A Month of Valentines: O'Henrys

Day 29: O'Henrys

Here's another one of my favorite treats to make around this time of year. I don't know if it's the peanuts, the chocolate, or the butterscotch that make these pure perfection, but whatever it is, it works!

1 c. Karo syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. unsalted peanuts (whether you chop them or not is up to you)
1 c. peanut butter
3 c. Rice Krispies
12 oz. (1 pkg.) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
12 oz. (1 pkg.) butterscotch chips

Part 1:
Stir together Karo syrup and sugar. Microwave for 2 minutes. Add peanuts and peanut butter to the Karo mixture. Microwave everything for another minute. Combine with the 3 cups of Rice Krispies. Spread into a greased 9 x 13  pan.

Part 2:
Combine chocolate chips (on bottom--this DOES matter) and butterscotch chips in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Spread over krispie mixture and cool in the refrigerator.

Part 3:
Remove from pan and cut into squares.

Part 4:
Try to eat only one. :) Enjoy!

A Month of Valentines: Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee

Day 28: Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee

I've made this recipe a number of times and it never dissapoints. Don't have a torch? Did you know that you can save money by buying a torch at a home imporvement store. That's what I did!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups whipping cream
2 cups half and half
12 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
8 large egg yolks
1/3 cup plus 8 teaspoons sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Bring cream and half and half to boil in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk yolks and 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture.

3. Divide custard among 8-12 ramekins. Place cups in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Bake until custards are set, about 50-70 minutes. Remove from water; chill 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Sprinkle each custard with 1 teaspoon or so of sugar. Caramelize sugar with kitchen torch.

A Month of Valentines: Chocolate Soup for Two

Day 27: Chocolate Soup for Two

How about adding Chocolate Soup to your menu this Valentine's Day? Yes, that's right, Chocolate Soup! Heather over at Sprinkle Bakes has a super delicious Chocolate Soup for Two recipe that I'm so excited to try. You must check it out as well as all of the other sinfully decadent and scrumptious baking concotions at Sprinkle Bakes. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe with us, Heather!

A Month of Valentines: Valentine Lunch Bags and Jokes

Day 25: Valentine Lunch Bags and Jokes

Beth over at it is what it is is the super creative genius behind these Valentine Bags and Jokes printables. I remember how my mom would make our lunch bags special when I was a kid.  Boy howdy, did I LOVE having a souped-up lunch bag to carry into the lunchroom. I mean, come on, who wouldn't be tickled pink to get an extra dose of LOVE on their lunch bag? And why not kick it up a notch by packing a joke or to inside for your dear one to share at the lunch table. Go HERE to get started making your own Valentine Lunch Bags at it is what it is. Thanks, Beth!

A Month of Valentines: Jen's Rice Krispie Brownies

Day 24: Jen's Rice Krispie Brownies

(AKA Rice Krispie Heaven)

Jen has been a GREAT-WONDERFUL-FABULOUS friend of mine for years now. Have you ever met someone and just clicked? That's how it was for Jen and I. I invited her family over for dinner the very first day we met.  It was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. And Jen sharing this sinfully delicious brownie recipe with me was one the best decisions she ever made.  Don't blame me, blame Jen, when you end up eating the entire pan ALL BY YOURSELF!

Ingredients:
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
6 T. baking cocoa
1 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme
1 c. creamy peanut butter (Jen only uses 1/2 cup of pb, but I use it ALL. I LOVE PB!) 
2 c. (12 oz.) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
3 c. Rice Krispies

In a mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar, add eggs and beat well. Stir in cocoa, flour, vanilla, & salt. Spread into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake for 25 min in a 350 degree oven.(do NOT overcook the brownies..they might not look done, but trust me, they are!) Let cool. After cooled, spread marshmallow creme over cooled brownies. In a medium saucepan, melt peanut butter, & chocolate chips, stirring constantly on low heat. Remove from heat & stir in rice krispies. Spread over marshmallow layer. Chill before cutting & store in the refrigerator.

The chilling part is VERY IMPORTANT! These brownies taste best cold, straight from the fridge.

Enjoy!

A Month of Valentines: Host a Family Valentine Party

Day 23: Host a Family Valentine Party

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays to enjoy with my children. There is just something so sweet and innocent about it. Think about it, what could be bad about a day that is all about telling people you LOVE them?!

We've invited six families with small children to join us in celebrating Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 13th. I'll be making chili and cornbread for the mommas and poppas and my boys have requested macaroni and cheese, chips and pigs in a blanket for the kiddos. We have a number of activities lined up for both the young and the old.

Here's what's on the agenda for the kiddos:

• A fun night with friends
• Valentine BINGO
• Musical chairs
• How many marshmallows game
• Pick a Heart Game
• Decorating Valentine cupcakes
• Passing out Valentines (into their decorated boxes)

We may not be able to accomplish every thing planned, but that's OK. I'd rather over plan than under plan. The kids are sure to have a  great time and the adults are too. And why not make it easier on yourself by asking the other families to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share. That's what I did.

It's not too late! Send out your invitations now and start planning your own Family Valentine Party! Your kids will LOVE it!

A Month of Valentines: Valentine Playing Card Coupon Booklets

I ran across this super hip idea at Tatertots and Jello and knew instantly that I would be making these for my family this Valentine's Day. Jen, the creative genious behind Tatertots and Jello, is one hip lady. Not only does her blog title rock, but her tutorials help those that are a tad bit craft challenged--like me. Go HERE to learn how you can make your own set of Valentine Playing Card Coupons. Thanks for the great idea, Jen! 

A Month of Valentines: Valentine Hair Accessories

Day 21: Valentine Hair Accessories

Having a little girl has opened my eyes to hair accessories. Little Miss G LOVES wearing a big sassy bow on top of her head.  I've learned, in the last year, how to make most of G's bows. Not only is it a lot cheaper than buying boutique bows, but I can make bows that perfectly match her outfits. I've made bows for Halloween and Christmas so why not some for Valentine's Day? Girly Things is one of my go to sources when I want to learn how to make a new bow. The tutorials are so easy to follow. All you have to do is choose a bow style you like and then buy some Valentine appropriate colored ribbon. Go HERE to browse through all of the tutorials that Girly Things has to offer.

Here are a few of my favorite tutorials on Girly Things:

Stacked Hairbows

Tuxedo Bow

Loopy Surround Bow

Pinwheel Bow

Sunday Dinners: A Month of Valentines - Robyn's Sugar Cookies

Day 17: Robyn's Sugar Cookies

Robyn is a dear friend of ours. We LOVE her bunches, but we also really LOVE her sugar cookies. Try as I might I have never been able to make them the way she does. Some people just have that magic touch. These cookies are P-E-R-F-E-C-T for any time of year, but make especially SWEET Valentine treats. Thanks for letting us share your recipe, Robyn!

Robyn's Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

4 sticks butter, nice and soft
3 1/2 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
7 1/2 - 8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
1. Cream the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth.

2. Add the sour cream and mix until creamy looking.

3. Combine the dry ingredients (flour, salt & baking soda) and add half of the flour mixture at a time.

4. Stop mixing as soon as it is incorporated.

5. Refrigerate cookie dough for several hours or overnight.

6. Roll out (but not too thin!), cut, and bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. The secret to these cookies is to bake them until they are barely done. Take them out before they start turning golden brown. This way they will be nice and soft for a long time.

Enjoy!

A Note from Robyn:
For frosting, I put a whole thing of softened cream cheese, 1/2 stick of softened margarine, a pinch of salt, a few drops of vanilla, and as much powdered sugar as it takes to get the consistency right.

A Month of Valentines: Valentine Photo Booth Bookmark

Day 8: Valentine Photo Booth Bookmark

Yesterday I shared with you a list of Valentine books for children. Today I'm sharing a great tutorial from Urban Comfort on how to make this adorable Valentine Photo Booth Bookmark. This bookmark would make the perfect gift to include in a Valentine card for a loved one. I also LOVE the easy to follow, step by step instructions on how to create this in a Word document. Go HERE to view the tutorial.

A Month of Valentines: Heart Shaped Bird Feeder

Day 6: Heart Shaped Bird Feeder

Alphamom has a great tutorial on how to make this heart shaped bird feeder. The birds will LOVE you for it. Not to mention that these hearts will look adorable hanging from your trees!

A Month of Valentines: Crayon Shaving Hearts

Day 6: Crayon Shaving Hearts

When I was a little girl my mom used to make snowflakes with wax paper, crayon shavings, and an iron. I thought they were the coolest things ever. I was a lucky kid with a really cool mom. Sad to say, I have yet to share this motherly magic with my own kids. But I finally will! I ran across this Crayon Shaving Hearts tutorial over at Skip to my Lou and I can't wait to make these with my kiddos this afternoon. They're going to LOVE it! And the hearts are going to look great hanging in our home.

A Month of Valentines: Fabric Valentine Wreath

Day 4: Fabric Valentine Wreath

Is your door looking lonely after removing your Christmas wreath? Well don't despair! I found a fun and supposedly easy Valentine wreath for you to make. Little Birdie Secrets has a great tutorial on how to make this adorable heart wreath. Your door will LOVE you for it. Go HERE to view the tutorial.

A Month of Valentines: Candy Cane Valentine Treats

Day 2: Candy Cane Valentine Treats

I ran across these on Christy Nelson's site. Aren't they just the cutest? I LOVE that she repurposed clearance candy canes into 'hip' Valentine's treats. Go HERE to view Christy's tutorial on how to make these sweet treats.

Are You Ready For A Month of Valentines?

Today is January 14th. That means that Valentine's Day is one month away. I'm not, and have never been, the kind of person that needs a treat on Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I love holidays and I love treats, but as a mom, and a homeschooling mom to boot, I really love experiencing holidays with my kids--for my kids. So, for the next month, I will be posting a Valentine craft, recipe, or decoration idea. If you have a fun Valentine craft, recipe or tradition that you'd like to share, just send us an email and I'd be happy to share your idea on our blog! I'm always on the lookout for new ideas.

Day 1: Valentine Gingerbread House

My kids LOVE making gingerbread houses at Halloween and Christmas. So I thought, why not make a Valentine Gingerbread House? Valentine's Day is all about candy anyway, isn't it? You can either make your own house or pick up a kit in the after holiday clearance section--that's what I always do! And don't forget about all that holiday clearance candy. Christmas candy is traditionally red and white, which is perfect for Valentine's Day!

If you make a Valentine Gingerbread House take a picture of your masterpiece and send it to us and we'll post it! Happy month of Valentines!