Top of the Hill: {pretty, happy, funny, real...St Valentine Edition

One year on St Valentine's Day when we were dating Gary and I went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and spent a day in the gardens feeling far from central Ohio. I remember it was a special day and somewhere I have pictures of us way back when. Late this week I started thinking since St Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday we should repeat this adventure. Gary agreed so early Saturday morning we hit the road for Columbus to be there when they opened and avoid the crowds. The time spent in the rain-forest, desert, and other rooms full of orchids, bonsai, and other flora was the little get away that we both needed. The place begin filling up with mostly couples of all ages but also a number of families as they had some activities set up for the kiddos.A young couple offered to take our picture...they were so cute...she was 8 1/2 months pregnant! The two of us...still happy after all these years!

I had to get a picture of the desert room with the snow falling outside!

What a cute little set up this was. We stopped and chatted with an older couple that have a train layout in their basement. It was obviously the gentleman's passion. I am always impressed that Gary knows enough about most subjects that he can carry on a conversation with most anyone we meet.

Chihuly glass enhances some of the gardens.

This was a small window above a little tunnel you go through.

If you didn't look up you would have missed it.

and the orchids.....pretty!

St Valentine decorating!

I took a little trip to downtown Mansfield last week and wandered through the Hospice Twice Around thrift store. One is always bound to find some little treasure here. I gave myself a $5 budget. First I found a pretty red scarf ($4) perfect for the upcoming St Valentine's Day. Then I found 2 little juice glasses for $1 then a few steps around the corner I found a pretty pink sweater...no price. Thinking I would need to choose between the scarf and the sweater I went to the counter to ask the price and found out all red and pink clothes (including scarves) and all clear glass were 1/2 price that day. The original price of the sweater was $5 so guess what it all totaled up to? Yep $5!

Thank you God!

Next I went across the street to the Carousel Antiques...no bargains here BUT I did come away with some fun decorating ideas. Messages on scrabble boards, containers with red, pink, and white buttons, and old Valentine cards displayed reminded me I had saved some lovely cards from my Grandma Ta Ta. I had fun putting the display together and I liked how it turned out. I added the Precious Moments figurines: one a gift during our dating years and our wedding cake topper as well as our wedding and 25th anniversary photos!

OUT THE WINDOW

I want to include this category in my weekly posts this year.

We are so blessed to live here and many times I am treated to a little surprise

when I look out the window.

First a couple of my feathered friends taking turns at the feeder.

One morning this week Thomas said "mom, come up here quick"...I couldn't tell from his tone of voice but I was relieved and thrilled when he lead me to look out his window to this beautiful sunrise!