The Truth Behind Valentine's Day

I do not celebrate "saints", but I do enjoy treating THE Man extra special on Valentine's Day. But . . . we need to remember the REAL person and the REAL reason this day is named after him. So, next time someone complains about Valentine's Day being a Hallmark holiday, remind them of this . . . 

"On this day, in the year AD 298, a Christian pastor was brutally martyred. First, he was beaten with clubs. then stoned, and finally he was beheaded. His crime - standing for biblical marriage, that intimacy outside of marriage was sinful, and that marriage was designed by God as between one man and one woman. His name was Valentinus, a man who loved Jesus above all else and who refused to deny the faith. Today, as you enjoy your chocolate and trinkets, remember that the one who is now called St Valentine gave his life in defense of biblical marriage, not rampant promiscuity or perversion. He did not succumb to the politically correct of his day. February 14 is a day that is not rose red, but blood red." -Pastor James MacDonald

I Hope you read and pass it on. Spreading the truth like ripples in a pond.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade "Altoid" Mints

Admit it ~ your favorite mints are those little "curiously strong" mints that come in the tins. They are refreshing and somewhat energizing and they are great for clearing your throat and opening your sinuses. And if you're like me, you save those little tins and use them for other projects like homemade healing salve or simple to make homemade chamomile salve.

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Sorry, I didn't take any photos of my own :-(

Well . . . did you know you can MAKE those little mints, yourself? This little activity could easily become a favorite little gift for CHRISTmas stocking stuffers or office gifts, Easter, Valentine's Day, a little thank you for someone or as a homeschool project. And, certainly, to have for your family.

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You will be so surprised at how easy-peasy this is!

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You will need: 

~cutting board
~rolling pin
~plastic gloves (optional)
~drinking straws (the big ones you have saved from your favorite restaurant work best) or tiny animal or shaped candy cutters
~1 package of gum paste (found in the cake section of your grocery store or Walmart)
~powdered sugar
~cooking oil (optional)
~food coloring (optional)
~essential oil (ex: peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen)
~waxed paper

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Directions:

1) Grab off a piece of gum paste about the size of a large egg, knead it in your hands. It will take just a few moments to warm-up and then it will become a nice pliable dough. If desired, you may use JUST A COUPLE DROPS of cooking oil to make it a little more pliable, but not greasy.

2) Once it starts to become pliable, add 2-3 drops of color (if you're using any) and 3-5 drops of your chosen flavor of essential oil (5 if you want them "curiously strong" :-)) and knead all through the gum paste as best you can.

3) Sprinkle just enough powdered sugar on your cutting board to roll the dough onto. Use your rolling pin to roll the dough out to about 1/8" thick. 

4) Now the fun part ~ take your straw or candy cutters and start punching out those little mints. When you have cut out as many as you can, re-roll the remaining dough out again and make as many mints as you can; repeat as often as you need.

5) Once you've cut all the mints you can, sprinkle a little more powdered sugar over the mints and mix JUST enough to coat them and still see any color you've added; this will keep them from sticking together.

6) Put the mints on a sheet of waxed paper and let them dry and "cure" for at least 48 hours, then you can refill those old tins and put them to good use. 

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7) Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

To the One I Love

". . . When I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go . . ."

~Song of Songs 3:4

Happy Valentine's Day to THE Man ~ I love you now & forever.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Happy Valentine's Day

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.
~Song of Songs 2:2



My lover is mine & I am his...
~Song of Songs 2:16


Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
~Song of Songs 8:6-7



Happy Valentine's Day to my Valentines & to you!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Strawberry Pretzel Pie

This is probably our family's FAVORITE dessert. I've made it since we were newlyweds & our girls have grown up with it. You may have seen it at family get-togethers, carry-in's or picnics & maybe even heard it called by a different name...but everyone knows it as DELICIOUS!

You will need to make this in 3 layers:

1st Layer:
~2 c. small braided pretzels, crunched up
~1 1/2 sticks of butter or non-hydrogenated margarine (ex: Earth Balance), soft but not melted
~2 TB. Sugar
~~In a 13"x9" pan, mix these ingredients & press firmly into bottom of pan. Bake @ 350* for 10 minutes, let COOL COMPLETELY in freezer for 1 hour (at least).

2nd Layer:
~8 oz. cream cheese
~8 oz. Cool Whip
~1 c. Sugar
~~In a bowl, mix these ingredients until creamy & spread over 1st layer. MAKE SURE it gets into corners. Freeze for 10 minutes.

3rd Layer:
~2 small boxes of strawberry Jell-o
~2 C. HOT water
~20 oz. Strawberries, sliced
~~Mix Jell-o & hot water. Pour S-L-O-W-L-Y onto 2nd layer. IMMEDIATELY place strawberries in rows on top. Chill until Jell-o is ready.

This is one of the best desserts for that sweet-n-salty mix that so many of us love. I like to make this for Valentine's Day & arrange the strawberries in the shape of a heart. Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Why Do We Celebrate Valentine's Day?

So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death...on February 14th.

{www.history.com}

I hope you had a very happy Valintine's day with your Sweetheart. I did.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><