Happy Valentine

Several years ago, Pip designed and made these swans as a love token necklace. For some reason they didn't sell too well – a shame as I think they're a lovely piece – but being the generous soul he was, he gave them away to our friends, and I wore mine whenever we went out.

I don't know what happened to my swans, and unfortunately, he was in the middle of hanging some more on chains when he got poorly, so I was left with none to wear and lots in bits. I didn't discover this until the morning of his service, which meant the air was black with fury and blue with misery as I cursed his generosity. “What about me, Pip?” I screeched, angry tears splashing down my face, blobbing my glasses (I'm a very messy crier).

As you might imagine, I was feeling somewhat Bah Humbug over Valentine's Day. I kept thinking Pip would send me a card – or something – though I hadn't quite worked out how, or what. But no cards arrived, not even a bill.

I closed my eyes to the endless messages on facebook, ignored the repeated emails read out on radio and TV and reminded myself that we never did anything on 14th February anyway. We bemoaned the commercialisation and decided that we didn't need a date in the diary to remind us how much we loved each other. But still....

On Sunday I was rummaging in a tray in the kitchen full of bits and bobs. I discovered his wallet that makes my heart lurch every time I see it. Old photos that I have to cover up. An ancient bottle of nail varnish. Then – buried at the bottom of this muddle I found one of the Swans, on a chain, nestling in a polybag.

Just in time for Valentine's.

The second thing happened on Monday itself as I was leaving the house to meet a friend. One of the builders from next door gave me a shout. “We've got some wood for you,” he said. “I'll chop it up so it can go in your woodburner. You'll have it later on today.”

It's now Wednesday and I still haven't got it, but the thought of that wood cheers me up no end.

So all in all, I had two lovely surprises for Valentine's. Thank you, darling.

Valentine's Day

many thanks to AOJ who nominated me for this award. It is highly suitable for Valentine's Day and I therefore donate it to anyone of my regular bloggers - I wouldn't read yours if I didn't enjoy them!

And on the note of Valentine's Day - I got a card, a bunch of pinks and two packets of bulbs - freesias and Dicentra, which is something that I've never heard of before.

It has lots of very beautiful heart shaped red flowers encircled with white (or it does on the packet) rather like a Japanese type of flower. Or how I imagine a Japanese flower would look like. Delicate and numerous.

By the time I plant it and it comes up, I will long have forgotten its name. You can tell my sort of gardening - I love my tubs but I tend to get things, bulbs or whatever, and stick them in, forget about them and celebrate when they come up. It's such a lovely surprise.

But back to the presents. We never usually "do" Valentine's Day so I'm afraid my dearest has caught me on the hop. I got him a card - of a close up of a dog that looks a little like the other woman in his life, but with a bow round its neck. Very cute.

I pondered over a present. Usually I get him things and he gets embarrassed because he hasn't got me anything (due to finances: he's the most generous person in the world). So I was going to get him a pair of trousers in the sale and then I thought no. He'll only huff and puff. So I went into Marks and they had heart shaped packets of chocolates - which neither of us eat. They give him mouth ulcers and make me hyperactive.

Chocolate out.

Fizzy wine? No, both of us loathe champagne or anything fizzy.

I went into the men's department and they had wallets - he has one. A bow tie. Excuse me - this is the man who doesn't even possess a suit... Aftershave? He never wears it.

So I walked home past the health food shop and suddenly I thought, I know! And I ran inside and there I found exactly what I know he will love.

A packet of dried bananas.

You may mock but he started eating them at 2 minutes to 7 this morning.

As I put the packet on one side, I looked over at the Dicentra packet and noticed its English name. Bleeding Heart.

Think he's trying to tell me something?