Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IbyuQsUyTs

There has been much spectulation over the years on the origin and purpose of Valentine's Day. Being a romantic myself, the following is the origin I like best. "Perhaps the most popular legend centers on an imprisoned priest during the Dark Ages. Local children missed him during his imprisonment and would throw flowers into his cell through the prison bars. He fell in love with the jailer's daughter, who visited often during his confinement. Some sources state that she returned his love because he had cured her blindness. He would send her love letters frequently as a means of communicating his love. Right before he died, he wrote her a love letter signing it, "From Your Valentine"."

Common symbols of Valentine's Day

Cupid: Cupid was known to the Romans as Cupid and to the ancient Greeks, he was Eros. No matter what his name is he is still the little impish little character who flies around shooting arrows at unsuspecting people causing them to fall in love.

Roses: Various colors of roses represent something different. A red rose is for passion; a white rose, true love; a yellow rose, friendship. All roses are to sympolize both love and forgiveness and peace and war.

Those that need no explanations: cards, candy, hearts

Great recipe: Chocolate Valentine Cheese Pie

3 packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

1 extra serving-size packaged cracker crumb crust

3 tablespoons whipping cream

1. Heat oven to 280°C.
2. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir in 1-2/3 cups small chocolate chips; pour into crust.
4. Bake 10 minutes. Without opening oven door, reduce temperature to 180°C continue baking 30 minutes or just until set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Cool completely.
5. Cover; refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
6. In small microwave-safe bowl, place remaining 1/3 cup chips and whipping cream. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 20 to 30 seconds or just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.
7. Cool slightly; spread over top of cheesepie.
8. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until topping is set.
9. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesepie.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone............may the magic of love touch you today and be with you forever.

Answer to 2/13's trivia question: Whose woman's picture/portrait appeared on a US postager stamp for the first time? Martha Washington's portrait appeared on a 8 cent stamp that was issued in November 1902.

Today's trivia question: What was used for blood in the famous 45 second shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, Psycho, which actually took 7 days to shoot.

Thought for the Day: from a woman's dictionary.....Valentine's Day (val*en*tinez dae) n. A day when you have dreams of a candlelight dinner, diamonds, and romance, but consider yourself lucky to get a card

Even Animals Fall in Love video at bottom of page