At Last

How could I pass up, on this, the day of love, the chance to post my most very favorite love song of all time?  I LOVE this song and it's simplicity.

And how could I not dedicate it to the guy who makes my life worth while and still can make me smile?  Love you, Dave.  Thanks for blessing me with a life full of kids, laughs, adventure, meaning, joy, and LOVE.  Here's to us!!

  We all define our own relationships and what it means to show true love.  Some show it with expensive gifts or big productions, but some choose to show it in little ways everyday.  Thanks, David, for making sure I feel loved everyday.  Your quiet, patient way, without need of recognition, means so much.  You see the "real" me and my potential.  Thanks for always encouraging me to be daring, live life to it's fullest, and support me in all my crazy endeavors.  I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!  Here's hoping that you've found your true love and enjoy a day celebrating that special someone.

Media Monday - Love On Many Levels

When you are younger, Valentine's consists of puppy love, secret crushes, and shuffling through the box of Scooby-Doo Valentine's to find the best one to give to that special someone.  Then, as you mature (or so you think), you finally get to spend Valentine's with that someone special on a real date and maybe receive your first bouquet of flowers.  Now, a husband and six kids later, I view Valentine's as not just a day to celebrate romantic love relationships, but all of the relationships that I love.  I think this movie addresses all of the various "love" relationships in life: romantic relationships, family relations, and love within a community.

It is definitely quirky, crazy, and abnormal.  I LOVE this movie.  Plus, even as a reclusive, slightly frumpy, strange young man, Ryan Gossling is still to die for.  So, give it a try, what have you got to lose, but a few hours.

Another thing I love about this movie is the music.  It's mostly original score, but to me, some of the most romantic music has no words at all.  It leaves you alone to just feel what it is you want/willing to feel.  Here's a sampling:

I hope we all can appreciate the good and lovely relationships that surround us everyday.  Grateful for those that fill my life with love - no matter how weird and abnormal I seem to be.

Scenes in Red and White

Just because Valentine's brings to mind visions in red and white.....

Just a sampling of the things I love.....

in red and white.

Love red and white enamel ware

and aprons

and vintage pot holders,

kitchen gadgets,

canisters,

and sewing notions,

thread and trim.

What do you love in red and white?

How Do You Know You Are Loved???

This is how!!

When you receive a box on your doorstep addressed to you from your dear friend in Washington!!

You open it and.....

it's filled with glorious treasures!!

What a lovely way to brighten my otherwise dreary, housecleaning day.  Here's a sampling of what was inside.  I just couldn't help, but share!

I love the option with the Peter Pan collar.

Or maybe I should make up this one!

Or this one....

Or any of these would do...but then I think I need a hat.

I think this is my favorite!!  Can you tell I'm a little giddy about the whole thing?  And, there was more prizes....

some fabric too!!

So how do you know you are loved?  When someone knows you well enough to know what it is you love and to think of you often enough to pick up treasures for you along their way.  I am just so happy - love you, Debra!!  Wish the miles didn't separate us, so I could give you a giant hug.  Although it might be kind of scary, the damage we could do, if we lived closer!!  The thought of it just makes me smile!!  Thanks for loving me!

Walking the Line

It being Monday, and me previously declaring Media Monday, I thought I would share one of my favorite romantic movies.  It's not one with a fairytale ending necessarily, but it does address the villains that some face - strained family relations, marital issues, and drug abuse.  It's a true life story with ups and downs and messiness.  Amongst the messiness that is life, a true love story is found.  That is what I love.  That is what is real.

After watching the show, I grew to have a new appreciation for the darkness in Johnny Cash's music.  I had never before been a fan, but I now listen to him on a regular basis.  He doesn't hide hurt and pain with flowery lyrics or melodies.  He's a straight shooter.  I like that.  He can be dark yet still embrace the beauty of love - it's usually not all one way or another.  My take-away from the movie is that life is hard and messy, but can be tolerated, rejoiced even, if you have the love of another.  Also, that loving someone means you love all of him/her - good and bad, agree and disagree - and that you see the best in one another, help each other find it, and expect it.  Also, that truly loving someone means that out of respect for that person, you put him/her first, not your own desires.  Whether it's as big as being true to each other or as small as turning their socks right side out.

 I think he says it best in this song.  I actually find this song truly romantic.  Who would have thought?

When you find true love it should be cherished and handled very carefully.....and if that means walking the line, it's well worth it.

My Thing for Bing

After my last post, I felt the need to take a little break.  I cannot say enough how grateful I am for such love and support.  Life is good.

With the new month, I am ready to put the bone chilling cold behind me and bask in the warmth of the month of love - yeah for February!!  

I have always struggled with Valentine's Day.  I most definitely have someone I love....well, lots of people I love, but I just never know the best way to convey how much they all mean to me.  As trite as it might seem, nothing seems to say "I love you" quite like a great love song.  A lot of love songs produced in the last twenty years seem to lack sincerity to me.  Ones from the Golden Era seem to resonate with me on a level that newer ones just don't.  Lyrics from the past are simple and sincere.  They aren't complicated with the quirks of modern day relationships.  In the spirit of the month I thought I would try and share a few of my favorites.  Here is one of my all time favorite singers singing a beautifully simple, heartfelt desire - 

I adore Bing Crosby and his smooth, soothing voice. That is probably why Emilee and I encouraged Steven to be Bing for his wax museum project.  I loved Bing before, but after helping Steven with his research, I realized what an accomplished man he truly was.  I only wish he was around a little longer so we all could get a little more of him.

Here is Steven's take on Bing -

 

I was so proud of him.  He did a terrific job!  Enjoy your month of love!