History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, gifts in the form of flowers, candy, jewelry, cards and much more are exchanged between loved ones. Did you know that the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred?
One legend is that Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' himself. While he was in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with the daugter of his jailor, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he alledgedly wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine', a sentiment still used today. Although the truth behind this legend and others is unclear, the stories do emphasize his appeal as a romantic figure. And by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Make Every Day Valentine's Day!!!
Here it is February 14th...Valentine's Day! I want to encourage each of you to not forget the feelings and sentiments of today, and make each and every day Valentine's Day! Tell your sweethearts you love them at least once every day. Every so often for no reason give them a card or little gift, just to show you love them! Happy Valentine's Day - Every Day!
Warning - Cupid is on the prowl!
Be Shirt Happy has just released new designs and products for Valentine's Day. We have t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, pillows, mugs, prints and many more products with great Valentine's Day designs. If you need something for your boyfriend or husband, or your girlfriend or wife, you can find great Valentine's Day gifts here! For your new baby we have "My 1st Valentine's Day" designs and cool message tees your teens and tweens will love. The Valentine's Day section has the perfect gift for your sweetheart! We also have anti-Valentine's Day designs. So if you think Love stinks, you can find it here as well! From the romantic, cute and sweet to the hilarious, funny and flirty!180 million
Number of Valentine's Day cards exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research) Check these Valentine's Day cards out!
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Great Stuff at BeShirtHappy
Buy Shirts. Be Happy. Be Shirt Happy.
Cupid Jr. Jersey T-Shirt
This beautiful message tee features the word 'Cupid' in a goreous red font with little hearts. Women will love wearing this cupid design this Valentine's Day!
Mommy's Little Valentine Infant/Toddler T-Shirt
Your son will look adorable in this Mommy's Little Valentine t-shirt. With this elephant holding a heart he can declare to the world he is Mommy's Little Valentine!
Superlover Baseball Jersey
This humorous baseball jersey features a superhero graphics with the text SuperLover on it. If you or that special guy you know is a "SuperLover" this is the jersey for you!
Love Stinks Ringer T
This ringer tee is perfect for you anti-Valentine's Day people. It features a graphics with two skunks and a heart with the text Love Stinks. Proudly show your "down with Valentine's Day!
Got love? Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt
Got love? This long sleeve dark sleeve asks just that question! Features a cool text that will make this message tee a big hit with all women, especially teens!
Sweet For My Sweets
More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day, according to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and National Confectioners Association.
Fun Chocolate Facts
- It's a comon myth that chocolate aggravates acne. Experiments conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Naval Academy found that consumption of chocolate--even frequent daily dietary intake--had no effect on the incidence of acne. Professional dermatologists today do not link acne with diet.
- Ten percent of U.S. recommended daily allowance of iron is found in one ounce of baking chocolate or cocoa.
- Consumers spend more than $7 billion a year on chocolate.
- Chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous 45 second shower scene in Alfred Hitchock's movie, 'Psycho' which actually took 7 days to shoot.
- New research is finding chocolate to be packed with high-quality antioxidants that may reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
- Chocolate is the food most commonly craved by women.
- The largest chocolate bar ever made weighted over 5,ooo pounds and was made in Italy in 2000. The largest slab of fudge was over 2,000 pounds and was made in Canada.
A rose is a rose...
Estimate number of roses produced for Valentine's Day in 2007: 214 million 48% of those are red roses. 63% of Valentine's Day floral purchases are by men. Check these out guys
. Women purchase flowers or plants to show they care for mothers, daughters and friends, as well as their sweethearts. Some women even treat themselves on Valentine's Day.Valentine's Day floral purchases by gender: 63% are made by men; 37% by women. Of rose-only purchases: 74% are made by men; 26% by women.
Proposals
All that sparkles...
With all these thoughts of marriage it's no wonder that in February 2005, jewelry stores in the United States sold $2.4 billion worth of merchandise, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Men if you want to propose or just give your sweetheart some bling
this Valentine's Day, she will love it! One of My Favorite All Time Love Songs
I Don't Know Much
Aaron Neville And Linda Rondstadt- I Don't Know Much
Old Love Song
Runtime: 3:32
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Set The Mood
The right music!
Ultimate Love Songs Collection - All My Love { Time Life } { Various Artists }
This CD has a lot of classic love songs! With my all time favorite 'I Don't Know Much' by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt!
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Truly: The Love Songs
I think Lionel Ritchie is one of the all time best singers of love songs!
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Slowhand
Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' is a great love song! The music is sexy and a great song to dance to this Valentine's Day!
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Greatest Hits
Steve Perry of Journey has one of the most beautiful voices and most of the songs from their 'Greatest Hits' CD would be perfect for Valentine's Day!
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Lost Highway
Bon Jovi's '(You Want To) Make A Memory' is a beautiful love song! This Valentine's Day you and your sweetheart can make a memory!
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Romantic Dinner...
Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This is a rich and juicy chicken. Very simple but your sweetheart will feel like you pulled out all the stops. It goes great with an asparagus risotto, and pairs well with white zinfandel. Finish it off with Individual Chocolate Lava Cakes. Enjoy!
55 min. 10 min. prep 4 servings
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
- Remove the stem of 2 sprigs of rosemary. Split the other 2 sprigs in half and save for garnish.
- Mix the now loose rosemary with the olive oil, wine, garlic and salt and pepper.
- Season both sides of the chicken with this marinade. Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 275. Spray or very lightly oil your bakeware.
- Place the marinated chicken in your bakeware, and place in oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove and sprinkle chicken with grated parmesan cheese and place back in the oven for another 13-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and garnish each chicken with a rosemary sprig. Enjoy!
A great side
A bit labor intensive but this recipe is well worth the work. Plenty of leftovers!
1 hour 15 min. prep 6-8 servings
1 1/2 lbs asparagus
5 cups canned low sodium chicken broth (about)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion
2 cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 sprig fresh rosemary (to garnish)
- Trim rough ends from asparagus; discard.
- Cut off asparagus tips and reserve.
- Cut stalks into 3/4 inch-long pieces.
- Place 2/3 of stalk pieces, 1 cup broth and 1 cup water in blender
reserving the remaining 1/3 of stalk pieces.
- Puree mixture until smooth.
- Set aside.
- Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add onion and saute until tender, about 8 minutes.
- Add rice and stir 1 minute.
- Add wine and cook until absorbed, stirring often, about 2 minutes.
- Add 1/2 cup broth and chopped rosemary, simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 4 minutes.
- Continue to cook for 15 minutes, adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls and allowing liquid to be absorbed before adding more, stirring often.
- Add reserved asparagus stalk pieces and reserved asparagus tips and continue cooking until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy; adding broth as needed and stirring often, about 10 minutes longer.
- Add reserved asparagus puree and stir until absorbed, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan and cream.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer risotto to bowl.
- Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.
- Serve, passing remaining Parmesan separately.
Dessert
A chocolate volcano!! For chocolate lovers, this small treat can be served with vainilla ice cream and raspberry for a more elegant look.
30 min 30 min prep 6 servings
1 1/2 bittersweet baking chocolate (60% Cacao)
2 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cake flour
- To make centers, melt chocolate and cream in double boiler. Whisk gently to blend. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Form into 6 balls; refrigerate until needed.
- To make cake, heat oven to 400°F. Spray six 4-ounce ramekins
or custard cups with cooking spray. Melt chocolate and butter in double boiler; whisk gently to blend. With an electric mixer, whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, and vanilla on high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and light. Fold melted chocolate mixture and flour into egg mixture just until combined. Spoon cake batter into ramekins. Place a chocolate ball in the middle of each ramekin.
- Bake about 15 minutes or until cake is firm to the touch. Let it sit out of the oven for about 5 minutes. Run a small, sharp knife around inside of each ramekin, place a plate on top, invert and remove ramekin. Garnish with raspberries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Romantic Reading
The 100 Best Love Poems of All Time
You are bound to find a poem you'll love in this book. My favorites, Shelly, Frost and Keats are included as well as many more of our history's greatest poets!
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Love in Verse: Classic Poems of the Heart
A beautiful book of poetry! Give this to your sweetheart for Valentine's Day and read aloud to her the poems.
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Dakota Home (Dakota Series #2)
If your sweetheart loves reading and enjoys love stories that are realistic she will love 'Dakota Home'! A very true to life romance.
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What I Love About You
The perfect gift for your sweetheart! Read to her from this book and fill in the blanks and you will bring the book to life for her.
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Romantic Movies
The Notebook (New Line Platinum Series)
One of my all time favorite romance movies! The perfect movie to watch with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, or any day!
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 08/08/2008)
The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)
This period piece is great because men will love it as much as women. So snuggle up and watch 'The illusionist'.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
Dirty Dancing (20th Anniversary Edition)
Definitely one of my all time favorite movies! Afterwards you and your sweetie can do a little dancing yourselves!
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 08/08/2008)
The Lake House (Widescreen Edition)
A riviting love story! You both will enjoy watching 'The Lake House'.
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 08/08/2008)
What Are You Expecting This Valentine's Day
Do you want your sweetheart to pull out all the stops and shower you with gifts, or are little tokens of love more your style?
Famous Events on February 14th
- 1849 - In New York City, James Knox Polk, becomes the first President
of the United States to have his photograph taken. - 1859 - Oregon is admitted as the 33rd U.S. state.
- 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent for the telephone.
- 1899 - Voting machines are approved by the U.S. Congress for use
in federal elections. - 1920 - The League of Women Voters is founded in Chicago, Illinois.
- 1924 - IBM corporation founded.
- 1929 - Valentine's Day Massacre : Seven gangsters rivaling
Al Capone are murdered in Chicago, Illinois. - 1980 - Walter Cronkite announces his retirement from CBS Evening News.
Gifts For Her
14k White Gold Diamond Heart Pendant (.05 ct, I-J Color, I2 Clarity)
You can show your sweetie how much you care with this beautiful heart pendant!
Amazon Price: (as of 08/08/2008)
All for Love
A great read for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day or any day!
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Gund 18-Inch Brighton Bear
If you want to give your sweetie a soft cuddly bear this is the perfect gift!
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
Green Tea Zen Calming Spa Bath and Body Gift Set - Gift Basket
Don't you think it's time your sweetheart pampers herself? This Green Tea Zen Calming Spa Set will do the trick!
Amazon Price: $69.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
To Do List
Get My Sweetheart A Gift For
Valentine's Day!
Buy Valentine Cards For Son's Class!
Valentine's Day Gifts For Him
Framed Matted Poem on Parchment - "To My Husband" for Valentines Day Gift Heart Love Wedding Marriage
Ladies, even men love poetry! Get him a sentimental gift this Valentine's Day!
Maxam 71pc SAE Pneumatic Air Tool Kit
Guys love tools! So what better gift for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day!
Wii Charge Station
This is a great gift for your husband or boyfriend if he already owns a Wii. This way he can keep his wii remotes charged, and will always have a remote ready to go!
Battlestar Galactica - Season One
If your sweetie loves the series 'Battlestar Galactica' get him the season one dvds so he can watch them anytime he wants.
Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech
Okay, if your man is like millions of other guys out there that can't ask for directions, then this is the gift for him! He will never get lost again!
Gifts For The Kids
Playskool Mr. Potato Head Valentine's Day Sweetheart Spud
Kids love Mr. Potato Head! So this Valentine's Day get them this Valentine's Day Sweetheart Spud!
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
Sweetheart Duckies
These Sweetheart Duckies will bring so much enjoyment to your children while taking their baths!
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 08/08/2008)
Shining Stars: Valentine Monkey
This soft and plush monkey is a great gift for your little ones this Valentine's Day!
Amazon Price: $7.50 (as of 08/08/2008)
GIANT 48" FRIENDLY TEDDY BEAR - HUGE SOFT JUMBO STUFFED PLUSH BEAR - PERFECT FOR VALENTINES DAY VALENTINE OR ANYTIME - COLOR: WHITE
Okay, this is a very special Valentine's Day gift! If you want to get something huge for the special kid in your life, this is the gift for you!
Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 08/08/2008)
Bee Mine Valentine Photo Magnet Frame Gift
This magnet Frame is great to put the picture of your little sweethearts in and send them to grandparents and more!
Amazon Price: $2.47 (as of 08/08/2008)
Gifts Your Kids Can Make
Here are some ideas your children can make for Valentine's Day for mommy and/or daddy that are free but priceless to the Mom and Dad!
Make A Handprint Poem
A Heart bouquet
Making their own gift wrap
What's Your Favorite Quotation About Love?
If you love famous quotations choose which of these 'love' quotations you like best. I've started the top 20 list so add your favorite love quote and see which one ends up on top!
Outward Together
Life has taught us that love does not consist in g more...1 point
Feeling Safe With a Person
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feel more...1 point
To Carry All My Love
A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my more...0 points
Touch of Love
At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. ~P more...0 points
To Be Desired
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly more...0 points
As the World Turns
Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what more...0 points
Romance
Isn't it amazing how an image can evoke such a romantic feeling. You cannot help but smile (at least on the inside) when looking at these images!
Walking and holding hands on the beach
A sunset beach wedding
Oooooh, what a romantic setting!
A romantic proposal
Watching the sunset together
A romantic embrace!
What Do The Stars Have In Store For You
If You Digg It!
Top Ten Duets
Which 10 videos do you think are the most romantic duets?
Do you have a favorite link about romance?
We all have favorite links we enjoy visiting and revisiting! Here are a few of my faves for all things romantic!
Romance (genre) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As a literary genre, romance or chivalric romance more...0 points
Lovingyou.com: Love, Romance and Relationship Resources
A collection of love, romance and relationships re more...0 points
Romance 101, The internets best free romance resource
Searching for free advice on love and romance. Try more...0 points