Greetings to all folks near and far. May you be blessed with a month of joy. February is the month of love, so do not forget those special people in your life on February 14.

I love to make my own valentines. I have templates for hearts and birds which I have used for years. I make the cards from construction paper and lace trims. One example is: I cut a heart shape out of white construction paper, glued red paper behind it, outlined the heart with lace, then cut out two small birds from blue paper and glued one on each side of the heart and drew leaves, flowers, and vines around the birds using gel pens. I then wrote my message on the white paper below the heart.

Want to make some valentine cookies? Here is a great recipe from my Down Home Cooking box:

Valentine Sweetheart Cookies

1 cup soft butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extracts
3 1/4 cup flour (sifted)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sour cream

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks slightly, adding vanilla and almond extracts and add to butter-sugar mixture. Add sour cream, mix well, then gradually add in dry ingredients. Mix well after each addition of dry ingredients.

Roll dough out on floured board until about 1/2" thick. Cut with a heart shape cookie cutter. Place on non-stick cookie sheet. Bake 15 - 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool cookies on racks or wax paper. Frost cookies with red butter frosting.

Butter Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
milk (very little)
red food coloring

Cream butter and sugar till smooth. Add just enough milk to make the frosting a good spreading consistency. Taste the frosting. If it is too "buttery", add more powdered sugar. When the taste is right for you, add a few drops of red food coloring. Frost cookies when cool. Recipe makes about three dozen cookies. If you prefer, you can not color the frosting and just sprinkle on some cake/cookie decorative sprinkles.
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January articles:

Molly's Home Remedies With Rosemary
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33187.asp

Black Agnes Celtic Warrior and Folk Hero
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art23047.asp

Avalon Is Calling
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36646.asp

Oak Tree in Lore and Myth
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art41393.asp
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Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
- William Shakespeare, Mid-Summer Night's Dream, 1595


Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.
- Albert Einstein
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Till next time, may your home be filled with laughter and may it ring from floor to rafter.

Blessings and walk in peace and harmony.
Phyllis
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Phyllis Doyle Burns, Folklore and Mythology Editor
http://folklore.bellaonline.com

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