Looooove...
I once wrote to the list that, since we
don't celebrate Valentine's Day per se, "Every day is Valentine's Day in
our house." Maybe I should elaborate on that a little more, since
this is our February edition of the newsletter.
What it means most is simply sharing love. As I mentioned in the
editorial, there are so many different facets to this one emotion, there is
bound to be one that fits into your life. Little things mean a lot... a
note in your children's lunch box, or an extra chocolate chip cookie... a few
minutes taken out of the busiest part of your day to sit with a child or pet...
a
trail of Hershey's kisses leading your loved one from the door to your bedroom,
with you at the end of the trail... Jessica is going to cover an ending to that
particular scenario in her portion of the article, I will touch on the others
first.
I know that not all of you have children, but many of you have nieces, nephews,
grandkids, children of close friends that you love... set aside an afternoon for
them and them alone. Even a usually sulky teen will open up and enjoy
this... trust me....
No afternoon with children is complete without cookies; here is a favorite
recipe of mine. Either make ahead, or get the child involved in the
creation. And don't worry about the mess!!!
Sesame Seed Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter (don't you dare substitute anything else!!)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup finely ground nuts (almonds or pecans are good choices)
2 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/2 teaspoon shortening
Directions
In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for
30 seconds. Add the sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Beat in as much of the
flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour, the sesame seed, and
the pecans or almonds. Divide dough in half. If dough is too sticky, wrap each
half in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator about 1 hour
or until dough is easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the
dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using 2-inch cookie cutters, cut dough into desired
shapes. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake cookies in a 375 degree F. oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are
lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Repeat with
remaining dough. In a heavy, small saucepan combine semisweet chocolate and
shortening; heat over low heat until melted, stirring occasionally. Drizzle
chocolate mixture over cookies. Let cookies stand until chocolate is set. Makes
56 cookies.
Hot chocolate is the best thing to have with these cookies, but if you would
like something a little different, try this out:
Cornmeal Cocoa Cup
In a heavy frying pan, toast until light brown (3-5 minutes)
1 cup white cornmeal
To this, add:
2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 Tsp ground cinnamon with a touch of ground cloves
Five cups of water or milk
Heat as you would for hot cocoa, stirring constantly until just about to boil.
Strain and serve hot.
While the cookies are baking, work on a jigsaw puzzle, or look at a book
together... something to keep your heads together while the delicious smells waft
through the house.
After your snack, go out and sled, or play soccer, or simply walk through the
woods and enjoy the day. Get your blood moving and your spirits soaring.
When you return, you can whip up a simple lip balm for the children to take home
with them. Before they come, you can make up some special labels referring
to your day together, so that they will be reminded of it every time they use
it.
Basic Lip Balm
3 parts apricot kernel oil
1 part castor oil
1 part shea or cocoa butter
1 part beeswax
Essential oil to taste... spearmint, sweet orange and lemon are all favorites of
my children.
Now, I mentioned pets in my intro, so we can't forget them!! They may
skip
the cookies, but they would likely enjoy some play time inside or out, and maybe
a special treat from the pet store while you eat your cookies.
And, come to think of it, this little afternoon scenario would be perfect for
anyone you love, from your mother or grandmother, to your best friend, to the
neighbor who is always bringing you casseroles!
But, yes, most people think of Valentine's Day romantically. Jessica has
some great ideas for all of us who want to add a little spice to any special
evening.....
The only thing I would add to what she is about to tell you, is a little tea
blend for those of you who do not imbibe...
Shatoiya's Meet You in the Bedroom Blend:
1 part damiana
1 part raspberry leaf
1 part spearmint
1/2 part gingko
1/2 part oats
1/2 part roses
1/4 part orange peel
1/4 part cinnamon
Make a tea, using one teaspoon of the blend per cup, and steeping for fifteen
minutes.
And now, for Jessica...
Ahhhh, Valentine's Day and all the possibilities of a little romance.
A great bath can be very relaxing and wonderful even if you aren't sharing your
bath with someone. Time alone to relax and reflect is very healing to the
mind, the body, the spirit. If you are able to find that
certain someone to share the tub with you, it can be an especially sensual
experience. Here are a few ideas to get you started, many suggested in Rosemary
Gladstar's book "Herbs for Natural Beauty".
Start with lighting some beautifully scented candles and then shutting off the
harsh lights. Everyone looks lovely by candlelight, and candlelight
really helps to set the mood. Get a nice glass of wine, some music if you
would like.
Start the water flowing, drop in a bath tea, add your bath salts and prepare
for a pre-bath skin massage, also called a "dry brush massage".
I like to use a dry luffa, and, working in circles, be sure to get all of your
skin, applying the massage oil freely, being sure not to miss those elbows,
knees, and feet. Now this is even more soothing if you can find
someone to lovingly help you out with the massage, and then you can return the
favor.
Slowly immerse yourself in the bath water, being sure to take in the smells of
the herbs and essential oils. Take this time to concentrate on your
senses; how smooth and soft your skin feels, how the warmth of the hot water
banishes that February chill from your bones, how calm and peaceful you
feel. Use your tea bag to rub over your skin, gently exfoliating and
washing away your worries.
When your wine is all gone but before your bathwater gets cool, it is time to
get out and wrap yourself in a huge towel. Now is the
perfect moment to smooth some lotion on your skin, followed by some wonderfully
fragrant body powder.
"Every Day Can Be Valentine's Day" Massage Oil
1 cup fractionated coconut oil
1/2 cup apricot kernel oil
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/4 cup pecan oil
Essential oil blend (I like "Karma" from Brambleberry and "Mother
Earth" from A Garden Eastward).
Herbal Bath Tea
sage
calendula
patchouli
peppermit
bayleaf
eucalyptus
Bath Salts
2 cups Borax
1 cup sea salt
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup kaolin clay
1 T sweet almond oil
Essential oils or fragrance oil
Shimmering Body Powder
2 cups cornstarch
1 cup kaolin clay
1/4 cup Natrasorb (Snowdrift Farm)
1/4 cup SkinFlow (Snowdrift Farm)
1/4 cup arrow root powder
1/8 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon gold sparkle mica
fragrance or essential oils
~ Khadijah Lacina and Jessica Miller
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