February 2007 Highlights

Valentine's Day this year was very special. It marked the one-year anniversary of Matt and my relationship. Last year on that day was when my dad called me in Chicago and told me that Matt had expressed interest in me looking towards marriage.

This Valentine's Day, Matt took the afternoon off and spent the rest of the day with me. We went to Famous Dave's for lunch (my choice), then we took it slow on the way back ending up at a couple antique stores and other places I like to go. I am so grateful to be married to such a Sweetie. He tells me he loves me in so many different ways through his words and actions.

Here are a few random pictures from the month of February:

First Valentine's Banquet
The ministry where Matt and I have worked hosts a Valentine's Banquet each year to honor the married staff. This was the first year Matt and I were there as guests. =) We sat with Matt's good friends Nathan and Christy Stone.

Shelf Installation
Matt installed shelving for me in the closet of our guest room. Now I have a place for all of my craft supplies to reside.

Patio Furniture
We have enjoyed some decent snowfalls as evidenced by the patio furniture.

Buttermilk Coffee
My dear husband, who does not drink coffee and doesn't even like its smell has taken the initiative to learn how to make coffee and regularly makes it for me on the weekends. One time though, we had a little mishap. He made coffee for me two days in a row that was so awful, I could not make myself drink it! Upon cross-examination, it was discovered that he thought Buttermilk was the same thing as cream and had used that in my coffee. Ew!

Backyard Drama
The birds have really enjoyed the feeder that Matt gave me. Sometimes there are seven or eight birds trying to feed from four slots.

Is My Microphone On?

Hello? Anybody there? I decided to try out these wonderful features that I have been hearing about and make a xanga site. Who knows; if  I keep tinkering with it I may even be able to keep in touch with my friends!

Here are some pictures from January. I hope to add some for each month thereafter.

Squirrel Convention
Some of our neighbors... I wonder what they were talking about.

Bird Feeder Hanging
For Christmas my husband gave me this lovely bird feeder and 20 pounds of seed. Here he is hanging it. (Isn't he cute?!)

Melinda's Birthday
I went with my old house to Maggiano's to celebrate the ----th birthday of my good friend Melinda Ross.

German Chocolate Cake
This is the first German Chocolate Cake I ever made from scratch. The recipe said preparation time was 30 minutes. Yeah right! Maybe if someone else measured out all of the ingredients for you, separated eggs, beat egg whites, etc.

Matt's 29th Birthday
Celebrating with my dearest friend!

Mattress Arrives
The Tall One is trying out our newly delivered Simmons Beautyrest Black Queen-Sized Edaline mattress. Seems a bit more firm than we experienced at the store... We will have to jump on it I guess.

Our Bedroom
We just got the mattress and I was finally able to dress the bed with the sheets and comforter I purchased on Ebay.

Betty Crocker in the Kitchen
Here I am working on Sunday lunch. The lovely apron was made for me by my sister Anna. Notice my "wine rack" fully stocked with Tupperware spaghetti dispensers in the background. No, they are not all filled with spaghetti...

Turning Over a New Leaf
I gave this plant to Matt for his 27th birthday--Yes, back when we were just coworkers. At that time, it was a lovely, green, filled-out plant that I had grown from cuttings of a larger plant I have. By the time we moved into our apartment last November, this poor plant was looking very sad. So, I whacked it to the base. As you can see here, it is beginning ot reinvent itself. =)

Matthew Henry Commentaries
My book lover was especially excited to add this set of Matthew Henry commentaries to his expansive library.

A New Use for Discarded Paper
Don't just "throw it out." Before you do, write a sweet note on it and leave it out for your wife to find...