Valentine' Day

There are many stories of the origins of Valentine’s Day.

Emma's valentine

    Love has many forms. In the early days February 14 was a religious holiday celebrating two saints named Valentine.  From the l300’s Geoffrey Chaucer, English poet, is considered to be the one combining Valentine’s Day with romantic love.

Elaine's valentine

   In the l700’s people in England added the giving of gifts, flowers, candy and cards to the event.  The cards became known as valentines. Now, love in all its forms is acknowledged by valentines.  I imagine you can get one for your dog if you want.  Love is defined as a strong attraction. 
   Here is what some famous people have said about love.
   “A flower cannot bloom without sunshine and man cannot live without love.  Love planted a rose and the world turned sweet.” Katherine Lee Bates
    “Where there is love there is life.”  Mahatma Ghandi
   “Lord, I wonder what fool it was that first invented kissing.”  Jonathon Swift
   “Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” Robert Heinlein
   “Money can’t buy love, but it improves your bargaining position.”  Christopher Marlow
   “All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
Charles Schultz
   “There are never enough ‘I Love You’s”  Lenny Bruce
  In the spirit of things here is a recipe for Texas Sheet Cake that will delight all chocolate lovers.  And it is easy.

                               Texas Sheet Cake
1 cup salted butter
1 cup water
¼ cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour cream (vinegar plus milk, will do)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon soda
2 cups flour
Combine water, cocoa and butter in pan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until it boils.   Remove from heat, add eggs and vanilla and sugar. Stir.
Combine flour and baking soda.  Add to mixture. Add buttermilk, stir well.
Pour into  parchment paper lined jelly roll pan and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.              Frosting
½ cup butter
6 Tablespoons milk
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
I like to put the icing on the cake as  soon as it comes out of the oven It soaks in the cake and is wonderful.   Chopped nuts on top of the icing is great, too.  If you want to make something spectacular, bake in a bundt pan. When cool split into 3 layers horizontally.  Combine 2 cups whipping cream, whipped (or Cool whip)  ¼ cup P. sugar and 1 cup frozen red raspberries, thawed and drained. Spread between layers and drizzle with icing.  Use just half of recipe.  (I haven’t tried this, but it sounds great)
My family is happy with my version.

   Hearts to you!

Elaine's valentine