A Valentine's Wish

Valentine’s Day is full of paper hearts,

but my heart for you, my friend,

is full of feelings

more precious to me than gold,

as long lasting as diamonds.

My heart for you, my friend

is filled with emotions strong as platinum,

and appreciation for you

worth more to me than any treasure.

My Valentine heart is yours,

my priceless friend.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

~By Joanna Fuchs

There’s nothing like a valentine,

To make a smile appear,

A heart-shaped card filled with kind words,

Sent from someone who’s dear.

A friend or even a relative,

Who takes the time to say,

I like you just because you’re you.

That’s what is done this day.

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, 

for a smile is the beginning of love."

~ Mother Theresa

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot 

be seen or even touched. They must be felt

 with the heart." 

~Helen Keller

Love is the happiness of today and the promise

of tomorrow. I wish you all love...

Warmly,

Susie Q

The Sweet Busy-Ness Of Life In The Winter

Once again my mistreated blog has been forgotten and put aside...but I

do think about all of you often and miss you when I am unable to stop in

for a visit! Winter used to be a time when I spent

 more time INside but these days

that is not the case!

We have been busy this Winter with Grace and her school's Ski Club.

Before January my daughter had never been on skis but you should see her now!

I am so proud of how she is not afraid to try new things!

In fact, just this past weekend she took a cake class at 

Cake, Hope and Love, a fantastic

local bakery!

She was the youngest in the class and did such a good job!

We also celebrated Chinese New Year in style once again! 

We took a small group of dear friends to one of our favorite places

and indulged in some of our favorite dishes!

Bill and I have also enjoyed some fun evenings out. Last weekend we 

dined at De'Lish, one of our favorite spots in downtown Dayton. How about this?

Rosemary encrusted, chargrilled lamb chops drizzled with a Red wine,

 mint infused demi glace served with a Creamy Risotto studded with corn kernels 

and a sautéed medley of julienned zucchini, squash and carrots. Sound good? It was!

After dinner we headed across the street to see the 

The Human Race Theater Company's production of "Lombardi" 

at the Loft Theater.

It was nothing short of amazing!

The next day we headed up to Columbus to see The Who in concert!

Our creaky knees reminded us we weren't quite the same as 

we were the last time we saw them perform but they still sounded great and 

proved you are never too old to rock and roll!

I also had the pleasure of shooting my first maternity session!

 We had so much fun and their precious daughter is

due very soon! I can not wait to meet her!

Since our son moved to Michigan to work for IBM, he gets home about once a month.

He was here just before Valentine's Day so we went to one of his favorite restaurants, 

Kabuki, to celebrate a wee bit early. Is there any thing better than having

all of your family together? Nope!

Their plates are small works of art!

On Valentine's Day Bill treated me, Grace, my Mom

 and one of my oldest friends, Terri, to

dinner at Savona. 

I had the Caesar Salad and Angus Rib-eye with  Blue cheese compound butter, 

Yukon  Gold potatoes and Cajun onions...yummy!

Our Winston has enjoyed the little bit of snow we have

 had lately. As odd as it may sound to some,

our family loves snow! We all do the happy dance each time the

 wet, white stuff is in the forecast!

Of course, after being out in the cold all day, sitting by the fire with a cup 

of hot chocolate or mulled wine is definitely one of the sweet things about Winter!

Just a quick peek at what is keeping me busy and, mostly, out of trouble

lately! I hope you are all doing well, staying warm and enjoying 

the sweetness that life brings us even on the

dreariest Winter day!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Love Is In The Air

A treat for all my sweet friends...

To all those who love, have loved, are loved and will love again someday. 

To those who fully understand the power, unselfishness and purity of love in 

all it's forms...the love of a spouse, a companion, a child, an animal, 

a true friend, a parent, sibling or other family member. May God Bless

 all who truly understand the beauty of love.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

This, That And The Other Thing

Edited to add: The dear little puppy, Nala, is an

Old English Sheepdog. Yes, she is gonna be huge!

These 2 beauties greeted me when I returned home today

What a bad, bad blogger I have been of late. Yes I have...I KNOW it. I have been neglectful in my posting and not visiting everyone as I so love to do. I have been by to see everyone but don't always leave a comment. I know...bad, bad blogger! See? I TOLD you. On that note, I recently heard from a blog friend that someone she has visited for awhile now was chastising people who do not leave comments. I actually saw something like that not too long ago myself. It was on a blog that was new to me, I visited and was taken aback by the writer's, "Any visitor here, who does not leave a comment, is a total loser!" Wow. That is one way to scare off any prospective blog visits! Why blog at all if the ONLY thing you care about is whether or not people leave a comment? Blog for the sheer fun of it, for your own enjoyment and if, IF others find something useful in what you publish, well, that is the delicious frosting on top!

That said, I LOVE comments. We all do right? Of course! It is a joy to hear from our friends both old and new. But we all have lives that keep us busy...it is not always convenient to read posts AND leave a comment. As much as I adore getting a note from all of you, I completely understand when you can't. I do hope that all of you will continue to visit me here, and that you will find something to make you smile from time to time.

The week of Valentine's Day was a busy one. I had several meetings to attend, volunteer duties,

a school party to help with, a little party here at Rabbit Run to get ready for and enjoy...well, let's just say it was hectic but oh so much fun. Grace loves having a little party and we asked a few friends who are so dear to us to share a little Valentine fun with us!

We received a package of sweet surprises that week...and upon opening the box, you all probably heard Grace's squeals of delight! That girl can scream with the best of 'em!

My dear blog friend (and if you do not yet know Sue, do yourself a favor and hop one over to visit! She is glorious!) Sue at Rue-Mouffetard

sent us Valentine goodies galore!

The Diva and I spent part of that week baking cookies using all the fun things Sue sent our girl.

And believe me, anything pink wins my girl's heart straight away!

Sue also included a book for me...she and I are both fans of the old film, "Since You Went Away" with Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones. Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple and Monty Woolley.

Sue owned two copies of the book on which the film is based and you can imagine how tickled and moved I was to receive a copy from her. The book is a series of letters that "Anne" writes to her husband who is at sea during WW II. I have been reading a letter a night, just before I go to bed. I have enjoyed this immensely and can't thank Sue enough for these gifts.

Oh and Sue and I are in agreement..when they do a remake of "Since You Went Away", Brian will definitely play the Monty Woolley role! Who else?

Last week was also tax time for the folks from Rabbit Run Cottage! Here is my darlin' husband getting ready to undergo our

"procedure"! Aw gee Bill! Why d'ya look so scared??

This little angel is Nala and she is 6 weeks old! Nala came to live with our friends on Saturday. I saw her for the first time today and fell in love!

I wish you all a sweet week and that many happy smiles come your way!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Valentine's For Those You Love?

Hmm...I'm just not sure if the one you love will

be delighted or run for cover when you hand

him or her one of these little gems...

And if you WON'T be my Valentine...the lead will fly baby!

Nothing says romance more than a creepy clown face.

Now, after presenting this sweet card to your one true love,

you might wish to take her to a real sweet film like oh, let's say,

"Friday the 13th Part 12".

And if you won't be mine I'll bind you and gag you and hold you prisoner until you will...bwahahahahahahahah.

I love you truly...and what says that better than a little animal cruelty? Forget binding and gagging that girl you love...run over her a few times until she agrees to be your Valentine!

Okay, so I don't speak this language but even if it *says*

sumpthin' sweet, this evil little devil t'ain'y exactly puttin' me in

a romantic mood!

A Valentine for that devoted woman who you will now spurn

on this romantic day of days?

Perhaps she will pick up that Valentine from the top of the list and come *gunning* for YOU mister! A lemon? A LEMON? YOU'RE the LEMON buddy!

Okay. This Valentine is just totally awful. If anyone hands you one of these, I would smile, back away quietly and run, run, run! Follwed quickly by having them handed a restraining order. Happy Valentine's Day! Whoo Hoo.

Is it just me or does this one just give you the shivers?

"No Honey I don't, I tell ya no lie,

you are just weird, if I kissed ya I'd die."

Just a silly post that hopefully made you smile. I wanted to pop in and wish all of you a sweet and oh so special 14th. This day was created not only to show affection to a significant other but also to share our love with family and dear friends. You are all so, so very dear to me...Happy Valentine's Day to each one of you!

May this day bring you many smiles!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q