Valentine Trees

I love Pinterest! It is the most fantastic idea website EVER.  The one that most recently inspired me was a valentine tree. It was very easy so the kids and I decided to make a few. We plan on giving them to their teachers at school and we hope it makes them smile.

 

You will need the following supplies:

• Colored card stock
• Tape
• Heart shape paper cutter
• Hot glue gun and glue

First cut out the tree. I used yarn, tied it to an ink pen and then drew a quarter of a circle on the card stock. Roll the tree together and tape the seam.

Heat up your glue gun. I think a glue gun for women is like duct tape for men.

Cut out a couple sheets of hearts. In this example we went with red and an “I love school” theme. We bought the themed paper at Hobby Lobby when it was on sale. The school theme was just right for their teachers.  If you have words on your heart make sure you cut them out upside down.

Next put a dab of glue on the point of the heart. You will be placing them on the tree upside down. Begin lining the hearts along the bottom of your tree base. You can place them as close or as far apart as you like.  Work your way up the tree.

When finished set them on the table as is or you can find a candle stick or vase (as we did) to set them on, giving them a bit of height. We found the tall cylinder vases at Target and filled them with Hershey kisses! You could also use M&Ms, Nerds, gum drops …..

I’m already thinking of other fun holidays for which we can make these trees. The ideas are endless. The website that had this great idea also used homemade garland to wrap around the trees. I went for quickness and did not do garland.

Thanks to igottacreate blog for their wonderful idea. So glad someone pinned it for me to see.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!  I hope you are inspired.

Jen

Sweet Tea Cafe

Today’s inspiration comes from the Sweet Tea Café in Calvin, Okla. My family, extended family and long time friends from the church I grew up in drove one and a half hours to the little 40 seat café off of state highway 270 in southeastern Oklahoma. Sweet Tea Café is owned by Aaron Peloquin, long time family friend, who, by the way, catered my wedding reception many years ago.

Aaron Peloquin, owner of Sweet Tea Cafe

Aaron’s dream was to have his own eatery. And well, he has it! On just $5,000 he started up this little café with the tea theme a little over a year ago. With the help and encouragement of his pastor, parents and friends he runs the café Monday through Saturday and takes a much needed rest on Sunday. The menu has many large burgers to choose from, chicken fried steak, catfish, smothered steak, pot roast and many fried appetizers including pickles, zucchini, jalapenos, onion rings and mushrooms. Everything is fresh; nothing is frozen.

Redneck Sweet Tea

My husband and I had Redneck Sweet Tea with our meal. This is a combination of sweet tea, lemonade and cherry syrup. Delicious! By far the best sweet tea I have ever had the privilege of drinking. We shared the Hangover Chicken Fried Steak and an Onion Burger. The kids had an assortment of cheeseburgers, grilled cheeses and honey chicken strips. All served with smiley face fries. My son, Shawn, was so impressed he wants to make the drive again, next weekend.
  

Kids Cheeseburger with Smiley Face Fries

My mom and dad shared a dessert skillet after sampling a burger and smothered steak. It had fresh strawberries and bananas on top of a cake, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup. Of course we all had to try it! And we all liked it.

My Mom and Dad ordered the Strawberry Banana Skillet Dessert

All the cousins eating lunch at Sweet Tea Cafe

Me and Aaron outside the Sweet Tea Cafe

 Thank you Aaron – you inspired me today! Dreams do come true and hard work returns a profit.

Jen