february

It's February according to my calendar. Which means  my dad's birthday, Ground Hog's Day, doilies, glitter and chocolate. That can point to only two things: Valentine's and Galentine's Days. Most of us are familiar with the holiday of hearts, stars in your eyes and cheap stuffed animals called Valentine's day. Maybe I just like any excuse to be festive or have a theme, but I don't hate Valentine's day. There is something cute about it, even though there are lots of things not so cute about it. People have various strong emotions about the day. Especially around this town I find myself living in.
      Galentine's is a whole different, but related thing. It is a holiday introduced to me by Leslie Knope of the Pawnee Parks Department. It's a day to celebrate your friends, specifically your gal pals. It happens the day before or after Valentine's day. It's a special time.
     As per usual, I am wanting there to be a themed shindig as part of the Galentine's celebration. There will be. Don't you worry your head about that. Included in said themed shindig will be the exchange of galentines, which are not unlike valentines. Cards and candy that basically tell a person you think they're great and help them to understand they mean something to you.

This is the invitation to Galentine's good time.
Those white hearts scratch off. Yes, we made
our own scratch off hearts. Pinterest almost
never fails. 

     In my past, I have been a valentines maker. One year I made puppy valentines with chocolate hearts. I made up a "you're doggone--insert kind word here--Valentine" phrase for each member of my class. I like to put forth effort. This doesn't happen every year. But sometimes it happens. Sometimes you get an idea for galentines that is just so good it grows into more than just making cards for your friends, it turns into an obsessive project. I'm unveiling these galentines here. I figure it's just my mom and I here, so I'm safe from spoiling any surprises since she's seen them already. Believe it or not, there are too many to share in one post. So, leading up to Galentine's day (and let's be real, afterwards too, because I'm not going to stop making these cards any time soon--it's too much fun) I'll share a few when I can remember to do so. I'd say every day, but let's be real. So yes, here goes. The cards.

Dorothy.
I'm not trying to insult your intelligence by
putting who it is. I just want
to make sure we're on the same page.

The idea is a heroine from literature or history. Background: magazine clippings. Girl: ink and colored pencil. I drew them. Can you even believe that? Sometimes I'm not sure I can myself.

Elizabeth Benett
I decided to add quotes said by the character or
one that could be found in her book.

There's a small taste of them. They're pretty delightful to make, I have to admit. Like a treat. So more treats tomorrow. Let the Valentine's/Galentine's season begin!