The month of February has not disappointed us at all. It has brought in snow, wind and very cold days and nights. It would be a miracle for it to be an all above average weather month. A lot can be said for it being the shortest month of the year. Once we make it through February, maybe just maybe, we can hope that March will give us a few days of hope for spring. Ah, and then there is that day of love, candy and food that comes every year on February 14th. That can make February take on a joyful feeling.

The event known as “Valentines Day” has been around for centuries. Its history has a lot of tangled information including possibly being three people called Valentine that make up St. Valentine. Love was not the first item to be celebrated on this day as it is said to have started off to honor a person that gave his life for ideas that were not popular with those in charge. Over time; love, flowers, candy, the color red, cards and other symbols that we use to celebrate Valentine’s Day became part of our lives. It’s probably the one thing that helps us deal with February and not wish to rip it out of the calendar.

The super hot rumor for this year is that the “Conversation Hearts” are back. The company that made these little candies since the Civil War was sold and the new company did not have a chance to get ready in time for the day. Then 2020 was the Covid year and that tossed a wrench in the program. I have not shopped for them as I am not a fan of them so I don’t really know if they are readily available as the press says they are. You will have to do that research for yourself if having them available will make your day complete. (Let me know if you find them).

Valentine’s Day is not made of just Conversation Hearts. According to Candy Store.com, the most popular candy gift is the heart shaped box with chocolate pieces inside. The Number 2 choice is the Conversation Hearts and Number 3 is M& Ms. Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia, and Wisconsin claim the heart box gift as the most popular in their states. The choice in North Dakota and Oregon is M& Ms. South Dakota goes for the Hershey’s Kisses, which did not make the top 3.

Flowers are a very important part of the holiday for many people and usually it’s guys giving girls the flowers. It might not be as easy as it seems, especially if the person giving or receiving follows the “flower languages”. Yes, there is extensive information of what each flower “means” and they are not all positive. The best is bet is to stick with red roses although they are at the highest price at this time of the year. All white flowers, especially all white roses, are said to be a major no-no. Yellow roses are supposed to be a sign of jealousy. Orange lilies are assigned the meaning of showing hatred. Lavender shows a sign of distrust. Several sources say to never include baby’s breath in any of the flower arrangements because they do not smell “good”. To be real, I think there are very few people of today who do follow or even care about the “flower language” thing. I myself like a multi colored rose better than a single color one and I will take lavender any day of the year for both looks and use in food.

Last year was one of the first years that eating out for the special day was not going to work well. Cooking at home was given new interest. Some of the most popular at home goodies included Prime Rib with Horseradish sauce, Classic Beef Wellington, Wild Rice Stuffed Pork Loin, Bacon Water Chestnut Wraps, Linzer Fudge Torte, Boston Cream Cup Cakes (a Taste of Home recipe) and top it all off, a Martini. Now the Martini would be the traditional one with vodka or gin. Do the fancy flavors for another time they say. My Message….do your OWN THING.

Happy Day to all. Bea Westerberg bea.in.the. [email protected]