Valentines and what not

It is nearly Valentines Day, and today is my last workday for the week, so I will be having a little Valentines party with my youngin's later this afternoon. I love to make sweet treats for my loved ones for the various Holidays, and even have signature dishes for each one, in fact if I try and change things up my kids get very mad. They often tell me that their favorite part of each Holiday is the treat that comes with it. Not everything I make for the holidays are sweets, but they are tradition round these parts to be sure.

So for today, I made my traditional Heart shaped sugar cookies for my kids and the families I work for. I make a Kool-Aid flavored buttercream frosting to top them, and then add valentine jimmies or mini conversation candies, and it is the one day each year I actually use Kool-Aid for anything. I am actually making a pitcher of it for this afternoon’s party as well. I also made truffles (a more grownup treat for the parents), well I made the recipe, they are as we speak, cooling in the fridge so I can shape them at naptime and roll them in either powdered sugar or cocoa powder. I got the recipe from THIS wonderful calendar. I have been buying the calendar for years, and she includes some fun recipes. The truffle recipe was actually on my kids "teen" calendar for February, I got a veggie bean burrito recipe, still good, just not quite as amazing as truffles.

Truffles:
3 C semi sweet chocolate chips
1 Can (14 oz or thereabouts) of sweetened condensed milk
I T vanilla (I did not add this, because I plum forgot)
Powdered sugar or cocoa for coating.


Melt chocolate chips and condensed milk together over medium heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add vanilla. transfer to a bowl cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Then shape into balls and roll in sugar or cocoa powder. Store in tightly covered container in the fridge. Makes 6 dozen.

I look forward to the yearly traditions, as it is usually the extent of the valentine celebrations around here. But this year, my hubby and I are actually going out for the big day to a real live, make-a-reservation-restaurant! We have been together for 15 years, and have never once made a reservation to go anywhere. I am very excited; I really hope it lives up to the hype. I was so hoping it was a fancy place, but found out yesterday that there isn't really a dress code (well they want you to wear clothing). Oh well I will still get all gussied up, even if the rest of the world is casual. I have a wrap dress that has been begging to be worn since I got it in December.