St. Valentine’s Day

Saint Valentine was a third-century Roman Christian who died on February 14. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle probably invented many of the romantic legends about Saint Valentine, in the fourteenth century. 

Valentine made by a student of mine.

It became a custom after that for a man to write a romantic poem to send to his beloved on St. Valentine's Day. Very fancy paper cards, with lace and ribbons, became popular in the 1840's, and that custom expanded into sending cards to Mom and Dad, and friends of all kinds.

Agenda today:
1. Journal:

In what condition are my friendships?

List the friends that I want to pay special attention to this month, those I feel distant from or whom I want to understand better and appreciate more; plan one small thing to do for each to nurture our relationship.

2. Make Valentines:

I like to make fancy valentines, and so over the year’s I have collected a big selection of valentine supplies: Doilies, ribbons, pink glitter glue, heart stamps and stickers, and special papers. 

One of my favorite supplies is an old date book with Victorian pictures that we cut up to use for collage.

Supplies: Piece of mat board (for the base), scissors, glue (glue stick, Tacky glue, and hot glue), special papers, collage pictures, doilies, ribbons, silk flowers, sequins, heart jewels, glitter glue, heart stamps and stickers, tissue paper 

A paper spring, made with 2 strips
of paper folded back and forth.

Paper spring in action

To Make:
1. Glue a doily, a collage picture, or a heart cut from special paper on to the backing.

2. Write a poem or saying on paper with fancy cursive- say something special.

3. Work for a layered look that will create depth- Be creative!

You can mount pieces out from the base with a paper spring, or create pieces that fold out.

4. Final touches: Add ribbons, flowers, lace, glitter, and stickers.

5. Make an envelope of tissue paper, stamped with hearts and seal with a heart sticker.

3. Make something sweet:
Try these Rice Krispies treats shaped like hearts! This is the classic recipe, but molded into a heart-shaped muffin tin.

Ingredients:

• oil 
• 3-Tbsp. margarine 
• 10 oz. package regular marshmallows (about 40) or 4-c. mini’s 
• 6-c Rice Krispies 
• M&M candies or cinnamon hearts 

1- Lightly coat heart muffin tin with oil and set it aside.

2- Melt the margarine in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

3- Add the cereal and quickly stir until evenly coated with marshmallow.

4- Spoon the mixture into the oiled muffin pan and press with oiled waxed paper, or with buttered fingers (once it starts to cool). If the mixture starts to harden, put it back on the burner.

5- Press candy on top to decorate. Place each heart in a clear plastic bag.

4. Housework:
February is a time of clearing away the excess to make room for growth. Clutter might give me the illusion that I have important things to do, but it adds one more layer of chaos and confusion to my life.

Now that I've gotten the mold in my house under control I can concentrate on clearing surfaces, sorting the stuff on my shelves, and donating things I no longer need. I take it one room at a time, and this week I will start in the bedroom:

• Clear out the closet, sort and re-arrange it.
• Throw out some papers and notebooks.
• Re-file my lesson plans (the in-basket is overflowing!)
• Give away some more books.