All You Need Is...

love, love, love. The biggest day of the year at the Sands house is February 14th. My mother taught me from a very young age that love is something you share unconditionally and often. While I am normally not predisposed to pink hearts and golden arrows, this is the one day each year where my inner child meets up with my "hopeless romantic" self in a shiny sea of red glitter. Nevermind the fact that my own McDreamy is totally vested in my happiness on this day, usually starting with breakfast in bed. I send out LOVE by mail, by hand, and through the house. When it cycles back to me, I soak it all in and use that positive energy to fuel me for months.

We sent out our annual Valentine cards. The card this year featured Carson and my Grandmother, who stayed locked in this loving gaze for minutes on end, not a word between them. There are a lot of friends and family who follow our blog, but may not be on the list. If you're not, send me a line. I always design extra so there are plenty to go round.



The morning of Valentine's Day, I did a scavenger hunt throughout the house with Derek and Ella. Each clue lead them to prizes which alternated between them. They were small but plentiful—Derek found everything from a great bottle of Shiraz to a new issue of Car & Driver. Ella's treats ranged from lipgloss to beaded necklaces. At the end she bounced and clapped, "Mommy!! I just LOVE valentine's day!!" (Another one has joined us, Mimi. Look what you started!)



Since we're on a budget, I brought back some great foreign newspapers from Europe and made a collage. I laminated it and trimmed out templates for passport holders. A little duct tape and a bungee made great gifts for a few treasured friends.




And for Derek and me? I lovely dinner at Meadowlark, then to the Greene to meet some friends. I'm also loving my care package from Mom that included her annual tradition of warm pajamas, body lotion, fuzzy socks and other comforts that we need so much in these cold wintry months.

You gotta love love.