Easy Valentine Craft ~ Love Heart

This year I have been really busy decorating for Valentine's.  I don't usually do anything except decorate some on my table, but for some reason this year has been different.  I have been busy crafting.  I made this fun and easy Valentine Heart that takes no time to make and even the smallest of child can give you a hand with this craft.

Valentine Trees

Trees are just for Christmas are they?  They can be used for any season depending on how you decorate them...  Well, I am not one to leave my Christmas tree up and decorate it with Valentine's decorations but I had some styrofoam cones that I bought to make at Christmas and never got them done.... So now they are going to be for my Valentine decorations.

Valentine Bottles

I have always wanted to decorate bottles and have loved the bottles decorated with jute or twine.  So this year I decided that I was going to do it and I love the results.  They are easy to make and you could use them for vases or even just as a decoration.

Pay it Forward ~ Creative

Have you ever pay-it-forward to anyone or had it done to you.  It feels wonderful both ways.  I love paying-it forward to others and one of the ways I have done it is leaving enough money to pay for part of the person bill behind me in the coffee line, dropping off something to the neighbors just because or putting money in the parking meter when I notice the time is running out.  This summer I had a stranger pay-it-forward by leaving a gift card at Tim Horton's for the next person that came to the til.. That person was me.  Leave me a comment if it has ever happened to you or how you have Pay-It-Forward.

Steak Dinner

I will be the first to tell you that I  do not make the best steak, but I am coming pretty close to being that person.  And I will let you in on my secret.. although I am sure it is not a secret to those that make steaks perfect...

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Valentine's Party.

I am a little late getting my party out there this week.  But it is better late then never... This week on Foodie Friends Friday we are going to have a.....

Valentine's Party

And on Valentine's Day all calories cancel each other out.. We are eating for LOVE!  I can't wait to see what you all are bringing to the party.  I have seen some wonderful Valentine's Recipes out there on facebook, google +, pinterest and the rest of the place I search for recipes.  I know that you have some.

Last Week's Highlights

Host Favorites

Head over to the Daily Dish Magazine to check out which recipes were our host favorites... Each week every host picks her favorite recipe.  Then then are featured over at the Daily Dish Magazine on Mondays.  To have your recipe picked you must have a link back to Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you linked up with.  Next week your recipe just might be here.

Host Favorites 

My Favorite

I love cheesecake so when I saw this Raspberry Cheesecake Bars from Baker Becky I just fell in love.. Check out the picture and you will too.  Thank you so much Becky for sharing these last week.

Photo Credit:  Baker Becky

Recipes with the Most Clicks

I have to say that I feel a little sheepish even mentioning this but all three of my recipes that I linked up got the most clicks this week.  Thank you so much for all of you checking them out.  I appreciate it.

Apple Cranberry Croissants
Berry Salad with Basil Chia Vinaigrette
Basil Strawberry Lemonade

This Week's Party

 

 

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

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An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Heart Cup Cozies

I have been into making cup cozies this winter.  This one is perfect for February's   Heart Health Month or even for Valentine's Day.. If you know how to knit and purl it is easy to make and only takes about an hour or two depending on how fast you knit.

Jars to Valentine's Candle or Candy Dish

One of my go to places to find ideas for crafts in Pinterest and I found this great, simple inexpensive way to make candles or even a candy dish or cookies... or what ever you may want to put in it.  I know I would love to have this on my mantle or even on my dresser, holding knick knacks.

Valentine's Day... What it means to me.

 This past weekend I was listening to Heather Tallman of Basilmomma  on her radio program Around the Kitchen Sink as I was folding clothes ( romantic Huh).  She had on Sandy Fowler of Heart Filled Holidays  and they  were talking about Valentine's Day.  Now mind you, Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate and I am not even sure why not.  This program got me thinking, what does Valentine's mean to me.

Valentine's and what it means to me

As I listened to the program one of the things that one of them said was that Valentine's doesn't just have to be for couples, just because you are not a couple doesn't mean that you can't celebrate Valentines.  Now, why didn't I think about that before.     I have  been single for a lot more years then I have been married and to me Valentine's Day was just for couples.  Now that I am married, it has a different meaning altogether to me.

When Mags and I first started courting and then got married, we lived in different countries, on different continents.  Valentines was just another day that we spent on the phone, talking to each other and wishing that we were together.  Now, we are together and it is just another day... 

So, this year it is going to change.  No I don't think I need a special day of the year to let him know that I love him or give him gifts, but it should be a day that we do things together.  Or that is what I thought we would do... we could spend some time just the two of us, together, eating a nice meal and being a couple.  With my work and his school, spending time together is hit or miss...   Well, I am not sure anything will happen this year, today as we sat down for a quick dinner together, Mags informed me that he has an exam on Friday morning, so guess what he will be doing... Yes, studying... But I hope that we will still have time to sit down and have a nice dinner together between the time that his classes are completed for the day and his studying begins.  We will see.

Along with the love that we feel for our spouses, families or friend, we have a greater love and that is for our Heavenly Father.  For without this love we have nothing, we would not have the love that we would share with those that are close to us.

Just because you are not a couple doesn't mean that you don't have someone to spend the day with.  Spend it with your friends or family and if by chance there isn't anyone at this time, you can have a wonderful Valentine's Day by yourself.  Splurge, buy your something nice, be nice to yourself and love your self.  Valentine's is also a great day to Pay it Forward, buy the person behind you a cup of coffee, or something that doesn't cost anything, smile at a stranger it may just make their day a little more brighter.

Valentine's Day doesn't mean great gifts, flowers or even chocolates, but it is a day to remind us of the great love that we have to all ~ our loved ones, the people who hold a special place in our hearts.  We don't have to spend lots of money to do this but with simple things to let them know that they are special to us and that we do love them.  So, I think this year I will get out of my comfy sweatpants, take a shower, do my hair and dress up.  I will also set a nice table with candles and have a great dinner waiting for my hubby so that we can spend a few moments together before we need to get back to our busy life of work and studying and 

That is  What Valentine's Means to Me.

I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day.  
You all hold a special place in my heart.


A Valentine's Printable for you.
To print click here

Printable will also be shared on Daily Dish Magazine

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻   Marlys

(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻ Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻

Related articles

• Everyday Should Be Valentine's Day (charlotte.cbslocal.com)
• Valentine Printables (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)
• Ideas for Valentines (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)

Ideas for Valentines

Ideas for Valentines

Valentine's is coming fast ~ Less then a week.

I am off this year, so I am sure that I will make something special for Dinner and maybe for Breakfast

I wrote an article over at the Daily Dish Magazine with meal ideas that could be used.

If you need some ideas head over there.

Last year I made BBQ ribs, boiled smashed potatoes and a Caesar salad

I also made some Valentine Chocolate Caramels and Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

 Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries
1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and bottom of strawberries trimmed so they will stand
1/2 lb cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
chocolate for melting
toffee bits for garnish

Wash, hull, (taking a little more of the strawberry out to leave a hole) and cut the bottoms of the strawberries slightly so that they will stand.  Set aside. Once the strawberries are dry, melt chocolate and dip the bottom half of the strawberry in the chocolate.  Let chocolate harden.   Whip Cream Cheese and powdered sugar together, place in decorator bag. Pipe cream cheese mixture in the hulled part of the strawberry.  Sprinkle toffee bits over the top of the cream cheese.  Serve and enjoy.

I had a Valentine's Party on my Facebook page, a couple of weeks ago and got many great ideas to share that could be made for this occasion.  Or any occasion for that matter. 

I hope you enjoy this wonderful array of goodies to make.

Photo credit goes to the owner of the blog from which the recipe is from ~ see descriptions below

Starting from the top and going across:
Black Bean Brownie Cupcakes from Nom Eat Nom ~ I have always wanted to try baking with black beans and these sound so good.  Maybe these will get me started on my Wheat Free Diet.
Princess Cupcakes from My Foodie Universe ~ These cupcakes are vegan and use beet puree or raspberry puree for the colouring instead of food dye.  Perfect for those that don't want their children to be hyper.
Truffles from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ Truffles that are gluten free and milk free using coconut milk and dairy free dark chocolate.  I am going to have to try these.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles from Couponing & Cooking ~ Snickerdoodles with a Valentine twist.. I am going to have to go out and find some Heart Dove chocolate.
Madeline's Paris Apple Cake from Cozycakes Cottages ~ Anything with Paris in must be for Valentines... as isn't Paris the city of Love.
Candy Heart Chocolate Cupcakes from Just Dip It in Chocolate ~ I love anything chocolate and the stained glass appearance of the candy hearts makes them beautiful.
Cheesecake Balls from Real Housemoms ~ Another one of my favorite things cheesecakes and decorating them with valentine sprinkles make them oh so special.
Truffle Tart from The Baking Fairy ~ This tart is describe as a buttery short crisp shortbread filled with a chocolate filling that tastes like a Lindt truffle.  Heavenly.
Chocolate Cake Hearts with Cream Cheese Frosting from Who Needs A Cape ~ No one will be able to resist these cute heart cupcakes.
 Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ I don't think Valentine's can be complete without chocolate covered Strawberries and they are even more perfect if you make them yourself.
Old Fashion Fudge from Yesteryears ~ I know that I would be putty in your hands if you gave me a piece of this melt- in - you mouth fudge..
Black Forest Brownies from Bibi's Culinary Journey ~Black Forest in a brownie shaped as a Valentine, now this would be perfect.
Almond Toffee Bites from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~This would be perfect in our house as it is made with Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter.
Mini Chocolate Cups with Strawberries from I Like to Bake and Cook ~ An easy dessert made of chocolate and strawberries
Red Velvet Cupcakes from Feeding Big ~Red velvet a perfect Valentine's treat
Chocolate Raspberry Shortbread from The Rowdy Baker ~ I am a big shortbread fan and combine it with chocolate... YUM!


So many ideas, so little time.  They are all so perfect, I am going to have a hard time to pick out something for my Valentine as I would like to make them all.

What have you made for Valentine's Dinner? I would love to know.

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻   Marlys

(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻ Enjoy your day....`*.¸.*✻✿*.¸.*✻



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