Soul Carving

        What to give at the annual Valentine exchange for our homeschooling friends? Why not homemade fortune cookies? The children had a delightful time helping whip up these special treats and choosing the best jokes to tuck inside each crispy shell. With very few ingredients and the use of a blender, the batter takes virtually no time at all to prepare. However, the recipe I followed did suggest letting the batter chill for an hour prior to use. That, plus the watchful intensity and quick flipping and folding required during the baking stage does make for a rather lengthy project. I will admit that at one point, nursing my burnt fingertips and wiping my sweaty brow, I snarled irritably at having to make these "cursed cookies". But in the end,  I was very glad that I did. They are such a fun way to celebrate. They require only 4 common ingredients and are very versatile. Depending on what type of "fortunes" you choose to conceal in them, they can be used for...

The Valentine flowers Richard gave me reminded me of my wedding bouquet, with roses, wax flowers and berries.          Hawaiian Heart-shaped pizza. Leftovers never tasted so good! Hawaiian and Pepper & Olive joined as one. It's true love! For more sophisticated palettes, the Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato option.  My sweetheart surprised us by bringing home a flower for each of the girls. Purple is her favorite color! I don't know that I've ever seen two happier faces!        I think Valentine's gets a bad rap. Some argue that true love does not need a commercialized holiday to prove itself. I won't disagree. But I will say that true love can also withstand such a commercialized holiday and is none the worse for having one day a year in which to indulge its participants.        I hope your Valentine's day was sweet as sugar and bright as fresh flowers! xoxoxox Betha...