Oh Valentine's Day. Holiday that is one part stress, one part cynicism, and one part just plain fun. I've neither stressed and hoped I never caused anyone else to stress over it on my behalf. I'm game for any good celebration, so while it can be cheesy and a nightmare of consumerism, I partake. Of course people should show the people they care about that they do 365 days a year, but having a little fun over a theme breaks up the dreariness of February in my part of the world. On top of the dreariness, it is just incredibly cold, so a little extra warmth goes a long way.
Yesterday one of the girls brought along a big box of cookies to share with her show choir team. There were little heart shaped butter cookies, and a strawberry and white chocolate chip variety. Delicious and looked like the box came from the local bakery. Nope! She had made them all. The hearts were a simple butter cookie recipe made with a cake mix base. The strawberry,also used a cake mix with Nestle white chocolate chips. M loves to bake and spent the bonus school release day Friday making these for her friends. It was sweet, kind, and no romantics at all. One girl stated very loudly, "Who needs a boys." She and her sister also made little rose suckers out of Jolly Rancher candies.
Dating back to decades before I was in high school, the drama department still sells, "Kiss-o-Grams". The price has gone up with inflation, as they were $1.00 in my day and now are $2.00 for one or $5.00 for three. They are sent to love interests, friends, favorite teachers and coaches, lunch ladies, and even a few have made it to the bus drivers at the end of the day. A member of the club sings "You are my sunshine," gives a little red sucker, and if the persons willing, a kiss on the cheek, red lipstick from a girl left behind, or a little x from a guy. They deliver in bulk, so all the grams delivered to one classroom are serenaded together-efficiency is needed as this is a popular activity. Cheesy and commercial? It has always been just a bit of fun, and the proceeds go to the local food shelf, raising hundreds of dollars.
Things aren't so lovely here yet this morning. DH and I had a stupid argument first thing this morning. I hate political sound bite news and spewed rhetoric. DH often gets sucked into media hype, or hears bits and pieces at work, and made a statement this morning about things really heating for Hillary Clinton and she may end up in jail. I'm not professing my political views, but I got really angry being woke up to what sounded like right wing news show sound bites, and no real news. I basically told him to "shut up" unless he could specifically provide a credible news source. His response was just to google FBI and I would find it. I did, and all I got was right wing "news" sources. He will never learn to never bring up politics in sound bites with me-I get so wound about it.
I'll get over it-until the next time. In spite of this, I'm going to make something a little nicer for dinner, and something he likes, but rarely made at home. Maybe steak and fish-neither are my favorites, but that's the point. Not sure about a desert-I should pass as yesterday the concessions had lush cheesecake for only $3.00 a slice. I found a recipe on The Frugal Girls web site for the Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies. I might request DD#2 follow in her friends steps and make a batch.
Who has plans today? Anyone venturing out for a meal? Who bought chocolates for family, friends or a love interest, or will you wait and buy half price stuff tomorrow? Please just don't tell me you bought any stuffed bears. I am cynical about those.
I don't feed the Valentine's corporation machines. Need I say more? lol
ReplyDeleteYou live in that 1/3rd. I respect that.I bet you get some great deals for later use.
DeleteWe had a gentle stroll in the sunshine down to our new allotment. We sat and pondered about a solution to a problem with siting our shed down there whilst drinking a flask of coffee and eating homemade scones. When we came up with the solution John sprang into action while I pottered about. It was blissful and not a penny was spent.
ReplyDeleteScarlet, That sounds lovely. As it turned out, DH made dinner-chicken alfredo over penne pasta. Too cold for a long walk and my knee is doing a number in the pain department. How is your new alottment different? Will you grow new things?
DeleteThe new allotment plot is a little closer to home and is less than half the size of the old one which had become something of a millstone due to not having a car and me being unwell. It was too much work so we applied for a smaller plot at a site we have loved for a long time ( I passed it every day on my way to work for 5 years as I worked at the hospital which overlooked it). We were lucky enough to get one fairly quickly and the rent is less than half the price of the old one, so it's a win, win. It also overlooks fields and is much friendlier than the last site we were at- there's a real community spirit which is lovely to be a part of. I don't think we'll be growng anything different, and we'll be planting in the front garden again this year too.
DeleteHaving dinner cooked for you is lovely - I love it when John cooks for us ( he had made the scones we ate yesterday!)