I wish you bluebirds in the spring, to give your heart a song to sing,
And then a kiss, but more than this, I wish you love.
Frankly, I love the various visual accompaniments, as well as the gastronomical delights associated with this holiday, but have always felt it was kind of over rated. Like New Year’s Eve {IMHO}. Still, I do love some of the things creative people come up with for parties, wonderful floral beauty, inspiring table settings and fabulous menus.
I wish you love on this and every day of the year. There are so many ways to express love and it doesn’t have to be St. Valentine’s Day.
Some of my favorite ideas for displays of affection…
Entertaining. It can be Mr. B and me, or sometimes we invite a few close friends for dinner the weekend before or after. I’ve made this flower arrangement before (below). You use a straight sided square or round glass flower container. Then you center a smaller glass or vase inside (the glass or vase should be as tall, or just slightly taller than the first container). Then you fill the space between the glass container and the insert glass/vase with whatever valentine colored candies you choose. Carefully fill the inside vase/glass with water and add flowers.
Table settings don’t have to be red or pink.
Other little gestures include Flowers…
A bouquet for anyone, including yourself, says love better than a lot of other things (in my humble opinion)
For the Paper and pen/pencil person in your life, these great journals from Minted would be a welcome item showing your thoughtful care for them.
~or~ what the men in my family like to use when keeping a journal…
Home Baked Goodies are always welcome. I love the idea of giving someone, including Mr. B. cinnamon rolls for two (I’d have to insist he share), wrapped as only Jenny of Everyday Occasions demonstrates…
These cakes could easily put a smile on my face…
It’s the Little Things ♥…any one of these hearts would speak of fondness for the recipient.
Whether you’re staying at home this Valentine’s Day, by the fire, or out for a walk…
I wish you love all year long.
Garden, Home & Party 
around the table said:
This is so sweet Karen! You’ve got me thinking I need create a festive floral arrangement. I’ve been married for 32 years .. and still celebrate. It’s more about our history .. the story of us, than all the chocolate. That’s not to say I won’t be sipping a little bubbly and enjoying a sweet treat:) Your pictures are so pretty!
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I hope I didn’t sound like an Ebenezer on the whole Valentine’s Day celebration, we always toast the day, and like you, after 40 years, it’s to us beating the odds on the “marriage” journey. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweet husband. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 8:56 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Msshe said:
So very pretty. My favorite is the message at the bottom of your post. Sheila
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Sheila. A holiday commemorating love is always a good idea, right? 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 8:58 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I think this is one of my favorite collections of photos you have put together.(Especially the glitter letters on the cake, I WISH I’d done that on my wedding cake!!)
I am not really a Valentines person. I would like to trade it for an extra Halloween.
Karen B. said:
I’ll trade you a Easter for my Halloween! Thanks, Victoria. I want the cake, you can have the letters for another occasion. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 9:22 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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debra phillips @ 5th and state said:
be-still my heart karen, what luscious images!
so agree with you about valentines and new years. when i saw your post was headed towards valentines i thought, well, here is another. this is definitely “not another”, gorgeous. now i must go pin away
xo
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra, I wish you and your sweet husband love and a wonderful St. Valentine’s Day! xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 10:02 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Loi Thai Tone on Tone said:
Such a pretty post! Who can resist these lovely bouquets and arrangements??!! Have a great one 🙂
xo
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Loi. I hope you have a romantic and relaxing Valentine’s weekend. Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 11:05 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Teresa @ Splendid Sass said:
Karen,
I always enjoy your posts! I love the choices here, and use a moleskin myself. I will have to look at Minted, as I always love their products.
I will take flowers any day, but I agree with you, it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day.
Teresa
xoxo
Karen B. said:
Teresa, Flowers certainly last longer than chocolates for me. 🙂 Enjoy your day. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 11:22 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
I love that last image! Eric and I met in our 50s, which I consider some kind of miracle. We don’t go overboard, either … and unfortunately our cats would eat any of those gorgeous floral arrangements! Ha ha! I have some of those pretty little stones hearts … they’re around here … someplace. Have a lovely Valentine’s evening with Mr. B!
-D’Arcy
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy, I had to laugh at your comment about your cats eating the floral arrangements. Our last cat, Maggie (RIP), would jump up on the kitchen counter the minute she heard me preparing a salad. I would have to break off little pieces of lettuce to keep her from dragging a lettuce leaf off to chomp on. We assumed she was a quasi vegetarian, after all, we got her from a friend of a friend who was an airline attendant that lived in Malibu! That’s a great romantic story to find your one true love later in life. Enjoy your weekend with your sweetie. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 7:10 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Taylor Greenwalt said:
Have a wonderful Valentines Day…
Karen B. said:
Julie, You too! We’re fortunate to be enjoying spring-like weather this Valentine’s Day. xo, Karen
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 7:52 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Karen, What wonderful images! Especially the table settings. Best wishes to you and Mr. B. for a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Karen B. said:
Linda, Thanks, same to you! xo, Karen
On Fri, Feb 14, 2014 at 11:03 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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around the table said:
Hi Karen, Thanks for stopping by to visit! I really appreciate the information about the olive tree. I have it planted in a pot and it’s indoors. With our move pending, I don’t want to plant it outdoors. I guess I’ll just poor a little water on it every week and see what happens. It seems like if it gets too much attention it may not do well so I’ll let it be and hope for the best! Hope you had a great weekend!! xxleslie
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I think it will do fine until you have the opportunity to plant it. Mine has been in a pot since it was a sapling, it doesn’t seem to mind one bit. In fact I was so surprised to see it produce a few olives. I’m happy for your and your move, is there a lot of renovation needed on your new house? I hope you’ll take your readers on a tour once you’re settled. It’s so nice to have this holiday…our company closed for President’s Day. xo, Karen
On Sun, Feb 16, 2014 at 9:21 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Kelly - Talk of the House said:
A very LOVEly post for sure! I wish I had seen that cute journal at Minted. It would have been SO perfect with all the things I used for this Valentine’s Day!
Karen B. said:
Kelly, I felt the exact same way about your cute little “composition” books. 🙂 Karen
On Tue, Feb 18, 2014 at 10:00 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen said:
Flowers and yummy desserts, what could be better? That’s my favorite way to celebrate just about anything!
I, too, loved the last words ” it’s never too late to live happily ever after”. It made me think of my mom’s love story -sweethearts at 85 and 94!
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, Your mom’s love story is inspiration for us all. xo, Karen
On Fri, Feb 21, 2014 at 9:30 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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