Tom and Melissa July 2011
MARRIAGE CHIT-CHAT and ADVICE
A Wedding Homily for my daughter - written by Deacon Bruce (my Dad for my sister)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
The 7 Year Itch
The Kissing Corner
Courageous Love - The Dignity of Women
VALENTINES DAY IDEAS
What kind of valentine will you give to your friends and sweethearts?
Here are some fun ideas for cards, gifts and crafts I grabbed from my past efforts…
Blog Post: Happy Valentines Day - A little tidbit about Valentine's Day and its patron saint. Prayers and Ideas.
Illuminated Ink Coloring Contest - Must be postmarked by Feb 7th. (Or just something fun to color!)
VALENTINE COUNTDOWN - Our Forever Tree
Using
Catholic Icing's valentine countdown printable (Thanks Lacy), we hung the hearts on
Our Forever Tree to be opened and read each day. Then we place them in a pocket made from
www.HolyReflections.com valentines stationary.
UNIQUE VALENTINE CARDS & GIFTS
HolyReflections.com has some beautiful valentines that are prayer cards you can print for free. We used these in 2012, added to a bag of sweets.
Take a photo of your children/family with a hand extended. Print the photos, punch holes near hands, and weave through a lollipop - or glue on a candy to an open hand. This is our 2011 Valentine.
One year I found an M&M website that allows you to create candy characters of yourself. I made one for each family member, printed them and made homemade cards.
Find heart shaped baking pans, sometimes in a kit, and let the kids decorate with food color paints or sprinkles!
Cut out a few cardboard heart shapes. Let children trace the hearts on white paper, purposely overlapping edges. Have them color each section a different color, challenging them to consider what it would look like if they were balloons. What color would show when a red balloon and a yellow balloon cross paths? Then write words of affection on each heart!
I made this door hanger pillow for my sister, but it is a fun gift for any couple. Take apiece of fabric and draw or embroider something like "Shhh… Honeymooners" or "Knock First." Then add hearts, buttons, flowers and other fun designs. I added buttons to look like Minnie and Mickey Mouse because they were honeymooning in Disney World. Sew with another piece of fabric as a mini pillow and ribbon to hang.
I'm loving crocheting, and here is a picture of a bouquet of crocheted washcloths I made. For the full bouquet look, use red/pink for the small cloth rose, shades of green for the medium cloth of leaves, then the multicolor large cloth for the vase (held together with rubber bands).
One year we registered at a bank for a prize, which we gladly won. It was a basket filled with a blanket for two, wine glasses filled with chocolates, wine, popcorn, movie rental certificate, pizza certificate, and decorated/displayed so cute. What a treat that was. Years later, we still love that blanket.
Don't forget to play
Bingo using conversation hearts as the place markers!
TABLE SETTINGS and CENTERPIECES
I love to decorate for each holiday. Here are some images of my past settings.
Red and Black are the classiest colors, with hints of pink and white lace. Add some sparkle with candlelight! For an adult table there's room for wine glasses and treats. For a children's table, set up a tea party or craft. Don't forget, a chandelier is another decorating space!
A day of wine and roses. If you're a man, certainly consider the surprise bouquet of roses for your lady. She most likely deserves it. I always have a spot cleared for mine!
Lent is nearing, so the "Bean Good Jar" (Being good) is out. In this picture I wrapped a heart necklace around the jar and added a prayer card. In the other picture is my valentines dishes filled with festive cookies, chips and salsa, lots of candle light and some grenadine (cherry juice) to add to our soda!
More Valentines Ideas
