Valentines ~

Yes, love indeed is light from heaven;

A spark of that immortal fire

With angels shared, by Alla given,

To lift from earth our low desire.

Devotion wafts the mind above,

But heaven itself descends in love;

A feeling from the Godhead caught,

To wean from self each sordid thought;

A ray of Him who formed the whole;

A glory circling round the soul!

~Lord Byron

I love handmade Valentines!

Beautiful paper cut into hearts with cupids and flowers and lovely lacy doilies ...

I also love that the stem of Valentine's Day is said to date back to ancient Rome (not Hallmark) and all of the lore surrounding it. And that the actual day "first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished."

This beautiful Valentine was from my Grandmother several years ago.

I have another that has a beautiful hand-painted girl in the middle of a large red doily

but I couldn't find it in time to post it.

(See what happens when I try to put something in a safe place?)

Valentine from my Grandmother

Valentines from my nephew (at 2 and 3 years old)

with the help of my sister

Believe me, it's been a while but

this year I actually got around to making a few handmade Valentines!

(Now they have to actually make it to the mailbox.)

Come live with me and be my love,

And we will the pleasures prove

That hills and valleys, dale and field,

And all the craggy mountains yield.

There will we sit upon the rocks

And see the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers, to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

There will I make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroider'd all with leaves of myrtle.

A gown made of the finest wool,

Which from our pretty lambs we pull,

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold.

A belt of straw and ivy buds

With coral clasps and amber studs:

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.

~Christopher Marlowe

For other lovely/fun/interesting Valentine posts ...

Erin's Art and Gardens

Bluebird Notes

Shambala in Ojai

The Paris Apartment

Age Old Tree

Paris Atelier

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Blessings and light!

Lucinda