Matters of HeartsWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
As soon as February rolls around, everyone is thinking "hearts." Hearts are universal symbol for love, affection, and caring. There are heart-shaped candy boxes, cookies, flower arrangements, gift boxes, and charms. Children send Valentine's Day cards to classmates and friends, and adults show their feelings with notes, gifts, and special events. Mealtime can also be an opportunity to use hearts in our table decor. Heart-shaped ice cubes add just that touch of romance to wine and champagne. Use enouch cassis for color to insure firm cubes. Using yor favorite heart-shaped cookie cutters, place "hearts" of cheese, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or pepperjack on appetizer platters, or to accent a meat dish, vegetables, or whatever you choose. For a Valentine dipping bowl, cut a heart shape around a squash stem and remove contents. Fill with your favorite dip and surround with your choice of dippers. Heart-shaped cutters can be used to make sandwiches, cookies, bread slices, and cucumber slices. Heart-shaped pancakes, and heart-shaped cut outs on crust of your favorite fruit pies add delight when that special day rolls around.
| | This Old House Just Became a HomeWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
The evolution of man seemed to always include some type of dwelling. We went from living in a cave to possibly pitching a tent on a distant planet. Man (and woman) needs a place to call home. "Home is where heart is" is a very familiar saying but there is more truth to these words than meets ear. Your home can be a simple efficiency apartment or a royal castle - and many stops in between. It is not structure of place - it is what you make it. It should symbolize protection, security and comfort. The feeling should be one of love and tranquility and always feeling of happiness. Decorations can be elaborate and expensive or simple and home-made. A favorite chair, a well-loved and well-read book, and warm slippers - coming in with muscles tired by a full day - leaving once again refreshed and renewed. If you live where cold and snow are a part of winter season, then you know thrill of approaching your home and seeing cheery light from windows displaying endearing patterns on pure white snow. Your hands and feet are numb and your cheeks are as rosy as that rose you held in your hand in summer. You open door, and scent of dinner cooking in kitchen meets you, or is it just memory of a campfire during warm season with toasted marshmallows, broiled bacon, spicy hot dogs, and that inevitable cup fo campfire coffee. You rush into door and you are once again in an atmosphere you have created that welcomes you each and every time no matter course of day. Your hands and feet begin to tingle as warmth rushes through your body and your ears and cheeks glow as blood returns and circulates. There is a sense of ease - whether you kick off your shoes or peel winter wear. You are tired, but happy; cold, but at peace, and you have an appetite that can be fixed with a seven-course meal or a grilled cheese sandwich. Humans are home-loving creations and your home reflects you - there are your favorite things that can be seen, touched and held if you feel need.
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