February Favorites

There are so many things to do and holidays to celebrate in February. Here are some ideas to enjoy every single day in the shortest month of the year!

February Valentine Hand Pies

Happy February and Happy Groundhog Day! February in my neck of the woods can seem to go on forever! It’s usually cold and overcast and snowy. The snowy part of February is my favorite part as I am a snow lover. So I’m hoping we will have our winter share of the white stuff this month.

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FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS

February may be the shortest month but it is long on holidays and days of observance! Literally, every day is a good day to celebrate! Here are just some of the days to celebrate in February!

Feb 1- Decorating With Candy, Baked Alaska Day, National Decorating With Chocolate Day, National Girls and Women In Sports Day.

Feb 2- Crepe Day, Groundhog Day, National Brown Dog Day, Nation Hedgehog Day, National River Day, National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day, and World Wetlands Day.

Feb 3- American Painters Day, Bubblegum Day, National Golden Retriever Day, National Wear Red Day, Feed the Birds Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Women Physicians Day

Feb 4- National Homemade Soup Day, National Stuffed Mushroom Day, National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, Sweater Day, National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Feb 5- National Weatherperson’s Day, World Nutella Day, National Chocolate Fondue Day

Feb 6- Pay a Compliment Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day

Feb 7- National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, National Send a Card to a Friend Day, Rose Day

Feb 8- National Kite-Flying Day

Feb 9- National Pizza Day, Read in the Bathtub Day

Feb 10- National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, National Flannel Day, National Umbrella Day, International Cribbage Day, International Winter Bike to Work Day

Feb 11- National Latte Day, National Guitar Day, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, National Inventors’ Day, National Make a Friend Day

Feb 12- Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, National Plum Pudding Day, Super Bowl Sunday (FLY EAGLES FLY), Brother Alan’s Birthday

Feb 13- Galentine’s Day, National Tortellini Day, National Cheddar Day

Feb 14- National Cream-filled Chocolates Day, National Donor Day, Read to Your Child Day, International Book Giving Day, National Ferris Wheel Day, Valentine’s Day

The rest of the list is at the end of the post!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

February- Football on yard line

Our family is celebrating this year’s Super Bowl because our beloved Eagles (Fly Eagles Fly ?) are playing. From the youngest member of our family, 14 months, to the oldest, 92 years young, we are all huge fans! So we will be donning our Eagles gear to watch the birds win. Sorry, Kansas City!

Even if you don’t have a favorite in this year’s Super Bowl it is fun to get together to eat and have fellowship and even cheer for one of the teams.

Think about having your own Super Bowl get-together. Make a big pot of the BEST CHILI and have everyone bring lots of side dishes and dessert. My friend Ann from On Sutton Place has the best recipe for CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS we will be making for dessert.

Here are more SUPER BOWL RECIPES from one of my favorite foodie YouTube sites.

ITEMS TO FEED A CROWD

VALENTINE’S DAY FRIENDS SOUP BAR

February hand pies

There are so many fun things to do for Valentine’s Day. Truth be told, I am not a huge Valentine’s Day fan. I think it’s because love should be shared all through the year. And Valentine’s Day is probably the worst day of the year to go out to eat!

Bobby and I will go out to dinner the week after Valentine’s Day.

So this year I’m planning a fun GALentine get-together with a few friends to celebrate our friendship.

Instead of going out to lunch, I’m planning on a soup bar lunch at Tanglewood. I’ll make the soup and dessert, VALENTINE HAND PIES, and my friends can provide the rest. I’m also setting up a pretty coffee bar for my friends. HERE is where I got some great ideas.

ITEMS FOR A GALENTINE SOUP AND COFFE BAR

DO A LITTLE SPRING DECLUTTERING AND CLEANING

cleaning supplies in a bucket

I have spring fever! And it is bad this year! How about you? Although the weather is frosty my mind is thinking about spring! But before I get too carried away decorating for warmer seasons ahead I like to give my home a little decluttering and cleaning as I go.

I have an easy and quick daily cleaning and decluttering plan that works so well for me. I spend only 30 MINUTES CLEANING and 15 MINUTES DECLUTTERING. The key is consistency! I make cleaning and decluttering part of my daily routine! I often find 10 minutes here and 15 minutes here during the day or evening.

However, a couple times a year I want to take everything out of my kitchen cupboards and closets and declutter and clean EVERYTHING. This month I’ll be concentrating on my kitchen and pantry. Because I have a pretty busy schedule, it will take that long. So I’ll grab a little time each day to tackle one drawer or cupboard. Look for posts as I do a deep dive getting our home sparking clean and organized.

HELPFUL ITEMS FOR CLEANING AND DECLUTTERING

MAKE PLANS FOR CHANGES IN YOUR HOME

Last month in January’s post I talked about making plans for projects in your home. Decorating is really never done.

Even if you think your decor is perfect there is always upkeep like having rugs and upholstery professionally cleaned and checking that everything is in tip top shape.

Friends, take this to heart! When we get lax and things in our homes go unattended then that leads to more things, negative things, happening.

Last month I decided to retire the clock over our white buffet in the living room. Oh, I just love this clock but it was starting to show its age badly. So I began a hunt for what should replace it.

With the help of a couple friends, Lory from Designthusiam and Ann from On Sutton Place I chose a pretty, slightly antiqued mirror from Pottery Barn. The 40.5-inch mirror fit perfectly over the buffet.

living room decor

That lead to finding something over the Curlacue chest on the other side of the room because I had a mirror there too.

chest with mirror above it

I did fund something for over the chest but I’ll save that for an upcoming post. And while I was changing the things on the walls in the living room I decided to change the gather sign over the mantel for a painting.

February living room decor

You may not need to get all new wall art for your home but maybe you could use a drink table for a chair that is not near a flat surface. Or you might want to switch pillows around that you already have.

It’s important to be happy with what we have and it’s also important to keep refreshing and updating our homes too. It’s a balance really. And finding that balance is the key to loving the home we have.

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black history month is a time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their central role in American history.

We have a few outings planned, like a trip to visit the Martin Luther King Memorial with our grandchildren. Two of our six are adopted and are part African American.

PRESIDENT’S DAY

Monday, February 20th is President’s Day. As a county, we celebrate past and present Presidents and their contributions to our nation.

Plan on doing something to celebrate and learn about our presidents!

TRY SOMETHING NEW

When was the last time you tried to learn something new? Oh, I love to learn! I think it breathes new life into us! No wonder I was a teacher.

Now is a great time to learn a new hobby. Or pick up an old one you have not done in an age.

I reminded you about this last month so if you did try something new let me know in the comments.

Last month I finished an Alpaca throw I started the year.

I had so many people ask me about my throw. I used #10 needles, Alpaka/wool blend yarn, and no pattern, just easy knitting. This throw is big and very warm.

February- knitting project

This month is all about water coloring! I started creating color family sheets and in next month’s March Favorites, I hope to show you some of the practice color sheets I’ve been creating.

I have been baking DELICIOUS AND EASY N-KNEAD BREAD for about a year. It is so good! And now I’m going to start making an enriched bread that is also a no-knead version. This dough is a little different from the regular bread dough and I am looking forward to this new bread.

bread

What fun thing have you been putting off?

FEBRUARY’S BEST DEALS

heart shaped dish filled with sprinkles

President’s Day sales are iconic! Look for great deals on things like big-screen TVs, home decor and furniture, window coverings, fine jewelry, appliances, winter clothing, cookware, and mattresses, to name a few.

Keep an eye on your favorite on-line stores to get deals on anything you need.

Our bedroom TV (yes we watch TV in bed) is so old and it will just turn off every once in a while. This may be the month for a new bedroom TV. We will probably look at Costco.

FEBRUARY IS ALSO A GREAT MONTH TO…

Here are some fun things to do in honor of February…

  • Make homemade salsa and eat it with tortilla chips
  • Read a romance novel
  • Do something kind for someone
  • Gift a book to a young family member and then read it to them
  • Make your pet a homemade treat
  • Visit a coffee shop
  • Watch a romantic movie with someone you love
  • Drink a glass of your favorite wine
  • Give flowers or candy to two of your closest friends
  • Make a pot of soup or chili

All of these ideas relate to a holiday this month.

FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS CONTINUED

Valentine candy

Feb 15- National Gumdrop Day, World Hippo Day

Feb 16- National Almond Day

Feb 17- National Cafe au Lait Day, National Caregivers Day, National Cabbage Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day

Feb 18- National Drink Wine Day, World Pangolin Day, Pluto Day

Feb 19- National Chocolate Mint Day, World Whale Day

Feb 20- National Cherry Pie Day, National Love Your Pet Day, National Muffin Day, National Student Volunteer Day, Clean Out Your Bookcase Day, National Comfy Day, Presidents’ Day

Feb 21- National Sticky Bun Day, Fat Tuesday, National Grain Free Day, National Pancake Day, Fausnaut Day

Feb 22- Ash Wednesday, Cook a Sweet Potato Day, National Walking the Dog Day, National Margarita Day, Single Tasking Day, Supermarket Employee Day

Feb 23- National Toast Day, National Banana Bread Day, National Chili Day, National Dog Biscuit Day, National Tile Day, Play Tennis Day

Feb 24- National Skip the Straw Day, Friday Fish Fry Day, National Tortilla Chip Day

Feb 25- National Chocolate Covered Nut Day

Feb 26- National Pistachio Day, Carpe Diem Day, Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Feb 27- National Strawberry Day, International Polar Bear Day

Feb 28- Floral Design Day, National Science Day, National Vegan Lipstick Day, National Chocolate Souffle Day,

Happy February, Friends! Here’s hoping your February is truly fabulous!

FAQs ABOUT FEBRUARY

February gets its name from the Latin word februum meaning purification. On Feb 15 there was a Roman rite of purification.

Romans thought even numbers to be unlucky so their months alternated between 29 and 31. But this made their calendar 355. So they make February the short, unlucky month.

Valentine’s Day is February 14th.

February Valentine Hand Pies

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6 Comments

  1. Where did you purchase the side table next to the sofa in your living room? I need one just like that! Thanks, Cheryl

    1. I think you mean the chest. I have had it for over a decade. It came from Birch Lane. Sorry, it has not been sold in years.

  2. If you live in the KC area you would know the Chief’s will win the Super Bowl. Pat believes in prayer and serving the Lord. The Kelce brothers will be playing against each other and their mother will be cheering both of her sons. It will be a good game no matter who wins

    1. My friend there are many praying Eagles too. Somehow I think the Lord loves us all! And our Kelce brother has a nine month pregnant wife. I hear they are bringing their own Obgyn. I love and cheer for your enthusiasm.

  3. CarolBinTX says:

    RIP big clock! I’ve enjoyed seeing it’s placement over the years. I love the new mirror! It’s interesting how some treasures can all the sudden look dated or shabby! Only you know when it’s time to retire something!

    1. Well, I think the clock overstayed it’s welcome for a year or more. I just loved it. But when the face got so yellowed I knew it was time. Glad you like the new mirror.