{ image from little monster }

I’m heading out for the last of our Chinese New Year parties, but first I wanted to share some fun links with you:

• The thought of sitting down with a spoon and my own little pot du creme au chocolat, preferably snuggled next to Tim with his own pot du creme, watching a good tear-jerker or romantic comedy makes me so happy. I think I know what we’ll be doing on Valentine’s Day….
• Simple but really cute ideas for a Race Car birthday party.
• I want this reading nook.
• Over the weekend, I plan to sit down with a cup of coffee to read this essay about what the phrase “working mom” means nowadays.
• Edible paint for decorating Valentine dishes.
• I had no idea you could make scratch-off cards at home.
• Other Downton Abbey fans. Hurray! (Didn’t your heart break for poor Matthew last week? What do you think of Mary’s fiance? A little creepy?)
• Would something like this finally help me get on top of menu-planning?

Do you have big plans for the weekend? The girls and I are going to a party tonight where we’ll be making all kinds of Valentine-related projects. I’m in charge of one of the “crafting stations.” I haven’t put anything together yet (yikes), but I’m picturing something with jelly jars and Dove chocolates and red-and-white bakers’ twine. You know, just cram all the obsessions into one activity. If I could somehow work in red-and-white-striped paper straws, it’d be perfect.

Tim and Andrew get to go see The Lion King for a band field trip. Have you seen it? I remember needing a lot of tissues. And then of course there’s the Super Bowl on Sunday. What do you think of these Indiana-inspired snacks?

Have a great weekend, and I hope you’ll come back next week!