"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Of chocolate, flowers, gifts and aging...

Oh my! It has been so long since I have posted. I have been less online lately. Sorry to all my friends in blogland! I will get around and visit you all soon. I am afraid I have totally slowed my pace. I am on a very high dosage of two allergy medications, one of which is even addictive, which is leaving me feeling extremely tired. I am hoping that I will be able to stop or change the medication when I see the specialist again next week.


But in the meantime, I am also a year older and a year wiser? Well, let's not push our luck and simply settle for a year older. *grins* Jos surprised me with a heavenly chocolate truffle pastry. And believe me all you girls out there, it was chocolate heaven!

He brought me a bouquet of pink tulips with blue anemones. I really love tulips which are in abundance in Holland at this time of year. It is nice to have a little ray of spring in the house while it is snowing outside.

One of my friends loves reading English language books so I pass all my books on to her as I read them. This year, she brought me a new book for my birthday. Isn't this cover beautiful? I am looking forward to reading it.

Yesterday, I went over to Sonja's house to give her a patchwork lesson and she surprised me with these beauties! I already hung the silver heart door hanger in my entrance hall but am feeling inspired to maybe work some patchwork magic on the post and keys holders as I did recently on a wooden sign. You can catch a glimpse of what I did here.

21 comments:

Nancy said...

Wow, Jos, good job. That looks sooooo yummy. Sonja's gifts are so pretty. Holland does such a nice job on gifts when you buy them, that you hate to open them.
Have fun reading the book. I just bought a bunch of them, I will have to take pictures and post them.
Love Mom

Celestial Charms said...

I adore tulips. Every since I was a little girl, and the tulip was the only flower I could draw properly ;)
Have a lovely day.
Maureen

Ellie said...

I love tulips they are sold in stores here now. White tulips are my favorites! So many nice gifts enjoy! Jan

Reginas Cottage said...

dear heidi,
i love tulips,too!
loveley book,have fun reading the book.
have a nice week ,
hugs,regina

Elizabethd said...

Was it a birthday, I wonder? Such pretty tulips.
Stay well, take care of yourself.

Andylynne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andylynne said...

Happy Birthday Heidi, at least thats waht it seems to be :).
Looks like you had a wonderful day.
Your hubby came through like a champ. Pretty flowers and that chocolate, wow! I also enjoyed your previous post about your books. I love books that way too. I love the way they feel and the way you can get lost in them. I loved the peek at how yours are arranged. And the Book Mill, sigh I must start looking.

February 16, 2010 1:09 PM

*Ulrike* said...

Hope you had a wonderful day. The chocolate looks divine, and I must say I do so love tulips! What a sweet man! Enjoy reading your book and stay warm!
Ulrike
~~~

Ginny said...

Been there and done that will allergy medication. I've had chronic hives three times, and have taken multiple types of antihistimines at the same time to no avail.

Lovely flowers (we have to wait until at least April for them here), along with the other goodies!

Annemarie said...

Why... How... did I miss your birthday??? That is utterly unforgivable! Happy belated birthday to you, anyway. It looks like you were spoiled silly :o)
Thos flowers are so lovely. Very spring-y in this snowy world.

Allergy meds. Hm. Let me guess: Tavegyl? I hope you get rid of those nasty allergies soon!

Roberta said...

Glad to see you had a good birthday, the tulips are beautiful - have been buying them in hopes that spring comes soon!

Simple Home said...

Happy Birthday! I'm so glad it was nice. I go tulips for Valentine's Day; they're my favorite flower. I'm sorry that the allergy medicine is giving you so much trouble. I know it's hard to get the medications just right sometimes. I've missed your posts, but completely understand.
Blessings,
Marcia

Linda said...

I adore tulips. Have always wanted to come to Holland - for many reasons - but the tulips being one of the big ones! My favorites are the white and purple ones. But then I like the yellow ones too, and.....

Linda in VA

DonnaTN said...

What a luscious chocolate birthday treat! Hope you get off the groggy medicine soon!

Brigitte said...

Wonderful and thoughtful birthday gifts for you, Heidi. I'm sorry that you are on such strong medication that makes you so tired. But hope fully you can soon take a lower dose or can even stop taking it.

angelasweby said...

Heidi,
I'm so glad you had a lovely birthday. You've been through a difficult year and i hope the one ahead is happier, healthier and full of wonderful surprises.
Your gifts are gorgeous. I love the tulips. Spring flowers are so full of promise. The cake looks delicious. I love being a February baby, don't you :>)
Warm wishes Angela xx

Linda said...

Happy Birthday Heidi, your flowers are so pretty and oh your chocolate devine looks so wonderful. hugs, Linda

Mary said...

Belated Happy Birthday Heidi - looks like you had a great celebration..........and you certainly deserve it! Hope you're feeling better.

I saw your new hairstyle on mom's blog - wow! looks so good. I'm trying to decide what to do with mine for the Africa trip - no dryers, styling products etc. much of the time due to baggage weight constraints - may be living in that safari hat I've yet to buy!

I'm celebrating - stop by and enter the 'giveaway' this week!

Carolien said...

Hi Heidi,

Glad you were spoilt on your birthday :)
Sad to read that the medication makes you feel tired, not good :(
Thanks for the recipe, I will try that one, it sounds yummie ...

It's quite busy here, aarggh! The coming months I will have to study as well because of the new government rules for nannies. Sigh! I want to do some stitches, you know ... Never mind. Have a great weekend!!! Hugs, Carolien

Sonja said...

Ik ben benieuwd hoe je het postbakje en sleutelkastje gaat 'opleuken'!

irma said...

Het vorige recept van de cake die Son naar aanleiding van jouw recept had gemaakt was erg lekker, ga het zeker ook eens proberen. Liefs Irma