What a day! Probably the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. Let me show you everything! First, here’s the package I received earlier this week from my partner in the Valentine’s Day exchange. She sent me a handmade card, a yeti hat key chain, two fancy European chocolates {the Queen’s favorite}, a postcard from the Netherlands {where my partner currently lives}, and a cell phone charm. The cell phone charm unfortunately seems to have fallen out of a small hole in the envelope. But since I don’t have a cell phone {unbelievable, I know} I suppose it’s better than the chocolate falling out! Lost chocolate would be a travesty, no? Thanks, Libby! I hope you enjoyed your package from me!

And here’s what I sent:


There was a mini-frame in pink. I have a few similar frames {in different colors} myself. I think they’re fantastic. So when I saw that they were still selling them at the craft store I grabbed one up in a Valentine-y color. Then I slapped a little cut out from some Valentines scrapbook paper in as a placeholder until Libby has a photo she wants to put in it.

I made this little keepsake envelope from a Martha tutorial. I spiced it up a bit with some more Valentine’s scrapbook paper. There are different “compartments” to organize cards, photos, or other flat keepsakes.

   
I painted these little peg dolls. The tall one is Libby. And the little one is the adorable little girl for whom Libby is an au pair. When I saw all the pictures of her on Libby’s blog I knew I had to include at least a little something for her. I hope she likes it!


I saw these foam conversation hearts at the craft store and fell in love with them. So I bought enough to make a set of magnets for Libby AND for me. :)


Then I packed it up together with some stickers in a little foam heart box. Happy Valentine’s Day Libby!
Don’t forget, if you have a post about what you sent for the exchange and/or a post about what you received you can link it up! I’m making a point to visit everyone’s posts and I encourage you to check ‘em out too! So far it’s been really fun to see what everyone sent.
And how did we celebrate today? Let me show you!
We gave Lucy her Valentine’s gift first {balloons}. She loved ‘em! She had never seen helium balloons before. She had a blast carrying them with her all over the family room and shaking them so hard they bopped her again and again. We took lots of pictures and video. But one picture is enough for this post, I think.
Then Adam and I exchanged gifts. I got him a set of beer soap. He got me Can’t Buy Me Love and Raising Freethinkers for my Kindle. I’ve had both on my wish list for quite some time so I’m excited to read them.
We didn’t get our decorations up until Saturday. Oh well, next year I’ll get them up sooner {I hope} so I can enjoy them for longer. I used fish wire and foam hearts to make a garland for the window and to make it “rain” love over our dining table.

I had planned our meal quite some time ago. We had traditional Swiss fondue and a dark chocolate fondue for dessert. It was honestly one of the BEST meals I have ever, ever had.  We don’t have fondue pots so we used crock pots instead. We had mini potatoes, pretzels, apples, French bread, broccoli, and cauliflower for the main course and we had strawberries, sponge cake, Clementine segments, pineapple, marshmallows, and cheesecake for dessert. SOOOOOOO good. We also had a cheap {but yummy} bottle of German wine Love Potion Number Nine and some sparkling white grape juice. We both loved it and have decided fondue is going to be a Valentine’s tradition from now on.
   






Happy Valentine’s Day! What did you do to celebrate? Tell me in the comments!

I know Valentine’s Day is still more than a month away. But in the age of online shopping it’s good to start early to account for shipping time. So I am pleased to present to you my second list of gift ideas. This time it’s gifts for the coffee fanatic in your life! {You can read my previous list for Geeks here.}

Do you love coffee? Which of these gifts would you most want to get or give, and to whom? My top choice would be the “I Love You, Blogs, and Coffee” print!

   
Both of these shirts are available in unisex or women’s styles. They’re from Think Geek. Prices range from $15.99-$18.99.


And finally, my personal favorite is this cute little print. I gave one of these to Adam for our wedding anniversary. It’s sitting on a shelf in his computer armoir. I’m pretty sure he likes it. Because, you know, he said he likes it. It makes me smile every time I see it. It’s $10 from Geek Details. The frame is not included.

Don't miss my list of gift ideas for coffee lovers!

Do you have a geek in your life? What are you getting him/her for Valentine’s day?

Please be sure to carefully read this ENTIRE post if you signed up for the Valentine’s Day exchange.
Wow. WOW. I never imagined this many people would sign up for the exchange. This is FANTASTIC! You guys rock my socks. So, here’s the deal. I’ve paired you up. As much as possible I’ve tried to pair people up who are in the same state/province. In Canada shipping can be more expensive to send to someone in a province across the country. I can’t remember if it’s the same in the States. So I decided to play it safe. Also, I thought it might be neat to pair up people who actually might have the possibility to someday meet. Meeting bloggy friends is the best. :)
Here’s what to do: find your name below {click the name and see if it’s your profile – for example, we have multiple participants named Heather}. Your partner will be listed next to you. Get in touch with her. Find out her address. Maybe find out a bit about her to help you get an idea what to send. Remember, handmade {whether by you or purchased from someone else} is encouraged {though not required}. And again, there is no minimum amount of money you need to spend. But please, try to send something nice. Send something you would like to receive, and not just a card. Remember the golden rule. :)  And if you’re going to send edibles ask your partner about possible food allergies or dietary restrictions first!!!
Then comes the really fun part, choosing what to send! Whether you make something or purchase something please, please, PLEASE make sure it arrives in time for Valentine’s day. In a little while I’ll set up a linky list on the original exchange post. There you can link up your own posts about what you sent your partner and/or what you received!
If you are not on the list below e-mail me {hollynoelle at domesticdork dot com}! I don’t think I missed anybody but if I did I’ll fix it right away! If you signed up, but now think you won’t be able to participate let me know ASAP!!! If you have any other concerns, you know what to do: e-mail me!
Jessica {in Orange County}, Julieann & “Birthday cards”: You signed up, but left no way to contact you. If you still want to participate e-mail me ASAP.

ETA: The MckLinky widget is now up! Link up your posts about what you sent and/or received for the exchange. Make sure to link to the post and not to your blog homepage {such links will be deleted}.

• Grab the button below and put it on your blog if you have one.
• Sign up by commenting below {please include your state or province}. Sign ups will be closed on January 8th.
• Your partners will be assigned to you by January 9th, so be sure to check this post!
• You may send your partner anything related to Valentine’s day {I’ve listed some ideas below in case you’re not feeling inspired}.
• There is no spending minimum but please remember the golden rule.
• Hand-made items are encouraged, whether hand made by you or by someone else.
• If you choose to send food {such as Valentine’s candy} please ask your partner about food allergies and other diet restrictions first.
• Items should be sent in time to arrive on Valentine’s Day.
• Blog about the exchange once you’ve sent/received your items and add your link to the link list {link list will be added to this post at a later date}.

Remember how I got all excited about making Valentine's cinnamon rolls?

See the inspiration rolls here.

See my results (the only roll that looked remotely like a heart) below.

Might I recommend using the Pillsbury Grands rolls instead of the regular ones? The regular rolls aren't really spirals so much as disks with spiral shapes pressed into them. It makes unrolling and reshaping quite difficult. Oh well, they still tasted yummy!

1. It seems like Lucy waits until just after Adam walks out the door to need a diaper change.

2. Bury your litter box business when you're done, please?

3. If I thought you liked my blog I'd be very pleased with myself!

4. Your sense of humor is what I think of most when I think of you. (I'm talking to you Adam!)

5. To me, Valentine's Day means pink!

6. Talking through things gives me strength.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing games with Adam and/or watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include making Valentine's Day cinnamon rolls and Sunday, I want to talk to my mom!

I'm a big fan of The Masked Mom. She and her blog are good motivators for getting stuff done and she shares lots of clever ideas like the most adorable Valentine's Day breakfast EVER! I am SO doing making those tomorrow!

Because I'm a mom who thinks she has the cutest baby in the world, and am convinced everyone loves seeing pictures of her as much as I love taking them...


Can't...handle...the cute...chubby...cheeks...*implodes*

Valentine's Day is Saturday. Hence the temporary change in background. Are you ready? I'm not. Do you have a card, maybe some chocolates or a small gift prepared? I don't. Just a friendly reminder to get ready if you haven't already. Do as I say, not as I do.

And now for my gift to you, dear readers. Here, for your enjoyment, are some Valentine's Links.

• An incredible cake (featured this past Sunday on Cake Wrecks).
• The history of Valentine's Day.
• Vintage Valentine's cards.