More Valentine's Day traditions...free beautiful download

(Click the sweet girl above to download the hearts of loving kindness tradition detailed below, the love muffin recipe, 10 things I love about you, and directions to make your very own love journal. These will print out ready to give as a sweet little gift, so using cardstock works well.)

*****I am doing more bulk baking today...check in, and let's accomplish something. :)

As you know, we love to weave traditions into our family tapestry. They're frugal, intentional, and bring joy for years to come. Here are some of our favorites.

Hearts of Loving Kindness –

Use pretty hearts during the month of February to teach the value of loving kindness to the loved ones in your life. Find a small box or jar and decorate it (invite your children to help) any way you want: with stickers, artwork, photos or a big red ribbon. Place all of the hearts inside and tell your family members what it’s all about.

Every time you see someone doing something kind for someone else, write their name and what they did on a heart. String it up on a ribbon and hang it in the kitchen or family room for all to see. You can put four to six hearts on a ribbon by cutting a slit at the top and bottom of the heart and slipping each heart up the ribbon and then tie a knot at the top of the heart to hold it in place. The more hearts your family sees dangling, the more they will want to add to the festive display.

You will have plenty of opportunities during the month to talk about how and why we do things for others simply out of the "kindness of our hearts." Make it a family tradition to focus on the value of loving kindness every February and be sure to preserve those precious memories in a Valentine’s Day Book with a photo of family members holding their Hearts of Loving Kindness.

The Treasure Hunt of Love –

This tradition combines the fun of a treasure hunt with the sweetness of showing love and appreciation, while praising character qualities instead of "talents."

. I had so much fun brainstorming last year when I did this. Cut 4 or 5 hearts out of red or pink construction paper, label them 1 to 5 on the backside, and write a clue on the front that describes something you love about the recipient and at the same time leads them to a spot where they will find the next clue.

“I love your cheerfulness in the morning, even before you have had your breakfast. I love when you choose joy.”

“I admire the diligence you showed in order to get an A in Chemistry”

“You have such a big, kind heart when you help your little brother pick up his puzzles.”

“Your great attitude and sportsmanship at basketball games make the whole family proud of you.”

The first clue can be hidden under a pillow, placed on the breakfast plate or taped to the bathroom mirror. Of course, the last clue of the treasure hunt leads them to a present or a treat you have prepared for them.

One year, I made up a corny poetic clue for each "station." The kids had to figure it out before they headed on to the next destination, and "no," I don't think you want to hear it...although it did rhyme quite nicely, thank you :).
Love Coupons – This activity can easily be created at home with some help from little hands. Purchase pretty construction paper in red, pink and ivory. Cut out 3” x 2” pieces of paper, enough to make seven for each family member. Using crayons or markers, write down fun things on each coupon that everyone in the family is capable of doing to show loving kindness for another family member. This can include things like “I will help in the kitchen” or “Let’s make the bed together.”

Include the name of the person to be helped on the back. Starting a week before Valentine’s Day, each person picks a coupon a day and helps perform that task. Display the completed coupons on the refrigerator or a family bulletin board for everyone to see. Be sure to write down all the ways your family demonstrated kindness on the card provided in the pocket. This simple keepsake will be treasured for years to come.

And just because it wouldn't have been my family if there hadn't been some bedlam; the cat and the dog both wanted in on the treasure hunt. Yes, the dog got the "treasure." Right out of my daughter's hand. :)

And now I have done more posts in two days than ever before...I am done....thank you, and leaving the computer for awhile! :)

IF YOU MISSED THE LOVE NOTES BOX TRADITION....FIND IT HERE.

Valentine's Day ideas

The Love Notes Box

In our home, giving the Love Notes box means intentionality. It symbolizes not only sharing a bit from our heart, but also trying to think outside "the box." :)

Simple... meaningful...and a lifetime of shared memories from a treasured tradition. So many of you ladies are creatively gifted, and could create an heirloom for years to come. Imagine passing this down - what a legacy.

Love Notes Box
This is the gift you can give all year long. Inside the charming box list all the reasons why you love that special someone in your life - like a spouse, children, favorite Aunt, grandparent or special friend. Fill the box of Love Notes with sweet smelling rose petals or chocolate kisses for a gift of love that someone will truly treasure..

A few of my other friends shared how they used this tradition idea:

"The Love Notes Box has brought a whole new level of communication to my relationship with my husband. With three small children, date nights were pretty non-existent. Now we use the Love Notes Box to write things we would like to do together and we take turns drawing a card every other month. We've enjoyed long walks in the botanical gardens, picnics, naps in the meadow, golfing, dinners and this month we are taking a paddle boat ride. It's been sooo good for our marriage that we are now expecting baby number four." ~ Carrie Ann >

"I truly love this product! Once a month, usually on the date of their birthday, I give my children a note and their favorite candy bar or some other special treat. They love waking up and seeing their note and treat. I even do this for my husband and he really likes it also, even though he doesn't verbalize it. One evening he came home with Chinese food and purple roses, which are my favorite, and said, 'I don’t think I do this enough anymore.' I know it was in direct correlation to the Love Notes Box. Very simple to do, yet so powerful in the message." ~ Laurie

I LOVE YOU PILLOW

Do you ever want to say you’re sorry,
cheer someone up or just tell them you are thinking of them?
This pillow is the perfect way to show your feelings when words
just aren’t enough. This has been a special addition to the relationship
with my teenagers.

I will have a free downloadable file for you to print off from my next post. It will have some precious frugal Valentine ideas you may implement right away, so make sure you don't miss it. :)

And if you don't have time to make something...here are some options that are already done for you. I ADORE the Date Night Deck! So fun!

Date Night Deck Fifty-two date ideas to help you connect, rekindle and strengthen your love. Not all of us are the same. Your Date Night Deck will show you how to give your partner special attention. #GL009 Reg: $21 February Special $14.70 .

SEE ALL FEATURED GIFTS OF LOVE PRODUCTS HERE Gifts of Love Collection 30% Off

See more ideas from Blissfully Domestic.

Blissdom update

*If you're coming over from the Fashion Friday post, scroll down.
I am beginning a regular Frugal Fashionista post about dressing in designer outfits for under $15. I began receiving many requests for tips on shopping the 2nd hand stores without looking like you did. :)

For those of you that just read my blog for fun, and info, and have no interest in blogging - my sincerest apologies. :)

I spent the last three day meeting many of the friends who live in my computer....and I can't even begin to touch on them all. Nor do I have the time to explain the processing that goes on with an event like this since I should be schooling my children.

Seeing as it was in Nashville, I did most of my processing with Emily and The Nester on our eight hour ride home. I have known them for years, but the opportunity to share, and pick each others brains about everything having to do with life, may have been worth the whole trip.
Heathalee (who didn't come to the conference but came to meet all of us... she's a doll), Me (with my $1 comfiest ever pink shirt and $5 jacket), Emily, the Nester

I am someone who loves to cherish friendships in real life. I never thought I could actually make friends on line (that might not be potential balded headed stalkers posing as a mommy blogger), nor that I would appreciate the depth of closeness one could feel when you "meet" for the first time, and it feels like you've known them forever.
It's possible, probable, and perfectly wonderful.

I roomed with Kimba and Rhoda (we missed you, Kristy), who I have already gone on about in past posts...both are just like you would think they are.
Talented, inspiring, and a blast to be around.
I think Rhoda and Kimba still love me even though I kept waking them Saturday night when they were trying to sleep - so sorry.

Some of favorites friends in the hall. Susie Harris commented on my first ever blog post...will love her forever because of it.
She and her sister, Missy, are another wonderful duo (like Emily and the Nester) to watch and wish you had a sister relationship like them.

Sandy (4 Reluctant Entertainers) and I both have a passion for hospitality with our families, and you will be blessed by her wisdom.

Dinner night out...Melissa from the Inspired Room....always a joy!

Meredith from Like Merchant Ships is a new found blogging friend. We share our love for frugal homemaking. She is wisdom personified, and such a sweet, gentle spirit. :)

So many others to mention, but I am sticking with only those I had a picture of....bummer.

Frugal Fashionista UPDATE:
I know I said I would do a whole fashion show of all my designer clothing outfits for under $10, but I forgot to take pictures...ugh. I will have to re-dress and do this for real. Not the re-dressing part....just the fashion show. I think we'll have to do a frugal fashion week. :)

FRUGAL FASHION SNEAK PEEK
Dressy tank top - $1 - yard sale
Earrings - $1 - yard sale
Shawl/wrap - $2.50 (with the brand new price tags on) thrift store

Pants - $1 - yard sale
Nine West leather boots - $2 thrift store

This is the epitome of casual dress, and I hate this is the only other picture I have, but the whole outfit with the leather BASS shoes,
Anne Klein Jeans, and fun shirt that looks way better in real life.....
$10.

Sheesh...I don't even have the buttons done. :)

Bulk Baking - marvelous muffins

Are you getting tired of the bulk baking thing?
Have I talked you into giving it a try yet?
What are you waiting for?
Well, since my Blissdom pics arent' up yet (they are now with some thrifty designer outfits), you'll have to wait a bit longer.
In continuation of my bulk baking day (click here for the how, why, and when if you're new to all this), I bring you marvelously, moist muffins.

My kids love muffins for breakfasts and snacks, but declared these could have been more marvelous if I had just stuck to all white flour.
One of my goals for our family is to get more nutrients into our baked goods through whole grains, so these muffins were mixed with half white flour and half freshly milled wheat flour.
I didn't use a special recipe; I just substituted half wheat flour for the white.
Muffins are filling, nutritious, and freeze well.

On many mornings, the kids want to grab something on the run.
I love to be able to offer them a variety of thing, outside of the cereal/pop tart realm.
Another option that I have done is to keep some already mixed muffin mix in my fridge.
There are a variety of recipes that will keep well in an airtight container. Then you can just scoop out the muffin mix (just like the cookie dough) and bake on command.
Again, we love the toaster oven for these very things.

I choose apple muffins because I had a half bushel that was calling my name.
I tripled the recipe and made approximately 50 muffins.

Peeling apples may seem overwhelming, but I have two apple peeler/corer/ slicers, and they are worth the investment if you desire applesauce, apple pie or any apple delights be added to your repertoire..
I actually found a brand new Pamper Chef one at my local thrift store...they didn't know what a jewel they were giving away.
My kids love to peel these for me, and I take them up on the offer
(or make them, if they don't). :)

Now, I could so easily blame this bedlam moment on any one of the kids, and you would be non the wiser, but.....
it was me.
And, I am pretty sure that when the recipe called for me to creme the butters, this is not what they meant.

I hope you are getting inspired to plan a bulk baking day.
Wait...it doesn't have to be a day,
just a few hours would accomplish multitudes.

While you're baking, get some rice started, soak some black beans, ground up some beef, and you won't believe all the things that will be done for the week.
And yes, I freeze my rice and beans into baggies as well. More on that later.....


More hot breakfasts here

A Sunday Moment

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

(I reveled in this stolen moment. I captured my daughter from afar basking in the warmth of the sunlight and wonder of it all...this is such an image of sheer joy; joy shared in the little things)

I heart Faces - category "wonder"