[ Home ]  [ Newsletter ] [ Tell A Friend ]                                                     January 20,  2006

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Telaflora

 Ice Bucket, Champagne and 6 Berries

Don't Forget Mardi Gras!

Lucky 13 Day of the Dead Embroidered Skulls Ladies Cardigan - Stunning Embroidery Work of Colorful Skulls on Ladies Black Cardigan Sweater

Chocolate Pigs

Trio of Brownies

Candles spell romance. And, in looking through the sites, I love Illuminations. Here is their latest banner....

Vivian's Fancy Ruby Necklace

Fatale's Winged Skull & Pavé CZ Rose Necklace

Note:  Some links may not appear in the newsletter -- for a better view click here:

Red Velvet Cake for  Valentine's Day!

Nothing says Valentine's Day better than Red Velvet Cake. It is a real treat.   If you have never tried it, you are in for a big surprise!  And, you can make it yourself.  The name for red velvet cake comes from its red color. The most common story about the origin of this cake sites that  this cake originated at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. A guest ordered a slice and liked it so much that she asked for the recipe. The hotel gave it up and billed her $100. Furious, she spread the recipe around in chain letters.   Alas, the story is not true.  (According to What's Cooking America,) the hotel has no record of this incident.  No matter, it is good.  Note (check out What's Cooking America -- Great site!)  Another point of reference ... Steel Magnolias (movie starring Julia Roberts, Tom Skerret and Sally Fields); which had the famous "bloody armadillo" groom's cake scene.  If you have not seen the movie, as stated above, the groom's cake was a red velvet cake. Because the cake is "that good" below are two receipes and resources where you can just "buy it."  Enjoy.

Grandmother Paul's Red Velvet Cake

Cake: 2 cups sugar 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature 2 eggs 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 ounces red food coloring 2 1/2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon vinegar Icing: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese 1 stick butter, softened 1 cup melted marshmallows 1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chopped pecans Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture. Pour batter into 3 (8-inch) round greased and floured pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting. Icing: Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold in coconut and nuts. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.                                                                                       Source: Paula's Home Cooking

If you prefer to use a box mix . . . below is a quick way to make Red Velvet via Box Cake Mix:

                                                                                                            Source:  Here

or  you can buy one:

 Red Velvet Chocolate Anniversary Cake

Like to Bake?  Here are some adorable cookie cutters and heart shaped cake pans to make your sweetie some sweet treats.

For more Cookie Cutters, Candy Molds and Pans, click here

If Men Were Planning The Wedding

There would be less "Oh Promise Me" and "Endless Love," and more "Louie, Louie" and "Mony Mony".

There would be a "Rehearsal Dinner Kegger" Party.

Bridesmaids would wear matching blue jean cut-offs and halter tops. They would have NO tan lines and more skin showing than not.

Tuxes would have team logos on the back and the Nike shoes would have matching team colors.

June Weddings would be scheduled around basketball play-offs.

Vows would mention cooking and sex specifically but omit that "forsaking all others" part.

The couple would leave the ceremony in a souped up '73 Charger or some other Mopar with racing tires and flame designs on the side of the car. Better yet, a Harley!

Idiots that tried to dance with the Bride (unless they were really old) would get punched in the head.

Big slobbery dogs would be eligible for the role of "Best Man".

There would be "Tailgate Receptions".

Outdoor weddings would be held during sporting events at half-time or between innings.

Ceremonies would be short and Honeymoons would be long.

Ceremonies and Honeymoons would be inexpensive compared to the cost of the Bachelor Party. Those strippers and liquor sure do add up.

Men wouldn't ask...."Well, what do you think, Dear, The Burgundy or the Wine colored napkins?" They'd just grab extras from their local pub or tavern.

Favors would be matchbooks and cigars. Better yet, free drink passes at the local lounge.

The brides dress would show cleavage, her navel and be form fitted to her ass.

Instead of a sit down dinner or a buffet, there would be a hog roast or buckets of chicken, pizza and plenty of bar-b-que.

No one would bother with that "Veil Routine". But they would insist the garter be as high up on her leg as it would go.

The bridal bouquet could be recycled from a previous funeral or something.

Source:  Here

Bridal Tulle Porcelain Cups	Seashell Potpourri Beach Heart	Tea Light Candle Soap Petal Vase
Silver Bucket Tassle Candles	The Perfect Salt & Pepper Pair	Round Crystal Diamond

Other Valentine Crafts:

Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies. Bake heart shaped sugar cookies. Dip one half of each cookie in melted chocolate. Write your names and wedding date with red or white icing on top. Wrap in clear cellophane.

Styrofoam Hearts. Wrap 6” Styrofoam hearts with red ribbon. Use a contrasting ribbon for a bow. Secure bow to one side. Add some sprigs of dried flowers, streaming ribbon and string craft beads. Add a small loop on back for hanging.

Champagne Glasses and Cinnamon Hearts. Buy small plastic champagne glasses and fill with red cinnamon hearts. Wrap top of glass in tulle, secure with red ribbon around stem.

Long-Stemmed Red Silk Rose. Give each guest a long-stemmed red silk rose. Very elegant.

CD or Tape of Favorite Love Songs. Record your favorite love songs and present a copy to your guests.

Don't Forget Mardi Gras on February 20th!

• All About Mardi Gras

• All About King Cakes  Looking for a way to get a King Cake and not pay royally for it? You've found the right place. We know that the price of planning a party or lesson plan can get costly. So our experts have devised some pretty clever ways you can get more cake for your buck. That's right: Spend less, get more. We knew you'd be interested.

  The best place for beads and decorations is Oriental Trading

  Simply go to the site, click on Mardi Gras (Under themes) or enter the below Item Numbers.  Oriental Trading has very low prices... a guaranteed find!

   

  18˘ per piece - It isn't a Mardi Gras festival without beads, and our mega assortment includes 500 strands of party fun! Adorn all your partygoers with colorful strands of beads to wear and share! (500 pcs. per unit) 24" - 48". Assortment may vary.  Item Number: IN-31/32	No Mardi Gras is complete without the masks! Put on a party mask and attend the masquerade ball! Who will you meet at the party? You'll have to attend to find out! 11" on a 10" plastic stick. Item Number: IN-31/31
  3/4" Mardi Gras Buttermints. Individually wrapped. Approximately 100 pcs. per 1-lb.  Item Number: IN-/K703	1 1/2" Plastic Mardi Gras Coins. Assorted designs in purple, green and gold. Item Number: IN-39/117

  Last but not least ... From Madison Avenue Mall

  

   

  Be magnificent and mysterious in a mask of stunning beauty! This fantastic fabrication of natural ostrich plumes, lush black velvet and glowing gold braid will entice and excite at every event that requires a costume of elegant distinction.

   

   

   

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Bridal By Design

   

 The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Special thanks to American Greetings.