Happy Friday dear readers, 

I happened upon these adorable Live-Love-Laugh labels and I thought of you. They're classy; they're my wish for you; and they're free. That's right.  Free. Vintage Indie has graciously provided a downloadable document; click here to access your own labels ... then create away!

xoxo

Seems as though many of my friends have been having a hard go of it lately; there are sick kids, job losses, and dreams deferred.  Not only are they tired of heartache, they're tired of platitudes.  They need a brighter day.  At the very least, they need a smile. 

And I think this card from PaperWheel's Etsy shop just might do the trick...  

Today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent - the start of 40 days leading into the Easter holy week.  These forty days are intended for spiritual renewal, something that transcends all faiths.  Traditionally it has entailed giving up something you love. Today, however, there is a move toward giving more of yourself. 

Perhaps you can do both - give up something that will free you to give more.  Give up a few hours of overtime, so you can spend more time with your family.  Give up negativity, so you can encourage those around you.  Give up that morning latte, so you can give that money to charity.  Give up endless hours on the computer so you can write letters to those you love  (C'mon, you knew it was coming!).

Yeah, it's a good idea whether or not you're Catholic.  So  what will you give up for Lent?  Better yet, what will you give? 

I hope you had a fabulous Valentine's Day ... and let's not forget Chinese New Year.  In the US we've now moved on to Presidents' Day.  Doesn't mean much to most - except perhaps an extra day off.  Still, whether good or bad, I think it's important to remember those who've lead our country ... be it in praise or to learn from their mistakes. 

Speaking of learning, you can learn a lot about a man from his letters; you can also learn a lot about writing letters.  Take this one, for instance, written by the 33rd President of the United States of America, Harry S. Truman, to his wife, May 7, 1933:

Dear Bess:

This has been a very dull Sunday. I came up here last night to a Legion affair and stayed all night and I'm still here at noon. It was a good party but I had to leave it. As usual they got too rough and I'm still in politics. I was supposed to go to the Lake of the Ozarks yesterday with Neild, Boxley, and Luzier, but Neild had to go home so that party was called off. I went out to the farm and had dinner and the phone began its usual tatoo and I came up here. I'll leave for the farm in a few minutes because the room at home has wet paint on the floor.

Tomorrow I'll be forty nine and for all the good I've done the forty might as well be left off. Take it all together though the experience has been worth while, I'd like to do it again. I've been in railroad, bank, farm, war, politics lose (only one and it still stinks) been busted and still believe that my sweetheart is the ideal woman and that my daughter is her duplicate. I think that for all the horrors of war it still make a man a thief, a roue, and a pessimist of everyone but I don't believe I'm any of them and if I can get the Kansas City Court House done without scandle no other Judge will have done as much and then maybe you and the young lady can take some European and South American tours when they'll do you most good; or maybe go to live in Washington and see all the great and near greats in action. We'll see. I'm counting the days till I see you.

Lots of love to you both
Harry

This letter proves you don't have to write a novel, nor do you need big news.  For the most part this letter speaks of the mundane - a very dull Sunday.  Still, there are gems: "Take it all together ... I'd like to do it again" and "[I] still believe that my sweetheart is the ideal woman and that my daughter is her duplicate."  Now I don't know a thing about Bess - but something tells me those two lines made this letter pure poetry. 

See more Love Letters from the President here. 

Some people cringe at the thought of Valentine's Day.  It's too commercial they say; it's little more than a greeting card company holiday.  Perhaps.  But what a pitiful excuse to keep from telling someone you love them.  If you can't stand the thought of doling out your hard earned cash, make your own.  That's right -DIY Valentines cards.  You can never be too old. 

So grab some colored paper ... glue ... vellum ... newspaper ... crate paper ... confetti ... glitter ... foil ... stamps ... stickers ... photos ... quote printouts ... ribbon ... twine ... whatever makes you happy.  And don't forget the resources found here:  How to write a love letter for instance, or our favorite Love quotes. 

Artistic or not-so-much, it will be a Valentine straight from your heart, to the heart of the one you love; and for that, it's bound to be cherished. 

Groundhogs and woodchucks and whistlepigs ... oh my!  Yes, February is upon us - and for those in the US and Canada, it begins with a furry fellow who predicts the weather.  Personally, I'm hoping for an early spring!   But shadow or no, this card - available at the Rasilisk Etsy store - makes me smile ...

Three weeks from today, my friends ... three weeks from today is Valentine's Day!  If you have children, you're probably well aware - chances are they already have their eyes on the wee cards they wish to hand out to friends. 

But what about the rest of us?  

After all, we love all sorts of people, in all sorts of ways  - Valentine's Day is the perfect day to let them know.  Personally, I lean toward Paul and Julia Child's idea ... Postcards with your picture.  They're fun, creative, personal ... and they put a smile on your face.  What could warm a person's heart more? Yeah, I can't think of anything either ...  

It's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the United States.  For many, it's just another day; for some, it's an extra day to frolic in weekend activities; for others still, it's a day to remember a great man. 

We hear a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr.  Like any historical figure some things are true, some are not.  That's what is so great about letters.  We can read a letter and catch a glimpse of the real man...

...letters such as this one, written from a Birmingham jail.   

Do you know?  Have you heard?  The second week of January is Letter Writing Week!  If ever you were planning to pen a letter and send it to a friend, this would be the perfect time to do it. 

So how many of your friends will find a little something in their mailbox from you?  One ... two ... three ...

Have you made your resolutions for the year? I may be biased, but I certainly hope they include keeping in better touch.  Not only is it a fun way to brighten someone's day, but it's so easy to keep. 

Just think:  if you wrote nothing but emails last year, and drop a note in the post today, you've already accomplished your goal.  So impressive! 

To get you on your way, be sure to check out the Resources page - there are all sorts of treasures to be found!  Speaking of treasures, take a look at these adorable notecards.  Bright and whisical, they'd be the perfect hello for someone you love.  Wouldn't you agree?