This week, I've also been living in the future, the near future that is.
I'm gathering my Valentine's things and those things that can "pass" for Valentine-oriented decor and scattering them about. Since Valentine's Day is a minor holiday (and I think overly-commercialized), our decorations and celebrations tend to be frugal. In keeping with that mindset, I like to repurpose other items we have around the house.
My sister-in-law gave this cast iron heart mold to me about 30 years ago. I've brought it out to use as a decor piece for February and to make heart-shaped biscuits in the coming weeks. Right now it's resting against the backsplash of the kitchen counter.
Here's our Valentine's tree. In a pile of sticks and small branches outside I found a bare evergreen branch (all the needles have fallen off). It looked like just the sort of branch that could make a nice Valentine's tree. I also have 7 gold-painted glass heart ornaments that are used on the Christmas tree each year. So, I got out my can of gold spray paint and painted the branch to make a gold tree. I stuck the new "tree" into a pot that had floral foam already inside, hung the ornaments, and voila, a tabletop Valentine's tree. I had wanted a white painted little tree, but gold paint is what I had.
I've seen several Valentine garlands on fireplace mantels online. Many of them are lighted. I like the look of a lighted garland this time of year in the living room. The days end early, so we can enjoy the lights in the evening hours. I had a pink painted, wooden heart garland that I made years ago. Since I'm going for a gold, white, and pink theme, here, I used my gold pen to add a gold edging to each heart (not visible in the photo). I scavenged a white light strand from my daughters' childhood room stuff. The lights had small pastel shades on each light bulb -- I carefully pulled each shade off. Next I entwined the pink heart garland with the light strand and hung them on the mantel.
We're still working on some decorations as well as planning Valentine's Day meals. I know it may be early for some to be thinking about Valentine's Day. My medical and dental appointments start up again February 1. So, in part I'm distracting myself from what's to come and also getting ahead in case February finds me busy again.
How about you? Do you like or dislike the thought of putting up Valentine's decorations?
