Valentine’s Day Harp Concert

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Our daughter has taken harp lessons for a year and a half. Every year, her teacher invites several of his students to the Blount County Public Library around Valentine’s Day, to perform in front of about 200 people.

A girl and a harp

Our daughter played on a Wurlitzer harp from the 1930s, on loan from her teacher.

This yearly concert started almost twenty years ago as the brainchild of Bill Robinson, a violinist and retired orchestra director from Maryville. Continue reading »


Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Two weeks into February and the weather has warmed up considerably. We went from 26F to 62F in two days and it was a shock to my system. After dealing with flu-like symptoms for more than a week, the sore throat is back. The doctor says no antibiotics are needed. It’s just the weather.

So… more tea and home remedies and lots of rest. I am not complaining, but I would like more energy to accomplish everything on my list. Oh well. One cannot have everything in life. Continue reading »


Happy Valentine’s Day

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Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your loved ones! How are you celebrating? We have about one foot of snow, so we are staying put. We could get out if we wanted to, but we don’t really need to. Thankfully, we have not lost power and we have everything we need. We can even homeschool through snow days like these.

I had the children make Valentine’s Day cards for friends and family using some free printables from the internet and, also, this “Bee Mine” special paper I ordered from Scholastic. We were in a rush to get them in the mail, so I did not get pictures.

My three-year-old daughter spots a heart and says, “Valentine’s Day” immediately. It does not take long to train them in these matters, does it?

Purple and

Valentine’s Day bouquet from my husband. He knows I like purple.

If you want something really romantic to look at for a few minutes, take a look at Tatiana Solosozhar and Maxim Trankov’s short program in the pairs ice skating competition. Ignore the Russian TV commentator and focus on their art.

Their interpretation of the Masquerade Waltz by Aram Khatchaturian can only be described in superlatives. Watch for the moment when she passes him the bracelet – the main object in the tragic story line they interpret. Don’t they have great chemistry?


Valentine’s Day Homemade Candy

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Homeschooling allows for lots of time spent together in the kitchen, so here’s a science lesson with sweet lab results…

What says Valentine’s Day better than a homemade chocolate treat? Here’s a recipe I found in a magazine three years ago, which has been a great success with my family. There is a time to eat healthy and there is a time to enjoy a treat. This is the latter time.

 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bonbons

Mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 5 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla in a large bowl.

Knead mixture until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

My three-year-old daughter kneads the peanut butter and powdered sugar.

My three-year-old daughter kneads the peanut butter and powdered sugar.

Roll dough into 1” balls and set on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet; chill 1 hour.

Here are the peanut butter balls getting ready to chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

Here are the peanut butter balls getting ready to chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

Line 2 more cookie sheets with wax paper; set aside. Place assorted sprinkles in shallow bowls.

Microwave 1 1/2 cups light cocoa candy melts, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. I used a double-boiler because I find it easier.

Drop the balls 5 at a time in the melted chocolate to coat. Removed balls with a fork allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Roll balls in sprinkles to coat. Place on the lined cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining balls, then chill until chocolate is set. Makes about 40 bonbons.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bonbons

The last step is the most laborious and you will remember why you only do this once a year. Not just because they are so rich…

I promise your homeschool will be very cheerful the day you make this recipe with the children and then enjoy it with them and hubby.

Valentine's Day RoundUp