Happy Monday sweet friends! I hope February is off to a great start for everyone.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:14 (ESV)
I have loved Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember. It was so much fun as a child in elementary school to give cards to all my classmates. Of course times were simpler then.
It is Monday Morning Blooms with my talented friends, Lidy and Mary. I am sure you guessed that our theme is Valentine’s. You will find Lidy’s and Mary’s links at the bottom of this post which I am certain will inspire your Valentine’s Day celebration!
The first piece of jewelry I received from RM was Valentine’s Day 1971. We had been dating for about six months and I expected that he would bring me flowers or chocolates. Instead he gave me a beautiful gold heart locket, the first of many lovely and romantic gifts. Our oldest granddaughter has been promised the locket when she is a little older.
Grocery store flowers are my go-to during the winter months when my garden is sleeping. Spray roses, alstroemeria, pom daisies, eucalyptus, and a filler that reminds me of yarrow were arranged in an American Atelier ‘Baroque’ pitcher.
After the Christmas tree was put away, RM thought the corner in the Sunshine Cottage looked bare. He cut a scraggly little tree and put a few strands of white lights on its bare branches and I thought it would be romantic to tie a few of our Valentine’s cards on its branches. The dinner table is set for two!
Red Velvet is my Sweetheart’s favorite!
For many years we have celebrated Valentine’s dinner at home to avoid crowds, long waits, and noise. I had rather be at home where it is quiet, with music of our own choosing, and maybe a dance or two!
You might be thinking, what is the purpose of a canal in a Valentine’s post? Our first trip to Italy was 2004. We visited three cities…Venice, Florence, and Rome. I thoroughly enjoyed each one, but my favorite was Venice! It is a city that is truly magical. I came away thinking it was the most romantic city that I had ever visited and my wish was to return one day.
Fast forward to the year 2013, it was our fortieth anniversary, and the year that I would enter a new decade. My wish came true and we returned to romantic Venice. While we were there, my Renaissance Man bought me two paintings of the city that doesn’t have streets, but canals as their means of travel. We met the charming artist and he gave a lovely description of the exact locations where he painted them. Both paintings hang in our dining room and they often bring back memories of those wonderful romantic trips to Venice!
If you have followed Everyday Living you know that I have been saving our Valentine’s cards for years. Each year they are pulled out to be reread aloud on February 14th. We have both laughed because many of the same cards have been purchased more than once. We have changed our tradition. Rather than buying cards, we now write letters which are more personal and romantic!!
A favorite floral April Cornell table square tops the small round table (perfect for two), along with a plate stack of four different patterns…transferware, toile, chintz, and floral!
My two granddaughters and I are having a tea party this week. We are going to make Valentine’s cards to hang on the branches. They love making their own cards and spend many hours drawing and coloring each one to make them special. We have a collection of their cards and we treasure each one!
My gold-crowned red velvet heart always appears on Valentine’s tables!
February is a special and romantic month not only for Valentine’s Day, but as many of you know, it is our anniversary month. February 23rd will be number 51!! God has blessed us with these wonderful years, and He answered our prayer for a child (son) after almost thirteen years of marriage. We have a beautiful daughter-in-love, and our three grandchildren bring such joy. How truly grateful and thankful we are for family…tremendous blessings!
A small painting of the Eiffel Tower was added to our table for two. Paris is considered by many to be the most romantic city in the world! I agree that it is definitely romantic!
On a 2006 visit to Paris, we took a riverboat dinner cruise on the Seine. It truly was a romantic and magical evening as we enjoyed a delicious dinner as a violinist serenaded each table. The views of the Eiffel Tower were breathtaking! We didn’t have much of a camera, but we definitely have a memory, a romantic one!
“We love because He first loved us.”
I John 4:19
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. For more Valentine’s inspiration, click here and here.
Wishing you a joy-filled week and a lovely Valentine’s Day !
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Pam, The Sunshine Cottage is so festive with your table for two and ambiance of twinkling lights. I heart your pretty plate stack and April Cornell floral table topper. So many pretty details with your pitcher of flowers, etched glasses, candles and velvet heart. Love the addition of the Eiffel Tower at your table as a remembrance of your trip to Paris too.
I love your new heartfelt tradition of writing letters instead of buying Valentine’s Day cards. Your past years’ cards are such a sweet touch hanging your tree. What a fun afternoon to look forward to having tea with EM and EK and joining them making their own cards. As always, it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy on these Mondays. Wishing you a wonderful anniversary month ahead. ❤️
Thank you, Mary for the warm wishes. Happy Monday❤️
Happy Anniversary! My husband and I will celebrate our 34th on the 10th.
Thank you, Maryannand Happy Anniversary to you and hubby❤️❤️
As always, Pam, the table and flowers are beautiful. My Husband and I spent six weeks in Venice this year and had a wonderful time learning about this very romantic city. We took literally thousands of photos and are now teaching a class about Venice. It is truly a romantic and fascinating city. We hope to return one day and revisit our favorite spots. Have a great week.
Lynne
Thank you, Lynne! Wow six weeks in Venice must have been fabulous! Was this your first time to see the romantic city? I would love to be in your class and see all of your photos. Keep me updated on your class, Lynne.
As always I feel emotional when you write about your love for each other. And I read the cards you show us. But most of all the fact that you write love letters to each other. ❤️ The tea party with the grands is going to be a memory maker. Your table shows the thought you put into everything and love is the theme not to be forgotten . I like that Butch had a part by bringing in the tree limb and lights. And since it’s your anniversary month let’s celebrate all month long!
Thank you my dearest Alice. I agree we will celebrate all month that God in His divine providence put us together for this lifetime ❤️ The girls are excited about the tea party!
The Sunshine Cottage looks so pretty dressed up for Valentine’s Day Pam! I love the way you did the flowers, and love the beautiful white pitcher. RM’s Valentine’s tree is such a sweet idea and a wonderful way to enjoy your cards. You have a lot of special memories of romantic moments and travels and I know with your anniversary this month, February is very special indeed! Your candlelight table is set so beautifully and I know you will have much fun with the girls having tea and then a romantic dinner for 2 ❤️
Thank you, Jenna for your sweet comments. The girls always get excited about a tea party! Happy Monday❤️
What lovely memories you make. The sunshine cottage is a beautiful place to create memories for your entire family to enjoy and recreate! Enjoy your anniversary month and your loving family.
Thanks so much, Caron for your warm wishes!
Love all your valentines. The locket from your sweet hubby when you were dating is so special and heartwarming. To promise it is so sweet too. Love that she will have a family heirloom to treasure for years to come. I heard that Venice is a very magical city and very romantic. I hope you can plan another trip back to Italy soon. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris.
Thank you, Kris for your sweet comments. I am definitely a romantic at heart! Wishing you a lovely week, my friend!
Pam, you and Butch need to write a book on how to have a long, happy, and romantic marriage. It should be required reading for Gen Z. When you were in elementary school, did you all decorate shoe boxes with a slot for all your school valentines? My mother always helped me beautifully decorate my box, and every child got a Valentine from every other child. You are right, life was so much simpler and kinder back then. Congratulations on Number 51!! We will be right behind you in April. I think I told you my engagement ring was stolen last summer by a workman who admitted to the theft but would not tell the police what happened to it. It was a teeny diamond (we were really poor in 1973), but at this point in my life it is irreplaceable to me. But I am happy John and I have a great life, and that is what is important.
Roxanne, you are too sweet. As you know in your almost 51 year marriage, it takes work and God must be
at the center. Yes, we did decorate shoe boxes and every child was included in our Valentine card exchange! I am so sorry about your stolen ring, I remember you sharing the story with me. Yes, the ring is irreplaceable. I guess the thief pawned it. So sad how rampant crime has become. I am so happy for you and John❤️
Oh Pam, so romantic are your paintings of Venice. It truly is a romantic city. I fell in love with Venice watching the movie “Summertime” with Kathryn Hepburn and knew I would visit it someday. There are so many romantic cities in Europe and I have been fortunate to visit many of them. Remembering Paris is always romantic. I agree with the others as we wholeheartedly endorse the letter writing as it does somehow seem a bit more personal and intimate for only the two of you to see. I am sure the girls will enjoy the valentine making and putting them on the sweet tree Butch made for you. Sigh…I will always be a romantic and I am so fortunate that my Captain is too. Happy Valentine’s Day and your table and all it’s accessories is simply lovely. Hugs and Blessings Always
Thank you, Kari. There are many romantic cities in Europe and we have been blessed to see many. The hand written letters are most special! I will always be a romantic! Love and hugs!
Happy Monday, Pam! Your floral arrangement is gorgeous! Your setting for two is so lovely with the beautiful April Cornell table square and pretty china. I’m with you on celebrating at home. I’m not a fan of lots of noise and crowds. It is just more special to celebrate at home. The tree with lights adorned with cards is such a sweet and special touch. Have a wonderful week ahead, dear friend!
Thank you, Shannon. It is more special to celebrate at home, sweet friend!
There’s so much to love here, Pam. My heart is overjoyed by ALL the beauty and LOVE–the love of Christ’s words, your cottage (Butch–great idea on that tree!), Venice, the tableware, flowers, and my favorite too, Red Velvet anything! I’m so happy I’m able to comment here. I’m sorry I’m unable to visit daily. But each morning I’m praying for you both and your precious families (how wonderful your oldest granddaughter will receive the locket). I keep thinking about Mr. Blue Eyes from yesterday, too! Much love and prayers, always! Karla and Finley 💛💕❤️🙏💕 Happy Valentine’s Day early! Thank you for the inspiration!
Karla, I am thrilled you have been able to comment. Your comments warm my heart dear one. If you were close by I would make you a red velvet cake using my Mother’s famous recipe. She baked one for years to be auctioned for a fundraiser. The last year she lived, her cake sold for $1000.00 dollars. Mr. Blue Eyes loves the dirt and tractors. He is definitely a country-lovin’ boy. Praying for you always, our friend ❤️💜♥️
You are a romantic at heart and you share that wonderful gift so well with the world! Combining past travels into current celebrations is a beautiful way to keep the memories a live! Your tablescapes are beautiful and so very romantic!
Yes, I am a romantic at heart. Thank you, Mary!
Pam, I’m so sorry for my late reply. We are having a fierce rainstorm here in Southern California today, and luckily the electricity has returned just now. What a beautiful, personal and romantic post you have created today. I love every single thing about it, not the least of it is your sweet table set for two.
Like you, Mr FGH and I love celebrating at home. We have almost been married 50 years {this March!} and count it God’s blessing, too, like you and Butch. Wishing you a lovely Valentine’s Day ahead, celebrating with your loves of all ages. xo Lidy
Thank you dearest, Lidy. I know you will be celebrating your upcoming 50th. It is a beautiful commitment to God and each other❤️
The Sunshine Cottage is the perfect spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day and your upcoming anniversary. My late beloved gave me a darling little gold rose necklace for Valentine’s Day when we were just 16. I still wear it ❤️ Thank you for the beauty and sharing your memories.
Thank you, Kitty. I love that you shared that your beloved gave you a gold rose necklace when y’all were 16. Sweet memories ❤️
The Festive Sunshine Cottage is just beaming with romantic happiness. I always enjoy your tablescapes but love the month of February tables as I know that it is a special month for you.
I love hearing the romantic memories and stories that you share. Your celebrations of cards, letters, jewelry and paintings just fill my heart with joy! Happy Anniversary!
I forgot to mention… I love your centerpiece and plate stack! Gorgeous!
Happy New Week to You!
You are a sweetheart, Nancy! Thank you for the ❤️
Happy Anniversary on my oldest daughter’s birthday! We don’t go out on Valentines Day either. On the Friday nearest Valentine’s Day we celebrate with our family. My husband buys chocolate covered strawberries for our daughters and granddaughters and I do something special for the grandsons. I also bought Valentine Jammies for the two great grandchildren. They are most definitely my two sweeties now-ages 10 and 11 months. We’ll be having 1st Birthday parties soon too. My husband and I will celebrate our 60th anniversary this year in May.
Happy early birthday to your oldest daughter! I love that you celebrate with your family. I can imagine how cute the two great-grands will be in their Valentine jammies. Congratulations on your upcoming 60th, that is a milestone ❤️
Another gem, Pam. And so lovely — filled with such beautiful things that remind you of all the love (and lovely times) that you and Butch share. The china is especially beautiful!
Thank you, Jeanie for your sweet comments!
Pam, your Sunshine Cottage is decked out for Valentine’s Day and your anniversary. I love the cards tied to the branches. The anniversary years really speed by it seems. Congratulations on 51 wonderful years! Your table for 2 is beautiful and inviting. Have a wonderful week! Your MMB bouquet is so pretty too! Clara❤️
You are so sweet, Clara. Yes it seems that we just celebrated our 50th! Wishing you a wonderful week ❤️
What a wonderful table setting! I agree with you that Venice is the most amazing city in the world. I am hoping to go next month. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much, Ann. My best suggestion is to get lost in the city and savor every scene. There is much to capture your attention. Cafes are everywhere and their cappuccino is the best. Enjoy your trip!
Pam, what a lovely floral arrangement in your gorgeous pitcher! I love how you style everything with the romance of your personal journey in each and every post. Your plate stack is so pretty, and the little tree Butch created for the corner is magical. Embrace the magic!
Thank you, Rita. I am definitely a romantic. Happy Wednesday, dear one!
oh my gosh this is so beautiful, Pam. i haven’t seen much about Valentine’s Day this year so your photos have quickly transported me to a beautiful, love-filled place. actually, i’m going to leave this comment for you and then spend a few more minutes just savoring the loveliness of the tables you’ve set and the love you’re celebrating.
so splendid!
Happy upcoming anniversary. You two are such sweet love birds. Sunshine Cottage looks so romantic all decked out with your pretty table for two and twinkling lights. The plate stack is lovely and the red crowned heart ♥️ is the finishing top. Love the florals. Enjoy you tea party with your littles.
A beautiful post Pam & I love that you have a Wedding Anniversary month! I’ve never seen blue & white china with a red rose included in the pattern before!
Blessings, Jennifer
Thanks so much, sweet friend !
Pam, Your romantic Valentine table is beautiful! I love your plate stack of lovely vintage styles and the gorgeous etched goblets.Your AC tablecloth is a wonderful foundation for your lovely floral arrangement and tablescape. I have the same velvet heart and it is a favorite. Red Velvet cupcakes are the perfect dessert.
The Sunshine cottage is a great getaway for a romantic dinner. I love the branches decorated with prior Valentine cards. Kudos to Butch for putting that together.
Happy Valentine’s day next week.
Thank you, Bonnie. I am having a Valentine’s tea party this afternoon with my girls ❤️❤️
Pam, I always enjoy a visit to the Sunshine Cottage. Your romantic getaways add another layer to your wonderful celebrations in February. Congratulations on 51! I admire you and Butch and the way you celebrate each other. Writing letters to each other will be treasured bits of history for those darling grands who will grow up remembering their special grandparents and the love and devotion they shared. How fortunate for these littles to witness such bonds of healthy relationships. Enjoy your tea party, your romantic dinner for two, and tell Butch to savor that Red Velvet cake! My favorite too!
Sarah, you are always so sweet. The girls and I had a wonderful tea party yesterday. Then time was spent on making Valentine’s cards. Happy Weekend!
ThankYou Pam for sharing your lovely tablescape and your happy memories.
Marion,Marilyn and Joan
Thank you sweet ladies!
Pam, your table looks so pretty in the Sunshine Cottage all decorated for Valentine’s Day! I love the plate stack that you put together with all the different patterns and the flowers are gorgeous. Your gold-crowned red heart is so special. That is a very sweet story about Butch giving you the gold heart locket and that you will pass it on to oldest granddaughter. The tree with the pretty lights and valentine’s day cards is so romantic. I’m sorry to be so late in commenting – mom took a tumble last Thursday and it was quite the weekend. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and happy upcoming Anniversary dear one!
Kim, I am so sorry to read of your mom’s fall. I hope she is going to be ok. I will pray for her and for you. Thank you for taking time to comment. Sending hugs !
I love your tablescape. Congratulations, you are being featured on TFT . https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2024/02/tablescapes-on-tft.html
Hugs,
Bev
Thanks so much for the feature, Bev!
Such beautiful memories you have of your travels abroad! I hope you get to go back. May God bless you both, and congratulations on 51 years of marriage! Yours is a special love story.:)
How very sweet, thank you Cheryl ❤️