“Cupid” by Sam Cooke
Tag Archives: Valentine’s Day
Maxine© in February
Uncommon Goods – Love Natural Style
Uncommon Goods points out how romantic the Animal Kingdom is. Read on to find out more.
So romantic. Welcome to the Valentine’s Day edition of Uncommon Knowledge—a place where we can talk about all the romantic things animals do for each other. For one, sea otters hold hands when they sleep. They do this mostly so they don’t drift away from their pals while they snooze on their backs in the water, but the result is true intimacy.
Another romantic gesture? Penguins will propose to new mates with a pebble. Many penguins assemble their nests out of pebbles, so really, it’s a way of offering their beloved a promise to build a home with them. Maybe we can follow suit and start replacing engagement rings with a nice adjustable rate mortgage?
Brolgas cranes, like most cranes, are monogamous and will mate with the same partner every year, typically at the same nesting spot. However, the brolgas know a thing or two about keeping the romance alive—no matter how many years they’ve been together, the brolgas will still court their mate with an intricate mating dance. Ooh la la!
Okay, let’s do some rapid-fire romance: Ready for a puppy fact? Male puppies will intentionally let female puppies win when they play-fight so they can get to know them better. Like seahorses? They’re monogamous and will hold each other’s tails when traveling.
Ain’t love grand?
Written by Kate B
Kate is a copywriter. Strangers would describe her as that very tall girl with glasses, as would her friends. She is pretty good at needlepointing, surprisingly good at bocce ball, and very bad at choosing between sweet and savory at brunch. She is well-liked by most dogs.
Maxine© on Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Dairy Free – Gluten Free Buried Treasure Meringues
This recipe comes from King Arthur Flour company in Vermont, USA.
Buried Treasure Meringues
These light treats are Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free. What makes them extra special is the drop of some dark chocolate or a candied cherry in the middle…. either placed atop the cookie or bury it like hidden treasure within the meringue before baking.
Hands-on time: 15 mins. to 25 mins.
Arrgh, mateys! These treasures are sure to steal hearts on Feb. 14 or any other day!
Baking time: 1 hrs 30 mins. to 1 hrs 30 mins.
Total time: 3 hrs 55 mins. to 9 hrs 55 mins.
Yield: 20 to 24 meringues
Ingredients:
2 large egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
dash of salt
1/2 cup plus 1 TBsp. granulated sugar
Filling:
Candied cherries and/or bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chunks; King Arthur Flour bakers like Peter’s Burgundy chunks.
2) In a large bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar, and a dash of salt.
3) Beat until peaks form, then gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is stiff and glossy.
4) Pipe a base of meringue onto the sheet, using a pastry bag and star tip; place a candied cherry, or a couple of chunks of chocolate, atop the base. Pipe meringue to cover the cherry or chocolate.
5) If you don’t want to pipe meringues, simply drop by tablespoonfuls onto the sheet. Place cherry or chocolate in the center of each meringue; cover or leave exposed, your choice.
6) Bake the meringues for 1 1/2 hours. Turn the oven off, and leave them in the turned-off oven until they’re completely cool, 3 hours or more. This is a good cookie to make in the evening; they can be left in the oven (with the heat turned off) overnight.
Yield: approximately 20 to 24 meringues.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Makes 20
Ingredients
Directions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper. In a microwave-safe glass bowl, microwave the chocolate, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
- Holding a strawberry by the stem end, dip it in the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet. As you set the strawberry down, slide it ½ inch to the side to prevent the formation of a chocolate “foot.” Repeat with the remaining berries.
- Refrigerate the strawberries on the baking sheet until the chocolate is firm, at least 30 minutes.
Love is in the Air!
Chocolate Crispy Kisses
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. butter or margarine
- 16 oz. pkg. miniature marshmallows
- 12 c. chocolate crispy rice cereal (17.5 oz. box minus 1 cup)
Directions:
Melt butter or margarine in large saucepan over low heat.
Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
Remove from heat, add cereal, and stir until coated.
Butter fingers and plastic funnel(s). Press warm mixture into funnel.
Un-mold, then wrap each one in a square of plastic wrap. (Drape plastic wrap over kiss and gather underneath.)
Continue making kisses, buttering fingers and funnel, as needed.
Write a message on a small piece of paper, tape to a toothpick, then stick through the plastic wrap. Reshape as needed.
Yield: Approx. 3 dozen for 2 3/4″ diameter funnel Calories: 120 (per serving)
Happy Valentine’s Day
Northern News 