Hearts in February, but Lavender is Nice Too!

Well, February is here already and this weeks theme (I missed Monday) at ESN is "hearts".  Plural.  Go figure.  I've a bad cold at the moment so I'm a bit of a cranky pants, but I'll give this hearts thing a shot.  As everyone in the world knows (whether celebrated or not) St. Valentine's day is February 14th.  A big deal for the merchants here in the US.  Flowers, chocolates (in heart shaped boxes of course), stuffed animals of every sort and color holding a plush heart saying silly things like "Monkey Love", "Bee Mine" (on a pink and black bumblebee of course).  Lacy red and white, pink and white, black, red and white, the color scheme is endless; lingerie in heart shaped patches where the sun don't shine.  Then there is the "greeting card" aisle in the grocery (or anywhere you shop for cards) where it looks like the "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre" took place.  It drips in reds, pinks, whites and tons of humans pouring over cards to find the perfect one for their valentine.  I don't "do" Valentine's day, as I don't have anyone to get all silly over or he me.  Maybe I'm jealous.... ahh, nope!  The Farmer's Almanac suggests giving your sweetheart a lavender plant, that way she can enjoy it indoors then when the weather warms she can move it outdoors and enjoy it there too.  Now, that's for me! But for those who are in search of something "hearts" for your Valentine, Le Petit Marché has this adorable

Heart Shaped Glass Crystal Dish With Lid

You can fill it with those cute little heart shaped candies with the silly sayings on them.   Many of the ESN sellers have a lot of heart stuff in their stores, but if your Valentine is a crafter, she may very well enjoy this lovely crafters book from Bargain Express.

Great Works of Heart Craft Book Hardcover Leisure Arts Memories

I bet it's got some stuff you can make with lavender in there too!  Check out all the ESN merchants for your Valentine's day shopping, never know what you might come across!

Flutes and Little Arrows

I've been so busy this week I am lax in my scavenger hunters theme at ESN for this week.  The theme is "Arrow".  I don't have anything at Le Petit Marché that has to do with arrows, but I do have a Kokopelli metal figurine. Kokopelli is known among the Native Americans in the southwest cultures for being a fertility deity.  He also represents the spirit of music, that is why he is depicted in many sculptures playing a flute.  I believe he was a playful spirit as well, so no arrows for this guy!

Kokopelli Metal Figurine 

I then continued my search for arrows at my fellow scavenger hunters stores and when I came to Bargain Express I found an old vinyl record (remember those?!)  from the 1960's by a guy named Leapy Lee.  His record was titled "Little Arrows".  He was born Graham Pulleyblank in Britain but changed his name to Lee Graham (good move Leapy!).  Little Arrows became a big hit in the UK in 1968 and was a chart topper.  It came in 16th in the US.  He never reached the pop charts here again, but I guess he did okay back home for awhile.  So if you're looking for a little nostalgia stop on by Bargain Express and check Leapy Lee and "Little Arrows" out.  And visit all of us at Ecrater Stores Network!

Little Arrows Leapy Lee Vinyl Record

End of the Clowns...

No, I don't mean it literally, although I get the feeling most of the world does not love a clown!  Seems most people loathe them and are afraid of them.  I, personally, think they are just unfunny, or worse, pathetic.  I won't name names of famous clowns that were just that, but the only clown who wasn't really a clown but did a terrific job of being a clown: Carol Burnett.   As a kid we watched her weekly variety show and she was hilarious, no matter what she did.  What a talent and creative woman! 

Speaking of clowns though I do love the song "Send In The Clowns", written by Stephen Sondheim in 1973, and performed by numerous artists and was featured on Broadway and other venues throughout the years is a sad bit, but beautiful just the same.  "Maybe there ought to be clowns.... quick send in the clowns, don't bother, maybe they're already here...."  there's a few different versions of this verse but I chose this one.  My favorite singers of this song being Judy Collins and Barbra Streisand.

Finishing up the ESN theme of the week for "clown" I found the perfect clown at Bargain Express who depicts  the sadness (or scariness) (which actually scares the hell out of me!)  Please enjoy this lovely clown and all the other clownish items at my fellow ESN store merchants.  They have great stuff!