Weather ~ Valentine's Day ~ Picture of the Day ~ Valentine's Day in Japan ~ Valentine's Day Worldwide ~ Better Cheese Potato Bake ~ Brian Pendleton ~ Winona Maxwell ~ Aaron & Marie Maxwell

 

Good 39º raining morning.

 

Yesterday the rain just POURED for awhile and then on and off! We topped at 52º. 

Even the downtown cam in Grants Pass was enjoying the rain! :0)

 

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

looks just like Brian's pup Dash....

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting about Valentine's Day in Japan...

 

Valentine’s Day is known as the day when one expresses their love to that one special person. In Western countries it is common for both men and women to participate in a gift exchange. Often, the approaching date of February 14th causes men across the world to scramble, trying to pick out a gift, or plan the perfect date.

However, in Japan, Valentine’s Day plays out a bit differently. Japan has its very own Valentine’s Day customs and traditions.

For starters, the roles are actually reversed and it is women who bear the pressure of giving gifts. The favor is then returned exactly one month later on March 14th on a day known as White Day, when men are encouraged to give gifts back to the women who treated them on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day became popular in Japan in the 1950s, due in part to a few notable business campaigns, particularly, a confectionery that began selling heart-shaped chocolates during the season, an idea that was followed by other department stores, and continues to this day.

These days, Valentine’s chocolates are more popular than they have ever been! Store displays have become increasingly elaborate, offering various tastes and styles of chocolate. The packaging is often just as exquisite as the chocolates themselves, and most stores will offer gift wrapping services to make the chocolate gifts even more special.

 

If you want to read about the tradition of Valentine's Day and when it started and worldwide celebrations, go here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

If you’re looking for side dish that will elevate any meal, this should be your go to recipe. It’s got everything we love about creamy mashed potatoes, plus it’s loaded with a layer of cheesy goodness. Think of this as your secret weapon when you really want to impress your whole family.

 

• 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 1/3 cup flaxseed milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

• Preheat oven to 350º.
•  
• Place potatoes in a soup pot and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.
•  
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and the scallions; mix well and set aside.
•  
• Drain potatoes well and return to pot. Place back on heat 1 minute to make sure all water has evaporated. Add flaxseed milk, butter, salt, and black pepper and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
•  
• Spread half the potato mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with a layer of the cottage cheese mixture. Spoon the remaining potato mixture over the cottage cheese filling and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.
•  
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through.

 

Today is special not only is it Valentine's Day but it's my son Brian's birthday. Happy Birthday my love..... xo

With Sami and puppy Dash and Tucker, yesterday....

 

Yesterday we celebrated with dinner by his bride Jennifer at her mom Jean's house.

 

 

 

Today was also the birthday of my mother in law, Winona Maxwell (1923-2002). RIP and Happy Birthday Winona. xo At Brian and Jen's wedding:

 

Also today is the 10th wedding anniversary of my step son Aaron Maxwell and his bride Marie. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!

 

 

 

Historically this date....

1859 – Oregon is admitted as the 33rd U.S. state.

1912 – Arizona is admitted as the 48th U.S. state.

1929 – Saint Valentine's Day massacre: Seven people, six of them gangster rivals of Al Capone's gang, are murdered in Chicago, Illinois.

1962 – First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy takes television viewers on a tour of the White House.

 

And births this date include...

1894 – Jack Benny, American actor and comedian (d. 1974)

 

1905 – Thelma Ritter, American actress (d. 1969)

 

1929 – Vic Morrow, American actor (d. 1982)

 

1934 – Florence Henderson, American actress (d.2016)

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Valentine's Sunday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.  February 14th first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending Valentine cards.  

Ancient History

Mixed opinions prevail regarding who or what was celebrated in mid-February. Some point to martyred saints by the name of Valentine or Valentinus. The most popular story tells of the saint who defied a decree by Emperor Claudius II who outlawed marriage for young men because he believed single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine, preferring young lovers to be wed than have them sneaking around (or believing in the power of love), would marry them in secret. However, it may have been another Valentine who performed the marriages. Either way, at least two of them were beheaded for their actions.

Another possible origin for Valentine’s Day takes us back to a pagan festival called Lupercalia. As a way to discourage participation in the fertility festival, the Christian church placed St. Valentine’s Day in the middle of February.

Modern Celebrations

Since the Renaissance, we’ve been exchanging Valentine’s cards. These handmade missives of romance grew into a more commercial venture by the Victorian era. Today, school children exchange Valentine greetings, too. They prepare for the day by making unique boxes to receive their many hearts, cupids, and pun-filled rhymes.

Chocolates and candy have also become a part of the celebration. While couples tend to be the focus of the day, singles celebrate being single, too. Friends take each other out or reject the overall notion of Valentine’s Day. Dinner and a movie, candlelight, and flowers also fit the bill for couples. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for florists.

HOW TO OBSERVE

You can surprise your special someone with flowers, chocolate or a card. Bring a smile to their face with an original poem or homemade meal. If you’re short on ideas, the Dating Divas offer a list of 115 Literal last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas to save your goose!

Get something special for your Valentine.

VALENTINE’S DAY HISTORY

Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14th as Saint Valentine’s Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival which occurred on February 15th.