12 days of Valentine's Day

Have you heard about the 12 Days of Valentine's Day? My version started years ago when I was in full Valentine's swing around our house (pink placemats, heart shaped brownies, mailing cards, pink sprinkles everywhere and he suddenly said, "What is this, the 12 Days of Valentine's Day?" And a celebration was born. 

You see, I am a firm believer in sharing love and happiness through easy and accessible gestures. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to acknowledge all of the love in your life. I also think we can agree that there is just not enough time to fit all that Valentine's Fun into one day. You can't possibly make heart-shaped pancakes, visit the school party, have a romantic dinner with a partner, celebrate with your galantines, practice some selfcare by treating yourself to a new scarf or face mask, bring heart donuts into work etc. etc. There is a lot of fun to be had and we can spread a lot of unexpected joy if you do it in the name of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day. 

You can do anything on any day. And if someone notices your bright pink sweater, say "Thanks, it's Day 2 of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day." Or when you bring your daughter an orchid on a Wednesday, answer her surprise with "It's Day 8 of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day." She'll love it. Mail some letters. Bake some cupcakes to give away. Whatever makes you happy and fits into your schedule, that should be the plan. I promise it will brighten your month. Let me know what you do and how it is received, ok? 

P.S. On Day 1, I bought a variety of 6 beautiful donuts (some Valentine theme) and a latte at our local Krispy Kreme to bring home. I then pulled into the Home Depot parking lot next door and proceeded to eat 2 of the donuts in my car while I sipped the latte. That somehow qualifies as self-care, right?

#12daysofvalentinesday #selfcare #valentinesday #beautyofeverydaylife #seattleblogger

Seattle: Daily Dozen Doughnuts at Pike Place Market

It was the right thing to do.  I arrived at Seattle's Famed Pike Place Market and I wove through the crowd with determination.  "Where are the doughnuts?" I asked one of the vendors.  I followed her gesture to the line forming in front of Daily Dozen Doughnut Company.

Their doughnuts are a perfect mini size and as I watched the fresh and wonderful batter dropping into the hot grease, I considered my order as if it was of national importance.  

(How many could I eat?  Was it silly to order plain? No, I really like plain doughnuts - especially when they are still warm.  I have to get the maple bacon one, everybody in the food world is talking about that combo right now.  Cinnamon.  Cinnamon sounds wonderful...) 

My mind was racing and I told myself that it was the doughnut-scented air that was making me unhinged.   

My choices were: Plain, Cinnamon, Powdered, Sprinkles, Maple Frosting and Maple Frosting topped with Real Bacon.  I ordered a half dozen combination of Plain, Cinnamon and Maple Frosting with Bacon (see below) but the vendor was very generous and gave me far more than 6.

At first, I enjoyed the three doughnuts (below) as I leaned on the counter and watched the crowd grow at the Pikes Place entrance and then I snacked on a few more over the next 2 hours as I walked around buying flowers and soaking up the sights.  Thank you, Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. This is the way to start your Saturday in Seattle.