Feb 10, 2014
I’ve always enjoyed collecting vintage Valentines, mostly because they’re punny! “I long for you” on the image of a dauchsund, “You make my heart go BOOM BOOM BOOM” with a marching drummer, you get the idea. I guess I’m a sucker for clever combinations.
Last year, when I needed something to offer as kids Valentines for the store, I decided to design my own. It was so close to the holiday, I only had a few days to sell them, but the response was good, so this year I designed a few more.
I think they’re really fun and quirky – and NOTHING like those dreadful, cheap, made in China options you find at every corner drugstore.
Each package includes 12 cards, three each of four designs per theme. Here are a few of my favorite themes from this year:
These favorites from last year are still going strong too:
So what do you guys think? If want to purchase some, it’s not too late. You can get them HERE.
Last week my friend Tony, who shares my affinity for collecting Valentines, sent me a text message:
“Ever think how cool it is that someone 100 years from now might have your cards in their vintage collection?”
Actually, it never crossed my mind… but now that you mention it, that’s pretty cool.
Jan 29, 2014
As life would have it, we are once again a home with three redheads. It all happened quickly, but already it’s been a blessing. To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I was ready for another pupalup, but I’ve known for awhile now that Lucy has been needing that kind of companionship.
I already knew that I wanted a golden retriever (because I didn’t have the heart for another lab, and goldens are the next best thing), so over Christmas I looked into Golden Retriever Rescues. There were lots of great-looking dogs, but none of them “spoke” to me. I just couldn’t get excited about the adoption process.
Then I saw my next furbaby in a photo on Facebook, and I knew he was the one. I think it was Divine Intervention that he was in the shelter, and that I saw him online, AND that I was able to adopt him so quickly. (In shelter on Friday, adopted on Monday, home on Tuesday.)
We were happy to have him join our little home, but for him it was a pretty traumatic week. From the shelter to being adopted, to getting neutered, adjusting to Lucy and I, me leaving for Market and dad dog-sitting for the weekend… By the end of the week (of course while I was gone), he had stopped eating and dad had to take him to the vet twice. When I got home, one barium treatment and one stomach exploratory surgery later, we discovered that his GI tract had stopped working completely. They said it could have been inflamed from stress. So he had two major surgeries within a week, the poor fella!
I’m happy to report that now he is healthy, happy and playful puppy! He’s still adjusting (we all are), but it’s been (mostly) fun!
The vet thinks he is about a year old and what appears to be full {red} golden retriever. He is beautiful and a sweetheart, there’s no doubt about it. He is also a chewer and thief, but we’re working on that. My favorite thing is that he smiles – all the time – it warms my heart.
Speaking of the heart, I’ll admit that I was caught off-guard by how little capacity I thought I had to love this “new dog”… and surprised by how much my heart has expanded to include him. (Just like the Grinch’s heart!) I didn’t think I was ready, but now that he’s mine, he has a piece of my heart too. And that’s a good thing (for both Lucy and I).
All that to say… our home (and hearts) have expanded by four feet!
Friends, meet Linus! Of course this occasion calls for an adoption announcement…
{BTW, the name Linus was my brother’s idea – he’s clever like that!}
We’re looking forward to lots of fun with Linus in the future! Just search for #ohlinus and #redlucyandlinus on Instagram
Happy Wednesday, friends!
Jan 14, 2014
When I take down the Christmas decorations, it always feels so… empty in the house. To cheer myself up, I like to pull out my Valentine’s Day decorations as soon as possible. It’s nothing fancy, just a few little things that make me happy.
Being the paper lover that I am, it’s no surprise that I’m a collector of vintage Valentines. I love finding them at antique stores and estate sales, especially when they have unique graphics or clever phrases. I have far too many to display, but every year I select a few to display on the mantle on tiny easels.
The bunting I made a few years ago out of some leftover burlap and red felt (and ric rac), but I think it spruces up the fireplaces quite nicely.
This is probably my favorite treasure of all. It’s the classroom Valentine box from when I was in the first grade. Yes, I’ve held onto a painted cardboard box for close to thirty years. Surely that must be some sort of record? Why on earth would I do that? Because it’s sentimental of course!
When I was in the first grade, our class made this Valentine box to house all of the cards we were to exchange. We each drew a portrait of ourselves and taped them in the windows. 
We cut hearts out of construction paper and tiled the roof. On Valentine’s Day, I was home sick, so I missed the doling out of the cards (and I was so sad). My sweet teacher, Mrs. White, stopped by after school and delivered the Valentines I had missed, as well as the schoolhouse. To date, it was one of the nicest things anyone has done for me. It meant a lot that she did that, and I honestly love how cute the schoolhouse is (although thirty years has started taking its toll on the poor thing).
Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day? If so, what kind of items are sentimental to you? What keepsakes make your heart happy?
Jan 8, 2014
Well, it’s official… Lucy and I are adding a BOY to our little family! He’s a (red) golden retriever and approximately a year old… and I get to meet him today! I know that sounds a little cooky to adopt a dog you’ve never met, but it just felt right. He’s a shelter dog, and I knew from the moment I saw him (on facebook), I HAD to have him. I just knew that HE was MY dog. There were a few hurdles to jump, but they just kept working out, so we’re going with it! (God has this funny way of doing this in my life. I say, “I’ll keep going, as long as you keep opening doors.” And He does. That’s how I ended up with the store to begin with, but that’s another story for another day.)
Jan 6, 2014
Well, I’ve been seeing all over Instagram and Facebook that my friends and inspirations have been choosing a word to focus on for 2014. I tried to pick one pre-year’s end, but none of them really stuck…. It doesn’t help that everyone around me seems to be wanting LESS and trying to SIMPLIFY. Sorry, but that is not how I feel about this year. I’m happy where I am, don’t get me wrong, but I want… MORE! I want more stability, more fun, more down time with family and friends, more travel, more goal setting, more goal accomplishing, more love, more happiness and more business (hey, just being honest here)!
So even though this year’s word may seem selfish, I’m standing by it- more is more, and I want it! 2014, I’m a-comin’-for-ya!
