Be Mine, Valentine

I have an obsessive love for Valentine's Day.

Creating homemade cards, sending mail with actual postage, baking, and all of the candy and decorations that accompany Valentine's Day make it one of my top holidays. This can be traced back to my mom. When we were kids, each year we got to take a day off of school to spend creating Valentine's and artwork for everyone who was important to us. This was followed by "Secret Valentine's" where we drew each other's names and secretly did things for each other like making beds, leaving candy on pillows etc.

Now, my  passion for Valentine's Day has evolved to a more grown-up yearly brunch for my lovely friends. This year was no exception, except that I remembered to take pictures!



Even the simplest of things can make a special occasion, with the right presentation.



Sweet potatoe, goat cheese quiche... recipe here



Glazed doughnut waffle bites... a bit hit! Recipe


And the weeks leading up to the 14th look a lot like this...

Handmade Christmas gifts

Last year I hand embroidered this chevron necklace for my sister, Anne-Marie, using leather tanned by grandpa. A little sentimental, but also funky. I need to start dreaming up some craftings for this Christmas. 

Saying goodbye to Lithuania

It's early Friday morning (12:57am) and today is the last day of English classes and the last day of Summer Language Institute at LCC. It has been an amazing month in Lithuania! Because of my new roles this summer (English teaching, discussion group leader, blog) I have gotten to know the students much better and had an entirely different experience. I want to write more, but I need to be rested for the last day of class.

Until the next post, watch this slideshow of pictures of SLI that I created for our ending talent show: