…Valentine season that is.
Yes Valentine’s Day was earlier this week, but it is no secret that I propose it should be more than just one day.
I know others may disagree. Some call Feb 14th a “Hallmark holiday”. But even the company itself says : “while we’re honored that people so closely link the Hallmark name with celebrations and special occasions, we can’t take credit for creating holidays… like Valentine’s Day.”
The birth of Valentine’s Day is at the very least a cloudy subject. One legend of many says that in the 3rd century Valentinus, a theologian and teacher was imprisoned and while in prison he restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. The night before his death on Feb 13, 269 A.D he wrote a note to the girl signing it , “from Your Valentine.”
In the Victorian age people exchanged love tokens and handmade cards on the day. Hallmark did not even come into the picture until 1913 and began producing Valentine cards in 1916.
Many insist though that it is a commercial holiday, only created to sell flowers and chocolate. Others ask why do we need a designated day to celebrate those we love romantically and otherwise? Shouldn’t we be doing that every day ? True. But in this world that seems divided more each day, isn’t it a good idea to have a day on the calendar or a season to act as a reminder that we should lavish extra attention on those we cherish?
It may even help with the winter doldrums . Let’s face it, once the twinkle lights and glitter of Christmas are packed away, January and February can seem rather dreary in comparison, especially weather-wise depending on where you live. So making your home festive inside, can brighten things up even if the sun is not shining outside.
In our household the Christmas season lasts well into January. As my husband has said, in the cold and dreary days of winter why not keep things up as winter decorations? So we enjoy our tree and holiday decorations into later January and even Feb 1st. Taking down Christmas is always a sad task and never as much fun as putting things up. But what truly helps with Christmas withdrawal is promptly putting up our Valentine decorations. So right now our house is a sea of cheery red and pink.
Valentine card giving may be to some a thing of the past , but who doesn’t like to receive one in the mail? We were happy to receive 4 of them this year and each prompted a smile when I saw the red envelopes adorned with heart stickers. It’s little gestures like that , that do make a difference.
Why not take time during Valentine season to express extra gratitude for those in your life that you care about, even if it is just a text across the miles. It is a season to love more, care more, hug more and even be reminded to treat yourself more kindly. And it can only act as a reminder to keep the “Valentine spirit” year round .
And as Charles Schultz said “ All you need is love…. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt”.
So here is a very decadently chocolate recipe to share with those you love.
Katharine Hepburn Brownies
1/2 c. cocoa or 2 square (2 oz) unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate
1/2 c unsalted butter
1c sugar
2 eggs
1/4c flour
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 c chopped walnuts or pecans
Heat oven to 325
- Melt butter with cocoa or chocolate together in pan over medium heat. Whisk until blended.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar.
- Whisk in eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in flour , salt and nuts ; mix well.
- Pour into a well buttered 8 in. square baking pan.
- Bake at 325 for about 30 to 35 min. until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overbake. These are fudgey brownies. Cool completely and cut in squares
You can frost these if you like with your own chocolate frosting or ganache.
Background on the history of these Katharine Hepburn brownies can be found at
https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/katharine-hepburn-brownie-recipe/
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