FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Valentine Party

and we are ALL INVITED....
Hearts are everywhere I look....
and 
I LOVE IT......
What a wonderful time of the year...
love is sooo IN THE AIR.


Come and sit by my vintage fireplace mantle in my dining room...
I've candles going in the fireplace...

a cool, checked chair pulled up beside the warmth,

two of my very favorite decorating books...

THE FRENCH INSPIRED HOME
and
ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE .
Both these books, I HIGHLY recommend.....they are so full
of beautifulness !

I've dressed the top of the mantle in 
pinks and pearls...how much more can you do to make it SWOON WORTHY and ROMANTIC !!
 These most beautiful crystal candlesticks were given to me thru my win of
a fabulous GIVEAWAY from our sweet friend, MARY DON, of BLUSHING ROSE.
Thanks so much, Mary Don....I love using them so much ...
and I think of you each time I light a candle in them






In my off-beat way, I paired these lovely candlesticks with a Dollar Tree 
XOXO, pink gift bag and added silk tulips to it.

The strand of faux pearls have been used all over my cottage, at one time or another.

Pearls, faux or real, have always been one of my favorite things.






VALENTINE'S DAY.........
I can remember when I would get a box of chocolates and
a beautiful card from a teenage boy and I would just about
SWOON all over myself....
oh, my....what adorable memories.
My beautiful little banner KATHY sent to me for a 'just because' gift.....
it just makes my heart SING.....♫♪♪
My mother found these adorable, olden books many years ago at an estate sale....
I believe there are 3 more.
When I hold one in my hand and close my eyes, I can almost hear the soft voice
of a handsome man in love, reading English poems to the fairest of a pink cheeked lady.
I just know SHE swooned, too. ♥ ♥ ♥







 A little tiny table, with refreshments, in front of the logs that are actually
candle holders...
I tell you, I just LUV this little set of
faux logs with room for
12 tea lights...
It gives off the most wonderful ambiance you can imagine...without even a tiny bit of work to keep them going.

♥ ♥ ♥
 I've prepared a LOVE dessert, especially for YOU.....
Sweet and pink Strawberry Pound Cake with Almond Crunch...
and topped  with that lusciousness  I LOVE...
LEMON CURD...
O HONEY


Where was this thing called  love
lemon curd
when I was younger ?

I was in the winter season of life
before I discovered it. 

Do you think they EAT in Heaven ?
well, if they do, I am pretty sure
LEMON CURD is served along with every sweet thing that is served.

However...I understand there's some people in this world that don't really care for LEMON.
I can't imagine it but I'm sure some people that love mushy bananas
can't believe I'd rather have a root canal than eat a mushy banana.
:>)
Mr. Sweet says this photo of my burning candle looks like if he touched it, it would burn his finger.
:>)
Thanks so so much for coming to my little share of THE PARTY.
I hope you will take the tour of all the other beautiful places and things by
joining LAURIE and her beautiful party.
 I am joining in with:

A tip for you if you are looking for a cute calendar.
SUSAN BRANCH has an adorable one.
I bought two...one for daughter and
one for self.  Really cute !
I have a LOVE AFFAIR with cute calendars.
Sounds like good post fodder to me. :))  

53 comments:

Kathleen Grace said...

Your dining room is the essence of romance BJ. I agree, lemon curd is heavenly and I can't abide a mushy banana either! I like them a little bit tangy Mmmmm:>)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, so lovely and so romantic. You do have it decorated so beautifully. Hugs, marty

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Romance abounds! Be careful Mr. Sweet! Everything looks so beautiful and cozy I just want to put on some Sinatra and dance!

Elizabeth said...

Very romantic looking. I have been busy planning a Valentine Tea for my grandaughter,guess I better start thinking about doing something for my husband too huh?

Vee said...

BJ, you create the most amazing settings. This one is a perfect Valentine party. I like lemon curd a lot, too, but not as much as you do!

Kathleen said...

You look all decked out romantically!
I love lemon, bring it on.
Your candlesticks are lovely!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love the bag with the flowers....so pretty. I better look for that calendar...because you know beautiful calendars!

Madeline's Album said...

Your valentine decorations are so beautiful. I just love them all. I have never had lemon curd but it does sound very good. No mushy bananas for me. Have a blessed evening and a wonderful Valentines day. Madeline

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Nothing is as sweet of cute as your Valentines decorations! This is such a fun holiday! ♥

Linda @ A La Carte said...

BJ your home is so full of Love and your decorations just show it to the world! I know you will have a wonderful Valentine's Day with Mr. Sweet! Hugs, Linda

Sarah said...

BJ, looks like romance is alive and well at Sweet Nothings. Love anything lemon! ;-)
Happy Valentine's Day! ~ sarah

Deserae said...

Your dining room is beautiful!!! I have never had lemon curd...I will have to try that! Have a great weekend :o)
~Des

Unknown said...

So sweet, elegant & romantic your setting, BJ. TY, the candlesticks look fabulous in your decor, glad you have them.

Can't do curd at all, tho love lemon.
Love squishy bananas in banana nut bread, got a fab recipe to share for us?

Have a fabulous eve ~
TTFN ~
Hugs, Marydon

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Thank you so much for mentioning Susan Branch, I've been reading her posts, amazing woman, so enjoyed it! Since she doesn't have a follower thingy I having her new posts delivered to email.
I hope you did get your husband the card and sweets he will have a ready smile for you I'm sure♥

Anonymous said...

so much in this post is SWOON worthy. Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day. Don't play too close to those flames!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh girl I would love to be there with you..just beautiful and all about love..I miss romance in my life sighs..Hugs and smiles Gloria

seabreezequilts said...

Not into Valentine's day but I am into Lemon Curd it is my all time favourite. I love it in cupcakes with whipped cream.

thea said...

Love all the sweets on Valentine's day .. not so much about the other things.

Anonymous said...

So nice and festive. Thank you for sharing your photos.

Lori said...

So glad I found your blog. I'm now following on the new Linky tool. Follow back so we can stay connected with this great new tool. See you soon, Lori

Baa-Me Kniits said...

Hubby and I never used to celebrate Valentines until I had my eldest on that day, now it is a double celebration! Eldest is 11 this year so no heart shaped birthday cake but I will make one for me and Billy anyway, whats not to love about hearts! :-)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Thanks for inviting me to your wonderful party... I had a great time! Everything looks so festive and pretty. (don't you just love some of the things at the Dollar Store?)
Have a great weekend! hugs, sherry

Rettabug said...

Deeelightful post, BJ! All your pretty corners of your home look so lovely, decorate with lots of LOVE!

I would like to know how you make the pretty frames for your photos? Like that heart background ...how do you do that?? It is a special program?

I hope you & Mr. Sweet have a LOVEly Valentines Day together & many, many more.

Hugs,
Rett

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I agree with "Mr. Sweet"! Your photo of the burning candle, looks real enough, to burn a finger!!!!

Amazing!!!

"How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being."
~Oscar Wilde
,-)

Unknown said...

Wow, everything looks so lovely. I too, love lemon curd and just recently been introduced to it. I love lemon anything..Love how you used the gift bag and the flowers together. So pretty!

Rita said...

Sounds like a fun time ahead! Love that chair, wish I was there. As always your photos are perfection.
Rita

Anna said...

Hello,
I just love how you decorated for this very special day. The pearls are fabulous and so romantic. I am doing a 14 days of Valentines and preparing a meal for some of my children on Sunday.
I think I will use some of your decorating ideas.!
Anna

Carol said...

I love everything about your fireplace vignette! You always make my mouth water when you show your yummy food creations.

Smiles,
Carol

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Very pretty and romantic Valentine decor!

I'm also in love with lemon curd!! (Love anything lemon!!) And I hate mushy bananas! LOL!

Katherine

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

Love your touches of Valentines! The mantel is decorated beautifully! And the lemon curd sounds oh so delish!!! :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

bj dear, it cannot have escaped your attention that for some time now I have been quite swept off my feet with the wonders of the lovely home you create, the delicious meals you prepare, the delicacies you bake and offer in ways that make my heart pound with joy. (I LOVE LEMON!) and I love everything about you...that you love RED, and ROOSTERS, make cozy so beautifully, are funny, a good wife, mother and grandmother. Now with that being said, dear bj, *getting down on one knee* lovely beautiful bj, forsaking all others, be my VALENTINE?? Hmmmmmmmm??? :)

Ok..you don't have to FORSAKE all others.. :)
Hugs,
Mona

Carole Burant said...

Now wait a minute BJ...you made US that dessert and yet YOU'RE the one eating it??? Not fair! lol I'm like you, I love anything made with lemon. I'm just loving those logs with the little candles in them, how sweet is that? Also loving the way you decorated your mantle, soooo romantic. You do realize that we all want to go live with you, don't you?? :-) xoxo

On Crooked Creek said...

BJ,
Yum! Lemon curd on Strawberry cake has my senses going wild! Lovely post on Valentine's day! "Mr. Sweet" is right...gorgeous photo of the candle flame. Keep your home fires burning warmly and romantically, dear friend!
Fondly,
Pat

jeanne said...

Hi bj, I featured the wonderful giveaway gift you sent me today. I can't say enough about how much I love this gift. The cupcake papers are all so darling. Itty Bitty??? NOT! HA! You had me going bj.

Your valentines post is so darling. Love your mantel. It is a very clever idea. Every festive photo just makes me smile. Could it be my lovely gifts that have put me in such a happy mood? The answer is YES! Thank you for all the thoughtful gifts you added to make my winning giveaway so special. You are my dear sister friend in blog land. I wish we were neighbors. Smile.

Love you much,
Jeanne xoxoxo

Shay said...

I love how you've decorated for Valentines Day. Pink and pearls is so romantic. You could have a second career as a designer I think!

Makes me want to run out and do some decorating myself...

Hope your V-Day is suitably romantic .

Michelle Ridgway said...

Everything looks so lovely and verrrry romantic. Just beautiful.

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

So pretty and sweet - and the photo of your candle burning is a fabulous photo!

Maki said...

Your Pink & Pearls & Crystal & Candles, WOW, so beautiful!!!

Hugs, Maki

debbie refresh restyle said...

Love your Mantel! Love Lemon anything :) Have a Happy Valentine's Day.

Unknown said...

Hi BJ,
Happy Valentine's Day to you! Sweet post!! I love lemon curd especially on scones with a little bit of Devonshire cream. mmmmmm Now that's heaven honey! :)

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

~Liz

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hello dear BJ!

Everything looks so Romantic at your house! You cake looks heavenly! Have a wonderful Valentines Day with Mr Sweet!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Louis la Vache said...

hmmm....
That strawberry pound cake sounds marvelous!

«Louis» has added Sweet Nothings to the «Louis» Also Follows section of his blogroll.

He knows that anything resembling a bridge is few and far between in Lubbock, TX, but if you have a bridge to post, he'd love to have you join his Sunday Bridges meme which will have its 100th post Sunday.
;-D

Meanwhile, in nearby Spur, TX is Jimmy Ferris...
Don't miss this!

Theresa said...

Oh my goodness BJ, beautiful display of love in your nest! I adore the use of the gift bag on your mantel! I truly believe you should submit photos to magazines... to beautiful not to be published!

Enjoy your weekend my friend, HUGS!

Jen said...

Your mantle with the pearls and all that pink is so beautiful and romantic! What a flair you have for pretty decor! I love lemons, but I have never had lemon curd. It sounds delicate and yummy, like your home. Thanks your sharing this.

Jen

Http://whatmeeganmakes.com said...

Just found you through linky followers-and I am so glad I did!! Your blog and you are amazing!!
I hope you will follow me, too :)
Make it a great day!
Meegan

Anonymous said...

Very pretty and I love those candle sticks. Happy Valentines Day! Pat

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

BJ, Your mantel looks beautiful. The romance of the flowers, pearls and candles is just perfect, and I also love your logs with the votive candles. I especially am in LOVE with that wonderful big clock over your mantel, and that yummy sounding dessert. Thanks so much for linking to the party. laurie

Mari said...

What a romantic living room, your mantle looks gorgeous...
Have a happy Valentines Day....

Smiles~
Mari

Unknown said...

Lovely room! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home ! joann

Unknown said...

Lovely room! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home ! joann

The Tablescaper said...

I'm so happy that you decided to join Seasonal Sundays. Hope you'll be here next week too!

- The Tablescaper

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Valentine's Day to you, dear friend.

BJ, no one does it better than you. You make everything beautiful and special.

The Charm of Home said...

Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry