Vintage Valentines And Memories

Some of the best memories of childhood and grade school are those of the fun on Valentines Day. My mom always did special little things. All my life, every year there was something special from my dear mom on Valentines. And the hubby has always had a knack for making this day special with little surprises ღ

Oh the excitement of finding a new outfit laying out on my bed, a surprise from mom.  A little white mock turtle-T with red hearts and scrolls embroidered across the chest, so cute, and a new red skirt to wear on Valentine's Day.  And always a cute pink and red stuffed animal too. Special cards I still have. That night would be a favorite dinner and desert. Very treasured memories.

I loved at school making our construction paper envelopes for exchanging Valentines. Cutting out hearts of red, pink and white, pasting them on...each making our own unique designs, taping them to the edge of our desks--ready for the fun! I still have several of those cute little signed Valentines tucked away. 

How yummy the cherry chip cupcakes with pink frosting and candy hearts or a jelly bean on the top. As well as other goodies and punch while we opened our Valentines. You remember, wasn't it great? I'm grateful I grew up in this simpler time.

I still love baking valentine cupcakes & cookies...paper, painting and other fun projects. It's another time of the year where I can indulge the proverbial kid in me. ☺

And never it seems can I resist the traditional Valentine candies. They inevitably end up in the grocery cart.  LOVE Conversation Hearts when they're really fresh and soft--yum!! And Cinnamon Hearts, Chocolate Hearts, Peanut Butter Hearts....

I continue to collect these prized cards when we can get out to our favorite antique shops this time of year (now can be found online). I prefer though the older vintage than those of my childhood...all kept in a specially made Valentine box. 

The best ones of my collection I made into a framed collage that hangs in our kitchen every February. I love it. They are now truly a thing of the past. The artistry of this era was like no other and my favorite.

I claim there ain't

Another Saint

As great as Valentine

~Ogden Nash~

Feel free to grab and share ☺

I have cleaned & enhanced these with paint program

 HaPpY ValenTineS DaY ♥

Remembrance Of My Parents

Where does the time go?  I am now heading to my own 30th Wedding Anniversary.  Hard to believe as it feels like just yesterday most times. This year would mark 68 years for my dear parents. I'm sharing these photographs in loving remembrance. . . .

Mr. & Mrs. James Pantley request the honor of your presence at the marriage
of their daughter Gloria Vita to William F. Sheard Jr. Saturday the thirty-first
day of January Nineteen Hundred Forty Eight at two o'clock St. Rita's Church

Heading into the church as the day unexpectedly grayed and snow began to fall

These photographs are "It's A Wonderful Life" era of the 1940's. As a youngster, at times I would spend some hours going through these wonderful wedding albums, getting lost in them. I thought they were the neatest things. 

We have 6 or 7 of them. All the weddings of our aunts, uncles and cousins. Typical large Italian family. Seems there was a wedding almost every year from the late 40's on through the mid 1950's. Each married in St. Rita's Catholic Church,  starting with our grandparents generation in the 1920's. Receptions held at the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club. And all photographed by Richard's Photography Studio in Tacoma. They are really well done albums. I am grateful to have them.

Mom would always say "I was the first", LOL. She seemed pretty proud of that. First one married, 20 yrs. old, pop 23, and first grandchild, Larry, came along 10 months later.

I haven't been in St. Rita's in quite a few years now. It is my favorite
Catholic Church in Tacoma, The statuary inside is just stunning. And 
of course that this was the family's church of worship and mass.

Father & Daughter

These velvet gowns were maroon for maid of honor and emerald 

green for the rest of her court. Gorgeous for January wedding.

For Tacoman's, you may remember Ray's Market On Steilacoom Blvd.
This young man is Ray Fiorino, my mom's cousin. He opened, owned and 
operated that market for many many years. He was the neatest guy.

My Grandparents

Aunts, Uncles & Grandparents (mom's side)

Aunt's, Uncles & Grandparents (pop's side)

Mom and her uncle Anthony (Tony). She adored him. And she was his
favorite niece. He treated mom & pop to an all expense paid
week in Vancouver BC for their honeymoon.