Valentine's Day Decor

Snow and ice are falling in Arkansas....WHAT? ...It has been some time as we are not used to such cold winters!  The second week of February is always seemingly the coldest of the year, and this year it is way over normal cold so I treasure the tie sitting by a warm fire while I write this post about the WARMEST season of the year....Valentines Day!  

Our stone fireplace throws out so much heat to warm the room. 

It  is a luxury to smell the perfumed woodsmoke 

and back up to the warmth especially on a day like today.  

"Winter ...is a time to gather golden moments, 

embark upon a sentimental journey, 

and enjoy every idle hour." 

- John Boswell 

Here is what my garden fountain looks like...

I keep it running so the little birds will be able to drink.

 Earlier I pulled out my vintage candy boxes 

and love this red velvet one. 

This figurine of children sledding seems quite appropriate 

for now as I hope our two grand littles will 

come by this afternoon 

for sledding adventures on our hill. 

The front porch is dressed with a few more 

vintage chocolate Valentine boxes. 

And the wreath on the front door holds 

a red truck full of valentine hearts.

In the south, porches are considered another room, but not today!

I have pulled out some of my vintage Valentines along with the chocolate boxes. 

This die cut lacey  one is so sweet. 
They are displayed on embellished vintage door knobs .  

The door knob displays are easy to make and dressed

 with a bit of broken jewelry.

Antique stores are usually full of vintage postcards 

and ephemera or small greeting cards. 
This little robin Valentine is a fold out favorite .

With their vintage appeal, some like this one

 with excellent graphics have become highly collectible. 

The first commercial Valentine's Day cards in America

 were designed in the 1840's by the Esther A. Howland, 

who embellished them with lace and ribbons.  

Through the ages, they were given as an expression of love, 

and also as tokens of friendship. 

Vintage cards with birds and especially doves steal my heart. 

 The ones from about 1895 to 1910 are very recognizable. 

It is easy to add a touch of seasonal decor with a simple postcard. 

Lots of valentines feature a locked heart and key too. 

"Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow 

or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them..

 Are you not much more valuable than they?  

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"   

                                    __Matthew 6: 26-27

In the 1950's this cartoonish style became quite popular

especially grade school children to share with friends. 

As much as we love our wooden boats here at Magnolia Hill 

and handmade canoes, this one made me smile....

I am glad I snapped a few photos of our camellia bush

that is so beautiful in bloom before all the ice.

 They are a favorite of southern gardens for something blooming 

in the middle of winter is a luxury. Glossy rich greenery 

in the middle of winter, and soft sweet blooms.  

I picked several blooms

to float in a bowl and enjoy. 

This one is called Mrs. Lincoln. 

 Here's hoping your Valentine's Day is spent warm and with someone you love. 

 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Wedding Memories

 

With a shimmer of satin and sweep of organza I just wanted to share one of my favorite weddings of all times here at Magnolia Hill...our precious niece was married here last fall and her pictures are simply stunning. (Thank you Lori Sparkman Photography) 

Named after my mother, her grandmother,  she is the only girl in the family... Of course it was a sentimental family affair and a gathering of only a few special friends. 

We think she found the perfect match...

Look at these smiles....as they walk back up the aisle to begin their happily ever after !

Here is a glimpse of the ceremony, but there were so many 

special details

that went into the day from wearing 

Great Grandmothers necklace to the 

little members of the wedding party.

The littlest ones carried the hundred year old family Bible,

 and the one bursting with smiles and tiny hands, 

carried the "Here Comes the Bride" pennant flag.  

 

My heart was so full seeing my sister walk down the aisle on the arm of her son for he had been in a horrible near fatal motorcycle wreck only weeks before with broken legs and arms...his goal was to walk at the wedding and he did. There was not a dry eye as they walked to their seat for he was truly our miracle walking. 

The "Flower Man"

The family member who brought light hearted ear to ear smiles was our youngest son Samuel,  designated to be the "Flower Man"(who was a first I had seen of this!)...and oh my goodness....he had us in stitches as he leaped down the aisle tossing petals with tremendous gusto and epic determination.  

Tossing a little "happy"

Doves released at the end of the ceremony

No signing of a guest book....instant 

photos of guests were taken and placed in a keepsake book .

The ceremony concluded but dinner and dancing continued with the reception. 

At the end of the day we think our girl found her prince charming

 and they will live Happily Ever After!

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Out in the Fields With God

 Out in the fields with God...early morning walks offer a glimpse of fall ... a sign of the seasons turning. The fog blanketed the lake quite heavy this early morning and lifts as the day begins.

            “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
                                                                                                            ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭

 Here, one can see the fog starting to lift off the glassy still water this morning. Fog must be almost everywhere as we are located in Arkansas. It is noted that  the foggiest place in the world is the Grand Banks off the island of Newfoundland, Canada. It is said to get  more than 200-days of fog per year.

 Buddy walks early in the morning and captured this image...By the time the sun comes up the fog has lifted off the water. The color around the lake is slow to turn this year. There are so many leaves to fall. 

Once the fog has lifted, look how the clouds 

are reflected in the still waters of the lake.

This is one of the most popular vantage points at the farm – the back of the carriage road leading to the woods and back pasture behind our lake. In this photo, it’s difficult to see where the carriage road leads, making it quite mysterious and even romantic. 

                      I love how the leaves carpet the carriage road.

My mother used to describe fog to be “as thick as pea soup”. This was originally used to describe the dingy yellow smog from burning soft coal common in Europe. Such fogs occurred in London until the Clean Air Act of 1956. 

We never really had pea soup at home, so I don't know where she heard that! 

Out in the Fields with God 

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The little cares that fretted me

I lost them yesterday,

Among the fields above the sea,

Among the winds at play,

Among the lowing of the herds,

The rustling of the trees,

Among the singing of the birds,

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what might happen.

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass,

Among the new-mown hay,

Among the husking of the corn,

Where drowsy poppies nod

Where ill thoughts die and good are born--

Out in the fields with God.

Out in the fields with God. 

I love when you leave a comment.

I read every one of them! 

Blue and Delilah say thanks for stopping by! 

HUGS! 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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