Yes, I Have a Sweet Tooth

I love these 'wild' daisies, so simple and sweet. (I guess they are daisies! How sad is it that I have seen these native flowers for years and don't really know what their "official" name is?!) They were growing along the new path the Mr. and I walked at the Bluffs.
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Speaking of new things, I started the bookstore job yesterday. Since they were rearranging the front of the store and setting up displays, I moved a lot of books. And oh the books--! There are so many books that I want to read. I better get myself to the library, so I will read rather than buy or I won't get a paycheck.

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And that reminds me of one of the signs that I saw in the State History Museum. I think it was from the depression era. (I loved every part of the 1900's exhibits: toys, dress, advertising, music, etc.) The sign said, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Definitely not a guiding principle of my life, but one that I am starting to embrace. The older I get, the less I need or want. There has been a definite shift in priorities. I like that. Simple and sweet--the way most things in life should be!

February 15- The Lupercalia

The ancient Romans celebrated a holiday on February 15th known as the Lupercalia. It was a holiday to the god Lupercus to avert the evil spirits and bring health and fertility to the city. (I have a theory about how our holiday of LOVE ended up on February 14th, but that is another story.) Lupercus, the mythical Roman god, was also the god of shepherds and agriculture. I kind of like the idea of celebrating a holiday to bring health and that also celebrates our farms.

When we moved to this community some 27 years ago now, I would drive by a scenic place on interstate that included a hike up a hill to an overlook. I always had good intentions of stopping to make the hike, and in the approximate several thousand times I have driven by it-- never took the time to hike it, until today. The hill is a killer and definitely gets the heart rate up, but the blue sky and winter grasses made it worth the trip. So sad that it took me 27 years to stop, make the hike, and admire the view.
The path is mostly paved, with a few washouts here and there. (Look at that sky!)

When you reach the top there is a cannon overlooking the surrounding farm land. (So I guess I was celebrating the Lupercal! And you know how those Romans loved a good fight. I wonder what they would have thought of modern weaponry!)

The Mr. elected not to make this trip with me. (Three days of flu this week!) But that is him, waiting patiently for me at the bottom. And now the "why" for the inspiration to finally stop after 27 years:

We haven't seen the girls for several weeks and since I mailed no Valentines, we agreed to meet for breakfast at a fairly new place. The Chef opened in August and is becoming a hot breakfast spot. I had stacked French toast with caramel, cream cheese filling. Hence, the need for the hike! Delicious!!

This place was adorable: lots of dark wood, brick, and fiestaware colors!

These windows caught my eye. There were three of them decorating the inside and bringing the "outside" in.

Great coffee served in fiestaware colored pottery: blue, yellow, and red.

It isn't a big place, but there were lots of bright, blue chairs and huge, street side windows making this a cheerful little place to enjoy a great Sunday breakfast.

Oh yeah, and we did celebrate Valentine's Day. I loved this card that the girls sent us. It seems so appropriate this time of year when all I can think of is a break from the grind. Strange to think that vacation will be here soon, and I will be longing to get back to my classroom and the routine of school.