Cupid Asleep...Cupid Awake

This is what my daughter wrote in a comment on a blog about Valentine's Day. I really didn't think she remembered!

... My birthday is the day after Valentine's Day and my Mom *always* made both days special. My favorite Valentine Day was when i was about 15 or 16.
I liked to collect vintage pictures from auctions, flea markets, yardsales. I just loved the pics. On V'day that year she came in singing. She doesn't have the voice of an angel but it's my Mom's voice and i love when she sings. She woke me up sing "Cupid, draw back your bow..."... i was a fan of 50's music too so this was great. She had set up 2 large vintage pictures in my room of Cupid Asleep and Cupid Awake. They were just amazing framed photos that i loved forever. I've since managed to lose them and i can't wait to hunt for them again one day.
Right now i don't have any special thing i do for Valentine's Day but not a year has gone by that i haven't thought about that one morning :)
peace
Nikki

We always had special holidays. All of them. Not extravagant in terms of money spent, but in terms of thought that went into them. This particular Valentine's Day I had found these framed prints (old as the hills I'm sure) at an older ladies yardsale in Marine, Il. It was on the other side of town up against the cornfields. A brick ranch. Funny how little pieces of memories stick.

I only have one issue...I always thought I had a voice of an angel! And this little comment made me remember all the St. Patrick's Days when I woke my kids with my "Oh Danny Boy".

Trimming the Pie

This old print is one I have adored for years. It is from the cover of Saturday Evening Post, November 23, 1935. The artist is Joseph Christian Leyendecker.

At one point in my life I had a print of this beautiful drawing displayed in my kitchen. I remember it had a brilliant blue wood frame and made me happy every time I looked at the homey little scene. But, as my life changed, I lost the picture. Physically it was gone, but the image was forever burned into my mind.

I searched for years for it. Believing it was a Norman Rockwell print, I didn't have much luck. One day I found Curtis Publishing online, and began the task of searching each and every Saturday Evening Post cover. Much to my surprise, it wasn't Rockwell, but Leyendecker! As I did some reading about Leyendecker, I discovered that he was Rockwell's friend, and a chief influence on Rockwell's work. No wonder I was confused.

Why do I like this simple little print so much? It reminds me of my sweet Grandma. From the gray hair (although my Grandma didn't have a bun) to the arms, the face, the softness of the skin, and the strength from within.

My Grandma always wore an apron unless going to church or shopping. The dresses that she wore were sewn by her and were soft and faded from multiple washings.

Much like the little boy in the picture, I loved to watch my Grandma cook.