Valentine's Day

Lost and Found (A Valentine's Day Story)

2008-03-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

by: LeAnn R. Ralph

I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding ring and an engagement ring, there was only the narrow gold band.

"Randy!" I yelped. "My engagement ring is gone."

It was Valentine's Day, and my husband, Randy, and I were on our way from my niece's wedding, which had taken place in one town, to the reception, which was being held in another city about fifteen miles away.

If there hadn't been other cars behind us, I think my husband might have been tempted to slam on the brakes.

Of course, one of the things I have always admired about Randy is his ability to remain unruffled during a crisis. Like that time one winter when the landlord had arranged for contractors to build a sloped roof over the flat roof of a house we were renting, and the next thing you know, the snow trapped between the two roofs started melting, and then gallons of water began dripping into the house and THEN the ceiling caved in…

Or that summer when I had agreed to help teach a one-week summer school course at the university for high school students and had come down with a terrible case of the stomach flu on Monday, and Randy had cheerfully agreed to take my place. All week he divided his time between teaching the class and then rushing home to see if I needed anything…

Or the Thanksgiving right after my father had died and we were hauling home some of my parents' furniture—all that I had left in the world of both of them because my mother had died seven years earlier—and it had started to rain part of the way through our 250-mile journey. Randy stopped the pick-up truck we had borrowed from a friend to cut his shoelaces into pieces so he could tie the tarp down better to keep the furniture dry…

In each of those instances, my husband had been an unshakeable source of strength who came to my rescue.

And he didn't disappointment me this time.

"Where did you have the ring last?" Randy asked as he calmly kept driving.

I thought back over the hectic events of the day —

Let's see…just before we left the church, I was busy buttoning up my niece's train…and before that I was occupied with watching the ceremony and trying not to cry…and before that I had been busy pinning on corsages and boutonnieres while the photographer impatiently breathed down my neck, never mind that he was late getting to the church…

When HAD I last noticed I was wearing the blue topaz ring with the delicate gold swirl around the stone?

That was part of the problem. I was not accustomed to seeing the ring on my finger. A few years earlier, I had decided I would only wear it for special occasions. Between cold weather in the winter and gardening in the summer, I put on hand lotion about ten times a day, but if I don't take the topaz ring off every time, then the little crevices get all disgusting, and yet, I was afraid I would lose the ring if I kept taking if off…

"THAT'S IT!" I exclaimed. "Hand lotion!"

My husband gave me a sidelong glance. "Huh?

"Just before we got to the church, I took off my ring and laid it in my lap so I could get some more hand lotion, but I didn't put it back ON."

By this time we had nearly reached the reception hall.

"Check the floor," Randy suggested.

I frantically thrust aside the floor mat…but there was no ring.

Then I groped under the seat. No ring there, either.

Randy quietly asked the next logical question. "Did it somehow fall into your purse?"

I hurriedly checked my purse. Nope. No ring.

"Could it have fallen into your coat pocket?"

My coat had big, horizontal pockets…but…no ring.

"All right," Randy said, as he searched for a place to turn around, "that must mean it fell onto the ground when you got out of the car."

Fell on the ground!

I could feel my throat growing tighter. "What if somebody drove over it?" I wailed.

"Don't get yourself all worked up for nothing," Randy said soothingly.

"For NOTHING? But — it's my ring…the one you gave me when you asked me to marry you…"

Actually, Randy didn't give me the ring. Santa Claus did. In a crowded mall. In front of a group of parents who were there with their kids. When Randy got down on one knee, everyone applauded…

"We'll find your ring," my husband said. "Don't worry."

Although the drive back to the church seemed to take twice as long, we finally reached the parking lot.

"Now, let's see," Randy murmured, "we were parked over there…"

And before I could manage to unbuckle my seat belt, he had stopped the car, thrown open the door and…

"Here it IS!" my husband shouted triumphantly, scooping the ring off the ground.

If I'd felt like crying tears of consternation before, I felt like sobbing with relief now.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Randy said with a smile. "Hold out your hand."

As he slid the ring onto my finger, however, I noticed HIS hands were shaking. And not just a slight tremor.

I pointed this out to him.

"Yes, well," he said, "it's not every day your wife loses her ring in a parking lot and then you spend the next half hour hoping it didn't get stuck in somebody's tire treads."

I stared at him in disbelief.

Oh, sure. For years I've been under the impression that the man didn't have a nerve in his body — that nothing ever rattled him.

And now this.

Then again, it also means that I have discovered one more reason to admire my husband. Even when he's rattled, he can still think calmly in a crisis.

If only he could teach me to do the same thing.

********************

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book, Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003). She is working on her next book, Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam, which will be available later in 2004. Share the view from Rural Route 2 — http://ruralroute2.com
bigpines@ruralroute2.com

A Valentine's Day Story

2008-03-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

by: Candee Stark

Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22 to be exact, I was a senior in high school. Just prior to Valentine's Day our student council representative got on the intercom during morning announcements and told us about an upcoming fundraiser.

Student council was going to sell carnations for an entire week. It was further explained that there would be three colors available: red, pink, and white.

Red was to signify love, pink said, "I really like you" and white was for friendship. The carnations could be ordered ahead of time but wouldn't be delivered until Valentine's Day during homeroom. The whole school buzzed with excitement over the prospect of it. Everyone discussed it but the girls couldn't contain themselves as they wondered which lucky girl would get the most red ones. Little snippets of conversations could be heard floating through the hallways:

"I bet she will send some to him!"
"I am going to send her six red ones!"
"Do you think he will send one to me?"
"I am going to get a white one for each of my friends."
"Do you think he will send her a pink one or a red one?"
"I wonder who will get the most?"

The conversations continued in this manner until the first day of sales. On that particular day a certain group of girls started gossiping and acting cruel. I am sure you might be able to imagine the kind of girls I am talking about as they can be found in every high school across America.

They view themselves as pretty, perfect and popular but in truth are very shallow and unhappy individuals. I had a feeling you would know what I meant! Anyway, these girls aimed their barbs towards another girl in our class. This girl was neither homely, nor attractive but she had such non-distinctive looks that she kind of just blended into her surroundings.

In fact when I really think about it, nothing about her looks nor the way she acted warranted much attention. She was quiet and to my knowledge never said anything unkind about anyone. I knew she was a good student because I sat close enough to her in a few of my classes to notice that her papers were always branded with A's when they were handed back to her.

In voices just loud enough to be heard, they mentioned this girl by name and joked that they knew for sure she wouldn't get a single flower. The girl just lowered her head and pretended not to hear but I knew she did. It broke my heart to witness their gross display of humor as they mocked her over and over that day and in fact, for the rest of the week. I toyed with the idea of sending the girl a white carnation but I must admit that I wasn't brave enough. I knew what they were doing was wrong but I didn't know what to do, so like everyone else, I did nothing.

The big day finally arrived and I was excited as everyone else but a little nervous too. What if I didn't have a single carnation delivered to me during homeroom. I knew if that happened, I would die of embarrassment! I had ordered a white carnation for each of my friends and I was secretly hoping that they at least did the same for me. Of course there was a certain boy I was hoping to get one from too!

That day we were told that the fundraiser was a huge success and that homeroom would need to be extended so all of the flowers could be delivered. Each member of the student council was armed with carnations and they roamed from room to room delivering the blooms. I chatted with my friend for what seemed like an eternity before our door was opened for the first time.

We held a collective breath and exhaled in unison as only one flower was delivered, a white one for my homeroom teacher! The student council members continued to come in and out of our room. Our first big delivery was 4 carnations for a boy sitting to my right. I couldn't believe a boy was the first one in the room to get red! The carnations continued to trickle in.

After receiving 3 white carnations and realizing I wouldn't have to die from embarrassment of not getting any, my attention was drawn to the girl next to me. You know the one I mean, the smart one that the other girls had harassed all week. She sat perfectly still with her hands folded in front of her on her desk. I wondered if I should lean over and give her one of my flowers but I didn't want to embarrass her. It was during these musings when I saw three red carnations being placed on her desk. She looked up and smiled but just continued to sit there; she didn't even reach out and touch them! I wasn't the only one that had noticed either; people were starting to whisper and point in her direction.

I could tell the other girls were a bit jealous because not a single girl in the class had received more than one red carnation at this point. Then things really started to get wild. Each time a student council member came in, at least one of the carnations in their stack was for her and they were all red!

At this point as best as I could tell, she had 7 red carnations stacked neatly on her desk. The class started getting a little rowdy and each time a red carnation was placed on her desk, we all cheered. OK, the boys cheered, the girls mostly just glared.

I knew I was witnessing something great and I tried to seek out the "gossip girls" just to see their reactions to this unexpected twist of events. There were three of them in our class and two of them had a few pink and white carnations on their desk and the third had a handful of white ones. I was thrilled by what was happening but I had to also wonder who had sent her all of the carnations....did she have a secret admirer?

My thoughts were interrupted by the crackle of the intercom and the voice of our principal wishing us a Happy Valentine's Day. He went on to explain that all of the carnations had been distributed and then in his long-winded manner, thanked the Student Council for a job well done.

I heard a commotion behind me as one of the "gossip girls" got up out of her chair and ran out of the room. I heard later that one of the boys teased her about not getting any red carnations which made her start to cry. I didn't even feel bad for her as my attention was focused on the pile of red carnations sitting on the desk next to me. What I noticed next was the smile on the girl's face. It truly was a great day!

I don't know for sure but I heard she was given 24 red carnations that day. We don't know who gave them to her but I am glad someone did. I will never forget her nor will I forget that day. Oh, I did fairly well too. I received a handful of white carnations and I got a special pink one. Yes, it was from a guy, not the guy I was secretly hoping to get one from but from a great friend of mine that was hoping to make my day special. And you know what? It was special!

About The Author

If you have been inspired by my story and would like to send flowers to a loved one this Valentine’s day, please visit me at http://www.flowers-and-garden.com/valentines-day-flowers.html

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lao Tzu

2008-02-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

Valentine Love Quotes

Bayard Taylor

2008-02-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Valentine Love Quotes

Valentine Recipe References : Burger

2008-02-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

The World's Five Best Burger Recipes. Really.
By: Daniel Z. Kane

Everybody loves burgers cooked in the backyard. But, you can't eat the same old burgers all the time, so here are the 5 best burger recipes I could find. I have cooked and enjoyed them all. See how they sound to you.

Grilled Inside-Out Southwestern Cheeseburgers- Serves 4

Betty Crocker comes through more than Michael Jordan did. This recipe comes from bettycrocker.com, her website.

Here's what you will need:

one and a half lb lean ground beef two tablespoons finely chopped onion two tablespoons drained Old El Paso chopped green chiles eight slices pepper Jack cheese, 2x1x1/4 inch (about four oz) four kaiser rolls, split a quarter cup Old El Paso taco sauce or Old El Paso Thick 'n Chunky salsa

To prepare:

Heat gas or charcoal grill. In medium bowl, mix beef, onion and chiles. Shape mixture into 8 thin patties. Top each of 4 patties with 2 slices cheese. Place remaining beef patties on top; pinch edges to seal securely. Place patties on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 14-16 minutes, turning once, until burgers are slightly firm when pressed in center. Add rolls, cut sides down, for last 4 minutes of grilling or until toasted. Serve burgers on rolls with taco sauce.

Zesty Burgers- For 4

I found this great recipe at http://southernfood.about.com.

You will need:

1 to 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef 1/4 cup onion, chopped 2 tablespoons green pepper, finely chopped 3 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons prepared mustard 1 dash pepper toppings 4 split toasted buns

Preparation:

Combine lean ground beef with onion, green pepper, ketchup, horseradish, salt, mustard, and pepper; mix lightly. Shape into 4 patties about 1/2 inch thick. Grill or broil to desired doneness, about 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Serve with a variety of toppings and split toasted buns.

Texas Stuffed Grilled Burgers- Serves 5 People

I found this mouth watering recipe at allrecipes.com.

Get together:

5 pounds lean ground beef 6 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons hickory seasoning (optional) salt and pepper to taste 2 cups chopped onion 2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms 2 cups chopped cooked ham 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Preparation directions:

Preheat your grill for high heat. When hot, oil the grate lightly. In an appropriately sized bowl, mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, hickory seasoning, salt and pepper until everything well blended together. Hand shape between 8 and 10 balls, and then flatten them into patties for grilling. On half of the patties (4-5), distribute the onions, the mushrooms, the chopped ham and the cheddar cheese. Cover the piles with the remaining patties, making certain to enclose the filling and to tightly seal the patties together. Grill the 4-5 patties for somewhere between 8 and 10 minutes on each side, or until the cheese in the middle has melted and the burger is well done.

Marinated Hamburgers

This unique recipe comes from razzledazzlerecipes.com.

The ingredients you'll need:

3 T. Lemon Juice 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 T. soy sauce 1 T. A-1 sauce 1 T. oil 1/2 C. beef broth 1 tsp. Heinz 57 sauce 1/4 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. vinegar

To prepare:

Combine the ingredients.

Take 1 1/2 lbs hamburger and shape into patties.

Place the patties in a covered container and pour marinade mixture on them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

Remove from marinade and sear over high heat to seal in the juices.

Mushroom Stuffed Burgers- serves 6 people

Another tip of the hat to razzledazzlerecipes.com for this recipe. I've added them to my favorites list.

You will need:

a pound and a half of hamburger a quarter cup of finely diced onion two eggs, beaten lightly three quarters of a cup of soft bread crumbs a quarter cup of ketchup one half teaspoon of salt an eighth of a teaspoon of pepper two tablespoons butter one half pound of sliced mushrooms six Swiss cheese slices

Prepare as follows:

Mix together the first 7 ingredients. Create a dozen patties, each about a quarter of an inch in thickness. Lightly saute the mushrooms in the butter. Put the sauteed mushrooms on 6 of the patties. Then top with the remaining 6 patties, sealing the edges tightly.

Grill or broil the patties to your preference. Top them with cheese. Serve on toasted buns.

I hope you will enjoy all five burgers as much as I do. And, if you want even more variety in your backyard cooking, you can find many more good burger recipes on the net.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Daniel Z. Kane, when not eating burgers, is an educator with websites dealing with subjects like online colleges and online degrees.
Get your own completely unique content version of this article.

Valentine Recipe References : Cake 3

2008-02-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

Black Forest Cake Recipe
By: David Slon

Black Forest Cake, is a chocolate cake with a strong cherry element to it which is popular throughout North America.

Called Schwarzwälderkirschtorte in German, which means Black Forest Cherry Torte (torte is the German word for cake).

The origin of this cake in unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the late 16th century in the Black Forest Region (Der Schwarzwald in German) located in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The area is known for its sour cherries and Kirsch or Kirschwasser (a double distilled, clear cherry brandy made from the sour Morello cherry).

It is a chocolate layer cake with Kirsch, whipped cream, sour cherries and chocolate curls.

Ingredients:

Cake

4oz Irish butter
8oz brown sugar
4oz plain chocolate
7oz self-raising flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 pint sour cream
3 tablespoons strong cold black coffee
2 eggs
pinch of salt

Pastry Base

4oz cream flour
pinch of salt
2oz icing sugar
2oz/ Irish butter
1 egg yolk
a few drops of vanilla essence

Other:

1 pint cream
1lb tin black cherries
4 table spoons black cherry jam
brandy or cherry juice
4oz grated chocolate

Directions:

Cake:

Cream butter and sugar together well.

Melt the chocolate and beat into the creamed mixture, then mix in the eggs.

Sift flour, salt and cinnamon together.

Fold the dry mix lightly into the liquids, then fold in the sour cream and cold coffee.

Into a lined and greased 9-inch round, deep tin pour the cake mixture and bake for 1 hour, 25 minutes.

Set to cool on a wire rack.

Pastry Base:

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and bind until the mixture stiffens.

Roll the pastry onto a floured board worktable until pastry is about the same size as the base of the tin.

Lay out on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Assembly:

Whip cream until it holds its shape.

Put some cream into pastry piping bag with a star pipe attached, and reserve this for the decoration.

Slice the cake into 3 equal-sized layers.

Drain the cherries, reserve 8 for decoration and remove the stones from the remainder.

Put pastry on serving plate and spread the pastry with black cherry jam.

Soak the cakes with sprit used.

Put one layer of cake on top of coated pastry.

Spread a layer of cream with half the stoned cherries.

Put the second layer of cake and add another layer of cream and cherries.

Add the final layer of the cake.

mask the entire cake with the remaining cream and press on the grated chocolate. Decorate the top with piped rosettes of cream and the reserved whole black cherries.

Tips:

Using 3 identical cake pans instead of 1 large is OK.

Margarine, vegetable oil or regular butter will substitute for Irish butter.

In some countries the brandy is often replaced by rum, in Germany itself it is almost always replaced by Kirschwasser.

This recipe did not come with a temperature to bake at for either the pastry or cake. Cakes usually work at between 325°F and 400°F (160°C and 205°C). Pastries usually work at between 350°F and 425°F (175°C and 220°C).

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

For more recipes you can use at home or publish on your own website, ezine, newsletter or blog visit Good Cook dessert recipes. Food and drink are two of the great pleasures in life. eat and drink @ mwnch provides recipes and discussion to help you to get the greatest pleasure from them. To us that means sourcing the finest seasonal, local and where appropriate organic produce and ingredients.

Valentine Recipe References : Menu 2

2008-02-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

More Romantic Recipes for Valentine's Day
By: Noraini Maskuri

Here's another idea for a special Valentine's Day meal that you can prepare at home for that special someone. Get your creative juices going and cook your own Valentine dinner. This is the second of 4-part series of ideas. This combo uses potato as salad, shrimp and pasta for main dish, ginseng fudge for dessert, and a special Valentine punch.

Pink Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

* 4 potatoes
* 1/2 cup milk (heated in the microwave)
* 4 tablespoons butter
* Salt and pepper
* Red food color

Directions:

Peel potatoes and cut into 10-12 pieces, put in pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and cook for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Turn off the stove, pour the potatoes into a colander and shake to remove the water. Cut the potatoes in a bowl; with an electric mixer or beater, beat the potatoes, butter and a little salt and pepper, adding the milk while you mix. Add food color carefully until it is a pretty color

Champagne Shrimp and Pasta

Ingredients:

* 8 ounces angel hair pasta
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
* 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
* 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 1/2 cup champagne
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons minced shallots
* 2 plum tomatoes, diced
* 1 cup heavy cream
* salt and pepper to taste
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 6 to 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan. Cook and stir mushrooms in oil until tender. Remove mushrooms from pan, and set aside. Combine shrimp, champagne, and salt in the frying pan, and cook over high heat. When liquid just beginning to boil, remove shrimp from pan. Add shallots and tomatoes to champagne; boil until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup,for about 8 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup cream and boil until slightly thick, for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and mushrooms to sauce, and heat through. Adjust seasonings to taste. Toss hot, cooked pasta with the remaining 1/4 cup cream and parsley. To serve, spoon shrimp with sauce over pasta, and top with Parmesan cheese.

Valentines Love Fudge

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup margarine or butter
* 3 cups sugar
* 1 (5oz) can evaporated milk
* 1 package (12oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 jar marshmallow creme
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 3 capsules ginseng (available at drug stores and health food stores)

Directions:

Lightly grease a 13X9 inch baking dish. Mix margarine, sugar and milk in a large heavy saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Stir constantly. Turn offthe heat and stir in chocolate chips. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Pour into baking dish and let it set up at room temperature.

Cranberry Valentine Punch

Ingredients:

* 1 quart cranberry juice
* 1 quart apple juice
* 1 can (6 oz. size) frozen orange juice
* 2 small sticks cinnamon
* 6 whole cloves
* Sugar to taste

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

If you like these ideas, look out for the next meal combo for your special Valentine dinner.

Valentine's Day Recipes

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Noraini Maskuri has professional training in bakery, enjoys cooking and experimenting with recipes. She own a cookery site, to receive free Valentine Recipe eCookbook , please visit : www.mycookery.com/blog/

Valentine Recipe References : Menu 3

2008-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Romantic Recipes for Romantic Souls
By: Noraini Maskuri

Here's the third idea for a special Valentine's Day meal that you can prepare at home for that special someone. Get your creative juices going and cook your own Valentine dinner. This combo uses fruits as salad, beef tenderloin for main dish, chocolate chip tart for dessert, and a special Valentine juice.

Pink Frozen Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 quart strawberry ice cream, softened
* 1/2 cup miracle whip
* 2 cans (17 oz size) fruit cocktail, drained
* 1/3 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Combine cream cheese, ice cream and salad dressing, mixing until well blended. Fold in fruit and nuts. Pour into 9-inch square pan.

Freeze until firm. Chill until serving.

Valentine`s Day Beef Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn-Brandy Sauce for Two

Ingredients:

* 2 (8 oz. ea) beef tenderloins
* salt and pepper
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
* 1 Tbl. green peppercorns
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons brandy
* 2 tablespoons chopped chives for garnish

Directions:

Salt and pepper beef on both sides. Heat butter in medium skillet on medium heat. Add beef; cook 5 min; turn, cook another 5 min. Remove to platter; tent with foil to keep warm. In same skillet, add shallots and peppercorns. Cook 2 min. or until soft. Add broth, mustard, cream and brandy. Cook 5 min. or until reduced to 1/2. Place beef on serving plates. Top with sauce, garnish with chopped chives.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Tarts for Two

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping -- thawed
* 2 large bakery-style chocolate chip cookies
* 2 kiwi fruit -- peeled and sliced
* 2 strawberries -- sliced
* 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening

Directions:

Spread 1/4 cup whipped topping over each cookie. Arrange kiwi fruit slices around the outer edge of cookies over whipped topping, then place strawberry slices in the centers.

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over tarts and serve immediately.

Cherries Valentine

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cup cherries -- pitted
* 2 medium peaches -- halved and pitted
* 2 medium oranges -- juiced
* OR
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* 4 orange wedges
* 4 cherries with stems

Directions:

Place cherries and peaches in a blender with orange juice. Blend at medium speed until creamy. Pour mixture into custard glasses.

Top each glass with an orange wedge and a whole cherry. Serve immediately. Otherwise, store in the fridge with each custard glass tightly covered. Will keep for 3 to 5 days.

If you like these ideas, look out for the next meal combo for your special Valentine dinner.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Noraini Maskuri has professional training in bakery, enjoys cooking and experimenting with recipes. She own a cookery site, to receive free Valentine Recipe eCookbook , please visit : www.mycookery.com/blog/

Valentine Recipe References : Menu 4

2008-02-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Menu
By: Noraini Maskuri

If you want to make a difference this Valentine, try cooking that special meal for your loved one. Express your Valentine wishes in a different way by preparing a theme valentine recipes. Or you can do it together, isn't that a great way to kickstart a great romance or rekindle an old one.

Strawberries In Red Wine

* 3/4 cup Fresh Strawberries
* 1 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
* 1 teaspoon Orange Flavored Liqueur
* 1/2 teaspoon Cognac
* Red Wine

For each serving, spoon 3/4 of a cup quartered fresh strawberries into a large wine glass. Sprinkle with 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon orange-flavored liqueur and 1/2 teaspoon Cognac. Fill each glass with red wine to cover the berries. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Steak Lover`s Fettuccini Alfredo

* 1 ounce clarified butter
* 4 ounces beef tenderloin tips
* 1 cup broccoli, red pepper, portabella strips
* 1/4 cup corn, scallion, red and green peppers (small diced)
* 1 tablespoon fresh garlic
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan
* 8 ounces cooked pasta
* 1 tablespoon sliced green onion

Heat butter. Sear meat and add veggies. Add heavy cream and reduce down. Add Parmesan cheese. When it begins to thicken add to pasta. Serve hot, topped with scallions and Parmesan cheese.

Or if you prefer fish, you can opt for Salmon steaks for the main dish:

Special Salmon Steaks

* 2 salmon steaks
* 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced thinly
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/3 cup sherry
* 1 cup cream
* 1/2 cup chicken stock
* 2 ounces capers
* 2 tablespoons parsley

Saute the mushrooms in the butter until thoroughly cooked but not yet browning.

Add the sherry and let simmer until the alcohol has evaporated. Add the cream and chicken stock. Thoroughly rinse the capers (they're usually purchased in brine and you don't want the acidic taste) and add to sauce Broil the salmon steaks - about 5-7 minutes a side, depending on thickness. The sauce should simmer while the steaks are cooking, to thicken it a bit. when the salmon is cooked pour the sauce over to serve. Extra sauce is great on potatoes.

Ultimate Valentine's Day Cookie

* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 tablespoon white vinegar
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 6 drops red food color

Creamy Decorator's Frosting

* 2 cups powdered sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 tablespoons milk or half-and-half

Heat oven to 400 F. Beat powdered sugar, butter and vinegar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except food color. Divide dough in half. Mix food color into one half. (If dough is too dry, stir in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.)

Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Cut into heart shapes with various sizes of cookie cutters. Place smaller hearts on larger hearts of different color dough if desired. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool 1 to 2 minutes; carefully remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. If desired, decorate with white and pink Creamy Decorator's Frosting.

Creamy Decorator's Frosting: Stir together all ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Tint with food color if desired.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Noraini Maskuri has professional training in bakery, enjoys cooking and experimenting with recipes. She own a cookery site, to receive free Valentine Recipe eCookbook , please visit : www.mycookery.com/blog/

Valentine Recipe References : Cream Cheese

2008-02-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

Cream Cheese Recipes
By: Audrey Okaneko

When I think of cream cheese, I immediately think of bagels. I love bagels and cream cheese. However cream cheese is wonderful in many other recipes.

I think one of my favorite recipes is crab and cream cheese wontons. Although meant as an appetizer, I can easily devour a dozen of them leaving no room for the actual dinner.

Crab and Cream Cheese Wontons

4 ounces of crab meat (you can use fresh or canned)
2 ounces cream cheese (solid is best, not whipped)
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons chives
Small dish of water
Wonton wrappers

Mix the crab, cream cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and chives together. Taste and adjust seasoning to your taste.

Put a spoonful of mixture into each wonton shell. Use water to moisten the edges and fold into triangles.

When ready to eat, heat in oil until brown on both sides.

Another of my favorite recipes using cream cheese is this recipe for chocolate cupcakes, using cream cheese to make them very moist:

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

1 package chocolate cake mix (any brand)
1 package cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup mini chocolate chips (I always use milk chocolate, as I like the cupcakes sweet)

Preheat oven to 350F. Put cupcake papers into pan. Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat egg and add to sugar mixture, mix well. Gently mix in the chocolate chips. Fill cupcake cases 1/2 full of chocolate cake batter. Then add 1 full teaspoon of cream cheese mixture to center. Top with more chocolate cake batter. Cupcake cups should be 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched in center.

Note: You can use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips for a wonderful peanut butter and chocolate taste.

And finally, a wonderful cream cheese dip to serve with either crackers or vegetables:

Horseradish & Cream Cheese Dip

2 packages (3 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use low fat)
1/4 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste (experiment using both white and black pepper)
6 slices of bacon, crumbled
Mix the cream cheese, horseradish, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Add bacon pieces and mix. Refrigerate over night so flavors can blend.

This is just a small sample of what you can do with cream cheese as your main ingredient in recipes.

Bon Appetite!!

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Audrey’s mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at www.recipe-barn.com

Valentine Recipe References : Cake 2

2008-02-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

Easy Chocolate Cake Recipes
By: Audrey Okaneko

Who doesn’t love chocolate cake? I think one of my favorite cakes is chocolate cake with a raspberry filling and white frosting.

I’m always on the lookout for non dairy chocolate recipes. I found a very easy to make non dairy chocolate cake recipe that gets compliments every single time:

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 vegetable shortening, or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar (do not use other vinegars, must be “cider vinegar”)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add shortening and mix in. Add vinegar to water and then add to the rest of mixture a little bit at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix. Pour into greased/wax paper-lined cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

If you like sour cream, this recipe is wonderful. The sour cream helps make the cake moist and gives it a wonderful flavor:

16 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate (I melt the chocolate very lightly in the microwave)
1/4 cup butter softened
1 2/3 cups boiling water
2 1/3 cups flour
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. In large bowl, mix chocolate, butter and water. Stir until mixture is smooth. Add flour, sugar, sour cream, eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Using electric mixer beat on low until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until center is done.

If you don’t like sour cream, try mayonnaise. The mayonnaise leaves the cake very moist and with a wonderful taste that most folks just can’t quite place. Do not substitute Miracle Whip or other salad dressing for the mayonnaise. The cakes do not taste quite right.

These are just two of the many recipes to make delicious yet easy chocolate cakes.

Bon Appetite!!

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Audrey’s mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at www.recipe-barn.com

Valentine Recipe References : Fudge

2008-02-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

Fudge Recipes
By: Jill S

This is one of those fudge recipes that my mom has made ever since I can remember. When I was lucky and none of my other siblings were around, she would let me eat the bits of chocolate left in the bowl. We always used to call it “licking the bowl” at my house. Always one of the best parts of being able to bake with mom. I have had a lot of fudge and none of it has ever compared to this fudge recipe that my mom always made. I do not know if it is because mom made it or because it is a good fudge recipe. Perhaps a bit of both. I hope you get to share it with someone special.

Fudge

2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Combine butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. (Start timing when mixture starts to bubble around the edges of the pan.) Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows, chocolate, vanilla, and nuts. Stir vigorously for 1 minute. Pour into an 8-inch square buttered pan. Cool in the refrigerator. Cut into squares.

This fudge recipe is for the peanut butter lover in your house. It is a recipe that is also pretty easy to make.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

1 cup peanut butter chips
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Put foil in an 8-inch square pan. In a microwave safe bowl, put the peanut butter chips, 2/3 cup of the sweetened condensed milk, and all of the butter. In another microwave safe bowl, put in the chocolate chips and the rest of the sweetened condensed milk. Microwave the peanut butter mixture on high for one minute or until the mixture is smooth when stirred. Then add in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to that mixture. Pour the mixture into the pan. Put the chocolate chip mixture in the microwave for one minute on high heat or until the mixture is smooth when stirred. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to that mixture and pour it over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate and cut into squares when firm.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Jill Seader shares her favorite candy recipes and other baking recipes along with her stories at www.YourBakingStory.com. She also invites you to share your own baking recipes and stories. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Cookies 3

2008-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Classic Cookie Recipes
By: Jill S

Chocolate Chip Cookies

There is nothing quite like a fresh chocolate chip cookie. This particular recipe has become my favorite over the years. It is soft and chewy and full of chocolate. Whenever I make this, I always have memories of coming home from school to a house filled with the smell of chocolate chip cookies. All five of us with chocolate smeared all over our faces. Great memories!

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 packages (12 ounce) semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugars in a large bowl. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract. In a different bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips. Roll into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

My husband is not a sweets man but he loves these cookies. The first time I made these it was for some friends. They almost all disappeared in one night! My husband and another friend of ours (also not a sweets man) were eating these the way I eat chocolate (with both hands, one right after the other). Whenever I make these, I always find my husband sneaking one when he thinks I am not looking. He will just look at me, smile sheepishly and say, "What? They're good." Ah yes, the highest compliment any baker can receive. :-)

3 eggs
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat the eggs, stir in the vanilla extract, and then stir in the raisins. Refrigerate this mixture for at least one hour.

1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups oats (quick cooking kind)

In a large bowl, mix together the shortening and sugars. Add in the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add in the raisin mixture and the oats. Roll it into balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 10 to 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Come share your own baking recipes and stories with Jill Seader at her website, www.YourBakingStory.com. Every baking recipe Jill shares on her website comes with a piece of the story behind the recipe. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Cake 1

2008-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Marble Cheesecake
By: Jill S

The almond extract used in this recipe gives this cheesecake a tasty difference.

Crust:
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and divided

Filling:
3 (8 ounce) packages softened cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
5 eggs
1 cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix together the crust ingredients, except for the chocolate, in a bowl. After thoroughly mixed, add in 2 tablespoons of the chocolate. Put the crust mixture into a springform pan and press down. Put it in the oven for 10 minutes. Take it out of the oven and then change the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Beat the sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the flour, vanilla, and almond extract. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and mix just until blended. Add in the sour cream. Take out 1 1/2 cups of the filling mixture and put it in a bowl. Add the remaining chocolate to that mixture. Put half of the white filling over the crust and then dot top with 8 spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture. Put the rest of the white topping over that and dot the top with the rest of the chocolate mixture. Swirl the filling with a table knife to create the marbling. Put the pan in a larger pan. Put boiling water in the larger pan and put both pans into the oven. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until the center is set. Allow the cheesecake to cool for 10 minutes. Loosen the cake from the edges of the pan with a table knife and remove the sides. Allow to cool for 2 hours and then refrigerate. It should be refrigerated for 8 hours or more before serving.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Jill Seader has a passion for baking and sharing baking recipes. Visit her website at YourBakingStory.com for more baking recipes and to share your own story and recipe. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Brownies

2008-02-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

Unique Brownie Recipes
By: Jill S

Pineapple Brownies Recipe

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
2 (1 ounce) squares chocolate, melted and cooled
1/2 cup chopped nuts

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Add in vanilla and mix well. Add the dry ingredients to the mixture. Put one cup of the mixture and the pineapple into a small bowl. Mix well. To the other dough mixture, add in the melted chocolate and nuts. Mix well. In a 9 x 13-inch pan, spread out 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate mixture. Put the pineapple mixture on top of it. Drop by teaspoonfuls the rest of the chocolate mixture on top of the pineapple one and spread the chocolate mixture so that it covers the pineapple one. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 25 minutes.

Black and White Brownies Recipe

White layer:
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup coconut
2/3 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons cream

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Add the oatmeal and cocoanut. Add the melted butter and cream. Mix well. Put mixture in a 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Chocolate layer:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts

In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter together. Allow to cool while you mix the other ingredients. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, and chocolate mixture. Add the dry ingredients to this mixture. Add in the nuts and vanilla and beat until the mixture is smooth. Spread the chocolate layer over the white one. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Jill Seader shares more fun, free baking recipes at her website, YourBakingStory.com. Come enjoy the baking recipes and share one of your own. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Pudding

2008-02-04T10:02:00.000-08:00

Coconut pudding
By: Brian Sm

Coconut pudding

4 cups milk
1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup grated coconut
cinnamon sticks
3/4 cup cornstarch

Servings: 10
Preparation Time: 1 Hr. 45 Min.
Cooking Time: 45 Min.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COCONUT PUDDING

mix the milk, the sugar, the grated coconut and
the cinnamon sticks in a pot. Cook on low flame
and stir constantly until it boils.

In a separate container, add the remaining milk
and the cornstarch until it is dissolved. Then
add it to the previous mixture and stir it.
Continue cooking on low fire until it gets thick;
continue for 10 minutes as you continue stirring
it.

Let it to rest and pour the mix in individual
portions into glasses or into a big mold. Put the
container in the fridge and wait for at least 3
hours before serving.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

More infos about Coconut pudding

Valentine Recipe References : Cheese Sticks

2008-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Cheese Sticks
By: Brian Sm

Cheese sticks

2 cups wheat flour
2 cups milk cream
1 tsp salt
2 bars margarine
1 cup grated cheese (manchego, chihuahua, cheddar,
or american)
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup sesame seeds

Servings: 40
Preparation Time: 50 Min.
Cooking Time: 40 Min.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHEESE STICKS

mix the flour, salt, and margarine (cut into
pieces) in a tray. Mix using your hands until the
margarine is well integrated and the flour gets a
sandy texture. Add the cream and 1/4 cup of milk,
kneading with a wooden ladle and then with the
hand until the dough becomes elastic; then use a
rolling pin to spread the dough over a surface
covered with flour (let it half-centimeter thick).
Spread half of the cheese over the dough and
fold it in half, and then fold again. Spread
again and repeat the process. Once you?ve spread
it, varnish it with whipped egg, sprinkle with
the sesame seeds, and cut it into strips. Place
them in cookie-baking trays and bake for 30
minutes at 430 degrees fahrenheit.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

More infos about our recetas mexicanas

Valentine Recipe References : Pies 2

2008-02-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Ice Cream Pie Recipes
By: Jill S

Chocolate Ice Cream Pie
(Perfect recipe for chocolate/peanut/peanut butter lovers.)

1/4 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cup Rice Krispies
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup fudge sauce
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1 quart vanilla ice cream (slightly softened)
1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts

In a small saucepan, combine the 1/4 cup corn syrup, brown sugar and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and add in the Rice Krispies. Allow to cool slightly and then press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan. Put it in the refrigerator to chill. While it is chilling, combine the peanut butter, fudge sauce, and 3 tablespoons corn syrup. Mix well and pour half of the mixture on the bottom of the pie crust. Spread the ice cream over the chocolate mixture in the crust. Then spread the rest of the chocolate mixture over the ice cream. Sprinkle the peanuts over the top and put it in the freezer. Allow mixture to freeze overnight. Put the pie out for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so it cuts easier.

Malted Milk Ball Pie
(Perfect recipe for the malted milk ball lover in your life.)

1 pint vanilla ice cream (slightly softened)
1/2 cup crushed malted milk balls
2 tablespoons milk, divided
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
3 tablespoons chocolate malted milk powder
3 tablespoons marshmallow topping
1 cup whipping cream
crushed malted milk balls (enough to sprinkle over the top)

Put the ice cream in a medium bowl that has been chilled in the refrigerator. Add the 1/2 cup crushed malted milk balls and one tablespoon of the milk to the ice cream. Mix together well. Put the ice cream mixture into the graham cracker crust. Put the pie in the freezer. While the pie is freezing, combine the chocolate malted milk powder, marshmallow topping, and the other one tablespoon of milk together in a medium bowl. Add the whipping cream and whip the mixture together until soft peaks form. Take the pie out of the freezer and spread this mixture over the top. Freeze overnight and then sprinkle the crushed malted milk balls over the top just before serving.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Find free baking recipes at Jill Seader’s site, YourBakingStory.com. You can also submit your own baking recipe and story for others to enjoy. Even get recipe scrapbooking tools to create your own story. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Gift in a Jar

2008-02-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

Gift in a Jar
By: Paul Hudson

Gift in a Jar

A gift in a jar is a fun and affordable gift that can not only bring a smile to the face of the gifts receiver but to the giver as well.

Most gift jar recipes are best suited for a standard quart jar. Either a small or large mouth opening is fine. Though, I find that a large mouth works easier for getting the ingredients in. In addition to a quart jar and lid, you will need a large rubber band, piece of
material 8x8 square, and a ribbon to decorate.

After filling the jars, place the material on the lid and put the rubber band around it to secure it in place. Tie with decorative ribbon and tie the recipe card to the ribbon for the directions on how to bake the ingredients. If you have a printer, print out the tag onto a colorful piece of paper or onto adhesive paper. When putting in the ingredients, make sure to pack them down tightly. If you have loose ingredients like nuts, M&M, raisins, etc. make sure they are the next ingredient on top of packed brown sugar. If the next layer is to be white sugar or flour, the white sugar or flour will seep through the nuts, M&M, etc some what. Also when using cocoa, wipe inside of jar before adding another ingredient to keep jar looking nice. The following is one of my favorite gift Jar Recipes.

1001 Cookie Mix
Makes 10 cups.

Ingredients:
5 cups all-purpose flour
3 3/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons double acting baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups PLUS 2 tablespoons butter, softened

Method:
Spoon flour into measuring cup and level with spatula. Put in large bowl with at
least a 4-quart capacity. Measure sugar, baking powder and salt into flour. Stir
until mixture is thoroughly blended. Add butter and use pastry blender or clean
hands to work into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Store covered in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer. Do NOT press down.
Use mix at room temperature. Spoon lightly into measuring cup, level with spatula
.
Tips:
When using margarine, do not use diet, whipped or soft.
* Have all ingredients at room temperature.
* Do not sift flour -- spoon lightly into measuring cup and level off.
* Use standard measuring cups and spoons.

Have fun and give the filled jar to a friend!

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Paul Hudson www.Recipe-daily.com

Valentine Recipe References : Mocktails

2008-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Mocktails
By: Sitagita.com

It's party time once again. And you've got it all set up for your guests. The food is superb; the liquor is of the finest quality. The snacks are out of this world.

Wait a minute. What are you going to serve people who don't drink alcohol? Flavoured soda again? Aerated water? Oh, come on. Surely they deserve better than that.

How about whipping up an interesting mocktail instead? A lovely blend of juices and other ingredients without a touch of alcohol. Sounds good doesn't it?

Here are a couple of recipes. Mocktails don't come simpler than this.

CO COLADA

Ingredients:

Pineapple juice 6 oz.
Coconut milk 8 oz.
Ice - 1 cup
Methology:

Put all three ingredients into a blender and whip for a minute.
Strain into a large glass
Garnish with slice of orange or lime
PRINCE CHARMING

Ingredients:

Club soda 3 oz.
Grenadine 2 tsps
Lemon juice 2 oz
Orange juice 2 oz
Pineapple juice 2oz
Methology:

Mix all juices together.
Add ice. Shake well.
Pour into tall glass.
Add Club Soda
Add Grenadine
Garnish with pineapple or orange slice.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Valentine Recipe References : Salad

2008-02-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Great Salad Recipes
By: Dhiraj R .Bandurkar

Great Salad Recipes

Salads are nutritional and can be the great source of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and lot more. They are considered as light meal and much more than an appetizer. Their preparation mostly involves vegetables (leafy vegetables) sometimes fruits. The dressing of the salads forms the crux of it, which differentiates the taste of different salads. Occasionally the salad is prepared with meat, fish cheese or nuts, which makes the salad of high calorie-content. Basically the salads are healthy with low calories most commonly found on every dining table in US

The most commonly consumed green salad consists of variety of vegetables like lettuce, spinach or arugula. This is not all green salads can be seen with tomato, cucumber, peppers, mushrooms, onions, spring onions, and red onions, carrot and reddish. We come across people who love to try different things in their daily diet they make different combinations in the same dish to give it different taste and flavor. For this reason we find green salads complimented with pasta, olives, cooked potatoes, croutons, beans, rice meat, cheese and fish. That is why salad is not just any mixture of leafy vegetables but needs proper garnishing and serving with of course the right mix of ingredients.

There are wide array of sumptuous chicken and summer salad recipes with tantalizing taste and mouth-watering aroma.
Lets look at one of the recipe called Chinese chicken salad recipe which easy to prepare and tasty to eat. The almonds and noodles in the salad adds a crunchy taste to it and the dressing makes it spicy and sweet. Take a quick look at the ingredients needed.

Chinese chicken salad
Ingredients:
Coleslaw
1 packet of chicken noodles
1/2-cup of chopped green onions
Few sliced almonds to add crunch
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Dressing essentials:
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of olive oil
Wine vinegar or same quantity of rice preferably 1/2 cup rice
2 tsp. of soy sauce
Seasoning from the ramen

Method
To start with the Chinese chicken salad, you need to bake/grill and cube the 4 chicken breasts properly. Once this is done you have to combine all ingredients together. When the ingredients are mixed properly put the dressing on salad immediately before serving.
During summer the intake of regular diet is less but the salads with nice dressings and variety of toppings can actually work a appetizers. The summer salad recipe give involves fresh vegetables. Just go through the recipe to more about it.

Mid- summer Italian bread salad

Ingredients
1 clove of garlic
1 (1 pound) loaf or Italian bread preferably
1 cup of finely chopped tomatoes
1 cup of peeled, seeded and chopped cucumber
1 cup of chopped red onion
1 clove crushed garlic
2 cups of chopped fresh basil
1/8 cup of chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
If the bread is too fresh toast it till it becomes dry and crunchy.

Preparations
First of all rub the peeled clove of garlic from inside of wooden salad bowl. After that chop the bread into small size pieces. Mix bread, tomato, tomato, cucumber red onions, garlic, basil and thyme in the prepared salad bowl. Finally add oil and vinegar for lightly coating. Toss and serve the Mid- summer Italian bread salad.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Looking for more information on Great Salad Recipes check out www.salad-recipe.net your guide to Great Salad Recipes.

Valentine Recipe References : Pies

2008-02-04T09:47:00.000-08:00

Lemon Pie Recipes
By: Jill S

Lemon Sour Cream Pie

1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
dash of salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked
1 teaspoon lemon peel
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup sour cream
3 eggs, separated

Meringue:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

In a large saucepan, add 1 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt. Mix together well so the cornstarch is thoroughly mixed. Add in the milk slowly. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Add in a little bit of the hot mixture to the egg yolks and mix well. Then add the egg yolk mixture to the main mixture. Continue to let it cook, stirring constantly for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the butter, lemon juice and lemon peel. Cover the mixture and allow it to cool. After mixture has cooled, add in the sour cream. Put the lemon mixture into the baked pie crust.

For the meringue: In a small bowl, beat together the egg whites and the cream of tartar. Gradually add in the 1/2 cup sugar and the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Beat the mixture until it is stiff and forms peaks. Put this mixture on top of the pie. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until brown.

Strawberry Lemon Pie

4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 (6 ounce) ready-made graham cracker pie crust
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 package (8 ounce) whipped topping
1 pint of strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups cold milk
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant pudding mix, vanilla or lemon

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon milk and sugar. Beat until the mixture is smooth. Add in the lemon juice and lemon peel. Add 1 1/2 cups whipped topping into the mixture. Pour this mixture into the pie crust and spread it out evenly over the bottom. Spread the strawberry halves evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Keep some to garnish the top.

In a large bowl, put the pudding mixes and the 2 cups of milk. Beat together for 1 minute. Let the mixture stand for a minute or until it has thickened. Add in 1 cup of the whipped topping. Put this mixture over the strawberry layer in the crust. Put the pie in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until the pie has set. Put the rest of the whipped topping and strawberries on top just before serving.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Get more tasty baking recipes at Jill Seader’s website, YourBakingStory.com. Come browse around to find your favorite baking recipe or share one of your own. Happy Baking!

Valentine Recipe References : Cookies 2

2008-02-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
One Recipe - Many Variations
By: Karen Ciancio

There are so many Christmas cookie recipes around but often so little time to bake during the busy holiday season.

The solution? A great tasting basic cookie recipe that quickly and easily turns into such a variety of easy to make Christmas treats, friends and family will think you poured over all your favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

Let's start with the basics:

Basic Cookie Dough Recipe

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter (or margarine) at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat with an electric mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl several times, until the mixture is light and fluffy. With mixer at a low speed, add the flour gradually, beating just until everything is well blended.

Place the mixture on a baking sheet using a tablespoon measure and press down with a spoon to flatten a bit. Or roll our and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350ºF for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

This basic cookie mixture is also the base for the following cookie recipes (all baked in a preheated oven at 350ºF).

Orange Cookies
(Makes about 32)

Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest to the recipe. Shape into a log that is about 1 1/2" in diameter and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Slice dough into 1/4" thick slices. Place on cookie sheet. Cookies can be decorated with candies, rolled in colored sugar, or cut into pretty holiday shapes before baking. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Cherry Coconut Chocolate Squares
(Makes about 54 squares)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flaked coconut
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and coarsely chopped

Line a 13"x9" baking pan with foil.

Stir cocoa powder into basic dough mixture. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust looks dry.

In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, almond extract and baking powder until well blended. Stir in coconut and cherries. Pour over the baked crust.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until top just begins to brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Lift it out on to a cutting board using the foil ends and cut into 1 1/2" squares. Squares can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Coconut Pineapple Cookies
(Makes about 36)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1/3 cup pineapple preserves (use raspberry or apricot if you prefer)

Add 1 cup of the flaked coconut to the basic dough mixture and mix well. Shape the dough into 1 1/2" balls and roll in the remaining coconut to coat them. Place the balls 1" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie with your fingertip.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie is firm and the coconut is lightly toasted. When cooled, fill each hole in the center of the cookies with the preserves.

You can vary this basic dough to make a wide variety of Christmas cookie recipes. Add other flavorings like maple, ginger or cinnamon. Add chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates. Or bake them plain in holiday shapes and decorate with colored icing.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Here's hoping these quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes help keep the pressure off the cook.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Karen Ciancio is a fan of all things cooking related. Her website Cookingnook.com contains recipes, cooking tips, diet and nutrition information. Visit the site for a free copy of our Holiday Gift Guide, with great ideas for everyone on your list.

Valentine Recipe References : Cookies 1

2008-02-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

Cocoa Brownie Cookie Bars
By: Theresa Lisenby

Cocoa Brownie Cookie Bars
They are great for your kids. Good for an after school snack, a few hours before dinner. They also make great desserts after dinner. What can I say, nothing more....

Note:
Vanilla is a flavouring derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla native to Mexico.

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil bottom of 9-inch square pan. Place egg whites in a large bowl. Beat until slightly frothy. Add oil, yogurt and vanilla, mix well. Add sugar and cocoa, mix well. Add flour and salt. Mix until blended. Pour into pan. Bake at 360 degrees for 26-28 minutes. Avoid over baking. Dust with confectioners sugar.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

www.chocolatecurb.com/cocoa-brownie-cookie-bars/chocolate-cookies/2007/02/24

Valentine Recipe References : Martini

2008-02-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Creating A Martini Masterpiece
By: MS Hutchins

Without a doubt, a true barometer of a bartender'
s skills and a person's taste is making a great
Martini! Martinis have really gained immense
popularity over the last decade. Everyone
remembers that James Bond loved his martinis, of
course they had to be "shaken, not stirred."
Making a classic dry martini is almost like
creating a very simple, yet very pure piece of
art. So, here it is, a step by step recipe for
creating the perfect dry martini.

You're going to need 11/2oz of dry gin. Don't
skimp on the quality, go for Beefeaters or
Tanqueray. Also, 1/2 oz of extra dry vermouth, a
toothpick, pimento stuffed olives, ice from
purified water, a cocktail shaker, and a martini
glass.Go ahead and fill the martini glass with
ice and water, this will chill the glass to
perfection while you mix the drink. Pour the gin
over ice in your cocktail shaker. Allow it to set
for a moment while you measure your vermouth.Go
ahead and add the vermouth to your shaker along
with a VERY tiny splash of olive juice. Cap off
your shaker and shake very vigorously. The key is
to shake it so long that your hands get super
cold.

Finally, empty all the water from your martini
glass, and wipe away all moisture droplets.Add
two olives skewered on a toothpick, and pour the
mixed drink into a glass. Sip it delicately and
enjoy!By the way,Shaking does have an advantage
over stirring. Shaking actually "bruises" the gin
and causes it to infuse with the vermouth.
Stirring, while effective, allows the spirits to
separate more easily in the glass.Use Jalapeno
stuffed olives instead of pimento and call it a "
Martinez" instead. It adds spice to the drink on
so many different levels.By the way, be sure to
use an authentic martini glass. A traditional
glass with a stem will cause your martini to warm
too quickly.

So, there you have it, the perfect martini. Once
you've enjoyed a martini that doesn't short-cut
the details, it's hard to drink one that is
hastily prepared. No excuses now that you've
tasted the difference!

Always remember to drink responsibly, and try to
enjoy your martini by itself. Very few foods
enhance the delicate balance of a great dry
martini!

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com

Michael Hutchins created his online store, http:// www.home-bars-and-more.com to be fun, "one-stop" shopping for all your home bar needs. It's a fabulous place to just browse around! Check it out now!

Valentine Movie Idea : 50 First Dates

2008-02-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=ErjP5xMTc8I

Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is a wildlife veterinarian in Hawaii, who meets Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) a woman who has a short-term memory loss from an auto accident a year earlier. Henry is a ladies man on the island who has been breaking the hearts of female tourists for years. Henry meets Lucy at a local cafe and takes her out on a date. Henry falls in love with Lucy, but there is one problem when she awakens in the morning, she can't remember him or anything that happened that day. Henry must devise a plan to meet Lucy everyday and try to get her to fall in love with him again and again. Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)

Valentine Movie Idea : Romeo and Juliet

2008-02-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=ouMSk9HRjWE

Classic story of Romeo and Juliet, set in a modern-day city of Verona Beach. The Montagues and Capulets are two feuding families, whose children meet and fall in love. They have to hide their love from the world because they know that their parents will not allow them to be together. There are obstacles on the way, like Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, and Romeo's friend Mercutio, and many fights. But although it is set in modern times, it is still the same timeless story of the "star crossed lovers". Written by Anonymous

Valentine Movie Idea : Titanic

2008-02-02T09:28:00.001-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=-GfSSh-wtmM

Deep-sea explorer Brock Lovett has reached the most famous shipwreck of all - the Titanic. Emerging with a safe believed to contain a diamond called 'The Heart of the Ocean', he discovers the safe does not hold the diamond but a drawing of a beautiful woman wearing it. When Brock is later interviewed on TV, he shows the drawing to the cameras, and a 100-year-old woman named Rose Calvert living in Michigan recognizes the woman in the drawing - herself! On a visit to Brock's explorer ship over the wreck, Rose tells her story of the Titanic and its ill-fated voyage. Engaged to a would-be steel magnate, Caledon Hockley, she boards the Titanic's first-class suites with him & her mother in Southampton. Also boarding are Jack Dawson & his friend Fabrizio, after a lucky poker game wins them tickets in steerage. When Rose attempts suicide by jumping off the stern in 3rd class, Jack pulls her back onto the ship...and a bond is forged between them as Jack is invited by her into 1st-class the following day. Rose's mother & Cal Hockley try desperate measures to keep them apart. But that strategy goes out the window when the Titanic collides with an iceberg, and due to a design flaw begins to sink - despite being proclaimed 'unsinkable'. Now Rose & Jack must fight to stay alive, but is young Jack already doomed because of his lower status as a steerage passenger? Written by Derek O'Cain

Valentine Movie Idea : Mr and Mrs Smith

2008-02-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=XIUts0jW2y8

John and Jane Smith are a married couple, both John and Jane are living unexciting lives and they have both been attending marriage therapy, as their lives haven't been passionate since they got married. But what they don't know about each other is that they are both professional assassins working for two rival agency's. John's latest assignment is to eliminate Benjaiman "Tank" Danz, but it all becomes complicated when Jane is also assigned to eliminate the same target that John has been assigned to kill. Learning that they are both assassins and failing to eliminate the target, both of John and Jane's employers decides that they try to take each other out (John kill Jane, Jane kill John). Engaged in a deadly game, John and Jane tries to take each other out and learns more about each other, as they try to finish the job and eliminate Danz. Written by Daniel Williamson

Valentine Movie Idea : Valentine

2008-02-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=dA-koJi7wVU&feature=related

Valentine's Day 1988: At the school dance, geeky Jeremy Melton bravely faces one rejection after the other when asking four popular girls to dance with him. A fifth girl, plump and insecure, agrees, but they end up making out under the bleachers. When a group of school bullies catches them, the girl claims that Jeremy attacked her. This causes them to strip off his clothes and beat him up in front of the entire school. Flash forward to 2001. We meet the five girls who were in that school gym: Kate (Marley Shelton), Paige (Denise Richards), Shelly (Katherine Heigl), Lily (Jessica Cauffiel) and the formerly plump Dorothy (Jessica Capshaw). They are all in their 20's now and trying to sort out their love lives, which is appropriate, since Valentine's Day is coming up. After a disastrous date with a loser, one of the girls, a pre-med student, is murdered by a Cherub-mask wearing killer who sent her a death threat in the form of a Valentine card prior to the attack. After the four remaining girls are reunited at her funeral, they all start receiving threatening cards and messages. At first they don't know who would want to hurt them, but eventually they figure that maybe Jeremy is responsible. Police records show that Jeremy has completely disappeared, so no one knows what he looks like. Could the formerly nerdish Jeremy have had plastic surgery and turned into one of the girls' handsome boyfriends? Who ever it is, the lone survivor has to put a stop to this spurned individual's murder spree before she, too, becomes a valentine to die for. Written by Tertius Saayman {tsaayman@hotmail.com}

Valentine Movie Idea : Sweet November

2008-02-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tm249Zbv42Y

Theron is Sara, who pathologically lures men into romance for one month at a time, "helping" them before moving onto the next month's catch. She's avoiding long-term commitments because she's deathly ill--a fact revealed by hundreds of prescription bottles hidden in her medicine cabinet. Reeves is Nelson, the fast-lane advertising executive who reluctantly becomes Sara's Mr. November. He's insulting and callous until he learns the truth, at which point director Pat O'Connor makes a 180-degree tone shift that cannot possibly succeed. Theron makes the most of her movie-sickness routine, but Reeves is out of his depth, and not one but two romantic montages (set to the music of Enya, no less) only emphasize the movie's abundant clichés (the most obvious being The Patriot's Jason Isaacs as Theron's supportive gay neighbor). Cry if you must, but don't let anyone catch you. --Jeff Shannon

Source of This Plots : http://www.mooviees.com/1826/plots

Valentine Movie Idea : Runaway Bride

2008-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=010QRLfIJ1M

Ike Graham, New York columnist, writes his text always at the last minute. This time, a drunken man in his favourite bar tells Ike about Maggie Carpenter, a woman who always flees from her grooms in the last possible moment. Ike, who does not have the best opinion about females anyway, writes an offensive column without researching the subject thoroughly. The next day, Ike gets fired by his publisher (and former wife), because he went too far and faked the facts, which real journalists don't do. Ike's only way back into the business now is to do a fact-based report on Maggie and her upcoming fourth wedding attempt, which Ike predicts to fail again. So, as he circles her like a vulture his prey-to-be, Maggie's opinion of Ike sinks below zero. Not only is Ike waiting for her to fail again but the whole town is poking fun at Maggie about her mistakes. But that is a point which Ike doesn't like. Written by Julian Reischl {julianreischl@mac.com}

Valentine Movie Idea : Pretty Woman

2008-02-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=z0mUCqUC5-o&feature=related

In the Cinderella story that made Julia Roberts a star, a corporate raider hires a hooker to pose as his girlfriend for a week... and falls in love. Meanwhile, she wonders if the straight life - with him - might be a dream come true. Academy Award Nominations: Best Actress--Julia Roberts.While driving back to his Beverly Hills hotel, millionaire corporate raider Edward Lewis takes a wrong turn and ends up on Hollywood Boulevard, where he meets prostitute Vivian Ward. She steers him back to his hotel, charming him along the way, and he decides to hire her for the rest of the evening. In the morning, Edward realizes that he could use an escort for the week, so he hands Vivian $3000 to stay -- and sends her on a fantasy shopping spree. What begins as a purely business transaction develops into something more, but can a poor prostitute and a rich businessman really live happily ever after?

Source of This Review : http://www.buy.com/prod/pretty-woman-15th-anniversary-special-edition/q/loc/322/40712971.html

Valentine Movie Idea : Music and Lyric

2008-02-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZ6rHxHHeQs&feature=related

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star in this romantic-comedy about a songwriter and a performer who find themselves attracted to each other.First you're hot, then you're not...and then you're Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant). So when the sizzlingest tween-queen on the charts asks the has-been '80s pop sensation to write her a song, he grabs for another chance at stardom. Problem: Alex can say it with music, but he sure can't say it with words. Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), his beguiling if quirky plant lady, who has a green thumb for lyrics. Together, they go after songwriting success -- and discover that if you want to write the perfect love song, it helps to fall in love. With Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore at the keyboard and Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice) directing, Music and Lyrics is a witty, wacky romantic comedy that faces the music...and laughs!

Source of This Review : http://www.buy.com/prod/music-and-lyrics-hd-dvd-combo/q/loc/322/204517646.html

Valentine Movie Idea : Ghost

2008-02-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hn4A9h1k7O4

After renovating their expensive loft in the TriBeCa section of Manhattan, Molly (Demi Moore) and Sam (Patrick Swayze), a young successful yuppie couple, are walking home one evening when Sam is tragically gunned down by a street mugger. Molly goes into a deep depression, but, unknown to her, Sam has come back as a ghost in order to protect her from danger--although he isn't yet aware who or what means her harm, and he has a lot of learning to do in order to make himself known to her. He teams up with an unwilling psychic, Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), and together they try to convince a very skeptical Molly that Sam was actually murdered and has returned spectrally to complete some unfinished business. Moore and Swayze and are excellent as the couple, and Goldberg won an Oscar for her portrayal of the wild and wacky psychic. GHOST is considered by many to be one of the most romantic films of the 1990s.

Source of This Review : http://www.buy.com/prod/ghost/q/loc/322/203532911.html

Valentine Movie Idea : Failure To Launch

2008-02-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Failure to Launch - visit the movie's web site - watch the preview

Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew McConaughey, Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw

If you wade through the first fifteen minutes or so, you will be rewarded with a fairly enjoyable movie about thirty-five year old Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) who still lives with his parents (Kathy Bates & Terry Bradshaw), and the plot to get him moved out of the old family home. This arrangement seems to suit Tripp just fine, as he leads the life of a revolving-door Romeo while still having all his clothes washed and meals cooked by his Mom. Commitment-phobic Tripp routinely gets rid of girlfriends who decide to get too serious by taking them home and surprising them with his under-the-same-roof parents. His parents, Sue (Kathy Bates) & Al (Terry Bradshaw), however, think its high time Tripp left the nest. The solution lies with Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), a relationship-specialist for hire, whose forte is "simulating a romantic experience" with stay-at-home sons that gives them enough confidence to venture out and set up home on their own. Of course, the scenario doesn't unfold as expected and the planned course of events comes off the rails. Zooey Deschanel provides comic relief and reality checks as Paula's roommate, Kit. Tripp's two best friends, Ace (Justin Bartha) and Demo (Bradley Cooper) are also live-at-home guys, whose characters mercifully develop a bit more depth as the movie progresses. Overall, though, this movie combines some fun scenes and situations, but doesn't live up to all its potential.

Source of This Review : http://www.romancenotes.com/movies.html

Valentine Movie Idea : A Walk To Remember

2008-02-02T08:18:00.000-08:00

A Walk To Remember - visit the movie's web site - watch the preview

Stars Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Al Thompson and Daryl Hannah

Shane West and Mandy Moore star in this teen romance movie about love sparks that comes from two unlikelies crossing paths. Landon Carter (West) is a bit of "in-set" trouble, having landed someone in hospital after a prank goes wrong. Landon's punishment is meant to teach him some responsibility and humility - to tutor a young student and take part in the Drama Club, where he meets Jamie Sullivan (Moore). Jamie is the local Baptist Minister's daughter and is about as opposite to Landon as one finds. However, Landon falls for Jamie and sets out to win her heart - which she doesn't make an easy task. Along the way, they both learn lessons of life and love that ends up transforming each of them.

Source of This Review : http://www.romancenotes.com/old-movies.html

Valentine Movie Idea : Along Came Polly

2008-02-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

See Movie Preview : Along Came Polly

by Britt Gillette

Over the past decade, Ben Stiller has displayed a propensity for producing blockbuster comedies, and Along Came Polly is a fun and enjoyable comedy. Although not on the hilarity level of There's Something About Mary, Meet The Parents, or Zoolander - Along Came Polly is nonetheless a funny film (and it's certainly better than the horrid Duplex fiasco with Drew Barrymore). Ben Stiller again plays the role of the nice guy, but this time with a neurotic twist. As a result, the audience still likes his character, just perhaps not as much as some of Stiller's previous roles. But with some hilarious comedy sequences and good one-liners, Along Came Polly manages to keep its viewers entertained quite nicely...

Ben Stiller plays the role of Reuben Feffer, an insurance man who avoids risk in every aspect of his life. Measuring everything from the probability of falling through a sidewalk grate to the odds of a piano falling on one's head, he calculates every decision he makes. Following his wedding to Lisa Kramer (Debra Messing), Reuben is devastated when (avoiding the risk of scuba diving), he catches his new bride having an affair with a scuba instructor on their honeymoon. Forced to reevaluate his life, Reuben determines that he needs to take on more risk in his life.

With the help of his friend Sandy, Reuben gets out into the public arena once again, where he runs into former junior high school classmate Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston). Polly is the exact opposite of Reuben in almost every way, and he decides to pursue her so as to have more fun in his life. Everything goes well until Lisa returns hoping to win Reuben back, and Polly discovers that Reuben ran a risk analysis on their relationship, determining that Polly was a good risk to take. Now Reuben must decide what to do with his life...

Jennifer Aniston, in her role as Polly Prince, turns in another great performance as a leading character's girlfriend (Office Space and Bruce Almighty). Playing a character whose attitude, demeanor, and life are the total opposite of Stiller's, the two Hollywood mainstays are able to save an otherwise adequately written screenplay. Some of the more hilarious scenes involve Reuben's has-been actor friend Sandy Lyle (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who continues to live off of his short-lived fame as "the kid with the bagpipes" in a 1980's movie similar to The Breakfast Club. In one scene, Sandy also "sharts" (a fart that's a little bit more than a fart), forcing Reuben to leave a party prematurely.

Overall, Along Came Polly is a fun and entertaining film that's well worth the time spent. Although Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston have both made better films, it does have its high points. Movie-goers will find this to be a good, light-hearted romantic comedy with Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller stealing the show. Because of its headline talent and some good one-liners, Along Came Polly makes the cut as a highly recommended, must-see movie.

About the Author

Britt Gillette is a movie reviewer for The DVD Report, a dvd review blog where this Along Came Polly Review can be found.

Valentine Day Myth

2008-01-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

By Alex Vitti

A festival held in honor of Lupercus was celebrated February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a spring festival. Their calendar was different at that time, with February falling in early springtime.

One of the customs of the young people was name-drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew a slip. The girl whose name was chosen was to be his sweetheart for the year?

Legend has it that the holiday became Valentine's Day after a priest named Valentine. Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, ordered the Roman soldiers NOT to marry or become engaged.

Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death.

Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. After his death, Valentine was named a saint. As Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of Lupercus.

But, this is just one side of the story...

So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

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.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Send Valentine Flowers Your Valentine Gifts Florist Montreal

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Vitti

How to Choose the Best Valentine E-card

2008-01-31T09:49:00.000-08:00

by Molly Rose

Before the 'how' let's analyze the 'why'. Why do I need the best e-card? Why can't I just settle for the first one that pops up on the free e-cards site?

If these are the questions that have arisen then try and answer the following one...Do I fall in love everyday? If the answer is yes, then you can not only choose any random free valentine e-cards, but even if you don't bother it's not going to make that much of a difference!! But if you've answered in the negative, you have the single most important reason to look for the best.

We can now move on to the 'how' in question. The answer is dating websites. These websites are at your service and their main purpose is to make your loved one feel special and...well, loved.

Valentine's Day is celebrated the world over by people in love. The reason this day is so unique is because not everyone has the guts to be gushy-mushy everyday. Most people need an excuse to be silly and Valentine's Day provides just that excuse.

Months before Valentines Day, free romantic e-card websites start overflowing with thousands of cards for you to choose from. They are certainly trying their best to make your life easier, but end up confusing you thoroughly and leave you wondering whether it's worth the effort. To avoid feeling all fed up and unenthusiastic, you should first visit a dating website with high popularity and check out some tips on how to choose the best from a plethora of free romantic e-cards. These websites may even reduce your work by providing links to good quality free e-cards. There's half your work done.

While e-card hunting, ensure the 'free' part is true right at the beginning. You may end up spending a lot of time surfing the site and even finalizing a card only to realize that they expect you to pay for it. Also, make sure the website isn't too outdated.

For couples just fallen in love, a card with a touch of humor would be a bigger hit than a card full of boring old love lines. Though humor is appreciated at all ages, it may be a good idea to send your wife of fifteen years a card subtly telling her how appreciated she is and how much light she's brought into your life. Free valentine e-cards are also available for parents, grand-parents, siblings and other relatives. But the thing to remember is whether the recipient is net-savvy enough or not. You may send an e-card and not wish them personally assuming they've seen it!

Last of all, but by no means least important, send as many cards as you want. Like I said before, special days like these give you a license to do silly, happy things and not give explanations for them. So go ahead and spread joy. It's free!!

About the Author

Molly Rose has a great interest in writing articles, blogs etc on online dating. She also works for http://www.eromance.com as a content writer for dating topics.

10 Tips for Giving Her an Unforgettable Valentine's Day

2008-01-31T09:42:00.000-08:00

by Janette Vince

It's Valentine's Day--and you're looking to make this one special for your wife or girlfriend. Valentine's Day is often not a difficult holiday for guys. Most women love chocolates, flowers, and dinner at a nice restaurant. But if you want to spice things up a bit, read on. There are plenty of ways to get creative and original with your Valentine's Day plans--and surprise her with something she's not expecting. Here are ten tips for making this Valentine's Day one she'll never forget.

Name a star. What's more romantic than naming a star after your beloved? Most star-naming companies will give you a beautiful naming certificate, a constellation chart showing the location of your star, and other extras all contained in a beautiful presentation box. This is a highly romantic gift that's sure to bring a smile to her face.

A romantic picnic. Why not put a spin on your typical romantic dinner with an adventurous picnic? Meet her at work and whisk her away to a secluded, romantic spot with a bottle of champagne and some gourmet take-out from a local restaurant. Light some candles and have a picnic in the living room--complete with soft music and romantic ambience. She'll love the spontaneous feel of this dinner date.

Take her shopping. If she loves to shop, she'll appreciate this thoughtful gift. Take her on a shopping spree at her favorite store. Spend time shopping with her, and be engaged. Suggest clothes for her to try, make suggestions for stores, and be sure to shower her with complements whenever she tries something flattering on! If you really want to make her happy, hire a personal shopper to take her out for a day. She's sure to feel more than a little spoiled.

Give a spa gift. If the woman in your life is overstressed and under-pampered, she's probably overdue for a day at the spa. Why not get her a gift certificate for the full treatment at a local health spa? Get her a full massage, mud bath, skin treatments, anything you'd think she would appreciate. She's sure to feel pampered and loved with a gift like this.

Adopt an animal. We're not suggesting you bring home a puppy or kitten--although that might be a good idea too. If your wife or girlfriend is an animal lover, why not "adopt" an endangered animal in her name? Some animal refuges allow people to donate money to support a specific animal, providing for its care and feeding for a certain amount of time. When you adopt an animal, you'll get a picture of the animal, updates on its health and status, and even a framed adoption certificate. Definitely a great gift for a woman who loves animals.

Bedroom board games. If you're often both too tired to do more than sleep in the bedroom lately, she might appreciate a little night-time attention on Valentine's Day. Why not make things a little more interesting? Pick up an adult board game like Monogamy, a sexy game that opens with some intriguing conversation starters, and then advances the intimacy until you can't help but get close. It's just the thing to liven it up in the bedroom--and give her a memorable Valentine's Day treat.

Jewelry. Yes, we know diamonds are a traditional Valentine's Day jewelry gift. And most women love diamonds, so it's a relatively safe gift. But why not get a little creative with your jewelry choice this year?

This type of gift requires some consideration--you'll have to pay attention to the type of jewelry she loves. Look at what she wears. Some women only wear gold or silver, and some like large, bold pieces while others like a more delicate or antique look. Once you've got her style down, pick a stone that she'll love--many women have a special place in their hearts for opals, emeralds, or amethysts. This is sure to show you know her tastes--and she'll definitely feel loved.

Dance lessons. Why not take her out for a night of dancing? Women love men who are willing to get out on the dance floor as well. Book salsa lessons, tango lessons, or ballroom dancing together. She'll love the romantic ambience, and you're sure to get ample opportunities to show off your moves--both on the dance floor and off.

Marketers traditionally emblazon everything from underwear to shot glasses with red hearts to sell them on Valentine's Day. But that doesn't mean everything with a heart on it is a good gift for the occasion. Put some thought and planning into your next Valentine's Day gift, and don't be afraid to get creative. She's sure to remember it as the best Valentine's Day she's ever had.

About the Author

It's Valentine's Day--and you're looking to make this one special for your wife or girlfriend. Valentine's Day is often not a difficult holiday for guys. Most women love chocolates, flowers, and dinner at a nice restaurant. But if you want to spice things up a bit, read on. There are plenty of ways to get creative and original with your Valentine's Day plans--and surprise her with something she's not expecting.

Valentine's Day Ideas that Won't Leave Your Wallet Feeling Empty

2008-01-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

by Jen Wasilewski

Valentine's day is right around the corner and for many that means nothing but a stress filled, emotion forced, expensive nightmare of a day. It seems all to often that women expect to much and men try to little. What is it about this one day that drives even the sanest souls to emotional madness? Valentines day instills in the brain visions of movie romance and hallmark heart warming moments that are often impossible to obtain. So how do you make the most out of Valentines Day? While dollar signs can lead the way to terrific gifts that put a smile on your honey's face you don't have to spend a fortune to appeal to her fantasy. Here are some terrific alternatives for those who want to woo their lover without emptying their wallet.

* A Spa Day At Home:

A day at the spa can be a sad day for your wallet. Buying your princess a full day of pampering can cost you well over a hundred dollars, but that doesn't mean you can't give her the day she deserves. Turn your place into a spa this valentines. Give her the works from head to toe. Something as simple as a body massage a foot soak and her favorite movie (even if it is a all out chick flick) can give her one of the best valentines days she's has without burning a loveless hole in your wallet.
o What You Need
o Massage Oils in Relaxing Scents (Lavender is Usually a Good Choice)
o Bath Robe and Pajama Pants for Her
o A "Chick" Flick
o A Decadent Snack like Chocolate Covered Strawberry's or her favorite Ice cream.
* Make Her a Meal

It's always been said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but thats true for woman to. Don't let your lady fool you, when it comes to food, women love to eat just as much as men do. Making her a meal at home can not only save you a few bucks, but it also will mean a lot more to her than a meal at her favorite restaurant. Not the best in the kitchen? Stick to something simple and use a cook book.

* Make Candles Together:

Nothing says romance quite like candle light so what better way to share your love with your lady than to have an arts and crafts night. Visit your local craft store and find candle making kits. They are generally inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and themes to choose one. Since it is Valentines day you may want to stick with a bit of tradition and go for wax in red hues. If you want to be really sentimental keep the candle around and burn it on your next anniversary as a simple to your passion and love.

* Go On a Picnic:

If your lucky enough to live in the warmer parts of the world consider taking her on a picnic. Picnics are something that are often over looked but can be a terrific way to spend a charming day or night together. Nothing says I love you like a bottle of wine under a starry sky. Sounds like a terrific idea but what if it's snowing outside you ask? Bring the picnic inside of course! There is something romantic about picnics even if they are inside. Dining a little differently will show you put some thought into this very special day.

About the Author

Treat to your Valentine to comfort with gifts for Hue. Treat to your Valentine to comfort with gifts for Hue. Hue specializes in ladies legwear including socks, tights, and leggings at Hue.

12 Ideas for Valentine's Day If You're Not Part of a Couple

2008-01-31T09:20:00.000-08:00

When we think of Valentine?s Day, we tend to think of two lovers celebrating together. If you aren�t paired at this time, don�t let yourself get left out! Here are 14 greatways to celebrate Valentine�s Day YOUR way.

1. Celebrate with a child!

If you don�t have one, borrow one! Invite your niece over for an afternoon of tea with tiaras and tutus, making Valentines, and reading Valentine�s books. Got a boy inyour life? How about some slap-jack or Pente, video games and a candle-lit dinner with fondue � to keep those hands busy! Nice red catsup is good enough for the sauce!

2. Give a party at a children�s shelter.

The Volunteer Director is trained to help you! Simple refreshments, favors, plan a game, tie-dye t-shirts, crafts, play the piano and sing. It�s the thought and the companionship that count. Games? Play musical chairs, tying big red bows to the front of the chairs. Pin the Lips on Ms. Valentine � draw �her� on posterboard � use moving eyes, false eyelashes and pipe cleaners for hair. Put eachkid�s name on a pair of red lips cut out of construction paper with tape on back. Blindfold them with a Valentine scarf and proceed! Valentine Bingo � make bingo cards with February-theme items: groundhogs, Presidents Lincoln and Washington, candy, hearts, doves, lovers, Valentines, etc. Serve �Love Potion� for the beverage.

3. Make it a special day for someone in a retirement or nursing home.

Put on that bright red sweater and your Valentine tie, scarf, or suspender(http://store.yahoo.com/tiebar2/valentineday.html ) and head on over! You will be SO WELCOME. One friend of mine takes something he bakes called Terribly Naughty. I believe it has pecans, peanut butter, chocolate morsels, marshmallows, butterscotch pieces, pure butter, at least a pound of sugar, and brandy in it. You could also make the Ultimate Killer Cookie of All Time(http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/dessert/cookies/ultcookie.html). He's very popular! �All My Lovin�� and other Valentine�s braces available here: http://www.rainbowconnection.com/index.php/cPath/22_71 .

4. Have friends of all ages over for a Valentine's Party.

Sing love songs, watch a video, make an outrageously beautiful buffet spread. Have everyone bring a grab bag gift. Have a poetry contest. Here�s a list of Romantic songs: http://www.inspirationpoint.com/ipmusic.htm .

5. Call up your son and daughter-in-law and tell them you're coming for the weekend to take care of the kids so they can go celebrate.

Pack the parents off, and then bake Valentine�s cookies with the kids and have a red dinner � red jello hearts, heart-shaped pasta with tomato sauce or heart-shaped pizza, Hawaiian punch and cinnamon hearts in hot cocoa. �Willie Wonka� video, everyone gets in the big bed with Nana, snuggle-time, dogs included. Woo hoo!

6. Celebrate with your animal companion.

There's no more reliable source of love in our lives. Bake some homemade dog biscuits ( http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/bone.htm ) . Take your dog for a special outing, and on the way, drop off your treats at the local animal shelter. Or take your animal companion with you to a nursing home or convalescent center. Many facilities are making this opportunity available for their guests. You can deck your dog, cat, ferret or rabbit in a festive Valentine scarf -http://www.pet-bandanas.com/valentines-bandanas.htm - for the occasion. Valentine�s sweaters, vests, ties, bows, boas! And anything else you need for your little furry friend - http://www.cosettescloset.com/valwear.html .

7. Enjoy the day helping others. A local place of worship might be building a house for Habitat or going Valentine caroling at a housing project. If not, why not? If not you, who? Organize something with your civic group, singles group or Sunday School class. If the New York Giants can do it, so can you. They visited patients in Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian on Valentine's Day.

8. Book a Valentine cruise on the Costa cruise line and dance the nights away.

Be a gentleman host, or dance with one! Gentlemen dance hosts "work" from 8 pm to 1 am every night, visiting with and dancing with women cruise guests. Great vacation for singles! Gentleman, don�t forget your red cummerbund and bowtie (http://store.yahoo.com/tiebar2/solcolcumbow.html ). Wait til the last minute when the rates go down really low.

9. Have the girls over for a Valentine Day Brunch.

Make pancakes and fried eggs shaped like hearts (http://www.romanticgifts.com/RomanticGifts/njscat.nsf/adminCatalog/E329061D73D3165188256A31001EE646!OpenDocument&15.+Kitchen+$+Dining ), serve with strawberry syrup, fresh strawberries, some nice crisp bacon, strawberry daiquiris and nice hot tea. Yum! Set a terminally romantic buffet table and fill the DR ceiling with pink and/or red helium balloons.

10. Check for special events in your town.

A special Valentine pops concert perhaps? Or get away for the weekend and see some great art. Bath House Center in Dallas, Texas, has an annual February exhibit called "El Corazon," "the heart." The Utah Symphony will be presenting a Valentine Symphony concert February 11 and 12.

11. Try something zany.

The Embassy Suites, Richmond, Va. offers the King�s Dominion Package � 2-room suite, breakfast, reception, indoor pool and Jacuzzi and 2 adult tickets to go ride that roller coaster! There�s more than one way to �lose your heart� on Valentine�s Day.

Or check out the Winter-storm adventure Ancient Cedars Spa, Vancouver Island at the Wickannish Inn, situated on a rocky promontory at the western most point of Chesterman Beach, at the gateway to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (http://www.wickinn.com/Frames/HPfrm.htm ). Enjoy the spectacle of 20� waves pounding the coast from your room with ocean view, deep soaker tub, and fireplace for optimum viewing. All spa amenities, epicurean dining and �the storm-watching experience�. Slickers provided. Bring along some friends, your pet, and/or a good book!

12. Feed your heart!

Curl up with a good book. Read a super sappy and sentimental romance, or read about love itself -- �A General Theory of Love� is written by three doctors, one of whom writes like a poet (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375709223/susandunnmome-20).

�Susan Dunn, MA, Life Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . Susan is the author of �Midlife Dating Survival Manual for Women,� and offers coaching, Internet courses and ebooks

I love you - How to say those magic words

2008-01-31T09:16:00.000-08:00

by Alix Williams

Scared to say those three little words - notoriously the three most difficult words in the English language? So why not try saying them in someone else's language?

Here, for the shy or tongue-tied, is how to say 'I love you ' in just a selection of languages from across the world...

Arabic, Ana Behibak (to a male); Ana Behibek (to a female)

Binary code, 01101001001000000110110001101111011101100110010100 100000011110010110111101110101

Braille, : :..:| ..:| |..-.. .::":.., :.:;

Chinese, Gwa ai li (Amoy) Ngo oi nei (Cantonese)

Danish, Jeg elsker dig

Dutch, Ik hou van je

Elvish, Amin mela lle

Esperanto, Mi amas vin

French, J'taime

Gaelic (Scottish), The gradh agam ort

Gaelic (Irish), t'a gr'a agam dhuit

German, Ich liebe dich

Greek, S'agapo

Hindi, Mai tumaha pyar karta hu

Italian, Ti amo

Japanese, Aishite imasu

Klingon, qamuSHa'

Latin, Te amo

Morse, ∙∙ / ∙-∙∙ - - - ∙∙∙- ∙ / -∙- - - - - ∙∙-

Polish, Kocham cie

Portuguese, Eu te amo

Russian, Ya lyublyu tebya

Spanish, Te amo

Txt SMS message, ILUVU

Welsh, 'Rwy'n dy garu di

Yiddish, Ikh hob dikh lib

So go on - take a deep breath and give it a go this Valentine's Day!

Sources
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/romance-faq/part3/section-1.html http://www.links2love.com/i_love_you_languages.htm Ltl bk of luv txt. Michael O'Mara Books Limited. Schott B. Schott's Original Miscellany. Bloomsbury Books, 2002.

About the Author

Alix Williams is a regular contributor to the holistic website aromatherapy-stress-relief.com a home based UK business providing hand made unique Aromatherapy Gift ideas with Essential Oils.

copyright © 2007 Alix Williams (CUS Busting Ltd)

Send Love Sms Messages To Your Loved Ones On This Valentine's Day

2008-01-31T09:12:00.000-08:00

by Armughan Riaz

Candies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones on every Valentines day. Why do we celebrate this Valentine's day, it is still a mystery. But it is always in our mind that February is a month of Romance. How to celebrate this lovely day and with whom, is always a question of every young boy or a girl. When we did not had mobiles, we used to send love messages to our loved ones via Love Cards, Greeting cards, Emails etc. But now things change, we prefer to show our emotions by sending sms messages. In every country, on valentines day, there is exchange of millions of love sms messages on this romance day. I have collected some beautiful cute love and romantic sms messages here. You may just copy and send these cool Valentine's sms messages to your beloved ones on this romance day.

Without Love -- dayz are Sad day moan day tears day waste day thirst day fright day shatter day... so be in Love everyday...Wish u a Happy Valentine's Day

Days may end, night may fall, but i will be there for you till we won't see each other at all. sun may rise, moon may fall, but i think my life would never be this nice if i never knew you at all.

All i ever wanted was some1 to care for me. all i ever wanted was someone who would be there for me.all i ever wanted was someone who would be true.all i ever wanted was someone like you

Loving is not how you forget but how you forgive, not how you listen but how you understand, not what you see but how you feel, and not how you let go but how you hold on.

Every Hour I think of you Every Minute I think of you Every Second I think of you I live for you and I die for you It's not for days, It's not for weeks, It's not for months or years, It's for ever.

Love is what I see in, your smile every day. Love is what I feel in, every touch you give. Love is what I hear in, every word you say. Love is what we share, every day we live.

Seasons will Change, Colours will Fade, But....One thing that will Never Change... The way that I Feel about you.. And....One thing that will Never Fade that is My LOVE 4 you..... I LOVE U SO MUCH

To be honest with you, I do not have the words to make you feel better, but I do have the arms to give you a hug, ears to listen to whatever you want to talk about, and I have a heart; a heart that is aching to see you smile again.

The way you look into my eyes, It scares me The way you say "I love you", It scares me The way you know just what to say, It scares me The ways you scare me, I love it

I have seen angels in the sky, I have seen snowfall in july, I have seen things you only imagine to see, But I have not seen anything sweeter than you.

your love is like a river peaceful and deep, your soul is like a secret that I never could keep, When I look into your eyes I know its true, you were made for me and I for you

Here is my heart, it is yours so take it, Treat it gently, please do not break it. Its full of love thats good and true, So please keep it always close to u.

I Promised you once, I promise you twice, this love will never end that i feel so deep inside, I loved you yesterday and even more today and i never want this feeling to go away, Baby you are my Everything, my Angel from above, you feel my life with so much love.

If you have a boy friend or a girl friend and you have a mobile, don't wait, just write these lovely romantic sms messages on your mobile phone and send to your loved ones. If he or she really loves you, you will get a reply with more romantic sms message. Exchange these love sms on this Valentines day.

You may see more Love sms Valentines sms messages on our website.

About the Author

Read Love sms, Funny sms, Friendship sms messages on our website. Armughan Riaz maintaining and working on following site. http://www.lovesmsfun.com

Lovely Greeting SMS Messages

2008-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

by shriya karthikeyan

These are some general SMS messages which can be used for all occasion suitable for bulk SMS messaging, Romantic Text Messaging
1. Flowers are so beautiful as you. Why? Because a butterfly can go after it. Fruit are as sweet as you. Why? Because birds can go after it. Fruit are as sweet as you. Why? Because birds can go after it. So why shouldn't I? Let me be your valentine!
2. Your face, your body, your style, your beauty, your nature, your soul.....I think these are most powerful magnets on this earth that have attracted cold iron like me!
3. Curls of your silky hair and curves of your dressing pair, simply irrestible!
4. When I think about valentine I always think about US I' m glad that you' re mine I'm yours and I thank god that we found and loved each other.
5. Love me without fear trust me without questioning need me without demanding accept me without change wishing you a Happy valentine' Day!
6. Every memory I have for you I treasure every thought of you is wonderful thank you for being my valentine Thank you, love of my life.
7. I love you today As I have from the start, and I'll love you forever with all of my heart. Happy valentine's Day!
8.If you truly love someone, telling her how much and showing her how much should be the easiest think in the world. So, let me ask easily, would you be my valentine?
9. You are like a cycle ...You make my journey of life smooth ride-moving forward together taking the rough with the smooth, you help me keep my balance and gave me new confidence . Happy valentine's day
10. Usually I send SMS to people who r ... Either very cute very sweat or very special But u are an exception because U are al three so.... In this year superfine... Be my darling valentine!
11.Petals by petals and leaf by leaf that's how a tiny bud becomes a beautiful rose. Word by word and kiss by kiss that's the way true love grows... And joy ur valentine's day.
12.Everyone comes into the world with a piece of the heart broken. Believe in love, till you find the other piece of your heart . God has made a heart that will someday be yours. Will I get my piece on this valentine?
13.If you could only love enough, you could be the most powerful person in the world. Make me most powerful person in the world. Please be my darling valentine!
14.Another day, Another year, Another smile, Another tear, Another summer, A winter too... There will be no one like U! Never another! Be my valentine, dear...
15.Another valentine's Day has come once again. And miss seeing you, my dear and closest friend. You are there and here I miss you drying tears that I cry. Will you be my valentine?

About the Author

Author Bio:
ECS Technologies text chat operator offers bulk SMS messaging, text chat, adult chat, SMS marketing, Text Messaging, MMS Messaging, SMS Advertising, and many more other services.

Valentine's Day SMS Messages

2008-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

By Sherry Ringo

Valentine's Day is the day celebrated on 14th February every year around the globe to express the feelings and passion between the loved ones. Valentine's Day is celebrated by exchanging the gifts, flowers, greeting cards, chocolates, Valentine's Day cards and heart shaped balloons. Exchange of the red rose is specifically associated to lovers. The common misconception about the Valentine's Day is that it is for the lovers but instead Valentine's Day is the day to show your care and feelings for any relationship that is important. It can be your father, mother grandparents, siblings or any friend. With the arrival of mobile phones, people around the world send millions of text messages to greet their loved ones on the Valentine's Day. Here are some cool Valentine's Day sms messages which you can copy and send to your loved ones: · No poems no fancy words I just want the world to know that I LOVE YOU my Princess with all my heart. Happy Valentine's Day · Without Love -- days are sad day, moan day, tears day, waste day, thirst day, fright day, shatter day. So be in love everyday...Wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! · My soul is shattered without your arms to hold me. · Like a mirror without a reflection. I Love U my Valentine. · I'm enthralled by your beauty, mesmerized by your charisma and spellbound by your love. No wonder I am always thinking about you. I wish to celebrate every Valentine with you. Happy Valentine's Day! · Love so much my heart is sure. As time goes on I love you more, your happy smile. Your loving face no one will ever take your place. Wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! · I have seen angels in the sky, I have seen snowfall in july, I have seen things you only imagine to see, But I have not seen anything sweeter than you. · Your love is like a river peaceful and deep, Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep, When I look into your eyes I know it's true, You were made for me and me for you · Seasons will Change, Colors will Fade, But....One thing that will never Change... The way that I Feel about you.. And....One thing that will Never Fade that is My LOVE 4 you..... I LOVE U SO MUCH · Love is what I see in, your smile every day. Love is what I feel in, every touch you give. Love is what I hear in, every word you say. Love is what we share, every day we live. · Every Hour I think of you Every Minute I think of you Every Second I think of you I live for you and I die for you It's not for days; it's not for weeks, It's not for months or years, its forever. So if you have a true love in your life then sending sms is the best way to greet them on the Valentine's Day. So this valentine's day amaze your loved ones by sending them these lovely sms messages.

About the Author

Sherry Khan working on website Love sms, brithday sms text messages and providing free articles on different issues relating to mobile phones. For more information visit SMS Ringo free ringtone collection

Love Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 5

2008-01-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

Love Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 4

2008-01-25T03:08:00.000-08:00

Love Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 3

2008-01-25T03:06:00.000-08:00

OSAMA'S VALENTINE

2008-01-25T02:37:00.000-08:00

Little David comes home from first grade and tells his father that they learned about the history of Valentine's Day. "Since Valentine's Day is for a Christian saint and we're Jewish," he asks, "will God get mad at me for giving someone a valentine?"

David's father thinks a bit, then says "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a valentine to?"

"Osama Bin Laden," David says.

"Why Osama Bin Laden," his father asks in shock.

"Well," David says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish boy could have enough love to give Osama a valentine, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent valentines to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then he'd start going all over the place to tell everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore."

His father's heart swells and he looks at his boy with newfound pride.

"David, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."

"I know," David says, "and once that gets him out in the open, the Marines shoot him."

Source : http://www.funmunch.com/events/valentine/valentine_day_jokes.shtml

Valentine's Day by Jenny Chane

2008-01-25T02:35:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day celebrates all the vibrant love stories that have existed in the history since the time we can't even imagine. And the most illustrious story has been that of Saint Valentine, who set a pioneering example of sweeping the world off its feet. He was the one, who did the priestly service of letting all lovers assert their love without being scared by the wiles of the world. Emperor Claudius of Rome was one of those rulers who adopted every adroit move to abolish love only to satisfy his selfish aims. But Saint Valentine stood like a wall in the midst of all his cunning strategies. He acted as a resolute supporter of love marriages and did not falter even in the thick of ruthless law introduced by King Claudius, which had been trying its best to banish love completely. Because of his heroic attitude, everyone pays obeisance to him on the Valentine's Day of every year.

The love-driven spirit of this special lovers' day gets livelier with all the associations this day has with the inspiring Saint Valentine. The way he stated the depth of his love by the famous words, " From your Valentine" and the way he got martyred and motivated the love spirit of a series of lovers of the proceeding generations is something that stays indelibly stamped on every feature of Valentine's Day. Another reason for considering this day truly auspicious for lovers is its relation with goddess Juno. Being the deity of fertility, she promises to gift all the sincere lovers, a flourishing relationship and lifetime of love. Therefore, we can say that there is no scarcity of valid reasons to celebrate this day with uncommon zest and to allow cupid to make everything all the more magical in the love groove of 14th February.

And as soon as we allow the magic of love, it takes no time to get enamored by a host of Valentine cards. Truly, all the love-filled feelings become all the more apparent when they showcase themselves in the form of chromatic cards peppered with the hearty love messages. When teddy bears snuggle into each other or when ardent lovers gaze into each other's eyes or when two hearts come closer in the scenario of Valentine cards, the feeling of love takes no time in getting into its full expression mode. And all such cards along with expressions make all of us in full swing of the Valentine fever.

Author's Bio: Jenny Chane is an associated editor of http://www.mydearvalentine.com/. Grab the latest ideas and views by flipping through the pages of mydearvalentine. Your feedback is highly appreciated at jennychane@gmail.com

About the Author

Jenny Chane is an associated editor of http://www.mydearvalentine.com/. Grab the latest ideas and views by flipping through the pages of mydearvalentine. Your feedback is highly appreciated at jennychane@gmail.com

Source : http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=745225

Where Valentine Gifts Came From by Online Shopping

2008-01-25T02:32:00.000-08:00

Where exactly did Valentine's Day originate? Its roots would actually take us back to old times of the Roman period when King Claudius was the ruler. The day has been held as kind of like a festival to honor and celebrate the queen of the Roman gods.

She was then recognized as the sole goddess of matrimony and the female sex. On the following day, the Lupercalia Feasts were celebrated. As the eve of this festival took place, the only people who were allowed to be together were the youth, as they were kept separated the rest of the time. Basically, this was one of the theories of the origins of Valentine's Day.

Also a theory of the history of Valentine's Day, the story of the sacrifices that were made by Valentine, a Christian martyr, was truly touching. It was said that back then, the Roman emperor required a large number of soldiers to form a huge army. However, he was unable to do so because there were a lot of people who did not want to be away from their families to go to war. This became a big problem for the emperor so he ordered people to stop getting married. Of course, not all the people wanted to follow, especially those who really wanted to get married. So Valentine, who was a priest back then, conducted secret marriages. This became the foundation of St. Valentine's Day that is now celebrated everywhere.

Regardless where Valentine's Day originated from, it is truly a day when we can celebrate the love we have and share with our loved ones. We should all see it as a great opportunity to give gifts and presents that would express our love and appreciation to those who are dear to our hearts.

About the Author

Want to buy products from a trusted online store? SalwarKameezIndia.com offers online shopping for unique items on sale including made to order salwar kameez, Indian Saris and pearl jewelry

Source : http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=763440

Be My Valentine

2008-01-25T02:28:00.000-08:00

A guy walks into a post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter methodically placing "Love" stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying scent all over them.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says, "I'm sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"

"But why?" asks the man.

"I'm a divorce lawyer," the man replies.

Source : http://www.basicjokes.com/djoke.php?id=1113

Things not to say on your Valentine's date...

2008-01-25T02:23:00.000-08:00

1. I really don't like this restaurant that much, but I wanted to use this 2-for-1 coupon before it expired.

2. People say I remind them of Eddie Haskell.

3. I used to come here all the time with my ex.

4. I never said you NEED a nose job. I just said it wouldn't hurt to consider it.

5. Could you excuse me? My cat gets lonely if he doesn't hear my voice on the answering machine every hour.

6. I like clay. It's mushy.

7. I really feel that I've grown in the past few years. Used to be I wouldn't have given someone like you a second look.

8. And I won that trophy in the inter-fraternity belching contest.

9. I know you said you don't eat anything with a face. But a good butcher will cut that part off for you if you ask.

10. It's been tough, but I've come to accept that most people I date just won't be as smart as I am.

Source : http://www.basicjokes.com/djoke.php?id=1116

Did You Know…? A Little Story About Valentine’s Day

2008-01-25T02:18:00.000-08:00

by: Patricia Tomaskovic

Did You Know That…

…Valentine’s Day is the second largest card sending holiday of the year, second only to Christmas?

…Women purchase about 85% of Valentine’s?

…Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Australia?

…In February 2004, $2.4 billion worth of jewelry was purchased?

While some things can be known about the origins of Valentine’s Day, one thing we don’t know for sure is just where or when we began celebrating amore, although there have been many stories told over the years. I’ve been reading a few of the legends and myths and I want to share them with you. I have my favorite. Now you pick yours.

The Stories About Saint Valentine

One story alleges that Valentine was a priest living in the 3rd century in Rome. His story is deeply enmeshed with that of the Emperor Claudius II (aka: Claudius the Cruel), who ruled Rome at this time. Claudius was involved in many wars around Rome, but he could not convince many men to leave their wives and families. His solution was to outlaw marriage and cancel all engagements. The men would then be able to focus on waging war. Valentine, believing this law to be unjust, began marrying couples in secret. When Claudius discovered what Valentine was doing, it is said that he had him executed.

Another story has Claudius killing Valentine for helping Christians escape the Roman prisons, where they were regularly beaten and tortured.

Yet a third story claims that Valentine was put to death for curing the jailor’s daughter of her blindness. She frequently visited Valentine while he was jailed. They were said to have fallen in love. In fact, Valentine may have originated the tradition of sending written avowals of love and romance. Prior to being put to death, Valentine allegedly wrote a letter to her, signing it “From your Valentine”, an expression we continue to use today. It is believed that he was executed on February 14, 269 A.D. Thus, Saint Valentine became both a romantic and a hero.

The Feast of Lupercalia

The Feast of Lupercalia may have been the first legend told surrounding the beginnings of Valentine’s Day. Lupercalia, a fertility festival celebrated on February 15, was a celebration to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. Lupercalia was also a dedication to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Lupercus was said to watch over the shepherd’s flocks, keeping then safe from wolves. The Roman priests would sacrifice both a goat and a dog to begin the festival. The goat represented fertility, while the dog symbolized purification.

The goat’s hide was then sliced into strips and dipped into the sacrificial blood. The men went out into the streets, gently slapping the women with the goathide strips. The women welcomed this gesture as they believed it would make them more fertile in the year ahead. Later in the day, all the single women’s names were placed in an urn. The bachelor men would pull a name from the urn. The couple would spend much time together over the next year and many of these pairings resulted in marriage.

The Feast of Lupercalia continued for centuries. As Christianity began to take hold though, the priests strived to replace the heathen practices by substituting the names of saints for the girls names. Those drawing from the urn would then aspire to imitate the lives of the saint whose name they had drawn. While the priests wished to abolish the pagan traditions, they sought to keep the festival flavor of feasts and sports. Thus, Lupercalia became Valentine’s Day.

Traditions Over the Ages

The origins of our modern valentines most likely date back to the early 1400’s. While he was a prisoner in the Tower of London, the French Duke of Orleans wrote many, many poems and valentines to his wife. Some of these remain and are on display at the British Museum in London. Flowers became popular gifts about 200 years later in France.

Americans began the tradition of exchanging hand-made valentine’s in the early 1700’s.

Presently, every February, all across America, we celebrate our love and our loved ones on Valentine’s Day with gifts, flowers, candy, and Valentine’s greeting cards. Saint Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and we continue to celebrate the spirit of love and sentiment and good feelings.

About The Author

Patricia Tomaskovic is the Owner of http://www.one-stop-gift-shop.com President of http://www.goceilingmedallion.com. Both can be found online. We invite you to come in and browse. If you can't find it anywhere else, we've got it! We are a fully stocked online shopping mall with over 3500 items, offering a complete line of gifts for every occasion.

info@goceilingmedallion.com

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_1758.shtml

Wolves, Goats, Martyrs and War: a History of Valentine's Day

2008-01-25T02:16:00.000-08:00

by: Blake Kritzberg

Valentines Day is one of the most enigmatic of holidays, having appeared in many forms. But all “Valentine’s Days” have drawn suspicion. In fact, after hundreds of years of attempted reform, Christian observance came to an end when the Catholic Church purged St. Valentine’s Day from its calendar in 1969.

Still, the holiday continues to inspire an annual avalanche of cards, not to mention the mass consumption of chocolates, flowers and sometimes, pricier presents. What do we commemorate when we celebrate Valentine’s Day?

- Running with the Wolves

If you’ve ever researched the history of Valentines Day, you know it began with wolves and ancient Spring magic. The earliest instance we know of starts with the tough old shepherds and founders of Rome who feared and respected the wolves that preyed on their flocks. Once a year, they held sacrifices to Lupercus, the god of shepherds, enemy of wolves, and friend of dogs. Other shepherds sacrificed to Faunus, who also protected shepherds but was part goat.

The celebration, called Lupercalia, was held during early spring, which since time immemorial has been a season for purification. All the ancients saw that in the winter, the earth fell quiet and covered itself in white. Late winter and early spring was the time for human purification also, to be followed closely by fertility magic.

- Something Old, Something New

Rome still celebrated Lupercalia after it had matured and become a great republic. In fact, all civic life came to a halt for the festival.

Because of the Remus and Romulus legend, Lupercalia enjoyed great respect. Sons of noblemen were appointed to be Lupercalian priests, or luperci, and tasked with a number of duties. Each year they sacrified a dog (for Lupercal) and a goat (for Faunus) at the bottom of a cave at Palantine Hill. Wearing nothing but goat hide, they cut thongs from the skin and ran the perimeter of “old Rome,” slapping women with the bloody strips. Women put themselves forward for this, meaning to be purified and made fertile. (Our month of February, Febrarius, means “month of purification.”) Afterward, Rome indulged in a love lottery in which young men drew young women’s names from a jar and became their “partners” for a time.

Eventually, the Roman upper-crust grew too refined to feel at ease with Lupercalia. Cicero sniffed that the luperci were:

-------------

A certain wild association of Lupercalian brothers, both plainly pastoral and savage, whose rustic alliance was formed before civilization and laws.

-------------

A certain politician made sport of Lupercalia's anachronistic air by wearing his luperci skin to work and haranging his fellow senators.

Eventually, Lupercalia began to fall out of favor, although Augustus revived it for a time in a fit of national patriotism.

- The Church Triumphant

The church is sometimes vilified for its Lupercalian edits. It found the love lottery unacceptable, as well as the luperci. But rather than ban the fete outright, it tried assimilation.

First, the love lottery was replaced with a high-minded version, where each man drew a saint instead of a girl and was invited to emulate that saint throughout the year. (This custom is sometimes observed today). Then the purification aspect was re-clothed in a feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, scheduled for early February. As for fertility magic, the church dodged this altogether, although one can see traces of the purifying and “greening” impulse in the spirit and chapel decorations of Lent.

As for the fourteenth of February, the church dedicated the day to the Christian martyr, Valentine. Contrary to the sugared rumors that have sprung up around him (or more accurately, them -- there were several St. Valentines), the saint almost certainly had nothing to do with love or romance.

- Knights in Shining Armor

Lupercalia had been well and truly squelched in Rome. But to the west and north, where the Age of Chivalry triumphed, Europeans could not let the tradition molder and with childlike zest, revived it. The English cast off the papal practice of drawing saints, but their new notions of chivalric love led to a more innocent type of boy/girl lottery than Rome had ever seen. Young girls drew on the power of dream pillows -- filled or pinned with aromatics like bay leaves or lavender -- to catch a glimpse of their future mates. Small children dressed in adult clothes and roamed the streets, gently mocking the “new” fascination with love:

"Good morning to you, valentine
Curl your locks as I do mine--
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine."

Unlike the serious Lupercalian business of patriotism and the appeasement of gods, this kinder, gentler Valentine’s day spoke of a young person’s coming-of-age. Chivalry’s themes of chaste love and longing played major roles.

Hail, Bishop Valentine! Whose day this is
All the air is thy diocese,
And all the chirping choristers
And other birds are thy parishioners … wrote Donne.

The world grows old over and over again, and in England, Valentine’s Day aged with it. The tradition of laying out for gifts took hold, with the height of luxurious gifting possibly reaching its height around Restoration England. Lords gave Ladies rings and brooches of staggering worth, and even Samuel Pepys (not a famous romantic) recorded having given his wife “a Turkey-stone set with diamonds.” She was grateful, and as he noted, “I am glad of it, for it is fit the wretch should have something to content herself with.”

- Initially Resistant

Pragmatic, puritanical America long withstood Europe’s festivities, fending off fairies, maypoles, effigy-burning and even Valentine’s Day. Women were scarce in the harsh days of the nation’s dawn, and public displays of affection were outlawed in any case. It wasn’t until the Civil War that the country relented: long, lonely rifts in families endeared the saint to them at last. Prior to the war, elaborate commercial valentines (including “mechanical” types) had begun to flood the market and grow more affordable.

Of course, this uncharacteristic flood of romance could not go unchecked, and the widespread embrace of valentines was closely followed by the “vinegar” valentine, a comic and sometimes, caustic type.

When the war ended, and Americans crept into the light of Reconstruction, they found a freshly industrialized nation. Along with it came a transcontinental railroad, typewriters, an internal combustion engine, and -- most importantly for Valentine’s Day -- heart-shaped boxes full of commercial chocolates (a gimmick invented by the Cadbury brothers during the 1860s). Although fine diamonds and jewelry never quite became the norm among Americans, the standard “recipe” of cards, flowers, and a heart-shaped box of chocolates had been carved in the national psyche. Now Valentine’s Day is only second to Christmas in number of cards bought and sent.

About The Author

Blake Kritzberg is a copywriter, web designer, and proprietor of http://www.e-free-greeting-card.com. This article may be freely reprinted so long as this resource box and URL are preserved. Visit the website for listings and reviews of funny, spiritual and edgy e-cards.

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_130.shtml

7 Innovative Ways to Save Your Marriage

2008-01-25T02:13:00.000-08:00

by: Cucan Pemo

Are you in a tough spot in your marriage right now? Every relationship has its problems and its rough patches, but that doesn’t mean that you need to give up when the going gets tough. For many couples, they can actually work through their problems to create a stronger relationship. Sometimes the hard times are actually learning lessons in disguise. Here are just a few tips for getting started on the right foot.

Listen

There’s nothing more damaging to a relationship than a partner that doesn’t take the time to listen. In fact, that fact alone might be the thing that has led to the feelings of dissatisfaction with a marriage. In order to be a good partner (on either end), you need to be able to remain quiet and talk through problems until both partners are satisfied. Be quiet when they are speaking and try to really listen to what they are saying.

Understand

But listening only goes so far when you’re trying to work out problems in you relationship. If you do not really understand where they are coming from, you might be creating more problems. When they are expressing themselves, you want to ask questions when appropriate in order to clarify what they are saying to you. Even if it seems uncomfortable at first, it’s important that you make sure that you understand where they are at and how you might be able to help.

A positive attitude

Why start off a rough patch by thinking that it will never get any better no matter what you do? When you’re trying to work through problems and issues, you will want to make sure that you’re going into it with a positive attitude. You don’t need to be sugary sweet, but you should start to look at your troubles as learning lessons rather than the doom of the relationship. Try to think about happier times when you start to become negative in order to turn your thinking around.

Be present

When a partner isn’t fully in the moment of trying to fix a relationship, the work becomes a one-sided affair. You need to be able to fully be there for your partner when you need to work through tough times. This might mean that you need to take a few days off work or devote certain times to discussing ways to fix your relationship. These times should be uninterrupted by work obligations or time commitments so that neither person feels rushed or distracted.

Stay calm

While you might be upset about the way that things have turned out, you need to remember that being calm is the best way to see things more clearly. Try lowering your voice when you talk – it automatically lowers your blood pressure and your anger. Try to take a few deep breaths before you say anything – this will help you to be clear and calm as you speak. Many people perceive becoming flustered or upset as being angry, and that can lead to a poor environment for working through issues.

Make plans

One of the best ways to help save your marriage is to start creating long term plans with your partner. While this might not seem like the best idea at the time, it will create the idea that you are both going to make it through the rough patch that you have stumbled upon – somehow. Try to make plans for vacations or other far in the future appointments. This will create a little less pressure because the future isn’t so vague and unable to be seen in the dark that you are experiencing at the time.

Take time away

While you don’t have to become legally separated to do this, taking time away from each other is one of the best ways to stop a marriage from becoming a divorced marriage. When you take time away from each other, you allow yourself to have a new perspective on the events that are happening. And this can allow you to see new solutions as well as new ideas for how to handle the problems that you may be having. Even if it’s just a night or a few hours, taking time to step back from an issue can help it become easier to resolve.

About The Author

Cucan Pemo

Discover how you can easily bring back the Love of Your Life! http://www.retrievealover.com

- A Potent 4-Step Strategy which always work! ... No matter how stubborn the resistance, no matter how far this person is from you, no matter how hopeless your situation appears! The Good News Is It Works For Both Men & Women! More underground relationship and love tips, FREE special reports available Here. http://www.retrievealover.com/home.htm

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/relationships/article_931.shtml

The Path to Forever: Intimacy and a Lasting Marriage

2008-01-25T02:11:00.000-08:00

By Joe and Emily Season

For a marriage to survive and last until that dreamy "forever," intimacy must exist between the couple. What is intimacy anyway? This just does not pertain to the act of making love, but fulfilling each other's emotional needs. It entails enlightening conversations in between kisses and caresses.

A lot of marriage counselors chalk up the longevity of a marriage to how intimate the couple is. Here are some ways to achieve that intimacy for that ideal, almost magical marriage:

1. All work and no intimacy make a dull couple.

It is a given that after a crazy day at the office, the husband and wife both feel exhausted. But they must not let it get in the way of their relationship. They must allow for some quality time in and out of their love bed.

2. The husband must give what his wife wants: quality talk time.

Wives want to talk things out and express what is inside their hearts. The husband must grant her that as this is one way to achieve emotional intimacy.

3. The couple must still exert an effort to look attractive.

It does not mean that both must be “dressed up” all the time. But married couples must still try their best to look nice for their partners. This is one of the ways to start up the intimacy.

4. The couple must schedule dates.

Dating must not end at marriage. In fact, both should set a time to go out and have fun, just like before.

5. Husband and wife must continually unleash their romantic side.

Kisses, hugs, flowers, holding hands, stolen smacks...’the works’ - they do magic in a relationship.

6. Surprises are nice.

Sweet surprises always lead to intimacy. If the couple knows when to pull off these incredibly romantic stints, then that's a surefire way to attain a divorce-proof relationship.

7. Solving a problem before it gets blown out of proportion is important.

Intimacy loses its appeal once it gets "infected" by those conflicts that cripple the relationship. Conflicts should let a couple grow and not cause the downfall.

It is nice to earn that happily-ever-after plateau. But marriage is not as easy as a Disney fairytale had told everyone. Intimacy must be maintained long after the honeymoon is over to guarantee the husband and wife that yes, this marriage would last. That yes, forever is possible.

About The Author

Joe and Emily Season are experts when it comes to relationships and marriage. They have helped countless couples find real happiness in their lives. Sign up now for their exciting new ezine at http://www.seasonedlove.org.

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/relationships/article_1303.shtml

Pursuit Of Happiness In A Marriage

2008-01-25T02:09:00.000-08:00

By John Khu

Happiness is a precious gift. The pursuit of happiness should direct one to look within oneself and to the love that surrounds us. Happiness means well-being, sound health, and calm mind. Man is a social being and in spite of the nuclear society we live in today, all our relationships make us what we are. And one of the most important of them all is the institution of marriage. Marriage means commitment, love and understanding. More often than not the pursuit happiness ends in marriage.

Marriage is a firm bonding based on love, passion and sexual desire. Each equally important in its own sphere as we know that life should have a complete balance of love and commitment. Marriage is an ultimate commitment of life to peruse the natural way to attain happiness.

Pursuit of happiness through a marriage however is an individualistic view. While even half a century earlier marriage was the ultimate goal, the contemporary world has seen a drastic change in the way relationships are viewed. While marriage is still a revered institution it is no longer a respectability and recognition mandate, especially for women. Both genders today are equally ambitious and successful which makes the pursuit for happiness all the more definitive.

A happy and successful marriage today entails partners who deserve each other. They are a perfect match intellectually, physically and emotionally. Pursuit of happiness in marriage also includes the achievement of material comforts that ease the way for two people to share a lifetime together.

Pursuit of happiness in a marriage depends on making the right choices. Since ancient times marriage has been a source to attain real happiness and fulfillment in life. Marriage brings a sense of completeness in both men and women. This philosophy is reflected in all religions and isms that teach us to look deeper within ourselves. Marriage is the most natural institution formed by man. Evolution has made humans realize their gender differences and compatibility. Marriage has given them a formal bonding and an atmosphere to raise their children.

The pursuit of happiness through marriage is therefore a phenomenon that has come down through generations. It is a time-tested and proven theory which holds true even today because it is result of not human actions but human belief. It is an intrinsic aspect of human practicality. That is why, while many customs have come and gone with civilizations, marriage has lasted over centuries. Man’s pursuit of happiness is incomplete without the sanctity and bliss of a wedded life.

About The Author

John Khu is an experience entrepreneur and internet marketer. He specializes in communication development and personal happiness.

http://www.happyessence.com

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/relationships/article_1396.shtml

A Major Cause Of Relationship Problems

2008-01-25T02:03:00.000-08:00

By Margaret Paul, Ph.D

We all know that relationships are very challenging. 52% of married people reach their 15th anniversary and only 33% reach their 25th anniversary.

I have been counseling individuals and couples for 40 years and I believe that I have discovered a major cause of relationship problems - if not THE major cause.

Simply put, each person makes the other person responsible for his or her feelings and then tries, in various ways, to have control over getting the other person to behave in the ways she or she wants.

When most people get into a relationship, they tend to believe that this person whom they love will finally make them feel safe, secure, adequate and lovable. Because most people do not know how to make themselves feel safe, secure, adequate and lovable, and because many people came from families that did not provide this, they each believe that it needs to be provided by the other person.

The other person might try very hard to provide this. Imagine that you have a partner who is very kind and caring. But imagine that you are very critical of yourself. While your partner's caring feels good, as long as you are judging yourself, you will feel bad. No matter how much your partner loves you, as long as you are being unloving to yourself, you will not feel safe, secure, adequate and lovable.

However, you might not realize that your feelings of insecurity, anxiety, or fear are coming from your own thoughts. You might think that you are not happy because your partner is just not loving you enough. As a result, you might try various actions to try have control over getting the love you want - such as getting angry, blaming, or giving yourself up. The act of trying to control your partner only adds to your own bad feelings.

Meanwhile, your partner is likely doing the same thing - trying to get you to make him or her feel safe, secure, adequate and lovable. But when you try to control your partner and your partner tries to control you, you both end up feeling worse. One or both of you might go into resistance, withdrawing to protect against being controlled. When one person withdraws to avoid being controlled, the other person might feel even more abandoned, trying even harder to have control over getting the love you want.

As long as you each make the other person responsible for your feelings, you will continue to create a relationship that doesn't work.

The way out of this - the way to break this codependent system - is for one person to start to take responsibility for his or her own feelings. It really just takes one person to break the unloving system that both have established. When you begin to notice the thoughts that create your fear, insecurity, and feelings of unworthiness and unlovability, then you can start to learn to heal the wounded part of you that is critical of you. As you do your own inner work and learn to love yourself, you stop being a victim. You stop blaming your partner. You stop trying to control your partner into making you feel loved.

While there is no guarantee that your partner will also make changes, there is a good possibility that when you learn how to make yourself happy and take the pressure off your partner to do this for you, he or she might be interested in doing this as well.

Whatever the outer problems are in your relationship - sexual issues, money issues, parenting issues, chores, time, and so on - the underlying issue not taking responsibility for your own feelings. When you decide to learn to do this, you may be thrilled with the results!

About the Author

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. best-selling author of eight books, and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Love Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 2

2008-01-25T02:02:00.001-08:00

Love Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 1

2008-01-25T02:01:00.001-08:00

How to Catch a Cheating Wife

2008-01-25T01:59:00.000-08:00

By Sean Morissy

The last thing a husband wants to do is accuse his wife of having an affair when in fact she is not. Therefore, if you suspect your wife is cheating, take great care to do things the right way so you do not end up with a damaged marriage. One of the most common signs of a woman having an affair is her spending more time at work, long lunch hours, extra meetings and so on.

You see - the majority of affairs begin at work. The affair could be with an employee, boss, consultant, or client. Therefore, you first want to take note of any special attention pertaining to the workplace. For instance, if you notice your wife is spending more time taking care of herself to look nice at work, leaving earlier than usual, going out every day for lunch, staying late, taking business trips, and so on, then you may have a reason to be suspicious.

Once you begin to notice signs of change, you would begin to take note and look for proof. For instance, if you see that your wife’s behavior is different from usual, you are probably asking yourself why. If she becomes more interested in spending hours at the computer conversing with "friends" or "playing games" rather than going to bed, the behavior would be different, therefore, suspicious.

Another sign that your wife may be having an affair is that she suddenly takes up a new sport, activity, or some kind of interest. While this could a good thing and have nothing to do with cheating at all, again you want to pay attention. Along with the behavioral change would cove her taking better care of personal hygiene, having manicures and pedicures, choosing a new hair color and/or style, shopping for trendy or sexy clothes, etc.

Then, if you find that your wife prefers taking calls on her cell phone or perhaps talks in a quiet voice when the home phone rings, question it. Keep in mind that if your wife was cheating and you approach her, the chances are she will deny everything. For this reason, you must put it all together. This means looking at the computer to determine what sites she is visiting, obtaining cell phone records, and even following her, if necessary.

While the thought of following your wife sounds mean or invasive, if you believe she is having an affair, then you owe it to yourself and your family to know the truth. Sometimes, confirming an affair is hard. In this case, you might need to hire a private investigator to do the work for you. However, if you have time or interest, you can always be your own private eye. Finally, you can even purchase miniature, hidden cameras to place around the house if you believe she is having the man in, buy software that can monitor her computer activity, and a wide array of other tools to help you know if your wife is in fact cheating.

About the Author

Sean Morissy runs the hugely popular site dating woman, which helps you how to catch a cheating Spouse, which is very common in today’s husband and wives. Are you worried about cheating Spouse? Here you can find best book related to it.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Valentine Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 5

2008-01-25T01:56:00.000-08:00

Bringing Back The Spark - 5 Secrets To Getting Your Husband To Adore You

2008-01-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

If you are like most married women, the romance in your marriage has its ups and downs as time goes by. As you move together through the many changes that life brings, it is easy to forget to put each other first. If you are ready to win back his attention, first you need to understand what makes him tick.

Here are 5 secrets to getting him to adore you again:

Tip #1: Acknowledge his special value: Every man has a unique attribute, a special type of intelligence, or an area of expertise. You can bet that this is the thing about which your husband feels most proud. Why? Because your husband places a healthy portion of his own self-esteem on this value, silly as that may seem. In fact, most of what he says to you is simply him reminding you in different ways about this special value. By really listening to what he is saying and acknowledging his value directly, you will be amazed at how much he will start opening up to listen to you in return.

Tip #2: Quit making him shut down: Every husband has at least one or two things that make him seem to shut down or close up emotionally. Instead of being dismayed or trying to pry at the root of those things, it is better to let them lie. Learn what his shut-down triggers are and then learn to avoid them. If you are truly concerned about some deep issue he is facing, let him know you are concerned and ask if he would like to talk about it. But, if he does not want to, respect that and move on. Life is too short to always be trying to fix your husband. Avoid his triggers and enjoy happier times together.

Tip #3: Heed his "alone time beacon": Often, when a wife wants more attention from her husband, she will do whatever she can to get it: strike up a conversation, sit near him, or even nag him about being too quiet! During these times, you can bet that your husband is trying to send subtle signals that say "stay away - I need some alone time right now." It is a huge mistake to ignore those signals. Quite to the contrary, the secret to getting him to want to be around you is to actually let him have his alone time. Even encourage it. When you are feeling the need to spend time with him, arrange for a special get-together time after dinner and "invite" him to join you. By setting aside the time in advance, he will likely be much more responsive.

Tip #4: Be crystal clear about your feelings: You know the routine: you are feeling hurt or angry for some reason and you want him to guess your feelings and, even better, approach you about them. For 95% of men, this is just not going to happen. You must give up on this fantasy of wanting him to figure you out. Instead: choose the right time and express to him in a crystal clear way about what is bothering you. Avoid complaining. Rather, your sentence should go like this: "Honey, I am feeling hurt because of [fill in cause]. Is this a good time to talk about it?"

Tip #5: Show confidence in your looks: No discussion of marital relations is complete without mention of the physical side of the relationship. Regardless of the state of your sex life with your husband, being attracted to each other is the basis for any healthy marriage. Here is the formula for success: be confident in your face, your hair, your body and show it. Even on bad hair days, walk, talk, and sit in a way that says, "I am hot. I am attractive. Now, you can take it or leave it." Reason: confidence is extremely attractive to a man and he will adore you all the more for it.

About the Author

Want to rekindle your love? Here is a guide that has helped many others like you to fall in love again: www.Earth-Matters.com

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Valentine Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 4

2008-01-25T01:53:00.001-08:00

Valentine Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 3

2008-01-25T01:52:00.001-08:00

Valentine Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 2

2008-01-25T01:50:00.000-08:00

Valentine Glitter Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 1

2008-01-25T01:47:00.000-08:00

A Woman Needs a Man as Her Husband

2008-01-25T01:41:00.000-08:00

By Dalip singh Wasan, Advocate.

A woman knows that she shall not living all her life with her parents. She knows that one day she would be married and she shall be shifting to the house of her in laws and the main character in that house shall be her husband who had chosen her as his life partner. When she was growing young, she had been making so many images of of her would be husband. She wants that her husband should be properly educated, should be properly trained, properly adjusted at work, should be having handsome income, should be having good reputation, should be honest, should be having good health, should be able to protect her, should be able to give her love and affection and should be able to maintain her well so that she could live a life of her own. She wants that her husband should be a clean person, should not be inclined to another woman and should not be wasting more and more time on that lady. She wants that the husband may be having sisters and brothers, parents and some people to support, but at the same time he should be available to her and he must be taking care of her and should not be ignoring her in comparison with other members of the family. Such are the wishes of the woman who shall be coming to the house of a man and therefore, he must have knowledge about these wishes and desires of the woman who shall come to his house and till he has not prepared the grounds, he should not marry a girl, especially a girl with modern education and training and especially a woman who is already in job and is earning hand.

The man must prepare himself and must be able to show that he is the man of her dreams and the man who is really a life partner for her fixed by God before sending them on this earth. If some of the requirements are not there, there are no chances of a successful marriage and married life. She shall not be adjusted and a frustrated lady shall create all types of troubles in the house and the remaining part of life shall become a hell. Therefore, the man should prepare himself before his marriage and should not have a faith that the lady coming to his house shall be adjusting herself in all types of circumstances available in his house. Those are the days gone and now such ladies are not available in the society who shall be adjusting themselves in spite of all the hurdles and difficulties. Therefore, marriage to day is a contract and both sides must have to keep in mind the minimum conditions from both the side and only then this contract shall be finalized and executed properly.

About the Author

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Love Graphic from plzpimp.us 1

2008-01-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

MySpace Graphics
at www.PlzPimp.us

How to Catch a Cheating Husband

2008-01-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

By Sean Morissy

Over the years, a number of studies have been performed to determine information specific to a cheating spouse. Compiled information shows that 85% of women who believe their spouse is having an affair are right. In addition, these studies show that 50% of men who feel the wife is cheating, is right. Therefore, if you are married and your gut is telling you that something is wrong, chances are in your favor that something suspicious is going on.

In this article, we wanted to address some of the ways in which you could catch a cheating husband. Obviously, the future of the marriage would depend on recognizing the telltale signs of an affair. If the affair were confirmed, then a couple would need to decide the future direction of the marriage. Of course, the wife would need to decide if she were willing to stay and work hard to rebuild the marriage or move on.

Interestingly, more than 800 different signs can show if a husband is cheating, some that you may find surprising. Although we cannot cover them all in one article, we did want to provide you with the various categories in which these signs fall, as well as a few specific things you could watch for if suspicious of your husband cheating.

Physical Appearance
Relating to the Wife
Conversation/Communication
Work Habits
Daily Behavior
Finances
Travel
Behavioral Changes/Personality
Absences
Phone Tip-Offs
Clues with the Car
Eating Habits
Taste and Smell
Home Invasion
Gifts
Computer/Cell Phone/Pager Use
Physical Evidence
Disclosure or Slip-Ups

Of these categories, we will touch on the first four, giving you ways in which you can catch your husband cheating. Again, knowing the signs will help build your case so you can eventually confront him with the truth.

•Physical Appearance – If you were to notice your husband taking greater interest in his physical appearance, you might wonder why. For instance, a sudden interest in working out at the gym, wearing hair in a new style, different or new clothing, and overall personal hygiene could all be signs of an affair.

•Relating to the Wife – Sometimes, a cheating husband will begin to act
differently to the wife. For instance, the husband may no longer be interested in conversation, he may stop opening the car door, or perhaps he no longer wants to dine out for date night, and so on. While these signs are not definite for an affair, they could be indicators.

•Conversation/Communication – Often times, a husband having an affair will become quiet. This means normal conversation/communication diminishes or stops altogether.

•Work Habits – A cheating husband will try to find ways of getting out of the home, using work as an excuse. Therefore, you would find him attending more long or after-hour meetings, needing to travel out of town, or blaming overload on spending more hours at the office.

About the Author

Sean Morissy runs the hugely popular site dating woman, which helps you how to catch a cheating Spouse, which is very common in today’s husband and wives. Are you worried about cheating Spouse? Here you can find best book related to it.

Source : http://www.article2.net/

Someone Like You

2008-01-25T01:29:00.001-08:00

Mistakes Men Make in Relationships

2008-01-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

By Joy Bates

It’s a known fact that men and women are situated on opposite ends of the relationship spectrum. Although they share similar human traits, men are more driven by logic as opposed to emotions as women do. As a result, they think, feel, and act differently when interacting with their partners and dealing with life’s challenges. Generally speaking, men are unemotional, collected, rational, and analytical, while women are emotional, reactive, sensitive, and sentimental. It’s no wonder their friendly chats occasionally end up in the battle of the sexes. With this in mind, love and harmony can be achieved in relationships. Men and women just need to embrace their differences.

To shed more light on this interesting topic, the following are some of the most common mistakes men make in relationships:

• Men are candid about their partners’ looks. In order to get attention and assurance from their partners, most women would solicit their thoughts on their appearance. They would pose questions such as, “do you think I gained weight” or “do you like my new hairstyle”? Naturally, women expect positive reactions from their sweethearts. If men wish to avoid any argument with their wives or girlfriends, they need to refrain from giving negative responses or feedback.

• Men automatically launch into “problem-solving” mode when they are presented with issues by their partners. The reality is women run to their significant others for emotional support regarding their workplace woes, family problems, among other things. They are not searching for solutions. They simply want to “vent”. In return, they just need their partners to listen and provide comforting words like “everything will be ok”. A nice hug would also do the trick.

• Men tend to express their honest views of another woman’s beauty to their wives or girlfriends. Big mistake! Typically, women put their men to the test to ensure that they still find them attractive. For example, they would ask, “do you think Jennifer is pretty?” If a man answers yes to that question, World War III would break out.

• When women provide suggestions or advice to their husbands or boyfriends on any topic, they get defensive and perceive their friendly gesture as intimidating and condescending. They interpret their innocent help as a form of criticism, attack, and condemnation. They feel their intelligence is being challenged.

• Men are not romantic enough. Women crave to be told and shown how much they are loved and desired by their partners in countless ways. They long to be hugged, kissed, touched, caressed, and told how beautiful and sexy they are. And, to solidify these romantic overtures, flowers, love notes, or a stroll on the sandy beaches of a tropical island are encouraged.

• Men hardly participate with household chores. In the past, men were the sole breadwinners and women’s place in society was at home. Today, men and women both earn a living and therefore should have their share of domestic responsibilities.

• Men have the natural tendency of hiding their true feelings concerning their careers, family life, and so on. This can be problematic and can cause a serious communication breakdown. If this behavior persists, it will slowly destroy the relationship.

Men and women have similarities and differences in their approach to relationships and life in general. In order to make the marriage or relationship flourish, both genders should be aware of their differences and accept them wholeheartedly.

About the Author

Joy Bates is a co-owner of relationship-remedy.com, which provides articles, e-books, advice, and the like pertaining to relationships. Come visit our website http://www.relationship-remedy.com, your gateway to a happy relationship.

Love Letters

2008-01-25T01:15:00.000-08:00

By Shweeta Bhandari

It is often said that Language is the poetry of the soul. When you wish to speak of your love for that one special person, what other better way to do so than by speaking out your heart on perfumed paper, and sealed with a kiss? Yes, we are referring to the humble love letter.

Love letters have their firm place in history, the cause of alliances and the reason for wars. Yet, very few delights can compare to the sweet sorrow that one feels, while writing a love letter. The mode of sending a letter across was also quite different earlier. One would use pigeons for the purpose, or simply send it through a trusted friend. Today too, a love letter is rated as one of the topmost ways of saying I Love You. There is something humble, direct and romantic about reading words on paper. More importantly, you can keep on reading the letter as and when you wish, and even sleep with it under your pillow if you desire. Today, thanks to the commercialization of love itself, one can get so many choices even in letter pads. Gone are the days of plain white paper, now it comes in different shapes, sizes, patterns and colors.

Of course not all of us can speak out matters of the heart with such eloquence like an orator. Which is why for the rest of us we can now refer to websites which will help us say what we want the right way? There are sites with ready love letters already put up. All you need to do is copy them word for word, and then post the letter to your love. One cannot deny however that in the face of technology, a handwritten love letter still holds its own place.

Love letters as the name suggests always brings smile on your face. Earlier when there was not internet and other modes of communication then letter is used as the primary way to communicate with the people who used to be distant apart. Mailing a love letter expresses more feelings and emotions than an electronic love letter. Originally you can put all the stuff you wanted to be sent with the love letter. Colors like red, purple, pink, yellow are used most while writing a love letter.

Would you like to send love letters electronically? There are many other websites as well who are providing lovely and romantic love letters, so better to search on internet and then find the best for you depending upon the situation in which you are. If your lover of friend is apart from you and at very long distance then letters are the best media for conversions. These days no doubt emails are there to communicate but sending letters through mail has its own dignity and value. Put some colors of happiness, cent of love, attachment of feelings and emotions and see you will get a perfect letter carrying your message to your beloved or near or dear ones.

About the Author

Shweeta Bhandari is an renowned writer in poems, quotes, romance, romantic quotes & relationships. She is a professional content writer working for Best Quotes Poems

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Where Does Happiness Come From?

2008-01-25T01:14:00.001-08:00

As December rolls in for another round of the Holidays, I think we all have to ponder what really makes us happy. It is a time of the year which promotes spending, but at the same time provides many unique opportunities to give and to provide others with kind services. It is a time of the year where families are able to come together and to cherish past traditions and memories.

So what really does make us happy? For some happiness comes in providing happiness to others. Giving is one of the best ways to go about providing this to others. It is interesting to see how much consumers will spend in order to provide the latest and greatest gifts during the Holidays to help others feel of their love. Giving doesnt necessarily mean that one needs to spend, rather time can be given to help those who might be less fortunate that others. Happiness can be found in giving of your own talents and skills to help someone. Their appreciation for these simple acts are sure to provide happiness and meaning to life. There is no wrong or right way, the important thing is that you discover something that makes you happy.

Spending time with loved ones is another way of finding happiness. Around the Holidays families tend to gather, some travel from all distances to see loved ones who have spread to different corners of the world. It is a time when families can bring back those special moments that life has provided for them and share with those who they care most about. These times are those that can provide true happiness, a feeling of complete enjoyment and acceptance.

Finding true love is one of the best ways to find happiness. There is something about being with the person that you love. Moments when it doesnt matter what you do or say, its just about being together. Laughing about things that dont have any significance, but talking about some of your deepest thoughts and dreams without having to hold anything back because you know you are loved for exactly who you are. A true love will know you for the person you are and see the potential that lays within you. You will never feel more yourself than when you are spending time with that one true love. This is where happiness can be found.

Happiness can come from many different areas. It is a feeling that once found, is difficult to let go; because it makes life worth living. It is a feeling which brings out the best in people and can inspire others to have those same thoughts and feelings. Laughter can be heard, smiles can be seen, and lives can be changes when it is around.

About the Author

If you have found your true love that brings happiness into your life and marriage is on the horizon, Infinity Tungsten wants to help. Infinity Tungsten offers mens and womens Tungsten rings and Tungsten Carbide wedding bands. You deserve to be happy.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Should I Lie to Protect the Relationship?

2008-01-25T01:10:00.000-08:00

By Kristin Denton & Paul Sterling

Remember how your relationship was in the very beginning?

You stayed up all night talking about everything - your dreams and desires and even the things that scare or embarrass you. But then, as the relationship went a long, you stopped talking about so much. Everything became so heavy and meaningful.

In the beginning, things were great. There was a level of trust and open communication that created intimacy and understanding. So, what happened to that? Where did it go and how can you get it back?

I used to try to protect my partner from those heavy, bad moods and ugly thoughts. I went to my room and hung out until I felt like socializing again.

I thought I was noble in my ability to control what came out of my mouth.

I thought I was kind because I never let on what I was thinking.

But what I was doing was ruining my relationships. There was no relationship. I was cutting myself off from others and never allowing them to know me. They never knew what I was thinking or feeling or needing.

I was an island. A very lonely island.

I really thought that if I let people know the ugly thoughts, not only would they be hurt - but they would probably become angry and disown me - betray me, talk shit behind my back. I would be the outcast.

So I beat them to the punch! Hah! I'd banish myself to my own room (or apartment, as I got older). I'd banish myself to silence.

You can either have a N.I.C.E. (Not Interested in Connecting Emotionally) relationship... where you hide what is true out of fear. Or you can have an alive, real relationship with intimacy, compassion and understanding.

Some people withhold from their partner and add an extra zinger -- they put on a show of pain and discomfort in order to punish them. It's an effort to communicate just how much pain they're in. But none of it's verbalized. It's a show of the pain.

When you start keeping secrets and withholding,.. when you cut off the sharing of life force between you,... you're cutting off the intimacy in your relationship. Even if you think you're protecting your partner from painful or embarrassing thoughts - it's still destroying your relationship.

Relationships require sharing... both our dreams and desires along with our doubts and fears.

What are you feeling and what needs of yours are being met or not? ...

I'm happy because my need for support in keeping our home is being met.

I'm disappointed because my need for partnership isn't being met in the way we're handling our finances.

I'm sad because my need for connection isn't being met when you're out with your friends every evening.

You can find out more about this style of intimate communication, along with other advice on building healthy, intimate relationships, at our website: www MagicRelationship dot com.

Another tip: when you offer your feelings and needs, it's best to follow them with a request. If you offer them without a request, your partner won't know why you're giving them the information.

Do you want to be just heard?

Do you want advice?

Do you want to come up with a strategy for meeting your needs? Why the heck are you telling me this?

Often, a comment without a request will be taken as blame... which will lead to fixing, fighting or fleeing. Don't leave your poor partner hanging.

Paul and I recommend asking, "Would you tell me what you heard me say?" (Avoid saying 'could'- it implies they aren't intelligent enough to repeat you. And avoid saying "What did I say?" because what you said and what they heard are two different things.)

And one more tip: don't think that little behaviors are enough to be warranted as 'sharing feelings and needs.' Fixing your honey a cup of coffee in the morning is very sweet, but it may not communicate your feelings of love and contentment like actually verbalizing the information. "I love you so much", PLUS the cup of coffee goes much further.

Frowning and throwing around the bed covers while you make the bed may not adequately communicate your feelings and needs, either.

Instead, say: "I'm feeling disappointed because my need for support around the house isn't being met. Would you be willing to discuss a way to help that would also meet your needs?"

There's no room for misinterpretation there.

Try it out this holiday season: make a pact with your beloved to share absolutely ALL your feelings and needs for one day - the good, the bad and the ugly. Then follow the information with a request.

Be prepared to spend some time processing and discussing those feelings and needs as they come up.

However, try to avoid getting into BLAMING and 'FAULT' behind the feelings and needs. That tends to end up in a free-for-all about evaluations and judgments - who's right and who's wrong. Try to stick with feelings, needs and requests.

Try to do this on a day when you'll have the time.

You won't want to get cut off because you have to run to pick up the kids right when you're getting to the heart of an issue that's snuck up silently between you.

You're going to want to stay and hold each other and talk it through... and feel the intimacy of clearing out all of those old, crusty feelings and unmet needs that have been clogging the flow of love.

And, again, you can find out more about this style of intimate communication for relationships, at our website - www MagicRelationship dot com - a along with advice on building healthy relationships.

About the Author

Kristin Denton & Paul Sterling teach Relationship Communication Skills - Live Seminars or Tele-Classes including - 4 Steps To Instant Intimacy & Understanding - Relationship-Wrecking Mistakes -To get a free copy of 'The 5 Mistakes Report' go to http://www.magicRelationship.com/freeaccess

Source: http://www.article2.net/

I Wanna Go Home - Michael Buble

2008-01-25T01:06:00.000-08:00

Another summer day,
has come and gone away,
in Paris or Rome,
but I wanna go home
Mm….

Maybe surrounded by,
a million people I,
still feel all alone,
just wanna go home
Oh I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you,
each one a line or two,
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat,
and you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane,
another sunny place,
I’m lucky I know,
but I wanna go home
Mm, I gotta go home

Let me go home~…
I’m just too far, from where you are,
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life,
it’s like I just stepped outside,
when everything was going right
And I know just why you could not come along with me,
this was not your dream,
but you always believed~ in me

Another winter day,
has come and gone away,
in even Paris and Rome,
and I wanna go home,
let me go home…

And I’m surrounded by,
a million people I,
still feel alone and let me go home,
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home~…
I’ve had my run,
baby, I`m done,
I gotta go home
Let me go home~…
It’ll all be alright,
I’ll be home tonight,
I’m coming back home…

Communication Breakdown

2008-01-25T01:04:00.000-08:00

It happens to the best of us. Communication is such a fickle thing, and the lines of communication can become blurred every so often, especially when feelings are involved. Even those who think that they are immune to the confusion of conflict can find themselves drawn into a communication breakdown when they least expect it, and chaos ensues.

This happened to me on the weekend, and until to be quite honest, it took me by surprise. Even those of us who are better equipped than many others are not immune. My partner told me something that really hurt my feelings, and I lashed back in defense. It was a silly argument, over something as simple as a misplaced bottle of aftershave. But to me, it represented something much deeper, that had been simmering away for a couple of weeks. I get frustrated at having to search for something when it is not where I expect it to be. Worse still when my partner has shifted it and I don’t know the first place to begin searching.

Aftershave, needles and thread, car keys, a Tupperware container to store my baking soda in, covers for our outdoor chairs, all were examples of instances where I had to turn the house upside-down. A simple answer from my partner when these things were shifted would have saved me a lot of time and frustration. And the answer I got? "You need to open your eyes and organize yourself better"

I was gutted. When I come home from work I exercise the dog and cook dinner so that it is on the table by the time my partner gets home. The house is always spotless and warm, as I’m very conscious of coming home to a tidy environment. I see this as a fundamental part of my role in coming home first, and it takes a lot of my time. To imply that I have the time to "organize yourself better" really hurt.

I don’t expect praise, but I did hope that my efforts were recognized. I got told that "I don’t expect you to cook my dinner every night" was interpreted by me as ingratitude, and hurt me even more.

So where to from here? My partner felt guilty at coming home every night to the perfect household, whereas I felt guilty if it wasn’t perfect. It was never about me trying to make him feel guilty, but it seems it did. And this is where the communication fell down. He misinterpreted my efforts, and I misinterpreted his response.

Communication, communication, communication. I need for my partner to keep me informed of where things move to. I need to be informed. I need to voice my frustration before it gets to boiling point. We both need to talk about our feelings more, and how each of our contributions to our home and our relationship make us feel, and how we interpret each others contributions. It is not a competition, but for many couples it feels like it.

When people feel guilt or stress, it leads them to act funny ways. Often stress and guilt are barriers to communication. The key to overcoming them is to recognize what it is, and have the courage to talk about it. You might be able to do it as a couple, or you might want the help of a friend who can listen to the way you are communicating with each other and offer insights and advice.

We got it sorted out, and kissed and hugged. It wouldn’t hurt so much if I didn’t feel such love at the same time. But it served as a good reminder to me. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in your own emotions that you forget to think of the other person. You also need to entertain the possibility that you are misinterpreting each other. Talking about it is the way to expose the miscommunication and let the healing begin.

A good lesson to learn, even for the experts…

This article is brought to you by Save My Marriage Today.

You may be making mistakes that will jeopardize your marriage recovery! My Save My Marriage Today course has helped save thousands of marriages and is guaranteed to deliver results or your money back.

You can’t afford to give your marriage 50%. You need 100% - you need the BEST information now! You have to learn what it takes to save your marriage. Get the whole package that gives you REAL results ... guaranteed.

You have to go towww.savemymarriagetoday.com/ and get my course.

Because your marriage deserves better!

About the Author

This article is brought to you by Save My Marriage Today.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men

2008-01-25T01:03:00.000-08:00

Close your eyes, make a wish
And blow out the candlelight
For tonight is just your night
We’re gonna celebrate, all thru the night
Pour the wine, light the fire
Girl your wish is my command
I submit to your demands
I’ll do anything, girl you need only ask

I’ll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I’ll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I’ll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to

Girl relax, let’s go slow
I ain’t got nowhere to go
I’m just gonna concentrate on you
Girl are you ready, it’s gonna be a long night
Throw your clothes on the floor
I’m gonna take my clothes off too
I made plans to be with you
Girl whatever you ask me you know I’ll do

I’ll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I’ll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I’ll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to

Baby tonight is your night
And I will do you right
Just make a wish on your night
Anything that you ask
I will give you the love of your life

Does She Really Love You?

2008-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Did you hear that? She just said: "I love you." If you live in the 18th century, you could have slapped the rusticated walls with joy. You could have been jumping all day and has gathered all flowers in the prairie to offer her. You could have chased the moons and do all the impossibilities for that much awaited phrases said by millions of chivalrous men that lived and died for their beloved ladies. I love you.

It turned out that you involuntarily build up wrinkles in your young face when she mumbled it because it is the 21st century and all the greeting cards in the world is mechanically printed with "I love you/s" on it. Then you opened her card and find the phrases on it. Your girl is too verbal about the whole affair that all her friends know that she loves you as she says. The commodity is too cheaply spoken. You heard her saying it even to her poodle. With all the silence broken by benefit of doubts, now you wonder in your subconscious thinking: "Does she really love me?"

If you have this kind of thinking, then you will really have a hard time accepting love and getting it in return. Before you even ponder on the answer, better look in the mirror and recall if you always have these doubts in the past relationships you had. If not, then it's time to make a better and more scientific approach.

Are you diagnosed psychologically? Seriously, then this could justify why you cannot accept realities in its simple form. Otherwise, everything is environmental and can be dealt with.

Here are the signs that a person really loves you:

* ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS:

Is she always there when you have dates? If not, does she leave you considerate words of excuse and make it easy for you by not letting you wait for an hour or so before even telling that she will not be coming. She treats you well by meeting halfway with what you both agree with. In other words, she will show it in her actions even without saying. You cannot expect someone saying, "I love you" all the time yet you caught her dating somebody else without your consent.

* ONE CANNOT LOVE WITHOUT GIVING

Does she try to please you with abstract things that you did not yet you get it from her? If she truly loves you, then she will find out what you want in a creative way and try to make sure that you get it. It could come in small gifts small gifts such as books related to your interests, a small gadget or any stuff. Without involving cash, it could be a kiss on the cheek that you longed for. It is something that has impact on you that come in small packages that make both of you happy.

* LOVE IS LIBERATING

If your girl clings to you constantly, turning your gazes only to her, does not want you to even use the computer other than checking your email, gets angry when you overlooked her birthday, and wants all attention focused on her, then you will end up feeling exhausted in her confinement. If she wants to drive your life's goal to her interests alone, wants you to forget your loved ones, wants to see you every minute and most of all, does not want to release you when you want to get off her, then she is not truly in love with you. She is having you as a vanity.

* LOVE IS SUSTAINED BY MAINTENANCE

If she is constantly working out with you to make up for the mistakes and failures of your relationship, then it has chances of lingering and getting a wholesome journey. If it is only you, or only one of you is constantly working out to fill up the space that missing between you, then your relationship could die. You must see that she is doing the initiative with you for quality relationship.

Initially, it is only you who can judge if the relationship could be taken to its ultimate bond, which is marriage. It will take a lot of factors to know an individual based on her environment and social heredity. It is immaterial to have evidence if the person truly loves you just for personal satisfaction. Most of the time, it is a combination of opposite feelings, which in the end you will find out in old age...that is if she is still with you.

About the Author

My Relationship Tips has hundreds of dating and relationship tips for men and women.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

The Way - Clay Aiken

2008-01-25T00:57:00.000-08:00

Theres something bout the way you look tonight
Theres something bout the way that i can’t take my eyes off you.
Theres something bout the way your lips invite
Maybe its the way that i get nervous when your around.
And I want you to be mine
And if u need a reason why

Its in the way that you move me
And the way that you tease me
The way that I want you tonight
Its in the way that youhold me
And the way that you know me
When I can’t find the right words to say
You feel it in the way, you feel it in the way.

Theres something bout how you stay on my mind
Theres something bout the way that I whisper your name when I’m asleep Oh no..
Maybe its the look you get in your eyes
Oh baby its the way that makes me feel to see you smile
And the reasons they may change but what i’m feeling stays the same.

I can’t put my fingers on just what it is that makes me love you, you baby
So don’t ask me to describe, I get all chokedup inside
Just thinking bout the way..

If Tomorrow Never Comes - Ronan Keating

2008-01-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes late at night,
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She’s lost in peaceful dreams so I turn out the lights,
lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind,
if I never wake, in the morning
Would she ever doubt,
the way I feel about her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes,
will she know how much I loved her
That I try in every way,
to show her every day,
that she’s my only one
If my time on earth were through
She must face this world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past,
gonna be enough to last,
if tomorrow never comes

’cause I’ve lost love once in my life,
who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret that my true feelings for them,
never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself,
to say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance where there’s no second chance,
to tell her how I feel

So tell that someone that you love,
just what you’re thinking of,
if tomorrow never comes

Kiss Her Better Than The Other Guy

2008-01-25T00:53:00.000-08:00

By Chris Williams

Because of the nature of my writing it is essential that I have a large number of women friends. Of course they rarely completely agree on every topic. However, there is one thing that every single one of them is in universal agreement about.

...Bad kissers immediately lose any chance of sleeping with them.

Yes, apparently, a guy can do everything right all evening but if he sucks (sometimes literally) at kissing she'll immediately say her grandma is dying and get the hell out of there.

Why is a simple thing like kissing such a big deal to women? Well, in her mind, if a guy can't do an easy thing like kissing well, he's probably not going to be that great at other sensual things either.

Fortunately, you don't have to be one of those guys. Study the following kissing tips and leave the getting ditched to the other chumps.

Make sure you're kissable

This one's easy but definitely necessary. Start by practicing good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth and tongue regularly, floss, and use mouthwash.

Carry breath mints if you think there is even a small chance you will be kissing. Don't forget a tube of chapstick to keep your lips soft and smooth. Make sure it's not medicated chapstick though, that stuff tastes terrible.

Avoid foods with an unpleasant or strong aftertaste. These include garlic, onions, and most spicy foods. Don't smoke unless she does.

Pick the right moment

Don't force her into a kiss. Make sure she wants it first.

How will you know for sure? Check her body language. If she smiles a lot, touches you shamelessly, and bites or licks her lips, she probably wants it.

Start with a closed mouth kiss and go from there

Don't just stick out your tongue and plow in. Start with a gentle, closed-mouth kiss. Don't worry, it will escalate.

When you go in for the kiss do it with confidence. Act like you've kissed her a million times. This may be hard, but remember that confidence is the number one turn-on for women. Take advantage of that.

Use your hands

This doesn't mean you have a license to grope around like a horny moron. It simply means you need to place your hands where they will have maximum effect. One of the best hand placements for a French kiss goes like this: Left hand on her hip, right hand on her side between her waist and underarm.

If that position isn't possible, you can touch her back, hair, neck, or even the side of her face.

Take it slow

If your closed-mouth kiss didn't freak her out, try opening your lips slightly. She should reciprocate at this point and it's on!

Take it to the next level by opening your mouth a little more and gently touch her tongue with yours. Keep the touch of your tongue and lips soft. French kissing can be likened to dancing in that a good kisser will smoothly flow and adapt to what their partner is doing.

Do yourself a favor. Don't treat kissing as a stepping stone to other activities. She'll know what you're thinking and it will piss her off. A good kisser treats kissing like the main event. He kisses like he's enjoying every second and doesn't want to do anything else. Ironically, this is exactly what makes her want to do everything else.

About the Author

Chris Williams is a contributing writer for French-Kissing-Techniques.com a collection of French kissing techniques, articles, tips, and resources.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

Love Graphic from Satisfaction.com 2

2008-01-25T00:51:00.001-08:00

Free Comments & Graphics

If You'e Not The One - Daniel Bedingfield

2008-01-25T00:48:00.000-08:00

If you’re not the one then why does my soul feel glad, today
If you’re not the one then why does my hand fit yours, this way
If you are not mine then why does your heart return, my call
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand, at all

I never know what the future brings
But I know you’re here with me now
We’ll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with

I don’t want to run away but I can’t take it, I don’t understand
If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay, in your arms

If I don’t need you then why am I crying on, my bed?
If I don’t need you then why does your name resound, in my head?
If you’re not for me then why does this distance maim, my life?
If you’re not for me then why do I dream of you, as my wife?

I don’t know why you’re so far away
But I know that this much is true
We’ll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I pray in you’re the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life

Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
Cause I love you, whether it’s wrong or right
And though I can’t be with you tonight
You know my heart is by your side

I Wanna Be With You - Mandy Moore

2008-01-25T00:47:00.000-08:00

I try but I can’t seem to get myself to think of anything, but you
Your breath on my face, your warm gentle kiss I taste,
the truth, I taste the truth

We know what I came here for
So I won’t ask for more

I wanna be with you, if only for a night
To be the one whose in your arms who holds you tight
I wanna be with you, there’s nothing more to say
There’s nothing else I want more than to feel, this way

I wanna be with you, yeah

So I’ll hold you tonight like I would if you were mine,
to hold, forever more
And I’ll saver each touch that I wanted so much to feel before,
to feel before

How beautiful it is
Just to be like this

(I wanna be) I wanna be with, you

Oh, baby
I can’t fight this feeling anymore
It drives me, crazy, when I try to
So call my name, take my hand
Can you make my wish
Baby, your command?

I wanna be with you
There`s nothing more to say
There`s nothing else I want more than to feel this way
(I wanna be) I wanna be with you (I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you
Wanna be with you~ (Yeahh)
(I wanna be with you) I wanna be
I wanna be with you
(I wanna be)
(i wanna be)
(I wanna be with you) Yeahh
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be, I wanna be baby
I wanna be
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you yeah
I wanna be with you
I wanna be with you

Valentine's Day - Different Ways to Spoil your Loved Ones

2008-01-25T00:45:00.000-08:00

By Andrea Cox

Valentine's Day is a day for romance. Traditionally a day when we hope to receive cards, flowers and maybe a gift from those that we love or admire. Cards are usually given anonymously. It's great fun to try and disguise your token of appreciation and maddening trying to work out who the sender of your's is. It is always a thrill to receive a Valentine from someone we have feelings for, particularly if it is a new potential relationship.

The story goes that in the 3rd century St Valentine married a couple in secret at a time when it was banned by Emporer Cladius 11. For this he was sentenced to death and while in prison he fell in love with the jailer's blind daughter (allegedly the power of his love restored her sight). Just before he died he sent her a message signed "from your Valentine".

Gifts for your loved ones

Long-established symbols of love are hearts, red roses and kisses and traditional gifts of flowers, chocolates and perfume are given at Valentines. Heart shaped gifts or items decorated with Hearts are also popular. If you've been with your sweetheart for some time then you may be past flowers and chocolate and need inspiration for a more original gift. Heart shaped pottery or pottery decorated with hearts would be a long-lasting token. Your partner would think of you each morning as he or she sipped their morning tea from their Heart covered mug or serve a romantic breakfast in bed on Hearts pottery. You could fill a jug with flowers or add a personal message or their pet-name to a mug or teapot.

It is traditional to give your partners gifts for Valentine's but it's also a nice gesture to show your other loved ones how you feel about them on this special day. Secret cards to confuse your children (my grandfather always used to send me a card from whoever my love of the moment was be it David Cassidy or David Soul). Anonymous cards to friends, but with a clue that it might be from their best friend so that their hopes aren't raised too much, nobody wants to be cruel.

Surprise someone

I know we show our appreciation on Mother's and Father's Day but still, particularly if people are on their own, it's nice to feel that you are loved - send flowers to your mum or an "I Love You" mug to your dad. They won't expect it and will be thrilled to be thought of.

Restaurants are always packed on Valentine's Day - full of little tables for two. Your favourite local never feels the same on this night. If you are determined to go out together for a romantic meal why not try something different. What about a picnic (I know it's winter) but if it's a bright, dry day nothing could be nicer. You could take hot chicken or sausages, flasks of soup and a bottle of red wine. Find a sheltered spot somewhere beautiful and tuck in. You can always drop into the local pub for something warming once you've had your lunch.

Whatever you do for Valentines Day do it with the ones you love.

About the Author

Andrea Cox writes editorial for Emma Bridgewater UK, a company that specialises in handmade pottery and kitchen accessories that are ideal as Valentine's gifts.

Source: http://www.article2.net/

7 Feng Shui Tips For Spicing Up Your Lovelife

2008-01-25T00:43:00.000-08:00

By Tracy O'brien

Are you happy with your lovelife or would you like to see it improved?

No matter who you are, there are times when "the bedroom" is not the loving and fun room it should be. There are of course numerous reasons why this may happen but there are some simple things you can do to help you make things better.

Your bedroom acts as a magnet both literally and metaphorically for your relationships. It is also where you sleep during the night renewing your energy levels in preparation for what the world has to offer to you the next day.

It is most likely where your romantic life is centered - unless of course you like to experiment - perhaps you're a free spirit who likes to commune with the outdoors ;-)

Your bedroom is your and your homes sanctuary.

The positioning and layout within it plays a massive role not only on your passion and romance chances but also your health, wealth and other relationships in general.

Careful attention should indeed be paid on this highly important room. When you get it right, positive energy (called "chi" by the Chinese and "ki" by the Japenese) will flow easily through your home.

Get it wrong...

All things in life are connected at the minute quantum level and the following information will help guide you so you and your relationships flourish:

1. Make sure your bedroom "feels" inviting - it must fulfill the role of a place of safety for you. When you look at the state of your bedroom now - what does it say to and about you? Does it say "I'm at home with myself" or is it a big jumble and in disarray? Is it just functional - it's purpose only for sleeping in your eyes, if so - if you want your love life to change, then this has got to change too.

2. Look around at all of the items - furniture/trinkets etc... in your bedroom. Do you have good/loving memories and feelings for these items? Or are there items which hold bad memories? If there are - get rid of them, they hold a residual energy and act as a constant reminder to your non-conscious mind. How about photos? Are there any old flames "hanging around" - again, chuck them out - you do want to move on to a new relationship - don't you?

3. Your bed should be the focal point of the room - this is where both "action" and "inaction" takes place, where you are both energized and renewed. Does your bedroom have a "personality problem"? Is it in effect multitasking? Do you have a home office or perhaps a treadmill beside you? Again, these items should not be here. You want to focus on your relationships rather than your body or mind in this room - move them out. If this is not possible due to space constraints, you will need to use a screen to keep them "at bay".

4. The ever present TV. Yes it can be cosy to curl up in bed and watch a great movie but a TV sends out a stream of positive ions (rather than positive chi) - this device is "yang" in nature and will ensure your body does not get the rest it requires. It also represents a 3rd party in the room - not particularly conducive to a stable and healthy monogomous relationship... Once again - the TV has got to go.

5. Make sure your bed is as far away from the door to your room as you can. If you are unable to see the door, you will feel ill at ease at a subconscious level - this is because you will sense you cannot see if an intruder will enter your room (heaven forbid!). This unease will of course impact how you rest at night.

6. Choose a bed which has a solid and sturdy headboard. In Form School Feng Shui, the headboard represents a supportive mountain to your back.

7. Your bed holds residual energy from those who have come and gone before. In an ideal world, if you have had a partner and wish to attract a new one, you should purchase a new bed. This gives you and your new relationship an optimal chance to flourish. Regardless, you should invest in the best bed you can as if you sleep 8 hours per day, this means you will spend 1/3 of your entire life in it!

About The Author

Tracy O'Brien is a long time student/practitioner of the art of Feng Shui and also founder of FengShuiAstrology.com. Visit now for more Feng Shui Tips and a FREE Feng Shui Astrology Personality Profile: http://www.fengshuiastrology.com

5+ Tips to Create your Best Relationship Ever

2008-01-25T00:34:00.000-08:00

By Ariole K. Alei

A Dynamic Guide for Couples and Singles Seeking Love

Have you ever wished there was a 'guidebook' to navigate you through the maze of your relationship? Here it is! The first 5+ of our 10+ Tips to Making Your Relationship the Best Ever. (See ?5 More Tips? to glean the enormous benefits of our blissful love advice.)

1. Self Love

Relationships with others are an extension of our relationship with ourself. To create a better love relationship with our partner, the first and consistent step (it never goes out of fashion) is to pay close attention to how we care for ourself.

The more you appreciate yourself; the more you believe in yourself; the more you value your inner self, your gifts and your particular attributes ? the more open you will be to loving and being loved. When we are critical of ourself, we close ourself off from access to love. We create thick walls, endeavoring to hide our perceived shortfalls from the one we love. This runs contrary to our desire to love and be loved.

So the first step in creating a wonderful love relationship with our partner is to create a wonderful love relationship with ourself.

Notice how you speak about yourself.

Notice the words and tone with which you speak to yourself.

What is your attitude towards ?you??

If it is in any way derogatory, impatient or unkind, then your relationship with you needs repair. Be gentle with yourself. Lower your expectations. Celebrate your accomplishments, your gifts and your skills. Be your own best ally. Turn your own self 'enemy' into your best self 'cheerleader'. Love yourself more ? and you?ll open your ?pores? to receive your partner?s love and affection.

2. Respect

The cornerstone of all great relationships is respect. If you've chosen a partner you don't respect, either you've compromised your ideals, or you aren't perceiving their winning traits.

Let go of blame. No one but you is responsible for your happiness and for your life. If your chosen partner isn?t someone whom you can fully respect, you have two choices. Stay and be miserable. Or leave. Letting go of blame may surprise you with a third option. If the seed of respectability in your partner has been masked by your blame, then you may begin to witness a ?glow? in your partner that will draw you to fall in love with her/him.

Respect yourself. This is a key aspect of Self Love. If you punish yourself with useless guilt, blame and shame, you aren?t making yourself available for love.

What have you done wrong? Either fix it or forgive yourself ? and move on. You only ever live in the ?now?. Blame and regret hook you into the never-ending past. Let go the hook. Float into the now. Here you will find your power, your clarity, and your true love.

3. Play

When we first meet our partner, no matter what age we are, we behave like pubescent teenagers. We flirt. We dance around each other, heightening the electric spark which will infuse our love.

Keeping a relationship young and alive has everything to do with play. Play is more than making time to go out together on dates ? to dinner, movies, sports and other leisure activities. Play is play.

What ?lightens you and your partner up?? Is it playing teasingly competitive games? Is it having snowball fights? Is it playing ?tag?? Is it tickling each other? Is it playing board games? Is it creating something fun together ? cooking, baking or building a craft?

Play is what keeps us all young ? and so it inherently is what keeps a relationship young. Adults tend to become more and more serious. Our happiness and health take a nose dive as a result ? as does our most precious intimate relationship.

Make a decision together with your partner to explore new ways to play. Lighten your spirits! Rediscover the spark in each other ? over and over again.

4. Safety, Trust, and Intimacy

Play widens and deepens the terrain in which we connect with our loved one. It opens up the space in which we explore each other.

Healthy relationships are built on trust. Trust allows for ecstatic intimacy. All this requires safety as its base.

5. Allies in Growth

Safety naturally arises when we are allies. Most relationships falter when people inadvertently become each other?s critics and thus enemies. Without the conscious awareness to choose an alternate path, most people become disheartened and afraid when they witness their partner?s ?weaker side?. Rather than ?holding loving space? for their partner to grow and strengthen themselves, they attack.

The most direct path to becoming each other?s ally ? and thus creating an unshakeable foundation of safety in your relationship ? is this:

a). Become conscious of what your and your partner?s areas of greatest challenge are ? Trust? Organization? Fitness? Discipline? Desire? Self Love? Confidence? Or something else?

b). Notice your tendency to attack ? to undermine ? your partner when he/she is in the midst of this area of challenge.

c). Discipline yourself. Rather than attacking - through words, actions or glances - simply 'hold space'. Hold in your heart and mind an air of compassion. Love them even more for their challenge. Hold a loving ?container? in which they can grow. They will trust you all the more, increasing profoundly their experience of safety. This safety will naturally lead to greater intimacy.

5+. Communication

Communication is the constant thread that links us. We each have different styles ? which is the source of much miscommunication and confusion in relationships. Familiarizing yourself with systems such as the Enneagram and Numerology can assist you in identifying your and your partner?s predominant communication styles.

Most of our communication is actually non-verbal ? it is expressed through our tone of voice, our body language and simply through the ?dance? of energy between us. Consider this: A hug or a smile is worth a thousand words. (Which is why physical intimacy is such a cornerstone in building and nurturing a healthy relationship.)

Here are a few communication tips:

a). When a challenge or a tension arises between partners, it is the role of the first person who notices it to draw it to the attention of both people.

b). All irritations need to be addressed. Very seldom does a tension resolve itself. Challenges which go unaddressed tend to grow in proportion, attracting other challenges to them. As soon as you become aware that something is niggling at you, find a time to speak with your partner. ?Nip it in the bud.?

Your relationship is so precious. Practice these 5+ frequently. Keep training your mind to experience your relationship In The Now.

About the Author

Ariole K. Alei is Co-Founder of HeartSongMatchmaking and HeartSong Solutions. She is an Author, Keynote Speaker, Tele Class Leader and Global Visionary. http://www.HeartSongMatchmaking.com http://www.HeartSongSolutions.ca http://www.SoulfulSinglesBlog.com

Love Graphic from Satisfaction.com 1

2008-01-25T00:32:00.000-08:00

Free Comments & Graphics

Here With Me - Dido

2008-01-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

I didn’t hear you leave
I wonder how am I still here
And I don’t want to move a thing
It might change my memory

Oh I am what I am
I do what I want
But I, can’t hide

And I won’t go
I won’t sleep
I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me
And I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here (with me)

I don’t want to call my friends
For they might wake me from this dream
And I can’t leave this bed
Risk forgetting all that’s been

And I won’t go
And I won’t sleep
And I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me
I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here with me

Somewhere Only We Know - Keane

2008-01-25T00:22:00.000-08:00

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

Maybe you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know

Thr Reason - Hoobastank

2008-01-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

I’m not a perfect person
There’s many things I wish I didn’t do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why I need you to hear

and the reason is you~… (3x)

I’m not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I’ve found a reason to show
A side of me you didn’t know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

You're Beautiful - James Blunt

2008-01-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

My life is brilliant

My life is brilliant
My love is pure
I saw an angel
Of that I’m sure
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won’t lose no, sleep on that
‘Cause I’ve got a plan

You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful, it’s true
I saw your face, in a crowded place
And I don’t know what to do
‘Cause I’ll never be with you

Yes, she caught my eye
As we walked on by
She could see from my face that I was,
Fucking high
And I don’t think that I’ll, see her again but,
we shared a moment that will last ’till the end

You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful, it’s true
There must be an angel, with a smile on her face
When she thought up that I should be with you
But it’s time to face the truth
I will never be with you

Secret by Kendra

2008-01-25T00:13:00.001-08:00

I have secrets that I hide
I want to tell you, but they come from so deep inside
I want to tell you that I love you and care
I want to tell you that I love your hair
your smile, your face and your kindness too
but most of all, I want to say I love you

Source :

http://www.short-love-poem.com/valentine2.html

Valentine by Lilly Mae

2008-01-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

Love is precious
Love is sweet
Love is something
you cannot cheat

Love is kind
Love is not lust
Love is special
its all about trust

Love is for me
Love is for you
Love is a couple
turns one to two

Love is yours
Love is mine
Love is ours
BE MY VALENTINE

Source :

http://www.short-love-poem.com/valentine2.html

Valentines Day by Ashley

2008-01-25T00:09:00.000-08:00

Valentines is very near
Balloons, bears, and candy grahams.
Red, Black, Pink, and White
Are the colors that girls really like.
Roses can be red and violets can be blue.
What else can they prove to you
how much they love you
On this Valentines Day!!

Source :

http://www.short-love-poem.com/valentine2.html

Be Mine by Christina Occhipinti

2008-01-25T00:08:00.001-08:00

the smile that cleanses my soul
the eyes that stop time with a single glance
the touch of love from his hands
I�ve been waiting for this day
this special time
all I can do is pray
for you to be my Valentine

Source :

http://www.short-love-poem.com/valentine.html