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Valentine's Day:
Time sure has a way...I can't believe we
have only three weeks left to plan what we'll be doing to make
the day special. There are plenty of gift ideas floating
around that range from token size and price to 7-day cruises. Clearly,
gone are the days when a card, candy or flowers will do. I
guess there's no holiday left that remains true to it's simple
origins.
Although, now that I've read up a little bit on Valentine's Day
origin I'm not so sure we would want it to be what it was in
yesteryears: It is written that as innocent and harmless as St.
Valentine’s Day may appear, its traditions and customs originate from
two of the most sexually perverted pagan festivals of ancient history:
Lupercalia and the feast day of Juno Februata...Well, now on second
thought.
(Just kidding! The 'perverted' part isn't really working for me.)
In any case, whatever you do on Valentine's Day I hope you enjoy! |
Our inexpensive gift
ideas.
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Handmade pin or why
not add this to a gift box as a part of the bow and ribbon? $4.00 |
Handmade, pin or
attach to chain as a pendant for today's fashion statement $5.00 |
San Pacific of San Francisco-bronze metal
angel, sits on edge of shelf, 5 inches, felt bottom, $5.00 |
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And then there's the pricier
gifts
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Guess watch,
authentic, new, still in original Guess packaging with price tag
included, blue hibiscus on a white face, framed by Swarovski
crystals $100 |
Ashton Drake Galleries,
Baby's First tooth by Yolanda Bello, boy and girl twin baby dolls, no
packaging, tag on girl attached. $30.00 |
Lenox - Fruits of Life
Music Box, pattern produced 1992-2004, this piece is from 1998,trimmed
in 24kt gold $30.00 |
Again, with only three weeks left until
Valentine's Day, anyone who planned their wedding for February 14th are
probably
basking in the delight of seeing
their wedding gown hanging in the closet. Valentine's Day isn't the only day of year to have a wedding.
So the way I see it, there is still loads of time left for someone planning
to wed in the spring or
summer who is looking to save some money on the purchase of a brand new wedding gown, with
original tags, and for less than the retail store price. Plus, shipping is
only $14.99!
Seriously, anyone who might be considering
buying their wedding gown from an online source, other than us, should take
a few minutes to read
our blog for this week before
taking that step.
As promised, this is the final segment of
our piece on Tablescape decorations as shown in Traditional Home. TH:
Vintage tools on the tabletop ground the display of art.
I doubt if many of us have a lion's head sitting around,
but it is interesting how they put unrelated items together.
 TH:
Sunflowers in a rough vase, along with the wooden box, are in keeping
with the rustic atmosphere. Love the warmth this room emits.
 TH: Tables afford a good place to
display collections like the antiques shown here; a neutral palette ties
everything together. Note the empty, antique picture frame.
 TH:
In an outdoor room, the bird sculpture and flowers in a trio of vases
echo nature. Love the look of bringing the indoors out.
TH: Stones on the painted table contribute to the sense of
timelessness and calm. This room has a cool and serene look to it. I
love how the gold in the pictures add a nice contrasting color.
 TH:
Excess can be glorious! I'm not so sure. It seems a little too
busy, yet elegant. It's just a matter of taste.
TH: Flowers and fruit, ever simple
and ever beautiful on a glass- topped
table. Sometimes the simplest things can make the boldest
statement.
 TH:
This opulent Asian arrangement conjures ancient junks, laden with
perfume and spices, pulling into shore. That isn't exactly what I
think of when looking at this photo. But to each their own.
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Something to think about:
Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule or the
cook.
Recipe:
Low Calorie Bean Tostadas
These tostadas can be individualized to
your family's preferences, topping them with the condiments of your choice.
Serve with Mexican rice for a delicious supper, or use smaller corn
tortillas and serve as an appetizer.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Ingredients
4 6-inch corn tortillas
1/2 tsp salt
1 16 oz. can fat-free refried beans
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced black olives (about 20)
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup sour cream
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place the corn tortillas on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
Spray the surface of the tortillas with cooking spray, and sprinkle evenly
with the salt. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until crisp. Check on the tortillas
periodically to avoid burning.
3. Heat the refried beans in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring
occasionally, until heated through.
4. Top each tortilla with about 1/3 cup of beans, 1/4 cup of lettuce, 2
tablespoons chopped tomatoes, 1/2 oz. cheese, 2 tablespoons olives, 2
tablespoons of salsa, and 1 tablespoon of sour cream.
Serves 4
Per Serving Calories 257
And to once again remind you of our Name Your Price Sale....
Also, I still think our Layaway program
combined with the Name Your Price Sale
are the two greatest tools anyone could have who is looking to save money.
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