Wendy

I have three beautiful sisters and I was lucky enough to get to see two of them last week, Wendy and Lynda. (Sorry Melissa, missed you!) At Wendy's apartment I saw that she had her portrait up that I drew for her as a wedding present. I just had to take a picture and share it with you. I think this was the first time I drew a picture of someone and not only did it actually look realistic, but it looked like the person I was studying!

Me and and Wendy.

I dug up some photos I took of the drawing before I framed it and gave it to her. I had to crop out some of the dress in order to frame it.

This is a close up... obviously. Happy 5th Anniversary Wendy! (this spring)

Homemade Valentine

The cool thing about this card is that it is so cool that you can just reuse it every year. ;)Ryan came home early before I had a chance to make him a card this year. I pulled out this one I made for him 2 years ago. I don't keep all my cards, but this one is pretty fancy. I found the pattern on a very dangerous website, marthastewart.com and encourage you to check it out, but use caution. It can be very overwhelming!

Along the borders I put the words to one of my favorite songs, "The Book of Love" by Peter Gabriel.

Now doesn't that look fancy!?! Don't worry, it wasn't that hard.

I love you Ryan. Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks for asking my to marry you 9 years ago today!

Cupcakes!!!

I *heart* Cupcakes, yes, I do!! And where is the BEST place to get them? At "gigi's cupcakes" at Hilldale Mall in Madison. You have to go early in the day so there are lots to choose from. Being the smart lady that I am, I know that the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so... is was a cupcake Valentine's Day for Ryan!

Delicious, delicious, delicious! I also had a box with just one cupcake in it for me. (Don't worry, Ryan will be sharing those four as well...) The cupcake I had got dropped upside down in its box in the store. *sniffle*. It seemed to be okay, though a little smashed on top. On the drive home it again took a slight beating and ended upside down again! Fortunately there was plenty of frosting to take the blow. Finally at home I took out my tattered cupcake and set it on a plate so that I could cut off a portion for little Joshua. I handed it to him and then CRASH! Down went the cupcake, down went the plate. (The plate I've had for 8 1/2 years and has held off breaking until this very moment). You would think landing on a fluffy Raspberry Truffle cupcake would cushion such a fall, but no. Shards of glass showered onto my precious dessert. Happy Valentine's Day to me. BUT, Gigi's cupcakes are SO good I brushed off the glass, cleaned up the mess (well, actually Ryan did...) and I ate that cupcake darn it!

Okay, these are not "Gigi's" but not too shabby for Mrs. Connelly's first grade class I'd say. Unfortunately my son was sick and missed the Valentine's party today and these little masterpieces are still sitting on my counter being unappreciated. Oh well, there's always tomorrow... unless he is still sick, then they are going to Mrs. Miller's Kindergarten class with my other son.

Purple and Pink, my favorite colors! (I bet you are all really surprised.)

Valentine Cookies!

It just wouldn't be right to have Valentine's Day without Mom's Cut-Out sugar cookies. (Mom being my mom's recipe... which she probably got from her Grandmother). With a hint of almond and some chewy skittles on top you are in for a real treat. (Okay, I'm the only one who likes the Skittles, but you get the point).

This kept us all happy after church!

Delicious!

All in all a good time had by all... maybe.