Love is in the Air

Day 4 of  Wind & Willow Home's week long 1st Birthday Party and we are still Partying like Rockstars...right?!  But  today is special as it is Valentines Day and indeed love is in the air.  Weather you love it or hate it, Valentines day is the perfect day for me to say thank you to the loves of my life.  Although there are more of you (my close family and friends) who have been amazing in supporting me and encouraging me the whole way, my awesome husband Jordan and my two beautiful kiddos Avery and Quinten have kept me going (and put on party hats for crazy pictures...).  So today, many thanks to them for being my everything. 

The winner of our second daily price is  Jean.  Congrats on winning this Walnut Sparkle Bowl.  And it you loved this bowl, you are going to be crazy for the grand prize. 
You still have the rest of today and all day tomorrow to pin and win the grand prize (to be announced tomorrow (Friday Feb. 15th 2013) here is a hint...think wood and sparkles, think exclusive as in nobody has one or will ever have the same exact one.  More dets. on the contest here.
Meet me here tomorrow for the Grand Prize to be announced.  The winner of the exclusive grand prize will be announced Monday.

Jean, please contact me at hello@windandwillowhome to collect your prize.

Irresistible Valentines DIY

Hey Friends, I promised to be more regular here and give you insights into Wind & Willow Home's daily life which includes lots of craft and home projects.  I am excited to share some super fun Spring and Summer house updates but for now, I am thinkin' Valentines day.
Last year I made my honey some Bacon Roses which he loved.  This year I am going a little more sweet as I am joining in on the Craft Your Valentines Day Contest over at Airheads Candy.  I LOVE challenges, nothin' gets my creative juices flowing like a craft challenge.

First off, I must say, I have grown up with Airheads.  I can remember spending my last quarters at the school store on these deliciously chewy candies.  So, this challenge seemed irresistible.

What you need:
A couple packages of Airheads Candy.
Some small bamboo skewers
A knife for cutting
Vase for display

1. Unwrap those flavorful treats (mmmmm, don't they smell good) If you at them all by now, I can't blame you.

2. Figure out what kinds of flowers you want to make.  Here are some ideas (you can get really fancy but I kept this project at about 20 min).
3.  Start molding. In most cases (except the roses) there will be 2 parts, center (stamen) and outside (petals).

4.  Wrap the center part (stamen) around the skewer.  Mold enough so it sticks.
5.  Mold the outside (petals) to the skewer so it stays.

 *TIP: you can mix two colors together to get a fun swirl pattern. (twist to colors together, mush until soft and mold back out flat)

6.  I made some leaves on separate skewers
7.  Arrange in a simple vase

8.  Present to your loved one.

 Do you have a favorite Valentines DIY?

Valentines Day

A couple days before Valentines day and my sweetie already brought me flowers.  Upon giving them to me he said, "I have been late, I have been on time but never early...so here". Aren't they lovely (see pics. below)?  Yay, for him (and me).  These little unexpected surprises are one of the may reasons I love him more each year.   

I also decided to get in the Valentines day spirit a little early.  I have been wanting to make these delicious little meringues since I had something similar at a family Christmas celebration. These sweet and light treats are wonderful and a perfect healthier alternative to all the typical VTD candy.  I found the recipe in the Bon Appetite magazine here.  Instead of the mint extract I used raspberry for a more traditional VTD taste.
They were extremely easy, don't they look dreamy?!

Photos by Araya Jensen

A wonderful start to the week ahead, don't you think?  Any special plans for Valentines Day?