Calling the Teacher's Bluff

Sometimes I tease the kids when they ask a question about how to do an assignment or something. They'll ask and I will respond, "Do you have any chocolate?" as though they had to give me some to get their answer.

Today, GG and JK called my bluff.

They actually had some chocolate!!

Our Valentine's Day Date

(This is a little late, but better late than never, right?)

For Valentine's Day, my sweetie surprised me with a visit to Kathie's Kandies and a romantic "Death by Chocolate" fondue for two! (It was very romantic... except for the NASCAR race that was blaring over the sound system. We had a good laugh over that!)

 A view of the candy shop from our table. Craig scheduled our party late enough that the other customers had mostly bought their candy and left.

 We had an assortment of dipping items - my favorites were the pound cake, strawberries, and the brownie bites. But it was all good!

 Look at that luscious melted chocolate!!

Craig, you sure know how to treat a girl right. Happy 39th Valentine's Day together!

Down Comes the Nativity...

... and up go the Valentine decorations!

Yes, I really did just take down the Nativity this morning. I'd left it up for Kyle and his family to enjoy when they were here two weeks ago. Then I got so sick with that stomach flu and it wasn't until today that I could get to it. It has been out on display since Lisa and I put it up the day after Thanksgiving!

A close-up of the mantle. These are empty chocolate boxes I've been given over the years. When I was a child, I used to stand in Hooks Drug Store next to Marsh here on the West Side and look at the shelves of Valentine heart boxes full of chocolates of every kind, dreaming that some day someone would give me one. (I think that's why I have saved these boxes! My wish came true - many times over!) I even bought one or two for my mother back then, although I know now that there's a world of difference between drugstore chocolates and Fanny May. (Sorry about that, Mom!)

I've hung some cupids on the pillars between the dining room and the living room and put a candle or two out, and that's about it.

Hard to believe we are in February already.

Congratulations, Lisa!!

Congratulations to Lisa for winning DeBrand's monthly chocolate give-away!  Kind of funny that I won a year ago this very month myself!

Lucky Lisa is in for a real treat. DeBrand makes high quality chocolate.

Way to go, Lis!!

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June 2012 winner is.....
LISA of PROVO, UT