Happy Valentine's Day 2021

How can we celebrate Valentine's Day during a pandemic?

This card, showing a masked kitty with a facemask was sent to us by friends of ours and designed and printed by Ritzy Rose in Pickerington, OH.

February 14th is a day for showing sweethearts, friends, and family that we care. 

Are you at a loss for how to celebrate Valentine's day during this year of pandemic restrictions and fears?

Opportunities may seem limited right now, but it seems more important than ever to show others just how much we care. 

Here are a few last-minute ideas for you.

Cards, e-cards, candy, gifts, and flowers are never a bad idea and always well received. 

Of course, it's fine to buy these, but making them can be very special too. There are no pandemic restrictions on doing any of these things, so give them to everyone you love, and even to yourself!

Here is a recipe for a quick and easy, (and very pretty) little heart-shaped homemade treat:

 

Red Velvet pretzel heart candy

Valentine's day dinner

Going out to a restaurant right now is ill-advised, but it can be just as enjoyable to cook and eat at home.

Here is a menu that would make me very happy:

Three-Course Valentine's day dinner - I made all three of these recipes for Valentine's day a few years ago. None of them were hard to make, and all were excellent.

Chocolate cakes for Two - We are in the midst of a remodeling project, but these are on my "must make soon list." I hope to make them when I once again have use of an oven, so let me know what you think, if you make them!

Quality time together

Social distancing requirements limit the places we can go and people we can be with, but here are a few ideas for spending quality with your sweetheart, your family, or your friends:

• Go for a walk or do an outdoor activity together.

• Set up a video chat and spend some virtual time together. 

• Play a game: cards, a board game, ping pong, even charades during a video chat can be a lot of fun. 

The VERY best Valentine's Day gift

The biggest gift we can give each other this Valentine's day is to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Let's all persevere, and hopefully, next year all will return to normal.

Please social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, get vaccinated, stay healthy, and keep making the most -- of all your moments!

My parents play a daily game of cribbage. They taught my husband and me how to play, and we enjoy a game at least a few evenings a week. It is not hard to learn and can become a fun and friendly ongoing competition. 

Happy Valentine's Day!