Valentine Memory // A Bushel and A Peck

Do you have a saying that makes you feel deep down to the bone loved?

One that sends you back to a memory that you have stored in your brain that you pull out only for special occasions.

I do.

My mamaw used to sing this to me at night, during the day or just flat out tell me that she loves me a bushel and a peck. If you asked me to sing the rest of the song - I couldn't. But the words, "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck" are tattooed on my brain. I can feel the love as I type.

So, why don't you tell your Valentine, loved one, best friend or stranger, "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." I guarantee you'll get a smile back. And in the end, a genuine smile can be the best "change" the giver can receive.

 

Cheers To 30 Years!

Previously I posted about a surprise birthday party for my Grandpa Barry. Well, exactly 1 day before that we had my brother's surprise party too! My family sure does love a good reason to order a Donut Bank cake. I mean, seriously - they have the best icing on the planet. Sometimes my whole hand accidentally hopes to run into the cake. Okay, Okay - maybe not my WHOLE hand. But pointer finger, yes, definitely. (I'm not even mad)

For my brother's birthday we decided to go with a "Cheers To 30 Year's" theme. For one, he like his beer. For two, my family always loves to have something to 'cheers' about!

front:

back:

Happy Birthday, Brother!! Proof that you can't help but have a big ol' grin when you're holding onto a Donut Bank cake.

 I'm just glad he shared.

 

I'm sensing a birthday theme on the blog lately. Who's next?!

Sweet Baby Andi

This birth announcement was extra special for me. Primarily because it was for my second cousin who lives in Texas. Let me shout this out: long distance family - sucks. Codi and her sister, Britany used to come to visit for a couple weeks out of the summer back when we were kids. We always had a fun time getting into some kind of fun - whether it was at Aunt Alice Faye's or Aunt Susie's. I can't really exactly remember the last time we saw each other - but I'm sure if was one of those fun summers that we were inseparable. Let me shout this out: Thank God for technology. Through Facebook I've watched Codi get married to an awesome guy and have a beautiful baby. Seriously. Thank you, Mark Zuckerburg.

Since I wasn't able to make it to any of Codi's baby showers, I decided that I would offer to design her birth announcement for gorgeous little Andi. It actually worked out much better than I could've imagined because I got to visit with Codi in the meantime.

So, if you're sitting on your seat with anticipation to see the sweet little babe's birth announcement. Here she is. Welcome to the world, Andi Lynn. May your future be as beautiful as you are!

Grandpa Barry is 80 going on 50!

Okay, so I have two things to celebrate. I can celebrate on a Thursday, right? #1 - that I'm taking the time to blog! And #2 - I checked and I've had 14,746 views as of today. Wow. Me? People have actually looked at this 14,746 times. I don't believe it. Now, I know that is probably an extremely small number compared to eh, let's say Google!? Holy cow - I bet they get 14,746 views every second. Maybe even more. Hey, but we all gotta start somewhere. :) 

I actually made this invitation back in July for my Grandpa Barry's surprise 80th birthday party that my granny had during our annual family vacation. I can honestly say that nobody else in this world deserved a surprise party more than my Grandpa Barry. He is one of the most brilliant, warm-hearted, fear-less, silent, loving, artistic man that I know. And, most importantly - he has the best thick head of white hair - it's manly gorgeous (if I can say that?). When I was younger and used to stay the weekend with Granny & Grandpa Barry, I used to love when I would get to hang out in the craft room with him. I can still smell the oil paints and see the almost finished canvas. He knew that I was a creative soul even before I did. He knew that I would much rather make giant tissue paper flowers than pretty much anything else. Grandpa Barry is one man that I'll happily sit six hours with painting pottery at 'Fired Up' - trust me, we've done it.

Happy 80th Birthday, Grandpa Barry. Cheers to many more winery tours with you! I love you.

See, I told you Grandpa Barry had a great head of hair! And check out my beautiful Granny!