I’m very excited as today is the first of a new weekend series called Saturday Meanderings I’ll be doing with talented bloggers, Elizabeth of Pine Cones and Acorns and Juliet of Make Mine a Spritzer. Elizabeth has a wonderful way of sharing her favorite finds every weekend. Juliet and I also make many good discoveries we want to share, but don’t always have time for a full blog about them, so this will be a great way to share what we find regularly!
Valentine’s Day is just a week away and to have a little fun while we are up at our tiny cabin, I thought I’d surprise the family with a little Valentine afternoon tea when they got in from a day in the snow.
I knew they would be hungry and cold after sledding and some warm tea and treats would be nice. I made cucumber sandwiches cut in heart shapes, ( Boursin in place of cream cheese for more flavor), and almond butter and fig jam finger sandwiches. I added in some bought macaroons, and shortbread heart cookies, some strawberries and sprinkled in conversation hearts. It was the perfect little snack after an afternoon of sledding or skiing.
You could try something similar for your girlfriends, or family or sweetheart. Add in any little treats you like, but having it on a pedestal plate and a few cute heart shapes in pink or red make it fun. I was lucky to have some red plates and mugs that came with my cabin. I found these cute heart paper napkins which were perfect for the occasion. If you don’t have a pedestal plate, stack two plates with a short glass for the pedestal and use a smaller top plate for the same look.
Last year we decorated Valentine cookies here. I love making Valentines more fun.
Speaking of cookies, how pretty are these Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies from Half Baked Harvest? I think I may try these beautiful cookies this week. They sound delicious too.
Are you watching The Gilded Age? With only two episodes in, I’m not a huge fan yet. I’m finding the characters just not that likable! Maybe that’ll change as the series progresses. I love everything about that era and the history and if you do too I think you’ll enjoy Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper. I read this book in a few days. It’s engrossing and fascinating about the gilded age and the sometimes sad and unbelievable true story of the Vanderbilt family, of which Anderson is a part of.
I found a few dresses that work for Valentine’s and beyond if you have something festive planned..
This heart tiered midi dress, and this crinkle mini shirtdress are both lovely!
I really enjoyed this home on AD this week in the Hamptons with a sunken conversation couch in denim and this wallpaper in the dining room..
I’m nuts about the Olympics and especially love the winter version. Ice skating is always one of my favorites and this year Team USA is so good. Read more in this week’s Vogue all about the amazing costumes that are constructed especially for our ice skaters like this look on Nathan Chen by Vera Wang.
I am supporting these athletes that have worked their whole lives to compete in these games. I do not support China, and have shared several things about the Uyghers on my Instagram. Perhaps the best piece to explain what is really happening there is this PBS Frontline piece. Everyone should watch and read this and know what is really happening there.
Are you starting to think (well hope) about travel this summer? I am dreaming of going back to Europe and there was a terrific post on the Rick Steve’s blog about Italy’s under the radar towns. It had me dreaming about fresh pasta and apertivo hours.
If you have younger kids you might like this post I did some years back about Griffin and I making some cool Valentines when he was small for his pals and classmates. I miss those days!
I can’t wait to head over and see what my fellow bloggers are sharing today..
Pinecones and Acorns
Make Mine a Spritzer
Hope it’s a great weekend!
Kim
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