a giant pile of blankets. It's a season to sit beside a roaring fire and savor every drop of a hot beverage. You (winter) give us opportunity to pause and to reflect"... I'm so there!

* "There is a time for everything, and a  SEASON for every activity under heaven"( Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"and you my darling Winter, are certainly a special piece of the puzzle"... I Love that verse in Ecclesiastes

Dear Valerie, thank you for thinking of me, and for sending me this lovely article. It would have gone unnoticed, I never saw it..... maybe that was so I could be blessed by you.

Happy valentine's day my friend!

Love Jackie

Romantic dinner for two

I like to fix a good old home-made meal for my Valentine...

on Valentine's day

MENU

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy

Garlic mashed potato's

& roasted asparagus

But the best part....

Just the two of us...

no crowds, no timetable

candle light, quiet

Good conversation with my guy

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you all had a sweet day 

Valentines weekend

Friday night...about midnight I walked through the livingroom and looked out the front window. I saw the most amazing picture. Our big tree in the front was covered with hoarfrost, the thickest, most beautiful frost I've ever seen. The street light in front of our house accented it's beauty. My first thought was, "man...I gotta get my camera and tripod and capture this moment. Then I remembered, my camera is in the "shop". Sigh... guess I'l have to wait till morning and get some shots in dayight with my little "point & shoot"

Saturday Morning

****

Rick and I enjoyed our Saturday together, chatting at Caribou in the morning, then running errands, and relaxing in the afternoon. Rick made me a yummy, omelette for supper and soon after our little Valentine came over so her mommy & daddy could go out on a date.

Audrey Joanne is our Joy... we played and played and giggled alot. She is such a fun baby!
***
Valentines day.... Today

~

Church in the morning, then the mall for lunch.

We came home and Rick & I hung our new (beautiful) picture above the sofa. We sat admiring our "newly" finished upstairs. We really feel like we have a new house, and we're so glad we took on this redecorating & fix-up project... the results are rewarding ! We love it !!!

~

Tonight, Rick took me to Victoria's for a wonderful dinner...

It was truly lovely, we were seated by a window, with a clear view of the snow falling outside. Those of you that know me, know that I was in my glory. Rick & I enjoyed the amazing loaves of Victoria's bread, and shared what Rochester voted as the "top italian meal" this year.... Mechi's chicken. Mmmm mmm good. If you have never tryed mechi's chicken, it's time you did .

***

After some great conversation & food we returned home to watch a movie on our new blue ray player which was playing on our brand new 47" widescreen TV. We watched Master & Commander with Russell Crowe, I kinda felt like I was at the theater :)

~~~

Did I mention we are also empty-nesting... Gavin traveled to Duluth to hang out with some buddies at UMD and do some down hill skiing at Spirit Mountain (lucky duck)

~

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend in whatever way was special to you !!!

When God made you

I wonder what God was thinking...

when He created you.

~

I wonder if He...

~

knew everything I would need, because He made all my dreams come true.

When God made you....

~

he must have been thinking about me ! ! !

I've never been so sure about anything in my life....

~~~

I Love you Rick,

Happy Valentines day

(Lyrics from "When God made you") Newsong