This and That

For years, I used to ignore Valentine's Day, writing it off as a "fake" special day on the calendar propagated by businesses taking advantage of the easily misled consumer. But recently, I came to the conclusion that with all the terrible things that happen every day in this world, a day set aside to celebrate love is really not a bad thing. How I choose to celebrate it might not involve chocolate and flowers and over-the-top dinner dates, but I can still choose to make it a day of serving an extra helping of love to those around me.

Anyway, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I made this garland of hearts:

It is based on Sarah's Crochet Heart Garland pattern from Sarahndipities. I chose not to make it in all reds or pinks, because ... well, I'm just not a reds and pinks kind of person. It adds just a good bit of colorful cheer to our otherwise very brown fireplace, don't you think?

I finished it today while B napped, and when he woke up, we hung it up together. He proclaimed it "pwetty hanging-uh."

B fills our house with laughter these days. He has grasped the concept of "joking," and he will say silly, nonsensical things just to crack himself up.

Yesterday, as I was making dinner, I heard N and B laughing in B's room. Then I heard N say, "Go show Mommy," followed by the pitter-patter of small feet flying down the hallway.

Into the kitchen appeared this adorable creature (holding a very large basket):

"Hao-ween! Twicky tweat! Peas tandy, pee-pul!" (Halloween! Trick or treat! Please candy, people!)

Against my better judgment, I let him have a Hershey's Kiss before dinner as a reward for his creativity. I mean, really? How could I resist? Plus, I had made a tofu stir-fry, and B loves tofu. I knew he was going to eat a good dinner, and he did.

Here's something else I made recently. I think I've mentioned before that I'm participating in a Handmade Pay-It-Forward gift exchange. I made this pincushion for one of my friends who enjoys sewing.

Isn't it pretty? It's actually over an inch high, so it's a good-sized pincushion. Here's a better view of  the side of it:

I'm pleased with the way it turned out. The pattern is called the African Flower Pincushion by Sandra at Cherry Heart. She makes some lovely things, and I was inspired when I saw this on her blog. I think it's supposed to be reminiscent of an African violet.

Photo Credit

I hope Zoe likes it. I made it for her gift because she spent a semester in Tanzania during college, and I know she had a great time there.

Here is one more glimpse at my garland.

I'm sitting in the armchair next to it right now, and every time I glance up at it, it makes me happy.