Valentine’s Day "No-No's" You Want to Avoid

Happy Valentine's Day!

Being a romantic, the mention of Valentine’s Day can get my heart pounding.  The thoughts of celebrating that cherished feeling with your special someone is enough to make me giddy with pleasure, especially when you’re anticipating what could be in store this year.   My guy has come to be quite creative when it comes to doing the unexpected the more that we are together.  Likewise, I try to return that outpouring of love to surprise him as well.  Regardless of how perfect your relationship may be going, it is always best to remember that life occasionally likes to sabotage us when we least expect it.  

Perhaps, he promised a romantic evening at a restaurant that is hard to get reservations for because he knew you wanted to go there for a long time.  He could be helping you into your coat or while in the car when his phone starts buzzing from work.  Instead of showing your anger that he forgot to turn off his phone as promised, try not to let your frustration show.   Try to put on a happy face and watch your body language even if he has to return home.  

In some lines of work, people can be on call at all hours.  Yet, others simply need to set some ground rules that work stops past a certain hour, especially on important dates.  A sensitive Valentine won't criticize.  Be clever in how you subtly remind him of how you value each minute of your date time together.  Make him feel like the most important person in your life.

Another unintentional romance spoiler is planning your guy a perfect dinner when your power goes out due to a storm or an accident by someone driving into the pole with the power line.  Trust me, if you cook with electricity, need to do your hair and get a shower, this definitely ruins the mood.  No one wants to serve their honey a sandwich for Valentine’s Day, but a thoughtful Valentine has to be understanding. 

Then again, you could be all set for a big romantic night that you have no idea where you’re going.  All you were told was to wear something fancy because he planned this escape weeks ago.  Of course, you went out and bought the perfect new dress when you learned of those plans about two weeks earlier.  As you start dressing, you suddenly notice that the same dress isn’t fitting exactly as it did in the store and is tighter.  You run for your shapewear, but even the spanx can’t hide those few sudden pounds that snuck up on you.  You feel horrible because your only option is wearing another dress.  Though it isn’t as fancy as your new one, a thoughtful Valentine tells you that you look just as beautiful in everything you wear.

Some other worthy mood killers are being ready to go out for your Valentine’s Day dinner when the babysitter suddenly can’t make it.  You call all your relatives and friends for backup without finding a babysitter.  As disappointing as it may be, a good Valentine knows how to make the best of any situation.  After all, you are with your Valentine, which is special just as it is.  A thoughtful Valentine is understanding and does what it takes to put a smile on your face and warm your heart.

Getting sick for Valentine’s Day is hardly anyone’s idea of a romantic evening.  Nonetheless, illness happens such as the flu.  Valentine’s Day plans may need to set aside.  It’s natural to feel disappointed, but a great Valentine is sympathetic and caring.  My advice is this is the time  to play nurse and later when the illness subsides is the perfect time to play doctor.

These are just a few bumps in the road to romance that can spoil your Valentine’s Day.  To all those Valentines, all that I’m saying is compassion, understanding, thoughtfulness, and compliments go a long way to keep the romance burning.  

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Fascinating Origins Behind Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day has a dark past

Valentine’s Day wasn’t always about sweethearts and flowers.  This holiday has a dark past centered around 6th century B.C. and an annual pastoral festival in what is now Rome to cleanse the city of its demons around February 15.  Called Lupercalia, this festival represented blood sacrifice, random matchmaking and ending in wild coupling to protect the city against evil and insure fertility so it can prosper.

As time went by with the introduction of Christianity in Rome around 284 A.D., Lupercalia changed because of the actions of a Roman emperor, Claudius II, referred to as Claudius the Cruel.  This ruler was set on expanding the empire, which meant growing his armies with legions upon legions of soldiers.  Due to the influence of Christianity, the men felt more loyal to their wives and girlfriends and didn’t want to go off for years and leave the women behind.  Therefore, Claudius outlawed all marriages and engagements to keep the men in line.

However, there were lovers so strongly committed to each other that they begged one priest, Valentine, to secretly marry them.  Those good intentions soon cost him his freedom and eventually his head.  However, through the years of his imprisonment, Valentine is said to have become friends with the jailer’s daughter.  Before he marched off to his death, it was rumored that he handed her a note which read “From your Valentine.”

After his death, the church recognized his noble sacrifice and made him St. Valentine.

Yet, the pagan celebration of Lupercalia didn’t lose its momentum until 496 A.D. when Pope Gelasius ended it.  Instead, he set aside February 14 as the official day of romance in honor of St. Valentine and named it Valentine’s Day.

Recipe: My Special Sugar Cookies Are Always a Holiday Hit

One taste will convince you that these are special sugar cookies that stand out from the norm.

Just in case that you’re still baking holiday cookies, I wanted to share another favorite of mine.  My Special Sugar Cookies recipe is a buttery delight that is rolled and cut into shapes and finished with a light sprinkling of colored sugar, sprinkles or jimmies (whichever term that you prefer) to decorate. 

Depending on how thick you roll out the dough, you can change the texture of the cookie.  The thinner the dough, the crisper the cookie that you’ll make. Thicker dough will produce a softer texture of this cookie.

Feel free to recruit your little helpers when you make these cookies.  Kids love picking out the cookie cutter shapes and assisting with decorating these, probably as much as they enjoy eating them!

My Special Sugar Cookies

This recipe makes a lot more than what's shown.

1-1/2 cups of sugar
1 cup of butter, softened
1/4 cup of milk
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla                
3 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder, leveled                 
1/4 teaspoon of salt
colored sugar, sprinkles or jimmies


Use your electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg and vanilla.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in another mixing bowl.

Now slowly stir in some of the milk and alternate with the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.  Keep adding until you combine all the dry ingredients.

What I do is to divide the dough into three balls.  The waiting dough goes under my mixing bowl while I roll out the first ball on a floured surface.

Usually, the thickness I go with is about 3/8-inch.  Add more flour to your table or surface if the dough gives you problems and sticks when you use your rolling pin.  

Shape with favorite cookie cutters, glass or even a clean lid from 40-oz. peanut jar works.  All you have to do is improvise to make use of what you have.

Place your shaped cookies on well-greased cookie sheets before decorating with your colored sugar, sprinkles or jimmies before placing in a 350-degree oven for about 12-15 minutes, depending on how your oven is regulated and the thickness of your cookies.  (Thinner cookies need less time, probably about 7 minutes).  

Be sure to check the edges because you don’t want them to brown.  Make sure to see just a slight golden brown starting to color them from the bottom.  Test with a toothpick to see if anything sticks.

These cookies will be soft when you initially remove them from the oven.  Give them about a minute or two to set in the pan before attempting to remove them.

ENJOY!

Happy Mother's Day!

Even a goose mother listens to other feathered youngsters--not just her own!

Today is a special day to extend or receive some extra love to mothers everywhere.  After all, think of all that we put them through growing up.  Yet, they persevered through some of our craziness of youth shows how exceptional mothers really are.  

Therefore, wherever you are, I hope that you remember to do something nice for your mother.  If she's still with you, returning that can be as simple as a phone call, a visit, taking her to dinner or cooking one for her along with a beautiful cake.  

Happy Mother’s Day!  I will see you tomorrow when Nuts 4 Stuff returns to normal operation because I too am celebrating.

A Holiday Tradition That Can Make Your Christmas Even More Memorable!

Everyone wants to contribute to the Christmas Memory Box!

Ever since I was a small girl, I remember one holiday tradition that my family always made sure to do.  At the time, I never thought much of it until years later now that some family members have passed.  Being an adult, I now appreciate what my family’s Christmas Memory Box was all about.  Therefore, I thought that I would like to share our family’s holiday tradition with you so you can also make your future Christmases even more special.

Usually on Christmas Eve after dinner, we would pull out this decorated box that was adorned with our holiday art work from grade school.  Inside, there would be sheets of paper with our names and dates where we would jot down what was so special about that particular Christmas that we wanted to remember forever.  
You would think it was all about what gifts you got that year.  However, it was so much more than that.  One note was about a turkey that my grandmother, an experienced cook, made for Christmas dinner that we couldn’t eat.  It was the year of vegetables and no one said a word about it.  My grandmother is no longer here, but I always remember what a wonderful Christmas we had that year together.

You may think a Christmas Memory Box can’t possibly sweeten your Christmas, but I promise you it will! 

Happy Labor Day!

Nuts 4 Stuff wishes you a happy Labor Day!

Since I have been laboring extra hard this year, I am taking a much needed day off to relax and picnic with family and friends this holiday. However, tomorrow Nuts 4 Stuff will return to normal operation with something special that you don’t want to miss–-a huge giveaway worth nearly $200!

Intrigued are we?  

If you’re wondering what I could possibly be hinting at, then you are just going to have to be patient because my lips are sealed.  Everything will be explained further to you on Tuesday, September 6 so be ready to check Nuts 4 Stuff and enter!

Trust me, but you’ll be excited and jumping for joy once you read the review and see this fantastic prize.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

These cute guys will put a smile on any mother's face.

To all the mothers out there, today is your day.  Let me wish you a happy Mother’s Day!

To mark the occasion, I will be taking the day off to celebrate and show my mother some extra love. However, tomorrow Nuts 4 Stuff will return to normal operation.

Until then, take care.

True Holiday Spirit Comes in Unexpected Ways

The holiday spirit can surprise you in how it can be delivered.

The true spirit of the holidays was never so apparent as it was for me recently when I received a surprise gift of a beautiful calender and pen from Reviva Labs along with an insightful poem from the company’s founder, Mr. Strassler himself, just a week before Christmas. The words that poem he carefully selected and his personal message came just in time to lift my spirits after an upsetting thing happened that accidentally caused me to scald myself with a full cup of hot chocolate just a few days before.

I don’t know how my sleeve got in the way of my cup, but strange things do happen when you least expect it and the hot chocolate fell completely into my lap, scalding me between the legs.  If this happens to you, immediately have someone pour a pitcher of cold water on you first before attempting to strip.  However, I was in shock since my jogging pants absorbed the hot beverage like a sponge and just hurried to peel them off as fast as I could.

The pain was intense because the skin between your legs is rather delicate.  Anyway, I kept splashing my burns with cold water trying to cool the skin down before remembering I had aloe vera gel in the house. Desperate to try anything to ease my suffering quickly, I hurried and squeezed out big globs of it over my wounds.  This really helped reduce some of the initial redness and a bit of the stinging with it while I waited for pain relievers to kick in.

I was in no condition to drive myself to any doctor’s office or emergency room.  Even if I had a way to get there, I couldn’t get dressed and have material near my skin.  What I did land up doing was applying antibiotic ointment with gauze pads and medical tape to my wounds, which developed huge blisters.  

I also had to learn to sleep on my back with my legs apart just so they would not touch to cause more pain.  

I was unable to wear normal clothes.  Instead, I had to do my work wearing nightgowns as I wrote. Spending all day dressed in soft flannel gowns might be less restricting, but it can be cold in the Winter with all that air up your legs.  I compensated for that with heavy robes so I looked like a green bear with knee socks to keep my calves warmer.

To make it even worse, I had a filling a few days earlier before this happened that needed adjusting since it was causing pain in the muscles, being too high.  I was lucky that my mother wore a larger size so I could borrow her baggy pants so my guy could drive me to the dentist to take care of my problem. 

Fortunately for me, my dentist works Saturdays and has a wonderful receptionist that fit me in and didn’t keep me waiting once I arrived in this filled room.  To hold my taped gauze in place, I had an elastic bandage on as well, hoping it would provide more protection against the fabric as I walked.

The elastic bandage was a mistake.  It started to become loose as I walked oddly, trying to keep it up the best I could, wearing huge pants.   I must have looked like a drunken cowboy from the way I swayed back and forth, which was too bad because my mouth also hurt and I needed that filling fixed.   Thankfully, my filling was taken care of and one pain was soon gone so I could rush back home and return to my nightgown.

Trying to write and stay focused when you’re in pain was difficult, especially when you’re wearing nightgowns for over a week and even now as I type this is not fun.

And yet, the thought of the beautiful spirit of Ann from Reviva Labs and Mr. Strassler with that gift cheered me up more than you could possibly know.  Once I thanked them and explained how much it helped me through this hot chocolate ordeal, they went a step further.

A few days later, I received another gift from Reviva Labs.  Mr. Strassler sent me, a virtual stranger, a bottle of their Willard Water Anti-Irritant Gel with hopes to bring me relief.  Can you imagine how much that gift touched me?  If only the world had more such compassionate people in it like Ann and Mr. Strassler and the way they thought of me, it would be a much better place to be than its current sad state.

Their aloe vera gel is discontinued and I hope Mr. Strassler changes his mind about that because it does help burns. Most people probably think they have time to run out and buy something when the unexpected burn happens.  Trust me, this is not always the case and a product like their Willard Water Anti-Irritant Gel should be in everyone’s home because I know my pain would have been so much worse without aloe vera gel.

Whatever your religion, I wish you and your family peace and love with all sincerity that those feelings spread and replace all the hatred that seems to be in our world. Miracles can happen at any time, why not start today with each of us?  Who knows what we could accomplish if we only tried to show each other more compassion and understanding? 

Welcome the Holidays Into Your Home With the Scent of Roland Pine By Soap & Paper Factory! (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Roland Pine Soap, Room Spray and Fragrance Oil

‘Tis the season to be jolly and nothing sets the mood better than filling your home with a festive holiday smell such as Roland Pine by Soap & Paper Factory.  I received several from this line to share with you in this review.  

The scent is so wintery fresh with Siberian fir, pine, and cedar wood that you can’t help but smell that blend of stimulating pine and burning logs come to mind.  Instead of some overpowering heavy pine, Soap & Paper Factory’s vision kept the pine lighter and more alive, yet grounded with inviting warmth.   

I recommend starting with Roland Pine Room Spray ($15).  Its merry blend of Siberian fir, cilantro, and citrus in the air makes for the perfect way to welcome your guests and fill your rooms with holiday spirit.

To keep that celebratory mood going, I thought the Roland Pine Diffuser Oil ($18) was wonderful.  This pure oil will come in handy for refreshing potpourri, lamp rings, and incense burners.  I tried some on my lamp ring and found it scents and lasts beautifully.

Your family and guests will also love using the Roland Pine Artisanal Soap ($10). The scent is energizing and has almost a herbal quality as well as cheery, sparkling brightness.  This bar is rich with moisture from shea butter in the formula.  

This Roland Pine collection can be purchased separately at the Soap & Paper Factory, but also comes in holiday gift sets that would please anyone on your shopping list.  These sets include Three Pack Votive Gift Set ($24), Soap Dish Set ($13.50), and a Soy Candle & Soap Set ($36). Check this line out as well as their other wonderful products and be merry!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

My Favorite Christmas Pound Cake Is Joy From the Oven!

Today I want to share a very special holiday treat with this pound cake.  My Favorite Christmas Pound Cake is moist with a fine crumb texture and is delectable with more extract flavorings than I normally use in one recipe and sour cream.   What pumps up the flavor even more is apricot brandy, which adds that special touch of flavor-magic to this recipe.

I usually use a margarine (but never spread) when I need to cream the sugar when baking. However, this is one time I prefer using butter for this particular recipe.  You can use vegetable shortening or butter flavored shortening, but butter seems to bring a richer taste to this cake.

You don't need any frosting on my cake since it is delicious just as it is.  Nonetheless, if you usually like to frost your pound cake, a thin orange glaze is also quite good.

I hope you get a chance to try my recipe sometime over the holidays because I think you'll love it as much as I do.

My Favorite Christmas Pound Cake

3 cups of sugar
1 cup of butter or vegetable shortening
6 large eggs
3 cups of flour
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, leveled
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of sour cream
1 tablespoon of orange extract
1/2 tablespoon of rum extract or rum
1/2 tablespoon of lemon extract
1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup apricot brandy

Sift the flour with the baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.

In another mixing bowl, cream the sugar with the butter with your electric mixer thoroughly.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating each to mix well into the batter.

Add the sour cream, all the extracts, and the brandy next and beat through to combine.

Pour into a greased and floured tube pan.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for about one to one hour and fifteen minutes, depending on how your oven is regulated.  Test to see if done with a cake tester to see if anything sticks.

ENJOY!

Welcome in the Season With This Homemade Holiday Air Freshener!

Of course, you can buy potpourri, air fresheners, home fragrance sprays, and candles in seasonal scents.  However, if you want a unique fresh scent to fill your home than what you have already smelled countless times for next family gathering or holiday party, then are going to love my recipe.  It keeps a continual flow of warm and spicy aroma circulating exquisitely throughout the house instead of just one room.  

You will need to use your stove to cook the ingredients to a boil before simmering that fragrant spicy-citrus blend.  This festive aroma can be replenished as water evaporates simply by adding more, releasing that delicious scent for the time you need.

I do hope you try this recipe because it is wonderful and so inviting to make that special celebration even more special.

My Homemade Holiday Air Freshener

1/2 orange peel (cut in small pieces)
1 large stick of cinnamon
2 bay leaves
1/2 lemon peel (cut in small pieces)
6 cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all the ingredients and place in a one-quart sauce pan.

Start with two cups of water and boil the ingredients.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and allow those ingredients to simmer.

Occasionally, check the water and add more when it evaporates.

Keep this simmering until you finish your party and the guests leave.

Dial Holiday Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Dial Holiday Antibacterial Foaming Hand Washes 

My family constantly is washing hands.  Soaps and a liquid hand wash are always in my shopping cart.  With cold and the flu season upon us, we have been using the Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash more instead of bar soap. 

Besides being gentle on hands while killing up to 99.9% more germs with this antibacterial foaming hand wash, I love that I don't keep replacing that quick melting bar of soap.  

As a Purex Insider, I got to try two bottles for review appropriately adorned for the holiday season.  These are specifically geared for dressing up your bathroom with either the cute snowman or the equally festive candy cane bottle.  The image of a happy looking snowman smiling as you pump, improves your overall disposition as well while washing.  And yet, soaping up from the red and white swirled bottle that resembles a candy cane and thoughts of holiday treats also make you, family, or guests merry.

The most important thing to remember is the holidays are a time you share more than gifts, great food, and happy gathering with family and friends, you also share more germs.  So be careful and do pick up some Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash and bring the magic of the season to your bathroom while you protect those you love at the same time!

*This is my own honest opinion.  Dial provided a free sample to facilitate this review.*