I was in Lowe's tonight. The V. Day display was beautiful!!Alas, I don't have cold and snow, so can't excuse myself there. I bought a B. Little Stars. (NICE for a bag baby) And, I bought a Dendrobium lindleyi because, well, because I needed yet another one. (HUGE for a bag babie) All arrived at Lowe's today. So I got them before ....well, you know.

What beautiful flowers everyone received! My DH called me white I was at Costco the day before and told me to buy myself something I would not usually buy and he'd pay for it. I refused, but was tempted to buy a bouquet. He knows I do not celebrate Valentines Day. We actually have a joke about it-his ex was married on Valentines Day so we refuse to celebrate. Besides, i've always told him that sending me a bouquet at work on a random Thursday for no reason is WAAAY better than the typical occasions (b'day, anniversary, V Day, etc). I did get him a card and a red velvet cupcake, tho-and I sent my kids cards. Dropped off a little package to DS that included Dove chocolates (his nickname is Dove) and he got a kick out of that. One year, when we were dating, DH had not gotten me a valentine, and I was pretty upset, but didn't say anything. The next day we were going to visit his brother and we stopped off at a drug store. They had all their V stuff on half price and DH looked at me and said, 'oh, if you want to pick something out for yourself, go ahead'. I ALMOST broke up with him right then and there. Turned out that since he worked in a factory full of men, he never realized that V day was the day before. One year I DID receive 3 delivers in one day-from a beau, another fellow I'd dated on and off, and another guy who hoped to ask me on a date. That was quite fun-and the beau who came to take me to dinner that night and saw the other bouquets was not too happy. (none of them ended up being my DH tho!)

I'm not sure, I should do that. Here's why... Valentine's Day doesn't exist in my country. So, it was a new learning when I came to the US at the age of 15. Do you remember how we used to compete among school friends to see how many of those little Valentine's cards we give out? The more we gave out means the popular we were, right? Well so, I thought that it didn't matter whether the person we give valentine's to was a "real" lover or not. And that it was just a gesture showing how important these people are in your life, right? A few years ago, when I first started a job with this group for several months, I went around and gave everyone some "safe kisses" (Hershey's chocolate kisses) as a friendly gesture. Then, I sent everyone a Happy Valentine's Day wish via e-mail. Well, 1 particular younger guy actually approached me and told me not to ever do that again and that he was married!!! Of course, I freaked out. But then, everyone else reminded me that this guy was "unusual" anyway. After all, he only got his wife pregnant to compete with his neighbors! LOL... Dunno why I keep meeting these types. So, Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!! (I know, 10 more days, but I gotta stay ahead before my memory wander off again =o)

Can't tell ya how many times I've made this. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter. KT'er shared this and ***are my recommentations Posted by Elle 53 In SI NY on Wed, Nov 24, 99 at 10:10 Ritz Cracker Stuffing 1 pound of Ritz crackers **3 sleeves 2 onions 12 oz fresh mushrooms 3 eggs 1 can Swansons chicken broth salt and pepper to taste ***add poultry seasoning to taste How to make: 1-saute onions and mushrooms in 1/3 cup of vegetable oil- let cool 2- crushed crackers in bowl add chicken broth and eggs mix well add cooled mushroom and onions mix well add salt and pepper add mixture to well oiled baking pan bake at 350 oven covered for 1 hour **I don't cover ---------------------------------------------------------- Made this two years ago for Thanksgiving Individual Pumpkin custard 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 large eggs 1 can (15 ounces) 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Evaporated Milk Directions PREHEAT oven to 300 F. MIX sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. If desired, cover and freeze filling for up to one month. When ready to bake, simply defrost, mix well and proceed with recipe. POUR into eight 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups. Place ramekins on baking sheet. I put it in the refrigerator, overnight, before baking the next day, just let it sit on the counter before baking ----------------------------------------------------- DELICIOUS!!!! Baked Sweet Potatoes with maple-jalapeno sour cream Rub oil and salt on 4 scrubbed, sweet potatoes and dried Place on rack and take 450 for 40-45 minuts or until soft (I wrap mine in foil) Topping Combine 1/2 c sour cream 1 Tbl maple syrup 2 tsp seeded and minced jalapeno ***I use canned minced green chiles, drained 1 tsp lime juice salt and tobasco to taste chill Serve potatoes with: maple-jalapeno sour cream bacon bits sliced scallions ---------------------------------------- BAKE for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in custard halfway between center and edge of ramekin comes out almost clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with dollop of light whipped cream, if desired.