Be My Valentine – Origami

Happy Valentine's Day!

Each year, I try to do a little something for my colleagues at work and my friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I prefer “handmade” anything – and this year was no different. After thinking about it, and being a bit indecisive – the head of the work cafeteria mentioned how impressed he was with the origami star ornaments that I included last Christmas. I got to thinking and figured surely, there must be some type of Valentine I can do in Origami.

Thanks to the youtube tutorial at:

I was soon folding up heart shaped valentines with wings.

Origami Valentines 2016

I made them in bi-colored paper – in many colors – which really showed off the wings and heart. They’re my favorite.

Then, I tried them in some waxed Origami paper that is striped but semi-transparent:

Origami Valentines 2016

It ended up making the hearts look a bit “gingham” but I think the wings got a bit lost.

Origami Valentines 2016

What was the solution? Outline the heart in black marker, and then write on them Happy Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Once stacked, I popped them into an envelope and began delivery. I think they were a hit!

Origami Valentines 2016

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Share the Love

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

Last year, just before Valentine’s Day, I volunteered at work and packed Care boxes. This year, when the opportunity came up again to pack care boxes – and deliver them in support of the Serve the City, Ireland charity I had to do it. Plus, now that I have my full license – it’s time to give back to the community and make sure they’re being delivered as well.

Last Wednesday, at work, I stayed for an hour volunteering – and helped to write 80 cards while the boxes were packed. On Saturday, I went down to the Serve the City offices in Terenure (South Dublin) and we started all over again. First was the list on the flip chart with an overview of what we were supposed to be doing.

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

ServetheCity2016 (2)

This time, I folded the boxes and added in the red wrapping for each. From there, the boxes were filled with a box of chocolates, a small package of teabags, a heart shaped mug, and beautiful handwritten cards titled “for someone special”.

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

The boxes then had a gorgeous ribbon tied on them.

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

They were stacked:

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

After a quick group photo of a job well done –

ServetheCity2016 (1)

we chose the routes. There were 9 delivery routes around Dublin city – some with a handful of boxes, and some with multitudes of boxes to be delivered.

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

I chose a route through Finglas – and had the chance to deliver 20 boxes. They filled my car!

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

And then the deliveries started. I picked up my roommate and then we headed out – Some were simple – we have a care package for you – and others – we were invited inside, had a little chat, and really enjoyed seeing all those we were sharing good tidings with. Acts of Kindness are awesome! I hope my roommate enjoyed herself – and decides to participate again in the future. Volunteering for Valentines – sharing the Love – I think it works.

Serve the City Ireland Valentine's Day care box packing and gift delivery. #volunteering #randomactsofkindness

Serve the City 2016 Share the Love Care boxes day

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Happy Mardi Gras

Here in Ireland, Mardi Gras (aka Shrove Tuesday) is known for being pancake Tuesday. Pancakes are suddenly the “it” thing, and every where you go, pancakes (sweet and savory) are served.

Where I’m from, however, we have King Cake and a big party. After 5 years in Ireland – I was craving king cake. So, I went online and found a recipe for a braided king cake. I started out by making the dough, layering the cinnamon sugar paste, then rolling it up, then stretching it into long tubes. From there, it was braided:

King Cake for Mardi Gras 2016! Gold, Green, & Violet icing...

It went in the oven for 35 minutes, and while it was baking, I mixed up some simple glaze of powdered sugar, a dash of water, and food coloring to make “gold”, “green”, and Violet.

King Cake for Mardi Gras 2016! Gold, Green, & Violet icing...

when it was done baking, it had risen quite a bit – and looked and smelled fabulous:

King Cake for Mardi Gras 2016! Gold, Green, & Violet icing...

Finally, when the cake was cool, I drizzled it with the colored glaze – added a piece of candy for the “prize” and wrapped it up – all set to take to work.

King Cake for Mardi Gras 2016! Gold, Green, & Violet icing...

The guys? Well, they seemed to like it. Especially Bill, who got the candy – and is king for the day.

Happy Mardi Gras, y’all! Laissez les bons temps rouler!!

PS. If you want to learn more about the history of King Cake, please go here.

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