I Rethink Valentine's Day

"Heart-shaped tofu! Are you kidding?"

The first year I lived in Seattle was my "gap year" between college and graduate school. I was a full-time volunteer at a daycare center for homeless children, and I lived in a group house in which I was the only one who didn't have a Significant Other. When Valentine's Day came, I decided not to let the smoochiness bother me. However, I exclaimed to a long-distance friend of mine, "Can you believe that Housemate Charlie made heart shaped toast for Housemate Beth?"

My friend laughed and said, "I have to confess, Chris made me heart-shaped tofu."

It was then that I realized I needed to get over my sneering contempt for Valentine's Day smoochiness and reinvent it for myself. The week of Valentine's Day became a time to write letters of appreciation to people and to do something thoughtful and materialistically indulgent for myself. One year, I bought myself an Italian fountain pen. Another year, I bought myself a little red flashlight. I benefited from my good taste in gifts.

When Bede and I got together, we decided we wanted the Valentine's Day Experience. I remember the restaurant where we had dinner, but I don't recall what we ate-- except that when the waiter told us about the heart-shaped chocolate torte, Bede and I said, "Yes, THAT." After dinner, Bede paid the bill and led me out through the large open window.

February 14 must have been warm that year.

As this Valentine's Day rolls around, I've started writing my letters again. I've got presents for Bede and Lucia, because I like to give and make presents. Since Lucia doesn't read my blog, you can peek here to see what I got her by special request. I'm pleased that some of the dolls in my shop are going to be gifts for other people, too.

I've even become resigned to the sugar-overload that's going to happen on Tuesday in my daughter's class. Before every class party, I caution her, "Don't drink the juice-boxes,"* and fill her lunch with fresh vegetables. Which reminds me-- how factual do you think it is that she is the only one to go to school with a healthful lunch every day? She says all the other kids get candy and chips in their lunches. Is she pulling my leg?** Bede and I work to balance Lucia's need to eat food that's good for her with the desirability to be part of social events.

We have no plans for heart-shaped tortes or anything sugary that night. Valentine's Day is a choir day, and Business As Usual. However, I might make heart-shaped tofu. Or steak.

*Sugar + water= what's the point?


**Remind me to tell you someday of Lucia's tall tale about how all the other children brought Barbie Dolls to a Waldorf kindergarten. I had a hard time keeping a straight face.

Blue Valentine Doll

I finally ordered a copy of the out-of-print Blue Valentine, by Gwen Schultz. What I remember of the story is that the main character's favorite color is blue, and she makes a blue valentine for her teacher. The main character's classmates deride her for this unconventionality (of course), and much of the narrative involves worry over whether or not the teacher will be pleased. The storyline seems slight, but there must have been some emotional current with which I connected.

February 12, 2012 update: Here is the synopsis of the book.

Here is the doll inspired by the book:




Blue Heart Queen Doll (background trees by The Enchanted Cupboard)

Shepherdesses and Valentines

It's not "Crafty Thursday" anymore, but I was sick with strep throat all yesterday and missed out on most of the day. I'm recovering! So, here's my post:

I'll admit that I didn't have anything particular planned to feature for Valentine's Day (over a month away, too), but when the team leader of NaturalKids announced a "Valentine's Day challenge" it occured to me that I could make little shepherdesses with hearts on their capes. The heart theme would be in keeping with Valentine's Day, but the shepherdesses themselves could have more versatile for storytelling and display. Here is a photo of the first four shepherdesses I made:



This is my favorite photo of the shepherdesses:


Speaking of Valentine's Day, does anyone else recall the book The Blue Valentine (as opposed to the album by Tom Waits)? I believe it's the one by Gwen Schultz. When I did some internet digging, I found author Laurel Snyder's post about it, wondering if anyone else recalled its existence. It looks as if the library system where I can't place holds has a copy, and that it is indeed the book I remember.