Celebrating Valentine's Day

How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Our family tradition is to have a dinner at home.

Traditionally Valentine's dinner is homemade lasagna, lettuce salad (topped with cheese and homemade croutons), wine, and a heart-shaped pan of chocolate chip cookie bars, all served on our best china and crystal. Yes, china and crystal... the gifts we registered for when John and I were married 37 years ago. The china and crystal that used to get brought out only on Christmas and Easter when celebrating with company. But now it gets dusted off for several celebrations throughout the year. After all, who is more special than our own family?

 But what makes the holiday special is not the food or the dishes, but who we spend it with. With everyone's work schedules, dinner with all four of us around the table at the same time has become less frequent. Truth be told, we celebrated on February 13th rather than waiting until the 14th, since our kids had plans with their special someone's on the actual holiday. But hey, what difference does 24 hours make? We celebrated with the ones we love, and isn't that what Valentine's day is all about?

How did you celebrate?

Ready for the oven

Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I use a combination of chips and red M & M Mini's)

Lightly grease pan, In large bowl combine sugar and butter, blend well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Stir in vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in chips. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not over bake, Cool before cutting.