Staging a little romance

Would Robert and Cora ever indulge in such a simple ritual as a cozy tea in front of the fireplace . . . ?  And if they did, would Mr. Carson insist on hovering in the background . . . ?  No, this is something more likely to be enjoyed by Mr. Bates and his Anna in the comfort of their new little cottage . . .  Although Matthew might go for it, but not Mary . . . never Mary . . .

I found the chocolate cups at World Market . . .

. . . filled them with my vanilla custard (click here for the recipe), whipped cream and, fresh raspberries, then sprinkled them with the chocolate curls that came in the box . . .

The stage is set . . .

. . . to cuddle up on the sofa with my love and watch the latest episode of Downton Abbey . . .

I'm joining Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for the weekly dish parties.  Please stop by!

Romancing the home

Little touches of romance can be found everywhere around the house . . .

Turtle dove soaps in the Powder Room . . .  I'll have to remove the pretend straw . . . I was hoping for an egg . . .  What do you think . . . ?

My husband was very happy that I didn't wait for Easter to bring home some jelly beans . . .

For my son and his college buddies, red velvet cupcakes in these darling liners that stay bright even after baking . . .

Mama love . . .

I'm trying out the new heart dishes that I won in Linda's (More Fun Less Laundry) giveaway . . .

The guy I married has an insatiable sweet tooth.  He ate the chocolates Linda sent before I got home!  So I just had to go out and buy some more chocolate . . . Doesn't this bit of cake look just perfect on the new dishes?  Should I share . . . ?

I am so in love with these dishes!  Aren't they fun?

They remind me of a Picasso drawing, except it's done in red, not black . . . and it's not done by Picasso . . . mere details . . .

Linda also included this lovely glass heart ornament.  I tied the yellow ribbon that came with the chocolates as a reminder to my honey that there was a box of chocolates with the package that I didn't even get to see . . .   I rather like the contrast of the orangey-yellow with the red . . . I think I'll keep it like just like this . . .

A glass of cherry juice in honor of George Washington, who has a birthday in February . . .

And there's Oprah all decked out in red for February . . . Is she trying to tell me something . . . ?

The Swarovski swans have come out to play just in time . . .



. . . to remind me that they mate for life and don't let a box of chocolates get in the way of true love . . .

Carrot Hearts

These carrot hearts are the result of too much time spent on Pinterest.  It took me three hours to shape four carrot stalks into little hearts for this chicken stew.  Click here to see them on Pinterest.

But don't they look adorable?  Perfect for February!  I love hearts!