Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February ~ 2016




Iconic Fork Sculpture at Local Austin Restaurant


F e b r u a r y



Original by Patience Brewster, Patience Brewster Inc.
Used With Permission

How can it be that we've 

turned the calendar to a new month?

February 2 ~ Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil and other famous groundhogs

around did not see their shadows this morning.

According to legend, 

"There is no shadow to be cast; an early spring is forecast!"




Detail of Vintage Ball Gown of San Antonio, TX Fiesta Queen

February 8 ~ Chinese New Year 2016

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is one of the

most important celebrations for the Chinese.

2016 ~ Year of the Monkey




Contemporary Mask

February 9, 2016 ~ Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday.

Wearing a mask and costume is common for celebrating

Mardi Gras along with parades and lots of merry making!




Victorian Valentine ~ Private Collection

February 14, 2016 ~ Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine's Day has evolved through the years

to be associated with romantic love and gifts of

valentine cards, chocolate, flowers, or some romantic item.




Alice's Key, 2011 by Beth Fisher, Gypsy Fish Studio


The "chef" holds the key to my heart

and surprises me with gifts in his own time.

He is a romantic who doesn't believe in contrived holidays.




Star Quilt, c1880 ~ Uncle Sam Doll by Saundra Slagle


February 15, 2016 ~ Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day is a US federal holiday 

held on the third Monday of February

to honor the Presidents of the United States.



Porcelain Heart Boxes ~ Gifts From The Chef

That about sums it 

up for the month ahead.




Red Geraniums ~  Nice, France

I'd like to give a shoutout to my blogging friend,

Jenna @ The Painted Apron.


She commented on my January post that she had enjoyed 

my Alphabet Series and asked if I 

planned to do a monthly themed series.




Antique Cooper Pudding Moulds and Mary Engelbreit Tin, c1983

Great idea, Genna!

Look for future monthly posts dedicated to each specific month.

Also a special thank you to Patience Brewster for allowing 

me to use the photo of her wonderful painting for Groundhog Day.

Visit Patience Brewster, Inc HERE for gifts for your valentine.


Joining


Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

57 comments:

  1. There is a lot going on this month isn't there? I noticed that when I was filling my calendar out this year and it is a Leap Year so an extra day in February!
    Have a great week Sarah!

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  2. What fun photos and I guess I never stopped to think about all the holidays in February! Where in Austin is the iconic fork? I guess I've missed it! There are so many wonderful restaurants in Austin...I do miss living there! Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  3. Wonderful post, Sarah! We celebrate two special birthdays in February--both on the same day--my son and my granddaughter! Don't forget that this February is also a "Leap Year"!! One extra day that occurs every 4 years.

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  4. Oh I love this idea Sarah! That star quilt and Uncle Sam stole my heart!! Well, the groundhog did not see his shadow, but hard to believe we will have an early spring when we are buried in snow. lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  5. What lovely images you found - your Chef is responsible for a lot of sweetness around the house - that's easy to see!

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  6. Sarah, I loved your Valentine post. A reminder of all the important dates in the month. I love the quilt with the Uncle Sam and I pinned him..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  7. I love Jenna's suggestion for a monthly post series Sarah! February is chock full of holidays and celebrations which are welcome while waiting for the arrival of spring. I hope Punxsutawney Phil and General Beauregard Lee are right. :)

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  8. What a wonderful post, Sarah. Your photos (and subject selection) elevate anything the slightest bit ordinary to extraordinary! I love your chef's heart tokens.

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  9. What a wonderful post, Sarah. Your photos (and subject selection) elevate anything the slightest bit ordinary to extraordinary! I love your chef's heart tokens.

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  10. What a great idea from Jenna! I enjoyed your photos, Sarah, and especially loved the porcelain hearts from your sweet chef. Happy month of February to you both.

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  11. How fun to highlight the various events in an upcoming month...great idea, Sarah! (and Jenna, too)
    Your little Limoge heart boxes are precious treasures & look spectacular lined up on that beautiful silver tray.

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  12. Sweet post for a busy month!!! We can all find something to celebrate in February can't we?

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  13. Fun post for February, but you forgot one other special day. February 24th is my daughter Sara's birthday! :)
    hugs,
    Linda

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  14. Such an adorable groundhog drawing! Love your French geraniums too! My chef has the same attitude as yours about Hallmark holidays. Niceties do not require special occasions.

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  15. February is a jammed pack celebration month...and there's lots of red, too. My favorite...

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  16. Sarah, the days, and yes months are going by way to fast, I can't keep up. I have to say I'm happy about an early spring. February does have some happy to celebrate fun holidays. I love Mardi Gras and of course Valentine's Day. I love your sweet porcelains from your chef, so romantic and lovely. Your photo from Nice brings back fun memories of the time we had there. Look forward to your monthly posts.

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  17. Sarah,
    Love your photos, especially the little groundhog peeking out on Groundhog Day. Looking forward to your monthly posts about all the special days in each new month... great idea.

    Judith

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    Replies
    1. Hope you include Pi Day (3.14) in your March post. Judith

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  19. Hi Sarah, what pretty images of February. The china doll head on those candy hearts stole the show for me, wow! So unexpected. Pretty paper Valentine and I like the text for Happy Groundhog's Day too!
    Happy Wednesday to you!
    Gina

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  20. Early spring?? Yay!! Happy February, Sarah! We are house hunting here. Expecting lots of new properties to pop up, so very exciting. Happy Chinese New Year ahead. Cheers, L

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  21. Sarah, your porcelain heart boxes are swoonworthy. Love very much! Would you do me the honour of sharing this post at Five Star Frou-Frou at A Tray of Bliss? We go live on Fridays. Love, Mimi xxx

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  22. Sarah, I am loving this February themed post, both for the subjects and for your gorgeous photos. I clicked over through SYC for this visit. :)

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  23. Dearest Sarah,
    My favorite are the lovely porcelain heart boxes; a very special gift from your Chef!
    Indeed, we turned the calendar page again and in a way I like that as the winter is the toughest season.
    Still fighting the pain, from some cold I guess in my upper back muscles and upper right arm. But by staying warm and dressing well it will be manageable and March is on its way with warmer days. Lots of nights with frost coming our way, so our Magnolias will brown once again, they already looked rather floppy from the severe rain and thunderstorms yesterday.
    Wishing you some cozy evenings at your lovely home and a Happy Valentine's Day - always.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  24. Really nice post about February and all that it has to offer... I always need a reminder as I get saddened by the lack of sun and seeing all of the snow. :) Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my blog today!

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  25. Sarah,
    Great February Happenings on Parade, dear friend!!!
    Those porcelain heart boxes are exquisite!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  26. Oh! The porcelain heart boxes are gorgeous dear Sarah! Beautiful February images and yes, it is a cold month to celeb, but maybe caz we can cozy up with our loves more, lol..
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  27. Great way to begin the month, Sarah. Your images are perfect for each of February's events. That monkey with bling is so fun, and I always love your Americana décor. Great idea for a post. The giant fork with a chocolate dipped strawberry heart must be sight to see!

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  28. Wow...I didn't know February was so full of things to celebrate! So glad Spring is to come early!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  29. Sarah those heart boxes are a true treasure! I adore your positivity!

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  30. It's going to be such a busy month! I must take my mother out for Chinese New Year and make it festive! How fun!

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  31. This makes February seem even more special. I always look at is as we made it through nasty January!
    I need to celebrate all of these!

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  32. One of our daughters is visiting family in New Orleans this weekend for Mardi Gras. I hate that I had to cancel…it makes me sad! Enjoy your February, Sarah!

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  33. What a great way to remind us of all the great days in February! My son was born on groundhog day and my birthday is the 13th so we like the month in our house just fine:) Love all your background on the different days. And thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen

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  34. Looking at this post, makes February not seem so dreary after all. I love that heart and fork sculpture. Don't you just love it when there is outdoor art that is just sort of funky and fun? Joni

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  35. Hi Sarah,

    What a nice way to look at the month of February.

    Thanks for playing today.

    Have a Beautiful Blue Monday!

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  36. A wonderful calendar, Sarah. I'd love to see you do another series. Your A to Z collection was marvelous!

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  37. A wonderful calendar, Sarah. I'd love to see you do another series. Your A to Z collection was marvelous!

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  38. Hi, Sarah...you covered Feb pretty well...xoxo
    and it reminds me that i want to do a monthly post of the new calendar I received at Christmas...I'll have to reach back for January.

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  39. Sarah,
    Inspiring photos. I think February may become my new favorite month. Thank you for the inspiration!
    Jemma

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  40. Sarah, I thought I commented on this post when I saw it on Facebook. ♥ this! A wonderful calendar and would love to see another series.

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  41. Thank you for the reminders on all of the special February holidays and celebrations. Until this I've never really tallied them up. With my birthday along with my granddaughter's, I'm feeling better about being born in one of the coldest months of the year!! :)

    Jane

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  42. Sarah I love how you inject so much creativity into your posts. I also enjoyed your alphabet series so much and I can't wait to see what kind of series you come up with. This post was a wonderful reminder of all the special dates this month...hope you have a wonderful V-day with your romantic "chef" !
    xo
    Leslie

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  43. Great post and inspiration pictures! Love those porcelain hearts. I hate to rush my life at all but I can't wait for February to be over- winter gets to be old up here. It's fun though to have some inspiration like Valentine's Day to spruce things up!

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  44. Sarah, thank you so very much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You've made our day so much brighter by remembering us and honoring us by being here. :)

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  45. I love this concept! Everything is spot on and I especially love your porcelain heart boxes from "your Chef".

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  46. I like the way you think, Sarah! You have a knack for expressing yourself in writing and in your post pictures like no other! Love your porcelain heart collection. Your chef has good taste!
    I also related to your comment to Michael Lee about hosting an event being over the top much less taking pictures for it for a post. Just experienced that this week. Am a little overwhelmed.

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  47. I love those porcelain heart boxes and that sweetie pie tin is adorable! I didn't realize there were so many upcoming holidays and celebrations. Enjoy your weekend!

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  48. You are exactly right- February is full of fun, special occasions!
    Sarah- thank you so much for joining our party today. It means the world to me!

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  49. Until I saw your list I hadn't thought about how much is celebrated in February. On top of all those days we are heavy with family birthdays which is all the more reason to celebrate.

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  50. Hello, Sarah,

    First, thanks for stopping by The Marmelade Gypsy and leaving such a lovely comment on our make-and-take Valentine party! It's so nice to see you again!

    I'm enjoying Jemma's Thoughts of Home on Thursday! And I especially loved this post -- so many February events but I hadn't really thought about grouping them together. Your photos are simply fabulous. Such a treat!

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  51. Hi sweet Sarah! Lots of fun things going on in February. You missed one - my daughter's birthday was yesterday! :) Hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  52. Love this Sarah, I had no appreciation as to how much is celebrated in February. I have a new one for you to consider next year 'Nutella Day' - yes, there apparently is one :-)
    The paining of the Ground Hog is beautiful!
    Thank you so much for popping by and commenting on my Apple Roses, I hope you enjoy them as much as we did should you make them.
    Angela x

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  53. Sarah, I love this post! Thanks for sharing! You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/02/the-sunday-showcase-from-make-it-pretty-monday.html Happy Valentine's Day! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  54. Beautiful, beautiful images Sarah. Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx

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