Have a LOVEly Weekend.

I am fully aware that many people feel that Valentine's Day is nothing more than a "Hallmark" holiday.  While I agree that there is definitely a strong push from consumerism to this end, how could you deny a celebration of love?  

Whether you have loving parents, great friends, a wonderful spouse, a perfect place that you enjoy or an activity that is a favorite, make sure you indulge a bit this weekend.  It never hurts to remind those that are most important that we love them.  

Here are some cute Valentine's Day blogs from around the web:

• Thoughtful ways to say, "I Love You."
• Heart-o-graphy
• Yummy hearts
• Just pretty

I was hoping to make a special treat for Andy and his parents this weekend though I haven't quite found the time just yet.  It's an old recipe passed down from my Grandma W.  Legend has it that she would make this for my Great Grandma Julia who celebrated her birthday every February 14th and the leftovers were used to celebrate my Aunt Jane's birthday the following day on February 15th.  My dad is also a HUGE fan...

Red Cake

Ingredients (cake):

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 oz. red food coloring

2 tbsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 1/4 cup flour 

Instructions (cake):

1. Cream together shortening and sugar in mixer.  

2. Add eggs.

3. In a seperate bowl, paste food coloring and cocoa together.

4. Add to the ingredients in mixer.

5. Add salt and vanilla to mixer.

6. Stir in buttermilk and slowly add flour to mixer while it is on slow speed.

7. Blend in vinegar and baking soda.

8. Bake in two 9" greased and floured pans at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out of cake clean.

9. Turn over onto racks and let the cakes cool.

10. Split each cake layer in half, leaving four layers and set aside.

Ingredients (icing):

5 tbsp. flour

1 cup milk

2 sticks of butter (do not use margarine)

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions (icing):

1. Cook flour and milk on stove top until thick, stirring constantly.

2. Allow substance to cool thoroughly.

3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

4. Add vanilla.

5. Add to cold flour mixture and beat until mixture resembles whipped cream.

6. Spread between cake layers.

Happy Valentine's Day!!