The Things I do for Love?

I do not know how it happened?  I suppose I was inspired by the hearts my sister managed to attach to my bulletin board without me noticing?  The Mexican tin hearts warmed my heart so very much, they inspired me to pull my once a year Valentine baking all nighter.

      

I was up until 2 a.m. last night, baking away.  Let me tell you, shortbread, not easy to work with.  But, for me Valentine's day is not just about being in love and all of that mushy stuff.  It is a time to remind me of the people I love.  Especially the ladies in my life who do not have romantic ties.  They are used to my special cookies…A treat with a strong cup of coffee… Soo, here I am "Super Baker Girl," ready to warm hearts and taste buds with extra amounts of sugar!!!

First step, get book out.  Get butter, sugar, etc.  Read Recipe. Try to remember the tweaking that worked so well last year.  Oh, of course, I do not remember, and I surely did not write it down…..Exept I always use Rasberry instead of Strawberry, in everything.

Next I make the dough. Last year I had had enough of trying to make this dough with my bare hands…So, I bit the bullet and bought a fancy cuisinart food processor.  WOW, it made it so much less painful. Believe it or not though, the dough still caused problems…I am also trying to bake at Mr. Lovee's, where my loftish space and studio are.  It is tough.  No matter how many years I have been here. So much easier at my lovely home, I should have done it there…But, I made the best of it…

Then there is the assembly of it all. They are double layered with a butter and sugar filling and some rasberry preserves…

 

And then, of course the packaging.. And tomorrow – the delivery… I feel like Santa… Only I am slightly tired because I did it all in one evening.

There is this wonderful vintage store "How Sweet it Was" on our very popular 4th Avenue, downtown. I walked by it yesterday…There was red everywhere… I wonder if someone bought one of the lovely red items hanging outside???

I must say, and I am sure you will agree.  There is much love in a wonderful treasure…And what is the day of love without cherubs??? So, let me share these lovely original finds I made at "The Golden Goose" thrift store in Catalina.  I found these before they got a volunteer who started looking everything up on ebay which ballooned the prices to ridiculousness.  I paid $25 a piece.

      

      

I love them but have yet to find the perfect place to put them up…What do you think?  Oh, and as a note, the strangest 2 things happened.  First, Mr. Lovee got home, and caught me stamping one of his V-gifts.  He grabbed my camera and started taking pics. I said "stop, get away." Now, here is the funny thing…And, such a man thing…I do not even think he noticed, realized, or computed what I was doing.  He just put my camera down and started talking to me…And, I was sitting there trying to put my hand over what I was doing….I do not understand the male mind.  I wonder what he thought I was doing??? Upstairs, with stamps all around me and fingers covered in ink?…

Now, the 2nd thing that happened.  I caught Knowme in my studio, he had wrapped himself up in red string.  And he was holding a Valentine.  He said he was packaging himself up to offer himself as a Valentine to a  woman.  Where do you think he is going to find one trapped in Catalina???? Poor Knowme.

Well, I have to run because I have like 768,999 more cookies to assemble tonight. I just could not finish them all last night.  And, I have to try to work on my painting.. But, I am quickly turning into a zombie…. Here is a little bit more of the work in progress….The "PAIN"ting.

      

 

Happy Valentine's day. And remember, it is a day to love yourself as much as a day to share the love.  And, if you don't have someone to love, embrace your heart and do something for you.  A good book, a pedicure, a quiet night with good food. Life is good, enjoy the peaceful moments!!!