I have to confess, having been born with a romantic nature I love Valentine's Day.
Or shall I say I love all of the beautiful things associated with it? Honestly I feel like there's a perpetual state of Valentine's Day in my heart all of the time. I also have to admit that my house looks like it's living in that holiday year round too. You know how some people are happy being stuck in the 1970's? Well, that's me and all things pertaining to Valentines... roses, hearts, cupids, pearls, pink, red, satin, lace, but especially the hearts and roses ...
Yeah, I don't seem to be real "trendy" when it comes to my décor.
I love everyone's "clean lines" and "less is more" but ...
I don't know. I just can't seem to live like that in my own space. Sometimes I wish I could. But I like having hearts hanging up year round. They make me happy. The only time they come down is for the short period they are replaced with Christmas decorations. Then they go right back up.
Then there's all the roses everywhere. Those can be found in every room. My house is decidedly feminine for sure, which has never bothered my husband. Thankfully he finds it homey. I have tried over the years to "simplify" every time I have had to repaint the walls by telling myself I would not be hanging so many things back up but then ...
Here's a glimpse of my corner of the dining room where I sit and knit or crochet in the afternoons. There's a dining room table in there too. It's off to the left of the picture just out of view and the living room is to the right, through the French doors. A sweet old calico cat can usually be spotted curled up in that chair with me as I drink tea and play with yarn during the months the weather is too cold to sit on the porch swing with my tea and knitting.
When I have to be indoors I feel more peaceful and happy when surrounded by beautiful things. I have always loved antiques and china and roses. My mother dubbed me early on as being "born with an old soul". So even though I am now in my early fifty's, believe it or not, my house looked much like this when I was in my early twenty's as well. It's just who I am. The funny thing is, when I was young I didn't worry so much about my house looking like an "Old Lady" house and now that I am gaining speed on that territory ... Uhhh.... I look around and think... "Wow, this looks like an Old Ladies house." It bothers me ... for about a minute and then I am comfortable in my own skin again and in the nest I have made for myself and my family in the thirty years of living in this old house.
The thing is, we just are who we are.
Period.
I can step into someone else's home and absolutely love it even when it's totally different from mine. That's because it's a reflection of who that person is. I love to see the expression of a persons individuality on such an intimate level. If you want to get to know someone, step across his or her threshold; spend time in their personal space. That's where the true depth of their character will unfold. I have also always really enjoyed having friends and family in my home. One would think our front door was fixed with a revolving door due to the amount of traffic we have always had over the years. I love it like this. Filling my home with the laughter of others brings me great joy.
As you all know by now I also love to bake and since next week has Valentine's Day in the beginning of it, I thought you might like something sweet and simple to try.
Chocolate Mousse
1 Tablespoon Cold Water
1 Teaspoon Unflavored Gelatin
2Tablespoons Boiling Water
1 Cup Cold Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla
3/4 Cups Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Place Cold Water in a small cup and sprinkle gelatin over water to soften.
Let stand for 2 minutes.
Add Boiling Water, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved.
In a medium bowl, beat whipping cream until slightly thickened.
Gradually add gelatin mixture, beating until stiff.
Fold in syrup and vanilla.
Spoon the mixture into individual serving dishes.
Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.
Garnish as desired.
Serves 4 - 6.
{I like to double the recipe and use the whole 24 oz. bottle of syrup.}
*I like to garnish with homemade whipped cream and chocolate curls.*
Whipped Cream
2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla
Chill metal or plastic bowl in freezer for 15 - 20 minutes, along with beaters.
Whip COLD cream on MEDIUM {so cream does not become buttery}
until almost stiff. Add sugar and vanilla.
Beat until cream holds stiff peaks.
Can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.
Enjoy!
Chocolate Curls
Run a vegetable peeler along the edge of a giant Hershey's chocolate candy bar.When chocolate becomes too soft from the warmth of your hand,
place in freezer for a few minutes.
I run it over the short end when I want small curls like the ones to top off the mousse.
When making curls for the top of a cake I run the peeler down the longer sides.
P.S. For the Crocheted Heart pictured in the very first photo at the top,
if you are a crocheter who is interested in the pattern,
you can find it on Ravelry by clicking here.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and enjoy the upcoming Valentine's Day!
As for Miss Puss and Me...
We'll be tucked in as usual ...
Taking time to smell the Roses...
And sipping our Tea.
"The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies.
Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential.
It seems to be constantly in the process of change:
Yet at each state,
at each moment,
it is perfectly all right as it is."
Paulo Coelho
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