"Valentines Day"

Valentines Day.... it's a time of marriage proposals, weddings and gifts of love. When the young and young at heart think of ways to show their love for the special people in their lives.

History of Saint Valentine's Day

A Catholic priest named Valentine lived in the third century, and was killed in Rome during the Christian persecutions. He was made a saint later, and his saints' day was declared Feb. 14. Saint Valentine may have been named the patron saint of love because of legends surrounding him. People began celebrating St. Valentine's Day as a day for lovers in about the fourteenth century.

Around 1500, people began making paper valentines, and by 1800, hand-painted copper plates were produced to meet the high demand. Today, many thousands of valentines are produced each year.

Cupid comes from a different source, he was a Roman god. He was the god of love, in all its forms; he was the counterpart of the Greek god Eros. Cupid was the son of Mercury and Venus and was usually portrayed as a chubby, winged infant who caused people to fall in love by shooting them with arrows.

Sonnets Of Love

"Love is not a union merely between two creatures- it is a union between two spirits." -Frederick W.Robertson

If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things that are missing. If you don´t have love in your life, no matter what else there is, it´s not enough. -Ann Landers (4-4-97)

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain. - Shakespeare

"When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world -no matter how imperfect- becomes rich and beautiful, it consists soley of opportunities for love." -Soren Kierkegaard-

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it. --Christian Nestell Bovee--

"Love is always in the mood of believing in miracles." -J.C. Powys

"Only choose in marriage a woman whom you would choose as a friend if she were a man." -Joseph Joubert-

"The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman's heart." -Josiah G. Holland

Life is just one fool thing after another; love is just two fool things after each other. -Anon

A Few Superstitions & Valentine Facts

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of na apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

"Valentines Day Sugar Cookies"

1-1/4 cups (300 mL) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 mL) Golden Crisco Shortening
2 eggs
1/4 cup (60 mL) light corn syrup or regular pancake syrup
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
3 cups (750 mL) all-purpose flour (plus 4 tablespoons/60 mL, divided)
3/4 tsp (3 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

Icing:
1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar
3 tbsp (45 mL) water
Red food colouring
Decorative candies

1. Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, syrup and vanilla. Beat until well blended and fluffy.
2. Combine 3 cups (750 mL) flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix until well blended.
3. Divide dough into quarters. Wrap each quarter of dough with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
4. Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies.
5. Spread 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of flour on large sheet of waxed paper. Place one quarter of dough on floured paper. Flatten slightly with hands. Turn dough over and cover with another large sheet of waxed paper. Roll dough to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness. Remove top sheet of waxed paper. Cut out with floured cutters in traditional shapes such as hearts and cupids. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet with large pancake turner. Place 2 inches (5 cm) apart on ungreased baking sheet. Roll out remaining dough.
6. Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375ºF (190ºC) for 5 to 9 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies (bake smaller, thinner cookies closer to 5 minutes; larger cookies closer to 9 minutes). DO NOT OVER BAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.
7. For icing, combine icing sugar and water. Mix until smooth and spreadable. Divide in half. Add red food colouring by drops to half until desired colour is reached. Spread thin layer of icing on cookies. Decorate with candies as desired.

Makes: About 3-1/2 dozen cookies

Valentine Cheesecake

Directions:
Mash the cream cheese with a fork.
Add the whipped topping and powdered sugar.
Beat until smooth.
Pour into the pie shell and chill.
Add the fruit topping and chill again.
Enjoy.