Sweetheart of a day...

Paul and I are not much for Valentines, especially since our wedding anniversary is three days later. This year for sure we said we were not going to do much for our Anniversary since we have more immigration papers due at the end of the month. Along with just trying to save up and get home to Halifax for Christmas this year. We all know that as soon as V-Day rolls around everything suddenly goes up in price and you can't get into your favorite restaurant. So we try to stay away from all those thing and do things that are fun and different, with our own spin on it.

In the meantime I had been thinking about what I was going to get him for our anniversary. About 4 years ago on our first official date (which was just before Valentine's Day), while I was visiting him in Chicago he took me to this paint your own pottery place. He painted a vase which we still have and I did this mug. Paul has become very attached to this mug, and uses it ALL the time. He kept it for 2 years next to his bedside table and didn't want anyone to use it. Recently we were out shopping and he mentioned how he wanted another mug like the one I painted only he wanted it to look very specific and this and that. Immediately I had my idea for his gift, I would paint his dream mug for him, to the best of my abilities anyway.

I went on line to check to see if there was any local paint your own pottery places here in town, and as it turned out it was not far from our house. Upon cruising their website, they were having this special event going on there for Valentine's Day where you reserve your table for however many you want, and paint by candle light. So I reserved our table for two! We got there and the place was packed! So glad we made the reservation! One couple was at a nice corner table with a bottle of wine, everyone was in great spirit, and the best part there was no wait. We checked out what we wanted to paint while the lady set up our lovely table with hershey kisses and a candle. It was really sweet. So relaxing there was no pressure, no rush, just us some great '80's music playing over head, and fun conversation! Best Anniversary we've had yet. Afterwards we went to do some romantic grocery shopping..lol.
The before shot, Paul chose to do a garden gnome, he was pretty nervous, and was questioning his painting skills. Oh boy, the hat is turned around backwards, he is getting serious now. He wasn't taking this project lightly.
The final outcome before the baking. Paul's Gnome looks great! The cup we will see, he wanted a brown mug with orange diamonds and gray somewhere in there. This was my interpretation.