I celebrate Valentine's Day with my husband; we usually buy something a little splashy (some extra lovely champagne, or some caviar, or both!) and have it just at home on our own. I can't bear the set menus and crowded restaurants on V Day itself. PS: for the purposes of the giveaway, I spend enough time in the US to still qualify as "resident!".

Thank you for the gentle kick in the pants! I also feel overwhelmed at the long list of things I need to get accomplished in the next few months (that I should have accomplished over the last few months). I won't get it all done, but if I at least make a good *dent* in it, that is progress and not failure.

I couldn't love it more, Sharon!

I love that Marmee quote from Little Women, Gwen! I haven't read it in a while; thank you for the lovely reminder. What an amazing post, Megan. I was never a girly girl as a kid either, and I never felt ANY pressure to be one to fit in, but I can see that marketing to children is completely different now than it was 30 years ago. I don't have children yet, but I watch my friend's children get bombarded by pink sparkly princessey ballerina type things, (cakes, clothing motifs, iphone apps, toys) and it feels really abnormal and single-focused to me. Why not love horses, or the stars and planets, or dinosaurs, or birds, instead of ONLY Disney princess/Barbie things? I love the thought that you put into parenting. Your girls are lucky.

Good heavens, this looks absolutely delicious! I love anything nutty/caramel-y. I'm definitely going to try this.

We also used to do a big Chrismas for everyone, and then eventually we started drawing names for the adults and gifts for all the children. THEN we stopped even doing that (for the adults) because it just became so rote. Everyone asked everyone else's wife/mother/husband what they wanted within a certain budget, and of course, that is what they'd get. No surprise, no thought, just ticking a box on the list. (This sounds really depressing!!) Now we just get together and have a big partay, the kids get lots of toys, and it feels really great. No pressure, no traveling on planes with loads of heavy presents, just lots of enjoying the family being together.

It looks great! I've just ordered it for myself. In the future, this looks like a great gift for foodie friends.

You're absolutely right about the customer support aspect of Typepad; they're fantastic. I've just started blogging recently, and they are great at answering all of my stupid questions! I read a few reviews of blogging services before I chose a service provider, and Typepad seemed to get consistently good reviews. Also, almost all of the blogs I liked the look of (including yours!) were Typepad.

I love Fall (or 'Autumn' as it is referred to in London). The scent of dried leaves everywhere is gorgeous, I have an excuse to drink even more tea than usual, and I love layering on cozy soft cashmere clothes.

Good heavens, Seamus is absolutely gorgeous! So unique and so friendly looking! We have a rescue Lurcher who is just fabulous. And a Whippet. and a Jack Russell. I'm stopping at 3 dogs unless we move to the country which is highly unlikely. Good on you for rescuing Seamus; I wish you many happy years with him.