Valentine Traditions

 For Valentines

We decorated sugar cookies. That was a fine enough activity, I made the icing too thin so it was spreading everywhere and not staying in the spot i wanted it on the cookie.

Small Presents- (box o chocolates for each person and pair of cute socks)

I found small cute assorted chocolate hearts at winco for the girls.

Caramel coconut oreo's for logan (at Lees)

I bought Flowers on 2/11 and Cute sushi socks  for the girls ans baseball socks for luke (Clearance at walmart)

Cute No drama lama socks at Winco for chloe

Logan got me- a prepared salad mixture, york peppermint pattie, peach tea, hawaiian macadamia nut

We had potato bar for dinner with a super delicious fruit salad

one package of Raspberries

One package of blueberries

one package of strawberries and

4 kiwis ( I added a little sugar) everyone loved it

Valentine Sugar Cookies

                                                        Royal Icing Recipe

Ingredients:
1 tsp vanilla extract
 2 TBSP light corn syrup – you can try increasing this by 1-2 TBSP if you desire more shine!
2 lbs powdered sugar
 60 grams meringue powder
• Warm Water—start w/ 1/2 cup, increase as needed per directions below – warm water helps the meringue powder incorporate faster and better
• Optional, but helpful: either 1⁄2 tsp cream of tartar OR 1 tsp white gel icing – this seems to help with color bleed, color retention
• Optional 10 grams vegetable glycerin may be added if you want your icing to dry with an EVEN softer bite, DO NOT go overboard on this as it’s possible to keep your icing so soft it will never dry.
Directions:
1. Combine water and meringue powder, beat with a mixer attachment at medium until frothy (30 seconds – 1 minute).
2. Add vanilla extract and mix for 5 seconds just to incorporate.
3. Add all the powdered sugar, corn syrup and vegetable glycerin, gel food coloring/cream of tartar (if using) at once, mix on low, the mixture will be VERY STIFF, and may not come together yet.
4. Add water, a tiny splash at a time, with mixer on low, until you get a THICK toothpaste consistency – still very stiff.
This is your base icing! IF you are going to create 3D elements such as flowers, I highly recommend beating this on high for a few extra minutes, until it becomes fluffy, almost resembling buttercream. This makes the icing WAY easier to pipe, but also results in a much airy, hole-y icing when dried. It will kind of crumble like a meringue cookie! Icing that has been over beaten like this, which is much easier for 3D elements, is NOT good for stacking.
5. When you are ready to use the icing, take out the amount needed, color with gel, and water it down a little bit at a time until you get the desired consistency. Use your judgement and common sense, if you added to much water, add a bit more powdered sugar.
6. Store in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (though I haven’t tested beyond this .. should be fine), or freeze. Use only the amount needed for projects & put the rest away. Give the batch a big stir before using since it may have settled or separated a bit from being stagnant.

 

 

Fluffy Roll-Out Cookie Recipe – 

Vanilla Bean Base version (recipe yields approx. 2 doz 3-inch cookies rolled at slightly thicker than 1/4 inch)
Ingredients:
2 cups or 450 grams all-purpose flour
1.5 sticks (6 oz) salted butter, room temp
3/4c or  200 grams granulated sugar
3⁄4 tsp baking powder (approx.. 3 grams
 2 medium eggs, room temperature
 1 TBSP vanilla bean paste or approx. 15 grams – I love the Nielsen-Massey brand from my Amazon shop

Directions:
1. Sift dry ingredients together, set aside. Depending on your flour, you may be able to skip this step—use your judgement!
2. Using the paddle attachment, cream together: butter, sugar, vanilla, together on low at first, then medium. Beat until well incorporated, and you notice that the mixture is starting to fluff a little bit—you are essentially starting to incorporate air at this stage.
3. Add eggs to mixture, combine on low until a very viscous mixture is formed, about 30-45 seconds on low. Increase speed to medium and beat until this mixture becomes lighter and fluffier. It doesn’t need to be precise but we want to make sure everything is well combined and there is SOME air in the wet batter.
4. Add the dry ingredients all at once, mix on low until all ingredients are combined, and the dough comes away from the bowl naturally. You MAY need to scrape the bowl clean once.
5. Divide dough into 3 portions and roll each portion between two pieces of plastic wrap—roll out to about half an inch thick, stack and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before cutting—cold dough is easier to handle. Yes—if stored in the fridge, like any dough that contains butter, it will get hard. Take it out of the fridge for a few minutes and it’ll become easier to roll.
When ready to bake, roll out the dough to your final preferred thickness (for example 1⁄4 or 3/8 inch if you use rolling guides.. I use the a stainless steel rolling pin HERE and roll to 3/8”) cut out dough using cookie cutter and place on non-stick silicon mat. Bake while dough is still chilled. You can still roll dough in between the same sheets of plastic wrap you stored the dough in—you don’t want to use any more extra flour during this phase and this also helps reduce cleanup!
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approx. 10 minutes for mini cookies (approx. 2 inches), and 11-12 minutes for larger cookies (3-4 inch cookies). Depending on the cookie thickness, you will need to adjust your baking time. You may need to adjust the baking time as each oven is different

Valentine puns, cards, punny, food

 My Valentine Pinterest Board- food, crafts

more adorable valentines- Fresh Picked Whimsy- shes a illustrator

Free or cheap Adult activities and Date Nights

 SUMMER SEASON- 

Summer Big Band swing Dancing at the Gallivan center in SLC

-ALL YEAR LONG-

1. the Weber county Library has craft/art classes- 
2nd and 4th tuesdays Weber county library or look here

2. Occasionally perry egyptian theatre Ogden

3. The Monarch on FB Ogden - 
   A. they have rotating traveling art exhibits, where artists bring their creations to show off. 
   B. Also they have a ton (20ish) creative small studios where artists come to create and sell their goods (paintings, pottery
   C. One time there was a thrift market
   D. Theres a Workshop for creating your own wineglass and creating resin jewelry
   E. Locals Rock the Monarch- The also have a Van Music Series- where they bring a 1980's old school van inside the bldg and have random bands play in and around the van (definitely recommend going to)

4. Karaoke- Free Thursday nights at Funk and Dive Bar,

5. Kaysville Theatre-  Movies Mondays $1, Matinees $4, Tues - Sat  $5
 M-Th @ 630, Saturdays 1 & 330pm

doors open at 6, show starts @ 630, matinee doors open at 12:30, show starts at 1

6. The Lighthouse Bar- Ogden, there is open mic nights and karaoke (mon & thurs)  too
MONDAY @ 7 PM
"Strangers" live podcast by Paddy Teglia featuring Special Guests that have helped make Ogden, UT what it is today.
WEDNESDAY @ 7PM
Vinyl Night hosted by Paddy Teglia. Spinning all of Your favorite records. That's right, Your Records! 
FRIDAY Live Music Starts @ 9 PM, $5 cover charge
SATURDAY Live Music Starts @ 9 PM, $5 cover charge

7. Kamikazes - Ogden, House Of Rock- Live music and open mic nights

8. Gandy Dancer Mercantile on Facebook-  Ogden, 801-605-3384
Live Music Series! Free, family friendly concerts every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 6-8 p.m.

9. Neptune Skating Ogden
Mon 3-6pm $5 and 6-10 $20 per family,
Tues 6-8pm, and 8-10pm $1
Wed 3-6pm $5 and 6-9pm $5
Thurs closed
Fri 1-6pm $10 and 6pm-12am $10
Sat- 11am-6pm $10 and 6pm-12am $10, ladies 18 and older free after 9pm

10. Green Haus Art Co

11. Hot springs 
     A. Meadow Hot springs 2.5 hours  south of SLC
     B. Red Hill Hot Springs, 3 hours south of SLC, by Richefield
     C.Bear River Hot springs-  and also this website (aka Riverdale Resort) 
2 hours north of SLC, preston, ID, prices begin at $10 per person
     D. Maple Grove Hot Springs- $18 per adult, 2 hours 20 min north of SLC
     E, Downata Hot Springs $12 per person, 1 hour 54 min north of SLC
     F. Crystal Cove Hot Springs- $18 per person or wed night family night (6 ppl) $36-$42

12. Comedy Sports- Provo $10 per person, 7:30 or 9:30 show
13. Dry Bar Comedy Provo, $25 per person
14. Improv Broadway, Provo $10, every fri and sat 7:30
15. BYU Divine Comedy Campus Show, Provo, $5

16. Keys On Main- Dueling pianos bar In SLC, fri or sat 7-830pm or 9pm-12am

17. Hopkins Brewery- 1048 E 2100 S, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106 (385) 528-3275- Jazz performances wed (a trio and open mic night) and thursday nights (a band).

FEBRUARY Valentines-

Thanksgiving point- Lehi- Dinner and Dance $80 per person

Many Ideas for Valentines in SLC- cooking class, bingo, comedian,

Eden Frozen Hearts Ball- Live Music $20 per person, refreshments Instagram

Ogden Eccles Community Center Dance- $90 per couple, Live Music, dinner and Dance

The Madison in Ogden Valentines Dance- $65 for two, street tacos, dance

Adult Prom- In Clearfield- $60 per couple- photo, DJ, Dancing and facebook

SLC A Nght of  Love $30-$!75, DJ, Dinner, Show, Dance @ Temple Terrace Event Center

SALT LAKE CITY-

Deseret Star Playhouse theater- $30 per adult

Cloud valentines

Printables 4 Mom

 

Valentines ideas

 

https://bigfamilyblessings.com/simple-valentines-day-traditions-to-start-with-your-family-this-year/

 

Love Scavenger Hunt – Cut out hearts from construction paper, choosing a different color of construction paper for each family member. On each heart write something you love about that family member.  Hide the hearts in the house for a fun scavenger hunt.

Love Jar – Gather enough jars for each family member to have one. Label each jar with the name of a family member. Fill the jar with popsicle sticks labeled with favorite things about that family member.

Post-It Note Love – Place post-it love notes where your child will find them (on the mirror, by her shoes, on the television, etc).

Valentine’s Family Movie Night – pop some popcorn, add pink and red candy-coated chocolates and/or sprinkles. Watch a movie such as The Princess Bride, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, or The Lorax. Here is a whole list of movies your whole family can enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

Family Love Jar – Starting at the beginning of February, place a jar and a stack of paper slips out. Encourage family members to write special things about your family on the slips of paper.  Read the notes together on Valentine’s Day.

Love Door –  Tape hearts with things you love about your child on his bedroom door while he sleeps the night before Valentine’s Day.

I Love You Meal – Make a Valentine’s Day theme meal as a family. Make heart-shaped pancakes or sandwiches and set the table with fancy dishes.

https://www.letmegiveyousomeadvice.com/2-simple-valentines-day-traditions-for-families/

 

A Valentine’s Mail Station

We started this tradition a few years ago as my oldest son was learning to read and write and now my kids can’t wait for us to set it out each year. This tradition actually starts at the beginning of the month, but once it’s set up I don’t mess with again.

It’s just a simple invitation on a table in our dining room for everyone to make Valentine’s for each other. I never force it and just leave the materials available but I’m always blown away by how much my kids enjoy this even now, as they’re getting older. I’ve got a whole post on how to set up your own Valentine’s Mail Station with tips on sneaking in a little literacy practice as you go.

https://www.simplystacie.net/valentines-day-party-games/

3. Pin the lips on the picture

A variation of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’, this one involves a drawn out poster of a face without lips. Then have some cut outs of lips with tape on the back of each one. Blindfold each person, spin them around and watch them as they try and put the lips where they belong! Everyone watching will have a great time too!

https://sofestive.com/2020/01/03/valentines-day-traditions-kids/

3. TOP SECRET VALENTINE TRADITION

Having a Top Secret Valentine is so fun with kids! A week before Valentine's Day, write all your family member's name one of these Top Secret Valentine's assignments.  Each person will get an envelope with their mission on it. 

The goal is to do as many nice things for your "Secret Valentine" as possible before Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, everyone reveals who they had.

Secret Valentines Ideas:

●     Make their bed

●     Hang up their backpack

●     Put shoes away

●     Do their job

●     Scrape the snow off windows

●     Leave a note

●      

●     4. Marshmallow Mayhem? All you have to do is sit at opposite ends of the sofa and toss mini-marshmallows into each other’s mouths. Points for each direct hit or how many are in their mouth

●      

●     I like you Berry much

 

https://sofestive.com/2018/01/20/14-days-of-love-a-valentines-day-challenge/

14 Days of Valentine love and service

Valentine ideas

 https://bigfamilyblessings.com/simple-valentines-day-traditions-to-start-with-your-family-this-year/

Love Scavenger Hunt – Cut out hearts from construction paper, choosing a different color of construction paper for each family member. On each heart write something you love about that family member.  Hide the hearts in the house for a fun scavenger hunt.

Love Jar – Gather enough jars for each family member to have one. Label each jar with the name of a family member. Fill the jar with popsicle sticks labeled with favorite things about that family member.

Post-It Note Love – Place post-it love notes where your child will find them (on the mirror, by her shoes, on the television, etc).

Valentine’s Family Movie Night – pop some popcorn, add pink and red candy-coated chocolates and/or sprinkles. Watch a movie such as The Princess Bride, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, or The Lorax. Here is a whole list of movies your whole family can enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

Family Love Jar – Starting at the beginning of February, place a jar and a stack of paper slips out. Encourage family members to write special things about your family on the slips of paper.  Read the notes together on Valentine’s Day.

Love Door –  Tape hearts with things you love about your child on his bedroom door while he sleeps the night before Valentine’s Day.

I Love You Meal – Make a Valentine’s Day theme meal as a family. Make heart-shaped pancakes or sandwiches and set the table with fancy dishes.

https://www.letmegiveyousomeadvice.com/2-simple-valentines-day-traditions-for-families/

A Valentine’s Mail Station

We started this tradition a few years ago as my oldest son was learning to read and write and now my kids can’t wait for us to set it out each year. This tradition actually starts at the beginning of the month, but once it’s set up I don’t mess with again.

It’s just a simple invitation on a table in our dining room for everyone to make Valentine’s for each other. I never force it and just leave the materials available but I’m always blown away by how much my kids enjoy this even now, as they’re getting older. I’ve got a whole post on how to set up your own Valentine’s Mail Station with tips on sneaking in a little literacy practice as you go.

https://www.simplystacie.net/valentines-day-party-games/

3. Pin the lips on the picture

A variation of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’, this one involves a drawn out poster of a face without lips. Then have some cut outs of lips with tape on the back of each one. Blindfold each person, spin them around and watch them as they try and put the lips where they belong! Everyone watching will have a great time too!

https://sofestive.com/2020/01/03/valentines-day-traditions-kids/

3. TOP SECRET VALENTINE TRADITION

Having a Top Secret Valentine is so fun with kids! A week before Valentine's Day, write all your family member's name one of these Top Secret Valentine's assignments.  Each person will get an envelope with their mission on it.  

The goal is to do as many nice things for your "Secret Valentine" as possible before Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, everyone reveals who they had. 

Secret Valentines Ideas:

• Make their bed

• Hang up their backpack

• Put shoes away

• Do their job 

• Scrape the snow off windows

• Leave a note

•  

• 4. Marshmallow Mayhem? All you have to do is sit at opposite ends of the sofa and toss mini-marshmallows into each other’s mouths. Points for each direct hit or how many are in their mouth

•  

• I like you Berry much

• https://sofestive.com/2018/01/20/14-days-of-love-a-valentines-day-challenge/14 Days of Valentine love and service

Valentines food Ideas

1.  Tulip tomato flowers  Shockingly Delicious and Youtube, I think fresh steamed green beans would work better than green onions
2.  Meat and Cheese hearts  Two Kids Cooking/ and Krazy Coupon and Food Ideas
3.  Cucumber and carrot hearts
4.  Chocolate bananas Finding Zest and Carrie Experiments and Striped choco bananas

Chocolate and Cheese Fondue

Six Sisters Stuff

1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 (4.25 oz) large Hershey’s Chocolate with Almonds candy bars
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
Place butter, chocolate, marshmallows, and milk in a 1-2 quart slow cooker that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover and cook on low heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes until melted and smooth. Gradually stir in whipping cream. Cover and keep warm for serving up to 2 hours. Makes 6-8 servings.
Serve with bite-size brownie pieces, bananas, apples, marshmallows, graham crackers, strawberries, cinnamon bears, cookies, mandarin oranges, or anything else you like. I like to use wooden skewers or large toothpicks to pick up the bite-sized food and dip it into the chocolate.

Cheese Fondue
Taste of Home

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups milk
2 cups (8 ounces) cubed colby jack cheese
Bread cubes, ham cubes, bite-size sausage and or broccoli florets
In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour, salt if desired, mustard, pepper and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheese; cook and stir until cheese is melted.
Transfer to a fondue pot or 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with bread, ham, sausage and/or broccoli. Yield: 2-1/2 cups.

Served with fresh sliced red and yellow peppers, roasted cauliflower,roasted  broccoli, roasted carrots, roasted  asparagus

Also Served with
BBQ Drumsticks

Most affordable School Valentines

1. 144 ct  $15 Bouncy balls printable tags

2. 100 ct  $9  Glow Sticks or Eighteen25
3.  stickers "Im stuck on you" or "Friends stick together"
4.  Pencils or pens "Your the write friend" or Proclamation
5.  Popcorn SouthernPeach