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Our BetterMost Community => The Holiday Forum => Topic started by: CellarDweller on January 22, 2021, 09:04:56 pm

Title: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 22, 2021, 09:04:56 pm: (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864848696_ffe4ca259c_z.jpg)

So, do you do anything to celebrate Valentine's Day?

If so, what do you do? Share it here!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 22, 2021, 09:13:55 pm: In the past, I've put together little Valentines for people in the office, and would leave it on their desk along with a small bag of candy that I put together.

I would usually buy some bags of Dove chocolate hearts, Valentine's Hershey Kisses, gummy hearts and things like that, and then put an assortment in a small Ziploc bag, and leave them with a valentine.

Last year, I left Super Friends valentines that I found online.

(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/47/c5/7a/47c57a50cb48cd28b90fac6f120f3c01.jpg)(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6a/37/7d/6a377d95842962c39e8564e643149839.jpg)(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/42/e7/90/42e79079e5fec177b26eb6cba661ba30.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 22, 2021, 09:16:47 pm: Today I decorated the windows of my apartment for Valentine's Day.

These are the windows during the day.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864952692_8ce1954d45_c.jpg)

Here they are at night.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864137713_d570d79c4b_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Penthesilea on January 29, 2021, 02:04:36 pm: I love your decorating for all the different holidays! And damn, I'd love to be your coworker for the food/cookies/candy alone! :laugh:

We don't do anything for Valentine's. It's yet another holiday stores try to make money from, like Halloween, but which are not home over here. Maybe it'll take on over the years with the younger generation.

We do have Fasching (carnival) in February, which is a big thing and takes place the week before Lent starts.

But I did start buying Easter decoration already! :laugh:
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on January 29, 2021, 02:35:13 pm: Quote from: Penthesilea on January 29, 2021, 02:04:36 pm
We don't do anything for Valentine's. It's yet another holiday stores try to make money from, like Halloween, but which are not home over here.

That's my view of Halloween and Valentine's Day over here. When I was a kid, Halloween wasn't a big deal for most adults. Just an excuse to sell stuff.

Quote
We do have Fasching (carnival) in February, which is a big thing and takes place the week before Lent starts.

In hardly more than two weeks it will be Fastnacht Day! :D
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 29, 2021, 07:07:15 pm: Yeah, holidays have really become a way to get money from the public.

as long as you don't allow yourself to overspend, it's good. ;D
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 29, 2021, 09:01:25 pm: There's a small farmer's market near me that's open year-round. I like to shop at outdoor locations when possible, so I was browsing there and found these beautiful stone hearts that have ammonite shells embedded in them. I think they would make good Valentine's Day gifts for men. One is destined for my son, and I guess I'll give the other one to R.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Sason on January 31, 2021, 02:04:55 pm: Oh, they're lovely, Lee!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2021, 11:52:12 am: Happy Valentine's Day!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50942213658_3cba93bd44_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2021, 11:52:28 am: (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50942908451_4a20a51fde_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2021, 11:53:16 am: (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50942213613_5b9c4bd6dc_w.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 14, 2021, 11:58:15 am: :-* Happy Heart Day to you, Chuck! And to all the Brokies everywhere--you've showered me with love and made my life so much richer.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 19, 2023, 11:32:37 am: Ok, so work was a little slow this morning, and I got bored, so I went and pulled out the Valentine's Day decor and put it out.

Yes, it's early, but why not?

So the smaller windows have light up hearts in them, and the large picture window has red and white lights around a Valentine's day flag.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 19, 2023, 03:07:24 pm: I've been thinking Valentine's too, since I'm in charge of the cookies at church on the 29th. We've started offering gluten free ones so I'm in need of suggestions. Thank you!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Sason on January 19, 2023, 03:27:27 pm: Quote from: Front-Ranger on January 19, 2023, 03:07:24 pm
I've been thinking Valentine's too, since I'm in charge of the cookies at church on the 29th. We've started offering gluten free ones so I'm in need of suggestions. Thank you!

Almond cookies are always a hit. Traditional at Passover in Jewish families, bacause there's no flower in them.

Ground almonds mixed with sugar and an egg white or two. Flavour with whatever you want: cocoa, vanilla, a little orange juice, anything. Or no flavour at all, they are really good as is.

Make little heaps with a spoon on the baking sheet. Bake in 200 degrees C until they start to smell heavenly and look done.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: southendmd on January 19, 2023, 04:32:54 pm: Quote from: Sason on January 19, 2023, 03:27:27 pm
Almond cookies are always a hit. Traditional at Passover in Jewish families, bacause there's no flower in them.

(https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pansy-shortbread-cookies-8500227-July-17-2019-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 19, 2023, 05:14:20 pm: :laugh: :laugh: Thanks for the suggestions! If only I had flowers blooming in February, I would add them!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Sason on January 19, 2023, 06:47:15 pm: Quote from: southendmd on January 19, 2023, 04:32:54 pm
(https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pansy-shortbread-cookies-8500227-July-17-2019-2.jpg)

Oops....

:laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on January 19, 2023, 11:13:24 pm: Quote from: southendmd on January 19, 2023, 04:32:54 pm
(https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pansy-shortbread-cookies-8500227-July-17-2019-2.jpg)

Who you callin' a pansy?

;D
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 21, 2023, 12:49:34 pm: :laugh:
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: serious crayons on January 21, 2023, 03:29:48 pm: :laugh:
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 27, 2023, 01:45:40 pm: I'm almost done with the Cashew Creme Cookies...only need to frost them. I'll leave some unfrosted for those who prefer them. This morning I'm making the ranch dip for the cut veggies from scratch using Penzey's ranch herbs. Next I'll make gluten free minimuffins. What kind of frosting do gluten-free people like? I have no idea. I'd like to make a cardamon-ginger frosting but I fear that would be too out there for the congregation, even though they seem to like gingerbread.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: serious crayons on January 27, 2023, 08:05:42 pm: I'm not a gluten expert, but wouldn't most frosting be gluten free? Cardamom-ginger sounds good!

I once worked on an office team in which various people had all kinds of diet restrictions -- gluten, dairy, GMOs and maybe others. Anyway, I tried gluten-free birthday cakes a couple of times and they were perfectly delicious; if I hadn't known they were GF I wouldn't have been able to tell any difference.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 27, 2023, 11:35:14 pm: good to know, thanks!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 28, 2023, 01:59:04 pm: I've also had gluten-free cakes, you can't taste the difference.

I've had dairy-free as well, as Trenton has a dairy allergy. They've always been tasty.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 14, 2023, 01:52:23 pm: It's here! Valentine's Day makes me think of spring, but there's a cold front moving in; hopefully the last one of the season.

So, to start with expressing self-love and care, I decided to make a special dish, David Chang's Chick Kut-Teh. It is really flavorful and warming. I've served it over basmati rice and the only changes I made were to grind the peppercorns and use bone-in chicken thighs since they were so less expensive:

"This is truly one of those do-whatever-you-want chicken soups, but mine involved these steps: Soak 5 dried shiitake mushrooms in water (or use fresh ones, which you don't need to soak). Dice an onion and two celery stalks. Finely dice two cloves of garlic and a jalape?o (optional). Finely julienne a knob of ginger (I used at least 3 ounces). Then throw all that into a pot and saut? in oil until onions are softened. Add white and black peppercorns (roughly 10 each) and a pod of star anise to the saut? then toast for a minute or two. Throw in your chicken (I used a pack of boneless thighs) to brown. Once browned, slice up the shiitakes and add them (plus the water ? it's flavor) to the pot. Add a dash of soy sauce and chicken stock until everything is covered. Water and chicken bouillon works fine. Add a few tablespoons of shaoxing wine or cooking wine. Cook until chicken is done, remove chicken, and keep cooking broth for another 10-20 minutes to reduce. If the broth needs salt, add some, or more soy sauce, bouillon or fish sauce. Add shredded chicken back to the pot. I add some chopped scallions to the bowl while the broth is boiling hot (to cut the raw flavor), and top with cilantro right before you eat.
This took about half an hour. You could add some rice and extra stock or water for a flavorful congee. I ate this with vermicelli rice noodles I had in the pantry. Macaroni or pasta would also be fine. Add chili oil! Add sesame oil! Add bok choy!"
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2023, 04:37:14 pm: (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/da/89/04/da890437541a2d1a978eaefe3765ae3d.png)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on March 13, 2023, 06:44:20 pm: There have been several cold fronts since the Valentine's Day one. But today has been nice.

I'm making a special birthday cake for my daughter. It's her 35th and a good reason to celebrate, I think. But she wants to low-key it. So I began by steeping four Earl Grey tea bags and 2 Tablespoons of lavender buds in hot milk. The batter's in the oven now. It tastes so good, I might have licked the bowl even though it contains the remains of 3 eggs. It tastes like spring!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 18, 2025, 08:31:19 pm: Yes, it's a little early, but I decided to put the Valentine's Day stuff out. Just a note, I don't keep my curtains bunched up like that, I only put them that way for the picture so the lights in the side windows could be easily seen.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/7cb00019-70e6-48e6-a914-c99b98a25080/cddc48af-4a6b-4d93-97b5-cb77fb6d24d8.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 18, 2025, 08:32:02 pm: (https://hosting.photobucket.com/7cb00019-70e6-48e6-a914-c99b98a25080/c056757a-2bc9-4b56-8a1b-2d40cf82bdab.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 13, 2025, 01:11:47 pm: Quote from: CellarDweller on February 14, 2021, 11:52:28 am
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50942908451_4a20a51fde_z.jpg)

Happy Valentines Day to all the Brokies! (Thanks for the drawing, Chuck)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 13, 2025, 04:02:00 pm: I wonder if Focus Features will cut back on their valentines. Here's one saved in my computer.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 13, 2025, 04:11:45 pm: (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50942213613_5b9c4bd6dc_w.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 17, 2026, 04:08:11 pm: yes, I decorated for Valentine's Day already.

I'm just bumping up last year's photos, because they're exactly the same.

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/7cb00019-70e6-48e6-a914-c99b98a25080/cddc48af-4a6b-4d93-97b5-cb77fb6d24d8.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on January 17, 2026, 04:08:30 pm: (https://hosting.photobucket.com/7cb00019-70e6-48e6-a914-c99b98a25080/c056757a-2bc9-4b56-8a1b-2d40cf82bdab.jpg)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2026, 11:09:38 am: (https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1195614104/vector/valentines-day-3d-hearts-cute-love-banner-romantic-greeting-card-happy-valentines-day-wishes.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=IsmkrACyhXhEU53jIasoHCN3ioZknDkf8JFJiE3iv-4=)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: CellarDweller on February 14, 2026, 11:17:41 am: (https://www.strangeloveshop.com/cdn/shop/products/0560afdf3e0fd6443a6fc4831f5c05bb5837b65b8483d660676db4081a67901c.jpg?v=1705172188)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 14, 2026, 01:18:08 pm: Happy Valentine's Day to you, Chuck, and all the Brokies everywhere who observe it. The New York Times had a literary romatic quote quiz this morning, and I'm sure all of you can get at least one question right! (Gift Article)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/09/books/review/literary-love-lines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.6p_a.3MbdHgnL0_s3&smid=url-share (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/09/books/review/literary-love-lines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.6p_a.3MbdHgnL0_s3&smid=url-share)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on February 14, 2026, 02:30:08 pm: Valentine's Day? Bah! Humbug!
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Sason on February 14, 2026, 06:16:30 pm: I agree. Commercial crap.

If that's the only day of the year you tell someone you love them, you might as well just skip it.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: southendmd on February 15, 2026, 09:48:51 am: Quote from: Front-Ranger on February 14, 2026, 01:18:08 pm
Happy Valentine's Day to you, Chuck, and all the Brokies everywhere who observe it. The New York Times had a literary romatic quote quiz this morning, and I'm sure all of you can get at least one question right! (Gift Article)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/09/books/review/literary-love-lines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.6p_a.3MbdHgnL0_s3&smid=url-share (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/09/books/review/literary-love-lines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.6p_a.3MbdHgnL0_s3&smid=url-share)

I got 5/5, mostly by guessing. Except for one I was pretty sure I knew...
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: serious crayons on February 15, 2026, 04:48:10 pm: My son texted me Happy Valentine's Day yesterday morning. "Make a lasagna," he added.

Hunh?

He recalled that I used to always make lasagna on Valentine's Day. I'd forgotten that! It became one of his favorite foods, he said.

I didn't want to make a whole pan of lasagna just for myself, so I bought a pan of spinach lasagna at a really good Italian foods cafe/store, and shared it last night with two neighbors.

At my other son's suggestion, I also bought us a huge piece of tiramisu to share.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 15, 2026, 06:15:25 pm: Both of my oldest grandsons requested a tiramisu cake on their birthdays (oldest grandson's was Friday). This is one of the easiest cakes to make--no baking! Traditional tiramisu is kind of alcoholic because the ladyfingers are dipped in sherry or red wine, but I dip them in chai tea. It still has a faintly spirited taste because I use home-made vanilla (pods steeped in vodka) but it's just a teaspoon. Have you seen tiramisu cakes at grocers' or Italian bakeries? They can be very pricey so I'm glad I can make my own. Another change is that I use cream cheese (Philadelphia brand) instead of Mascarpone. It has a lovely tangy taste, while I find the latter pretty tasteless. You can recall my Italian card if you wish. I have no Italian blood (the Italian name is my ex-husband's) but I really respect the people, even more as they graciously host the Olympics.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on February 15, 2026, 06:47:14 pm: Quote from: Sason on February 14, 2026, 06:16:30 pm
I agree. Commercial crap.

If that's the only day of the year you tell someone you love them, you might as well just skip it.

The best part about it is that probably any candy left over went on sale today. ;D
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on February 15, 2026, 06:56:40 pm: Quote from: serious crayons on February 15, 2026, 04:48:10 pm
He recalled that I used to always make lasagna on Valentine's Day. I'd forgotten that! It became one of his favorite foods, he said.

At least one time that I can recall, my mother made a single-layer heart-shaped cake. She used one square cake pan and one round pan. Then she cut the round cake in half and placed the halves on two adjoining sides of the square cake to make a heart shape. She covered the whole cake with white icing/frosting and then she wrote Happy Valentine's Day using one of those jell-things that came in a tube that you used to write things on cakes. (Is that stuff still around?)
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Front-Ranger on February 15, 2026, 07:41:23 pm: Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on February 15, 2026, 06:56:40 pm
... then she wrote Happy Valentine's Day using one of those jell-things that came in a tube that you used to write things on cakes. (Is that stuff still around?)

Yes. I learned the hard way that if you try to write something on the cake while the icing is still warm, it melts into a gooey mess.
Title: Re: Valentine's Day
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on February 15, 2026, 10:57:42 pm: Quote from: Front-Ranger on February 15, 2026, 07:41:23 pm
Yes. I learned the hard way that if you try to write something on the cake while the icing is still warm, it melts into a gooey mess.

Oh, dear. :(

But thanks. It's interesting to know that stuff is still available.