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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Valentines Day Luncheon!

Only a mere week since our Valentine luncheon at our

fabulous and talented friend Evi's house.
I'm still floating on air about the whole day.

It was such a girls day....all 6 of us joining together for

the ultimate LOVE day.
Valentines Day.




Preparing the sweet treats the night before to add to the cans I had decorated. I think I ate a few while preparing them! but who's counting?




One for you.....


two for ME!....


and before I knew it they were done.
I headed upstairs to get the other things I was making their finishing touches.

George was making a fire in the wood stove and afterwards we would have champagne.
A little bubbly and a few apps!!!
Perfect!

I heard George call up to me to tell me to not get excited

but we had a fire in the house!
I thought he said we had a fire at the green (House).
My heart instantly went into my throat!
No !!! it was chimney fire....and here at home.
oh good that's not Bad!!!. I thought.


Always tell me the worst.... then the real news won't hit me so bad.

We stayed calm and called the fire dept.
We had to move furniture so the firemen could get in and do their thing.
I stayed out of way filling water buckets.
1 1/2 hours later everything was fine again.
The house was a mess but we still had one!
We were lucky and thankful for our volunteer fire dept.

Note: remember to be generous with your local fire dept.!!!
I was glad we hadn't gone out to dinner like previously planned,
but as George said he
wouldn't have started a fire if we had gone out.
"So I guess you would have burned down our house another night dear?"

HaHa.




Maybe it was my little Angel cans full of goodies that saved the night????

Needless to say we never had any champagne....poor George he loves champagne.
We were up pretty late that night but I was so excited that next morning
I wasn't even tired.....


Look at what awaited us!!!!
It's a feast for the eyes at Evi's and Ebbie's home.
The day was sunny on a warm Winter day. The house sits up on top of a hill with woods surrounding it.
You feel like your in a tree house. The sunlight fills from everywhere.







I know this picture is a tease.....just a little pact Laura and I have.
I think I really like the blur option!!!
too much maybe?
The food was amazing. Evi even made me something special......being a vegetarian.


Making me two delicious panini's.
Yummy!
She's so good to me!

We were also celebrating Laura's One year Blogiversary!
      It was the next day last year that Laura started her blog!
52 Flea!
She's having an giveaway to celebrate. I think it just ended today.
Congrats to the winner!


We ended the meal with chocolate covered strawberries, lemon cake and frangipane torte.
More details are on Laura's blog too.


The gift giving started soon after lunch..... I think Paula couldn't wait anymore and started the passing out of the presents.
Her presents are just as beautiful as her home. They even mimics the
colors of her home:)) so pretty!


Kathleen holding the chocolate boxes that Paula decorated. They were filled with homemade caramels
that she bought at Deanna's shop Gather.
I had one today...and OMG they were so good..
not like any caramels I've ever had.
Leave it to Deanna to get the best!
Thank you Paula too for being so sweet and treating all us girls!
now I just have to make sure to keep George from gobbling them up:))






Laura put together the cutest papers and little bits and bobs to make our own
Valentines. The cutout bird shaped papers were a big hit too.
We all vowed we'd all buy the punch from
the craft queen Martha Stewart!!!



The crown cookie that Evi made us you may have seen on Laura's blog. I only got this picture of it thinking I would take one later when I got home.
I was heart broken when I took it out of the bag in broken pieces....
Yup! it was broken....uggghh




This was the book box I made Evi.





Just an old book, papers and lace and looooots of glue!

oh, and of course a sharp blade to cut the middle out.



I had planned on putting small love letters in the box but I ran out of time

( the fire incident )

Evi told me she had some she could put in there.

Some from Ebbie maybe?:))
Now I know I'm forgetting details of that magical day.
Laura did a wonderful job recalling everything that happened.
I even forgot to photograph some of the hearts I made. Sigh!!!
In all the excitement I didn't want to miss anything and be annoying to anyone with my camera.
Please go to her post HERE
if you haven't already.






I think Evi was surprised and happy with her gift. It was fun to make. My first one ever.



We all went home that night with our little goodie bags having had an amazing day.
So happy to have spent time together laughing and telling stories.
Evi's generous spirit and gorgeous home all still embedding in our memories.
Now I'll have many pictures to look back on to remember that glorious day.
Thank you Evi!!!!!

Can't wait to come back.



32 comments:

Rosemary said...

This is just a huge Wow!!
What a nice friend, house, lunch, decorations, food, etc.
Thanks for the tour!!
Rosemary

erin's art and gardens said...

such wonderful friendships you have shared today and i love the gifts made with love! your book is so cool and it must have taken forever to cut the pages? no? i might have to steal that idea.....and those angel cans, well, carole you are so crafty and clever...adorable! o.k. i know you have shown evi's home before, but i need to see more, please. i don't remember seeing her living room before and that kitchen window with the light streaming in... ooh la la....
love all of it!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Wow what a fun, delicious party you girls had. Love all the gorgeous gifts. You are all so talented. Sorry to hear about your fire. We had a chimney fire once and had soot (sp?) all over 4 rooms. Every single thing had to be cleaned. The cleaning company even called their boss to ask if they really had to clean everything. But like you I was greatful that we still had a home. Hope yours wasn't too messy to clean up:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Debra@CommonGround said...

Amazing home and party, everything was just beautiful. Love the decorated book box you made!Thankyou for sharing it with us.
I'm SO glad the fire was put out quickly...so scary! Now I'm off to check out Laura's blog!
hugs,
Debra

BellaRosa said...

Carole amor, my stars but your Valentines weekend was memorable :) I am so glad you, your amor and home are all safe! What an amazing time you all had at your lovely friend Evie's home. You and Laura are so sweet to share all this with us, makes me feel like I was there looking in and enjoying all that fun and friendship :) Your gifts are all beautiful as are the one that you made for your friends :) Hope your home is back to normal now and that you are staying warm...lucky you for having all these beautiful pictures to not only remember this special day with your heart :) Besos, Rose

ps...I think we all have pacts like that with our girlfriends...I have sworn that if I find pics of me on my friends face book or whatever it's called that...they better plan on movin..cause even though I love them...I know where there live :)

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Carole,

What a wonderful Valentines Weekend you had and glad that you were able to enjoy friendship, food and gifts. Love the box and tin of goodies you made.
Also the kitchen, is beautiful with the topiaries, birds and plate rack.
How scary to have a chimney fire and glad that your home was safe, thank goodness for the Fire Dept.

Enjoy your week
Hugs
Carolyn

Sueann said...

What a lovely home and what a grand party!! So glad it was special and that your house is okay!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Anonymous said...

Oh Carole,
Your pictures are so lovely! I love the book box you made for your friend, it is amazing. How long did it take you to cut out all of those pages? What a great day you girls must have had.
Have a nice week!
Sincerely,
Melinda

oldgreymare said...

Another wonderful post! That party, those gifts, those friends. Perfection. You always talk about other bloggers photography, well, chickee yours are just fab too!

Now, about the fire? 15 emails later and not a mention of a FIRE. I am so relieved you guys are OK. I swear, my heart just stopped and I had to reread twice to make sure it was all OK. Silly me, I would have thrown the champagne on the fire, and "Kaboom!"

Love the music too :-)

The Feathered Nest said...

Ohmygoodness Carole!!!! I'm so glad all is good with you and the fire was taken care of quickly!!!! How scary....but I am so very happy that you had a wonderful Valentine's day celebration ~ look like fun was had by all!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Great pics Carole! You are so talented and creative with those photo editing things...and I think I have never been photographed better! I thank you especially for that! I have my angel can right next to my bed and right now she is holding all my calligraphy pens....nice and handy!It truly was a fabulous day!
:)

Unknown said...

omg.....WHAT A GREAT PArTY....and what great friends you have. Such greatr little gifts....love the valentine box and book box.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Carole,
What a talented and creative friend Evi is. Her home is beautiful and all of the little touches make for a wonderful lunch and get together with good friends.
But, it has to be said that you are also extremely talented and creative. Your angel tins are so pretty.... 2 for you, 8 for ME !! haha.... and the book box is amazing. I love the old script on the front...gorgeous.
When the firemen came to sort out your small chimney fire , were they handsome and did they sweep you up in their muscley arms and rescue you ??... or, did George do that ? Seriously, it must have been quite scary. It didn't seem to spoil your wonderful Valentines lunch though. That's the main thing.
I'm just a teensy bit disappointed that you are keeping the mystery and blurred everyone out of the photograph !! XXXX

Renée Finberg said...

C,
you are blessed in so many ways.
great friends, great talent, and the house is still standing, thank g-d.
that could have ended badly.
xxx hugs

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Carole
Evi's never looked better!! haha.. .I love the wide angle shot of her living room with the little doll sitting at the coffee table!!! how cute!!

Well as you know I think your book box is a thing of beauty!!!! and I can imagine how much work you put into it.. but it fabulous!!! simply fabulous... my books in the garage better beware.. they may be getting attacked soon!!! hahaha

The Other thing I particularly love is the red & blue valentine's cards with the big red hearts!! How gorgeous.. those particular shades always enhance each other...Once again.. gorgeous gorgeousness.. i look around me here and everything feels sterile in comparison!!

Have fun xx Julie

Kathleen said...

OMG! A fire..thank goodness you were there and caught it early!
I didn't know you were a veggie girl..I am your opposite..I force myself to eat veggies..
The luncheon looks wonderful..what a lovely home!
The treats you made are adorable!
So now dig out your ST. Pat's stuff and join in my 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl..anything Irish! Yes?

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Me again

i forgot to say how funny your fireman story is... well not funny but funny... sounds like the sort of thing that happens to me!! Glad everyone and everything was Ok .. xx Julie

Anne Lorys said...

That's scary about the fire! Glad you're alright.

Your book box is just gorgeous. So many beautiful images! And how wonderful to have such good friends to share it all with, too!

XO,
Anne

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

So glad to hear that the fire was put out quickly and not much damage caused. Thanks for sharing all your lovely treats and luncheon with us. Everything is so beautiful and made with such love. So wonderful to have such a caring, sharing group of friends. I'm vegetarian too, so it is extra nice when someone thinks of you and your food preference. Love those covered tins and the book box is fabulous! I bet that took a load of glue. Have a fabulous day. Many blessings, Tammy

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I'm so glad that the fire could be put out fast and your house is still there!!!
The Valentine's party must have been just wonderful with the yummy food and all the lovely gifts! Your book is awesome, Carole!
Have a good night and a great Wednesday!
Hugs,
Julia

Chemin des Muguets said...

Hi Carole,

OMG! I am so glad your home and yourselves are ok. The fire must have been frightening. Then to have such a wonderful time with the girls celebrating valentines. You all know how to party- such elegant, food, decorations and gifts. You are lucky to have these friendships!

Marjorie

Don said...

This looks like you had a great time but I'm exhausted!

Glad your home is still standing.

Maison Beldecor said...

Dear Carole,
so wonderful picture from a wonderful day with great gifts. The party must have been just fantastic.
Have a great week
xxbine

Anonymous said...

Glad your home is fine, and OH MY! what a beautiful Valentine luncheon you all shared! Everything is gorgeous! Hope George got the opportunity to enjoy some champagne after all the excitment!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Unknown said...

Well first of all, I'm certainly happy that you're not homeless! What a scare. Hope the smokey smell in the house wasn't too bad.
Your pictures are wonderful. I may have to try my hand at the book box. I'm looking for hostess gifts for the wedding. Those would be a cute idea.

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Carole....first of all,like everyone else...glad your o.k.Secondly...you guys have so much fun down in your neck of the woods..I love this post,love your blurred photo too(I hate having my picture taken)Thirdly,thank you from the bottom of my heart,that note you left me made me smile,I too am soooooooo glad we are friends!! x0x0x

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

Oh Carole ~ How lucky you are to have such good and talented friends. Beautiful photos. And I just love that you exchange gifts on such a lovely and stress~free holiday. Evi's house is breathtaking ~ just my style ~ love it. And yes, rain rain and more rain. My cats are horribly depressed~too much indoor time (but the birds are singing and too tempting )More rain this weekend. I think a shopping road trip is in order.

The Country Nest said...

The fire...we had one years ago and it cracked the flue tile, be careful. The meal and home look so beautiful and all the handcrafted gifts are so wonderful. Looks like a fun time was had by all.
Hugs,
Donna

Rebecca said...

OMG! What a great PARTY... Your pictures really showed everything so nicely that I felt I was there...without the goody bag tho...
What a treat! So nice to get together with the girls and just have fun.
Glad you had such a great day especially after the fire incident...scary.
Blessings

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

Every thing is beautiful! I want to go shop there. And all the candy makes me want to go to the market. I also like the old plate rack.. Thank you for a wonderful blog.. Julian

Monica said...

So beautiful! Friendship above all!
Hugs,
Monicax

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol,
just got on to my computer.We were without power for about 4 days. Thank God for generators! Had over 3' of snow!!!!!!!!!Part of the roof had to be cleared -and no, I did not let Ebbie up there. Thank you for your lovely post about our luncheon.The pictures are just great. I am also so happy when I think about all of us 7 girls together having fun and sharing laughs and friendship. I absolutely adore my book box! Ebbies altered Valentines card ended up in it. God, I did not even know about the fire! Was I just so busy or did you not mention it? I am sooo glad all is ok.
Carol, thank you again for my lovely gift and just being my friend,
XOXO,Evi