Fondue for Two from Nathaniel Reid...

Sweeties for my sweeties...

Happy Valentine’s Day and Friday, friends. ❤️

A weekend in Memphis including a tour of the eccentric Graceland.

Last weekend, Steve and I snuck away for Valentine's Day fun in Memphis...

We stayed in a lovely Downtown hotel on the National Register of Historic Places with original art deco touches around every corner...

We toured some of the city's most famous historic spots including Sun Studio...

and Elmwood Cemetery...

We enjoyed unseasonably warm 65 degree weather over long walks on the picturesque Mississippi Riverfront...

We indulged in romantic dinners...

We danced to amazing blues music on the rowdy Beale Street...

We fell in love with GORGEOUS historical architecture...

... and we enjoyed all of the goodies that Memphis is famous for, including the Duck March at the Peabody...

That all being said, NO trip to Memphis is complete without a visit to...

Simpy, you have to do it at least once in your life.  

While I had previously visited the Graceland Estate, Steve had never been so a tour was in order.  The Colonial Revival mansion is over 17,000 square feet of perfectly-preserved Elvis Presley eccentricities.  There are truly no words to describe the Graceland time-capsule.  

A peek at our visit...

If seeking a fun weekend getaway from St. Louis, Memphis is a GREAT option.  Just 4 hours on I-55 South, the city overflows with history, music, food, and fun!  

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: February 13-15

Whether spending the holiday with a loved one or with your friends,  St. Louis has a LOT going on this Valentine's Day/President's Day Weekend. If you remain undecided as to how to spend your weekend, here are a few ideas:

For those seeking romance in a cozy place to wine and dine your honey...  

St. Louis Magazine recently named The Most Romantic Tables In St. Louis By Number HERE!  In addition, THESE are FEAST Magazine's top picks for the 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in St. Louis,  released just 5 days ago!

For those seeking family- friendly fun...

HERE is a link to a wide variety of unique weekend happenings via the Riverfront Times. From Eagle-watching and new art exhibits to new Omnimax flicks and theater productions... there is something for EVERYONE.

For those ready to whoop-it-up... 

Soulard's Mardi Gras will be in FULL FORCE this weekend, with the Mayor's Ball and a weekend long street party! Click HERE for the weekend schedule.

That all being said, whatever your mission this weekend, it is time to start planning NOW. Reservations will be few and far between, as people will be hitting the town in record number. Have a great (and safe) weekend, however you choose to spend it, my friends!

Hidden Gem: Askinosie Chocolate

Most will agree that there is an immense difference between chocolate and amazing chocolate?  This post could not be timed better with Valentine's Day right around the corner!

Several months ago, I saw this particular piece on Feast TV regarding a small batch bean-to-bar chocolate factory in Springfield, MO...



Askinosie Chocolate is at the height of the craft chocolate movement, directly sourcing their cocoa beans from farmers all over the world and then completing the entire chocolate-making process IN HOUSE, from scratch.  

Needless to say, I was intrigued.  I was also actively shopping for holiday stocking-stuffers so the timing was ideal. On Christmas morning, my entire family opened luscious goodies from Askinosie including this crazy-delicious peppermint bark that I ordered for the boys...  

It was all that and then some.  While a little pricey, it was well worth it as you could taste the love in every morsel of their product.  So special.  Since then, I have sung their praises on my Instagram and Twitter, to anyone who would listen.

Well yesterday I was at my local Whole Foods picking up a few items and what did I stumble upon?

That's right folks, Askinosie products have finally hit the shelves in St. Louis.  If looking for a special Valentine's Day treat for your honey, pick up one of these special goodies.  I promise, you won't look back! Friends don't let friends eat cheap chocolate...

Nitty Gritty... 
Aksinosie Chocolate 
514 East Commercial Street
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 862-9900

https://askinosie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/askinosie.chocolate

https://twitter.com/askinosie

See more of my Hidden Gems HERE.

Personal Valentine's Day thoughts & link love...

This afternoon I stumbled upon a great blog post over at Tiny Buddha- Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives, and felt compelled to share it in honor of Valentine's Day. This particular blog is filled with fantastic advice and practical positive-living content.  I highly recommend it.

On Valentine's Day, the Internet and media always seems to be littered with 2 holiday extremes: the jaded and the mushy.  After 15 years of marriage, I view a holiday like Valentine's Day much differently than I did almost 19 years ago when Steve and I initially met. 

A loving and successful relationship is indeed a journey not a destination.   It is a constantly changing and shifting entity, much like Life in general.   People are inherently flawed.  We just are.  I have found that in those couples who don't "go the distance", many times at least one or both people in the relationship weren't paying close attention during the "good times and bad" part the vows.  They are there for a reason.

Life is indeed a ride. You need someone who will get behind you and give you a boost when struggling to overcome the bumps.  Someone who will help pull you out of the valleys when you feel like you will never dig yourself out. Most important, someone who will lift their arms, smile, and enjoy the ride side-by-side with you when times are good.

Regardless, this article is beautifully stated ...

What Love Isn't

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun, like struggle.

To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is,

right here and now.”   ~Fred Rogers

Over the years, we form a lot of ideas about what love is, oftentimes based on unrealistic hopes and standards. We learn what we think it’s supposed to look like, and we may find ourselves frustrated when reality falls short.

It often does. Love can be messy, confusing, and imperfect, just like us, and life itself.

What Hallmark cards don’t always tell us is what love isn’t, but sometimes we need to strip away ideals in order to understand and appreciate what’s real.

Love isn’t always patient.
Sometimes we get short, brusque, or frustrated with the people we love the most. Love is, however, recognizing that, taking a few deep breaths, and then doing our best to see the people we care about with compassion and understanding.

Love isn’t always kind.
Sometimes we say things we later regret to the people we love the most. Love is, however, recognizing that, taking responsibility, and then doing our best to be caring and considerate in our future interactions.

Love isn’t always selfless.
Sometimes we fail to consider the needs of the people we love the most. Love is, however, recognizing that, taking their feelings into account, and then doing our best to find a balance between giving and taking.

Love isn’t always trusting.
Sometimes we doubt the people we love the most. Love is, however, recognizing that, taking a close look at where our suspicions really come from, and then doing our best to see the best in people instead of assuming the worst.

Love sometimes envies.
Love is sometimes easily angered. Love sometimes keeps a record of wrongs. Love does all these things because we sometimes do these things
.
Acknowledging this doesn’t mean condoning it.
It means recognizing that love doesn’t cure us of our natural human tendency to make mistakes.

Love doesn’t fail because we mess up from time to time.
It fails when we fail to accept that we all do, and then think something is wrong instead of making things right.

Love isn’t life without conflict.
It’s about wanting and working to overcome it together.

A peek at my morning- Valentine's Day Box Fun.

A blue shiny gift bag, a ton of construction paper, 3 sticks of glue, some glitter, and a pair of scissors 

+

 a super creative kid!  

=

MAGIC!

Too cute, my Reed.

A teeny peek at 3 days in New Orleans...

Steve and I just returned from sneaking in a couple of days in New Orleans, just like we did last year at this time.   Fun, fun, fun.   While the city is not for everyone, as the debauchery can dabble into the extremes, I always tell friends that you must visit NOLA at least once in your lifetime.

The energy is electric...

The Cajun-inspired cuisine is delectable (red beans and rice on Bourbon Street)......

The history is well- preserved and rich (interior of St. Louis Cathedral)...

And the people watching is never a bore, let's put it that way ;)...

New Orleans doesn't pretend to be something that it is not.  The city, plain and simple, is centered around a deeply-rooted culture based on tradition, history, heritage, indulgence, personal expression, and living life to the fullest. What is not to love about that? 

NOLA is bursting at the seams with talent and delicious experiences.  In fact, the energy is so palpable that you can't help but soak it in around every corner and behind every door...

Contagious, I tell you!

Just for fun: Valentine's Day box

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching which means...

... Valentine box creation for kids everywhere, including my own. We got crafty this afternoon in the Nenonen Household, creating a Monster Valentine's Day box with a Cheerios box, 2 pipe cleaners, a can of spray paint to make the mouth hole black, a ton construction paper, and a little imagination!

FYI- If you lift the flap on Reed's box, you get a written Happy Valentine's Day message from him while the song "Wild Thing" plays!   A little crafty handiwork with a music-playing greeting card from Target =).