Well, I've gone ahead and added a few touches to the house for Valentine's Day, because, why not? I'm not super big into the holiday, if I'm honest. We don't do reservations at expensive restaurants, and we grow tens of thousands of flowers each year, so while I do love a bouquet of flowers, it's not really the treat for me that it might be fore some people. Now, the chocolate? Yes, I do love chocolate at Valentine's Day, but then that's not different from any other day of the year for me. I eat chocolate regularly, life is too short to save it for special occasions! When I was single, I always bought myself a box of chocolates in the shape of a heart each year for V-day. I still love the smell of a box of chocolates when it's first opened, that heavenly cocoa mingling with all those flavors - maple, vanilla creme, orange, caramel, nougat, marshmallow - you get the picture. Below are some of my doo-dads, nothing exciting. I especially love the tiny candy-cupcake candle in the candy wrapper.
For me, a good Valentine's Day dinner is pizza and salad or soup and sandwich at home, where it's warm (let's face it: February is VERY cold in upper Northeast Tennessee), and I'm in my flannel or fleece pajamas, watching a movie or series with the person I love. It's mundane, but then if life is only ever fireworks and marching bands, I would be exhausted. I'm not a fireworks and marching band kind of girl. I've never understood social butterflies or the need to always be going, going, going in addition to the craziness of every-day life. There is lots to be said for a quieter, gentler way of living, particularly these days.
I'm gearing up for my house project, seeking out 1940s vintage OR retro reproduction wallpaper. Doesn't have to be the real thing, but I do want a 1940s pattern. This paper is not going directly on the walls, but it will be used in a larger capacity, so I have to absolutely love whatever pattern I settle on because we'll be looking at it for a while. The real deal - vintage, not reproduction - is around $18 a yard and up to $200 for a roll. Nope. Not doing that. I have managed to find some very similar patterns in modern day design, and they are around $20 or $25 for a roll. Still pricey, but as I only need a roll, it's still an inexpensive project. Our house was built in 1950, so I'm cheating a bit on the decade for the paper, but, frankly, I don't want 1950s paper. I prefer designs of the 40s, where Art Deco was on its way out but there was still just a tiny hint of it bleeding over into the more modern designs.
If you ever watched the Poirot series (GREAT for the dark, winter months!), you'll find a ton of Art Deco in the early seasons. What I have learned is that I LOVE the large Art Deco features: the buildings, the lights, the sconces, the wallpapers, etc., but I do NOT like the smaller, Art Deco touches. I'm not a fan of brass and some of the bright, Art Deco colors for interior design, nor do I care for some of the eye-catching elements like seashells motifs, etc. But I do like how Art Deco holds its own just a tiny bit into the next couple of decades. Its influence adds a touch of throw-back as the world progressed in design and began changing what appealed to our visual senses. And, so, the search is on for the wallpaper. I'll know it when I see it. Funny how that works, isn't it?
Heading to the kitchen for some cinnamon French toast sticks. Aldi sells a large box of these for VERY cheap, and they go great with a one-egg/one slice of cheese omelet or a side of vegan sausage. They heat up beautifully in the microwave and make the house smell like the county fair. When you add maple syrup, they taste like the end of summer with the promise of cooler days ahead. Just lovely. I add the omelet for protein. It's a very cheap breakfast and very filling. I always warm up my syrup in the microwave. I hate how cold syrup makes whatever you're eating cool too quickly. This way, the food stays warm while you eat.
Happy hump day! We are heading into the last part of January 2021. It's always a bit of a shock to get that first month of a new year under my belt. Just iterates how time flies!
2 comments:
Adding Aldi Cinnamon French Toast sticks to my grocery list...love French Toast in general, love anything easy. I've been on a pecan pancake kick lately. Love Aldi complete pancake mix...just tried their syrup too and it is g.o.o.d. I always like to add an egg on the side for protein, and a strip of bacon for the salty with the sweet.
I'm with you on Vday...stay home, eat carry out and lots of chocolate. Never cared for going out..not a romantic I guess.
I love pecan pancakes, too! Haven't had one in a while, and yes, the Adli syrup is GREAT. Not too sweet but sweet enough. V-day is on Sunday this year, and we're off the following Monday for President's Day. If I can stay awake, we may actually watch a movie, ha ha.
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