Take A Walk (or two) With Us

A Good Stretch of the Legs

The weather was so mild a few days last week, Lucan and I got out and about quite a bit.  I've compiled two of our walks from last week, so you can step away from your desk, if only in your mind. I'm hoping to get out for a little 'stretch of the legs' later with the hounddog.

One day we went, it seemed to be all about the clouds. The other day we found lots of patterns and evidence of animals (not that this is unusual, but it included a biggo clump of fur).

Come along, won't you?

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day. Some people think it's a holiday made up by the card companies and they may be right. I think a holiday in the name of love is refreshing. Nobody is forcing you to buy a card from one of the big companies, or even flowers for that matter. There are so many ways to say I love you. What's your favorite way?

Mine is cooking a nice meal for my husband and this year will be no different. I'm about to put a Bolognese sauce in the oven to cook on low all afternoon. I also have a lovely book I got him over a month ago, with the most wonderful sketches of NYC. I showed it to him in the store, but he thought I put it back. So, it's a 'semi-surprise' in that he's had a brief look at it, but doesn't know he's getting it. 

Spread the love!

Ciao for now,

PS- If you need a last minute gift, don't forget Bates Mercantile Co. has printables!!! I send you the file and you print off on your end. Voila, check that off your list!

How Do I Love Thee?

Does A Free Printable Sound Like Love?

Because you're all so nice, I wanted to give you a free printable to download in time for Valentine's Day.  20 days and counting.

I think you guys are the best. My followers are always doing nice things, like mentioning Mercantile Muse and Bates Mercantile Co. on their blogs, linking to to the Muse, including the Muse on your sidebar, pinning, stumbling, facebooking and tweeting. Never mind simply following and leaving the sweetest comments. I appreciate it all. I really do appreciate it.

So, for you and your loved one, my take on the classic Browning poem. Utterly romantic with lace and a pretty peony, which is from an illustration I'm working on. Check out the homemade washi tape I used on the envelope (all I did was use double sided tape on a piece of one of my designs. Cut it out, stick. Easy peasy and a nice touch on the envelope, don't you think?). 

All you have to do is click the picture below and you can download the pdf.

via Mercantile Muse

You can also 'right' click on the picture above to save the image file to your computer and print.  'How Do I Love Thee?' has two cards per page, in case you happen to be playing the field, and can be folded to 4.25 x 5.5.

Feel free to share a link to this post and spread the love!

CAUTION: You're Time Is Running Out

Just throwing out one more reminder that our current giveaway ends tonight. So, if you like the 'Louis Louis in Pink' print, be sure you've entered for the drawing.

via BatesMercantileCo.

After all, someone has to win. Shouldn't it be you?

Have a lovely Thursday.  All is quiet on the East Coast front. Well, until tonight when we're supposed to get an overnight messy, wintry mix. 

Going with the flow,