How do I love thee....

 

This is the LOVE day. Valentine ’s Day means purchasing large silk covered boxes of chocolate and cards so sweet your teeth ache. Some of us will spend the day baking (raising hand) heart-shaped cookies for our sweeties’ lunchbox. Others will plan a romantic candlelit dinner and a chilled bottle of wine. The lucky ones might even find themselves tip-toeing behind a path of rose petals to a heart-shaped Jacuzzi, the steam rising behind rows of colorful bottles and scented oils.

 

Pop!      

 

Or not.

Assuming we’re all lucky in love, forgive me if the events describe your romantic evening.

I happen to know some people, the gals –or guys- whose day will be spent cooking that fabulous dinner after running to the store to grab a few steaks and valentine cards. Yeah, (s) both of them because some people in the house who (because they get off work late) can’t make it, ask that you purchase one more. After all, you’re going there anyways, right? Can’t you just reach through the crowd and grab an extra one? Who cares what it says, as long as it symbolizes love. Right?

  I'm not talking about me, really. My hubby made a special trip to the butcher last night and requested 1' thick Delmonicos. On my kitchen table this morning is a red envelope with my name on it and orders DO NOT OPEN TILL LATER!!  

Romantic gesters....

What do you consider romantic?

 

February 14^th.  A day to celebrate your better  half.  

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I’m giving away a digital Kindle copy of Man of Her Dreams to one commenter and hope you enjoy reading about romance as much as I do.

Snowballs

February in Michigan is lovely.

And it's still snowing here. I love brand new snow. But of course I didn't go too far before I headed inside to warm up.

Using a recipe given to me from a good friend I decided to make snowballs of a different kind. Boy, are these delicious!

Snowballs

 

 

 

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

 

4 cups all purpose flour       ½ cup butter

1 tsp. baking powder           ½ Crisco shortening

¼ tsp. salt                             8 oz pg. cream cheese

¼ tsp. nutmeg                      1 ½ cups white sugar

                                             1 egg

                                             1 tsp. vanilla

 

 

 

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside. In a large bowl cream together butter, shortening, sugar and egg until blended. Next add softened cream cheese and vanilla, beating until fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours.

 

On lightly floured surface, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut with a round cutter (I use a glass) and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Next, spoon 1 tsp. filling of your choice, I love using mincemeat or raspberry preserves. Lemon curd is wonderful, too.

 

Carefully press another layer of cut out cookie dough, creating a top. Gently press and seam the sides with your finger. Bake a 375 for 7-9 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

 

 

When completely cooled sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Then heavily with green and red sugar crystals.

 

Yum! Enjoy!