Valentines Day

[Ironhorse]

I've thought so much of the coming elections, I hadn't thought much past that. But, as usual, I started wondering in a lighter frame of mind, what people will be doing for Valentine's Day? Do you have a special tradition for you and your sweetie? Are you celebrating any special anniversaries on that day? Do you have any special recipes, or secret shopping places for that day? Do you buy a card/gift, or do you make your own. I used to make my own cards for family and friends and it was a lot of fun to see what I could come up with. For me, sigh, I'm beyond all that, no beau (to stubborn and opinionated, LOL), no hubby (don't want to go there, ROFL). Might get a card from the g-kids, that's about it. I'll probably wind up babysitting the g-kids so my son can take his wife to a special dinner, alone without the kiddies. So I'll have to come up with a special dinner/dessert for the kids and myself that night. If you have a recipe or something, like I said, post it here, this could be fun to see what turns up.

[Ironhorse]

This recipe is really good, I think the g-kids would love me for making these. They did when I made them another time, LOL. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some hot fudge topping, I could put them on a sugar high, then run when Mom and Dad get home.


Don't overbake them, They should be just set an the outside, and still moist an the inside.

approx. 21 large cookies

12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

6 Tbl (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

3 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1 Tbl vanilla extract

12 ounces Hershey's miniature semisweet kisses*

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

Position 2 racks near the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 large baking sheets. (or you can use parchment paper)

Place the chopped chocolate and the butter in the top of a double boiler over barely simmering water. Heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove the top of the double boiler and let the chocolate mixture cool.

*If you don't have a double boiler, you can put a metal mixing bowl over a boiling pot of water

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

With an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the eggs on medium speed until blended. Gradually beat in the sugar, then increase the speed to high. Continue beating for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and light.

Stir the vanilla into the cooled chocolate and add to the egg mixture, beating on medium speed until combined. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Using a wooden spoon, fold in the miniature kisses and nuts. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Using a 1/4-cup ice-cream scoop or cup measure, drop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the mounds 2-inches apart. Bake the cookies, switching the position of the sheets halfway through baking, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until set on the outside, but still slightly moist on the inside. Place each cookie sheet on a wire rack and let stand for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the rack and cool completely. Serve the cookies slightly warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

*You can substitute 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch chunks.

[Ironhorse]

Absolutely heavenly!


3 - 3 oz packages ladyfingers, split
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
18 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares, coarsely chopped (Ghiradelli brand works great)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbl hazelnut liqueur, optional
2 cups whipping cream, whipped


Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with ladyfingers, placing them close together.

Cook sugar, 1/2 cup whipping cream, and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Add chocolate, vanilla, and, if desired, liqueur, stirring until chocolate melts. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Pour one-third mixture into prepared pan; top with half of remaining ladyfingers. Repeat layers, ending with chocolate mixture. Chill at least 4 hours. (Can be covered and frozen up to 1 month, if desired. Thaw in refrigerator 8 hours.) Carefully remove sides of springform pan. Garnish, if desired. You can sift cocoa powder over the top, garnish with chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries, whatever you want. Use your imagination and have fun!

[Ironhorse]

Tomato and Avocado Salad

3 cups diced tomatoes (bite sizes)
1 cup diced avocado (bite sizes)
1 cup fresh basil (chopped)
1 sliced yellow pepper (seeds removed and sliced long)
¼ cup chopped chives
½ tablespoon olive oil
a bit of salt
¾ cup balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon pepper (coarsely ground)

Combine all the ingredients, then put it in a fancy dessert dish, a wine glass, something special to make it more special and serve.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Ill gladly be working cos Valentine's Day has never been any day for me to celebrate.

[CatdaBrat]

I don't celebrate Valentine's Day either. I know many people enjoy it, and that's fine. When my kids were little they enjoyed exchanging those little cheapie cards with classmates and making handmade cards for me. Not sure that is allowed in school these days, since it has to do with SAINT Valentine.

I gradually reached the point where I was starting to resent the old "if-you-love-somebody-you-have-to-buy-cards-and-presents-on-this-certain-day-of-the-year" thing. I like the concept of the flowers, love, attention, etc., but I don't care for it to be the focus of one particular day. In the stores, it's almost getting to be as bad as Christmas.

I like the above recipes, though! Yummm.....

[Mysteefied]

With all the new scrapbooking stuff at work, I decided to get crafty and I'm making a neat little V-Day card for some of my friends and family. Just to remind them that I love them.
other than that, Carl and I usually go to dinner, but I'll probably just make dinner at home this year.

[beautiful_mess38]

My hubby is usually home for R & R on Valentines Day. We take that special day for the two of us to have dinner at my favorite restaurant in Fresno.

[BGW]

It's been officially confirmed....I will be laying in bed all day being lazy with the Mister!!

[beebs]

I like Ironhorse’s idea of babysitting for someone who will appreciate the chance to celebrate, especially if it means making a fun occasion out of it among the laughter of children. Also a great excuse to eat cookies (like we need more!).

Here’s a good one…last time I was married I tied the knot on Valentine’s Day, in Loveland, CO no less. I was hoping that kind of inspiration would give the union a better chance of survival. So much for that idea! :cry: So I’m not real big on V-Day. For me it’s just a reminder of another failed attempt at matrimony. Not to mention another chance for greeting card companies to commercialize a day and make lots of $$ in sales.

For those of you who do have a sweetie to share it with, God bless ya….hope you make it special.
As for me, I don’t need anyone to buy me chocolate and jewelry. I do enough damage with that on my own! I’ll just use the day to celebrate all I do have in my life in my own quiet way. So Happy VD!

[Ironhorse]

Probably most of the joy I derive from Valentines Day is the same joy I receive from Halloween (my favorite) and Christmas (not the receiving for me). With my family is being able to watch the grandkids having the fun and sharing each valentine they receive at school, and oh yeah, the "goodies" they save a school to come home and share with me, LOL. I'm 56 and know I won't be able to sit on the front porch with the kids and pass out Halloween, bake the cookies while teaching the g-kids about cooking, make the "special gifts" for Mom and Dad that we make at Christmas. Somehow, those are the things I get my enjoyment from with them. After all, how many women my age can sit on the front porch fully decked out in a witch's costume every year and not get hauled off as a nut, LOL!

[CatdaBrat]

I am glad to hear that you like Halloween so much. So do I! I would like to collect vintage Halloween decorations but they are really expensive. Also, there is an abundance of fakes that are being passed off as originals. Gotta be careful.

[Ironhorse]

I am glad to hear that you like Halloween so much. So do I! I would like to collect vintage Halloween decorations but they are really expensive. Also, there is an abundance of fakes that are being passed off as originals. Gotta be careful.

Yeah, I look at the ones on Ebay all the time, but unless I can see it up close and personal BEFORE I buy it, I just don't trust the internet. We don't have any real vintage ones anymore, used to when the boys were little. But I'm always looking when I'm out and about. I love to make the kids costumes, made my own and their dads too. It's always fun. Long about June, we'll start discussing what the kids want to be, their dad and I always wear the same costume. Lots of kids told me I was a "cool old lady" this last year, ROFL

[captin sanchez]

I like Ironhorse’s idea of babysitting for someone who will appreciate the chance to celebrate, especially if it means making a fun occasion out of it among the laughter of children. Also a great excuse to eat cookies (like we need more!).

Here’s a good one…last time I was married I tied the knot on Valentine’s Day, in Loveland, CO no less. I was hoping that kind of inspiration would give the union a better chance of survival. So much for that idea! :cry: So I’m not real big on V-Day. For me it’s just a reminder of another failed attempt at matrimony. Not to mention another chance for greeting card companies to commercialize a day and make lots of $$ in sales.

For those of you who do have a sweetie to share it with, God bless ya….hope you make it special.
As for me, I don’t need anyone to buy me chocolate and jewelry. I do enough damage with that on my own! I’ll just use the day to celebrate all I do have in my life in my own quiet way. So Happy VD!


I recently became single, my anaversrey was on feb 14 as well, I would make It a point to have a spectacular trip planed and paid for.

This year was no exeption 5 days and 4 nights at the french laundry, a 5 star bed and breakfast in napa. tickets for v-day dinner on the wine train "romance on the rails". and the day after a full day hot air balloon ride thrugh napa and calastoga! but with the break up it just looses somthing.

I am letting my buddy take his new wife insted. rental car and all. I hope this is the first trip of many in a long and happy marage but then agin I am a hopless romantic

[Summer]

I am glad to hear that you like Halloween so much. So do I! I would like to collect vintage Halloween decorations but they are really expensive. Also, there is an abundance of fakes that are being passed off as originals. Gotta be careful.

Probably most of the joy I derive from Valentines Day is the same joy I receive from Halloween (my favorite) and Christmas (not the receiving for me). With my family is being able to watch the grandkids having the fun and sharing each valentine they receive at school, and oh yeah, the "goodies" they save a school to come home and share with me, LOL. I'm 56 and know I won't be able to sit on the front porch with the kids and pass out Halloween, bake the cookies while teaching the g-kids about cooking, make the "special gifts" for Mom and Dad that we make at Christmas. Somehow, those are the things I get my enjoyment from with them. After all, how many women my age can sit on the front porch fully decked out in a witch's costume every year and not get hauled off as a nut, LOL!


Wow, I thought I was the only weird one whose favorite holiday is Halloween! When I lived in socal I loved decorating the house and seeing all the kids in their costumes come for their goodies. Since moving up here we get zero trick or treaters :( Every year we go to a jazz festival in Pismo close to the 31st and the concert goers really get into the festivities of Halloween. There are all sorts of costumes or pretty fall type clothing - and these people are all over age 55 Ironhorse! You're never too old to have a good time! :halloween:

[Yosemite_Wolf]

halloween is my favourite holiday too.... only its not a holiday :( The world does not live by Celtic traditions..... halloween is a kids fantasy in todays world.... halloween rocks.

[Ironhorse]

Wow, I thought I was the only weird one whose favorite holiday is Halloween! When I lived in socal I loved decorating the house and seeing all the kids in their costumes come for their goodies. Since moving up here we get zero trick or treaters :( Every year we go to a jazz festival in Pismo close to the 31st and the concert goers really get into the festivities of Halloween. There are all sorts of costumes or pretty fall type clothing - and these people are all over age 55 Ironhorse! You're never too old to have a good time! :halloween:


LOL, but I'm out sitting in front of my son's house pretending I'm a statue until the kids get up close. But I make sure I don't scare the little kids (just the big ones). My son replaces the regular lightbulb with a green or blue one so it's spooky, drapes "cobwebs" and spiders arcross the brick pillar and doorway, etc. There's another witch in my granddaughters bedroom window upstairs, the window is open and a "spooky sounds/stories/music" cassette is on a continuous loop playing the whole evening. The neighbors laugh at us, the kids love it, the trick or treaters and their parents have given numerous compliments on it all. The tape has stuff like the story of the Headless Horseman (narrated in a very spooky voice) it has a song "Witches Rap" (I dance when that one's playing). There's some "gravestones" in the front yard, several carved pumpkins, goblins that screech as you walk by and "spooky eyes" hanging about, plus a few large rubber rats and bats. We just love Halloween, LOL. I tell people that the witch upstairs is my evil twin and she was bad and can't come out, LOL.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

sounds like your son has the same spirit for life that you do. love to see adults doing halloween. When I lived in Indian Lakes... we actually had trick or treaters.... so we would re wire the horn from the van to a switch in the house.... so t or t's had to walk between the house and the van to get to the door.... when they knocked on the door... we would hit the horn and send the kids flying! it was great.
i used to give the lil kids huge handfuls of candy... and the over grown kids a few pieces. had two lads steal my pumpkins.. then come up to the door... i answered with pitbull on leash..... they were like trick or treat.....
i told them that i had just watched them steal my pumpkins.. they were like not us... im like.. and you want to become pitbull food?? We heard ya... dogs aint deaf!!!!!

[Dodgergirl]

Wolfie, are you sure you're not really from the SFV? :rofl:

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Dodge... no I was a Newport Brat.

[CatdaBrat]

Ohhh, wow -- in the spirit of all this discussion about Halloween and Valentine's Day, I think this year I will be inspired to make sugar-cookie aortas, as a sort of compromise between the gruesome and woo-some!

*CatdaBrat flies off on her MixMaster, leaving a trail of shrill cackles*

[beautiful_mess38]

Now that I'm premenapausal and craving chocolate like a 20 year old craves sex, I'm going to consider my self a lucky gal cause my husband has a layover in London where he said he will be picking up alot of cadbury chocolates for me. We'll have a nice V-day with my fav. restaurant and chocolate well wine for me too. And I have to make it a nice evening for him to if you know what I mean. ;)

[Ironhorse]

Ohhh, wow -- in the spirit of all this discussion about Halloween and Valentine's Day, I think this year I will be inspired to make sugar-cookie aortas, as a sort of compromise between the gruesome and woo-some!

*CatdaBrat flies off on her MixMaster, leaving a trail of shrill cackles*

Darn, one of the few shapes of cookie cutters I don't have, ROFL.

[beebs]

I am letting my buddy take his new wife insted. rental car and all. I hope this is the first trip of many in a long and happy marage but then agin I am a hopless romantic

How thoughful of you to do that! I'm sure your buddy and new wife will appreciate it. I think such an act of kindness will help keep you from being cynical about a breakup. And if you truly are a hopeless romantic, don't give up hope. Maybe you just haven't found your best Valentine yet!

And for those who sound like they'll be spending a perfect VD with thier sweeties, I must say I'm a bit envious. But then again, there are advantages to both sides of the partnership deal. I can eat my cookies and chocolate in bed and no one to complain about it!

[only1alphafemale]

Originally Posted by CatdaBrat
I think this year I will be inspired to make sugar-cookie aortas, as a sort of compromise between the gruesome and woo-some!

*CatdaBrat flies off on her MixMaster, leaving a trail of shrill cackles*




Errrrrr......................................isnt that still just a "heart" shaped cookie cutter??? (get it???? heart shaped???") with veins perhaps??? LOL......!!!
"""""Boooooo, hissssssss, groan..!"""""""" I know bad joke, but it fit......lmbo....

[Kim]

Darn, one of the few shapes of cookie cutters I don't have, ROFL.
You don't need a cookie cutter for that one, just a knife and a sure eye.;)

[BGW]

Too funny--Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we are still hanging on to the last shreds of Halloween. :D I finally had to set my pumpkin free yesterday; not surgery nor seed amputation was going to extend it's usefulness!! I couldn't resist the photo-op though!!:grin: LOL

[BGW]

Only 335 more shopping days till All Hollow's Eve! :grin:

[Ironhorse]

Too funny BGW (I have been lurking on Ebay for stuff since the day after Halloween). Funny how so many people seem to enjoy Halloween so much. It really is my favorite day, even more than Christmas. Must be because I can "go back to my childhood" and dress up without too many people thinking I'm weird, ROFL.