February Madness – Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Leap Year, Oh, My . . .

Perhaps February this year could be defined as a month of love and controlled chaos . . .

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has been interpreted throughout history in a variety of ways. If you would like to know more about the history of St. Valentine and related matters, you may enjoy viewing the History channel (http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day).It includes a nice chocolate-making clip. This site does mention that about one billion of Valentine Day’s cards are sent each year and women purchase 85% of all valentines. Really?

February is time for hearts and flowers and chocolate and sterling silver and gold and beautiful gemstones and doing something for self and those you love!! Well, that is my version of Valentine’s Day.

My family is receiving apple pie and cherry pie this year. To date, we have the apple pie. First, 180 slices of applies (Barefoot Contessa’s recipe for 4 lbs. of apples in apple pie) . . .

Next, wave the magic recipe wand of the Barefoot Contessa and Ta Da!

This pie is huge!

As a reminder, please be sure you give yourself what you need. Whether you are female or male, I urge you to care and honor yourself.

Mardi Gras

In Mobile, Alabama, the city where I work, good times roll through the streets in shades of purple and gold (unlike New Orleans’ purple, green and gold). Ah, yes. This holiday is taken seriously and people seek authentic moonpies, beads, and the best king cake.

Let me say here – because Mobilians often say this – Mardi Gras began in Mobile and not New Orleans. Now, if you would like to read about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, see USA Today’s article found at: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/history-mardi-gras-mobile-alabama-21559.html or see http://www.mobile.org/things-to-do/special-events/mardi-gras/.

Unconditional Love

Rose quartz is the symbol for love. I have made one Heart to Heart pendant for Valentine’s day with rose quartz.

Unconditional love is the best, don’t you think?

Leap Year

This February 2016 also includes leap year, We can thank Julius Caesar for introducing leap year over 2,000 years ago. However, the system he used produced too many leap years. The Gregorian Calendar, named for Pope Gregory XIII, corrected this in 1582. According to Irish legend this is a time when a woman can ask a man to marry her. See Irish Central to read more.

There we have it. Time is tapping me on the shoulder.

Vaughn