Quick Valentine Gift and a Recipe

After reading an article in a newspaper insert, I photographed my wedding ring along with a verse from a card I gave to my husband on our last wedding anniversary...(our 26th).

See how the ring is positioned to stand in the fold of the card? You could also use a book with a favorite quote or poem.

I then positioned a flashlight behind, so that a shadow is cast in the shape of a Heart.

Photo can either be framed to hang, or set on the office desk. E-mail if you don't have time to frame, or if your Valentine is away.

To read the original article with directions click on Life&Style at http://www.usaweekend.com/.

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Wishing you and your Special Someone a great Valentine's Day!

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If you'd like to bake up some yummy valentine cookies like these,

 the recipe is as follows:

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Favorite Cut-Out Cookies--

Cream:
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Add:
1 egg
1 teaspoon good mild vanilla

Stir In:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Stir together or fold with stiff rubber scraper just until dough comes together, okay if sticky. Cover with plastic wrap or place in zipper bag.

Chill for at least 1 hour, or as long as overnight.

Dough will be stiff when cold, may wish to set out 10 minutes before rolling for better handling.

Knead with floured hands 'til dough is smooth.

Roll out, on very lightly floured surface, to 1/4" thickness and cut into shapes.

Excessive flour will make dough dry and crumbly making it difficult to roll.

Bake @ approx. 375 degrees on ungreased baking sheet 'til edges begin to turn slightly golden brown (depending on oven, approx. 8 minutes).

Immediately remove to cooling rack.

(For Chocolate Cookies... I don't have an exact measure, but I just substituted some Baker's unsweetened cocoa powder for some of the flour, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 cup cocoa and the rest flour to equal the 2 3/4 listed in the recipe above. )

Vanilla Cookie Frosting--

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 bag (32 oz.) confectioners sugar
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon McCormick's Clear Imitation Vanilla

Beat with wooden spoon, wire whisk or electric hand mixer. Adjust by adding a dribble of milk or a couple tablespoons of confectioners sugar until you reach a good spreading consistency (like the texture of soft serve ice cream). Divide and add a drop or two of food coloring. Decorate with colored sugars, sprinkles, etc. Tastes even better the next day after flavors have developed, cookie is a little less crunchy as has softened slightly from frosting.

Enjoy!

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Get more great Valentine ideas at Lauries Valentine Party http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/