I love heart-shaped things.
I see them everywhere, all the time, but especially at this time of year.
Just this week, I marveled at how often hearts appear in nature. From the dried pods hanging from a tree, a piece of quartz in a neighbor’s flowerbed, to the African violet leaves in my den.
Terry picked up this rock heart on a work site. Do you see it?
Hearts are everywhere.
And I love them—probably because my birthday is February 14, the day of hearts.
I’ve written before about how my mother made me heart-shaped birthday cakes. I’m going to use those same pans to bake a cake for my writing group that meets on Valentine’s Day.
Through the years, friends have given me all sorts of heart gifts.
Thanks to Grace Johnston, I have a wall of framed vintage Valentines.
Even if Valentines Day wasn’t my birthday, I would love it.
Remember making Valentine boxes for school parties? We colored away with red and pink crayons and adorned them with paper doilies and ribbons.
This week I made a Valentine box.
It started with the last shoes I bought.
Fergalicious Westin Booties.
The box top was so pretty it made me think of the boxes we used to decorate.
The next thing I knew, I was digging out craft items I picked up on clearance last year. I repurposed cupids and hearts from cupcake kits and added ribbon, gluing and taping to my heart’s content.
The curves in the crown reminded me of a flower punch I picked up for a pittance at Tuesday Morning. I dug it out and I made a bunch blossoms, stacked them together, fluffed them up and added button centers.
Here’s the final product.
Prissy.
Perhaps a bit overdone.
But I had a blast.
May I spend as much time working on the condition of my heart–especially when I find it challenging.
For the Lord sees not as man sees:
man looks on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks on the heart.”
I Samuel 16:7b
Reflections from Dorothy 
My husband gave me a small brass heart many years ago.
LikeLike
I’m sure it’s a treasure then.
LikeLike
Yes, I still have the heart. He bought in Germany and gave it to me to let me know no matter where he travels without me, his heart is always at home with me and the kids.
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures and sweetly inspiring thoughts preceding Valentine’s Day!
LikeLike
Thanks, Freeda. Love you.
LikeLike
This was just like talking with you, Dorothy. I love it!
LikeLike
Thank you. I love you!!
LikeLike
Your hearts are such treasures! The Valentine box is pretty, pretty. I haven’t made one in years, but I love them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anita. I do love my collection. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
I notice heart shapes, too. Mostly rocks and I have good collection around my gardens.
Brenda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to see them! Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m blonde, too.
LikeLike
I did a little post on them one Valentine’s day. https://theblondegardener.com/2013/02/14/romancing-the-stone/
LikeLike
I love how you see the beauty in everything, Dorothy! And hearts! Your box is so fun and I can’t wait to see your creativity in person soon.
LikeLike
Thanks, Cindy. You have much of that yourself.
LikeLike
I love your box! Making Valentine boxes was always a highlight in school.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish you had been here to make one, too.
LikeLike
I love your valentine box It inspires me to make one. I saw a beautiful heart this week. A friend and I went up to see the swans before they leave for the year. As we sat their watching two of them put their necks together and formed a heart. Such a simple beautiful thing for them to do. And I thought to myself stop thinking so much and follow your heart cause most of the time it’s right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish I had seen those swans, too. And I’d love to see your Valentine box when it’s finished. Thanks for reading and commenting. And, yes, follow your heart.
LikeLike