I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day. It always seems that when this day is past that spring ought to be just around the corner. But wait! Let’s not get in such a rush! What about the winner of February’s First Friday Freebie? It happens every month and this time it happened to –
Lee Ann of Duncan, South Carolina!
Lee Ann entered the drawing by following the instructions in the post to leave a comment saying, “I Love Valentines!” It’s that simple.
If you’d like a better look at her collection of Handmade Victorian Valentines, clickhere.
Congratulations, Lee Ann! And, thanks for sending me a photo! I hope your recipients were blessed by the Valentines. I can only hope the Valentines are as wonderful as your smile is in this photo!
The Valentines were made my me. If anyone is interested in a tutorial on how I made these using real lace and fancy trims, please comment and let me know.
The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, March 2, 2018. SUBSCRIBE and don’t keep it to yourself. Share this post with all your friends so they can enter! A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.
One thing about First Friday Freebies here at Midwest Storyteller – you never know what you’re gonna get! Take a look at the “Freebies” page at some of the other free gifts over the last few months. I’m tellin’ you – it pays to SUBSCRIBE! – and subscribing is just as free as a…well, a FREEBIE!
And now, a recap of the Freebie Rules.
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
Three simple steps! Subscribe now, before you forget, and you’ll be ready for March. Spring is on the way and with this freebie, you’ll be ready for it!
Why not “share”, “like” and “pin” this post so all your friends don’t miss out?
Scroll back up under the title of this post and leave a comment. I’d love to know you think of the freebies so far and which features of Midwest Storyteller you like best.
Actually, we’re celebrating the anniversary of a beating, stoning and beheading. Also, February 14th is the anniversary of the death of my favorite author, P. G. Wodehouse. Come to think of it, this whole thing could be downright depressing. Let’s try and return to the hearts and flowers side of this story.
I’ve heard various legends concerning Saint Valentine. I just don’t know how many of them are true.
What most believe is that around the year 278 A.D., the Roman emperor, Claudius, banned marriages, believing that strong family ties were at fault for making young men less inclined to enter the military ranks. Valentine, a priest, violated this order and performed marriages anyway.
Valentine was arrested, tortured and beaten to death with clubs before being beheaded on February 14th.
One story tells that he’d written a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter who had become a friend, having signed it, “Your Valentine”.
But, how did the familiar heart shape come into being? I’m not sure anyone knows for sure, because it certainly doesn’t bear much resemblance to that internal organ of ours that goes all-of-a-twitter when we’re feeling the first blush of love.
One story tells us that Valentine was taken away suddenly to prison, leaving him no time to notify his family of his whereabouts. Knowing they must be in a terrible state of fear and worry, he began to reach out and pluck at a vine which grew up the stone wall outside his small prison window. Each day, Valentine plucked leaves from the vine and began to pierce them with small holes that spelled out the words, “Your Valentine”. These leaves just happened to be that familiar shape that we often associate with philodendron and many other plants and now refer to as heart-shaped.
As he dropped these organic messages out the window, they fluttered to the ground below and eventually made their way to those who had been waiting for some word from their dear Valentine.
I love that story. I’d love to believe it’s true – and it might be – even if it does sound like someone like me made it up.
Just knowing that Valentine was a real person who stood up for what he believed is enough to make us want to remember him. Realizing what his suffering and death had to have done to his family and friends is enough to make us want to remember those we value with some token of love on his special day.
It’s not too late! It’s a great day to make someone feel good so stop reading this hop to it!
Me? I’m going to go hang out with Smuffy. I adore Smuffy! If you want the inside scoop on our Smokin’ Hot Honeymoon, check it out here!
Phoebe June would like to leave you with a smile –
Awww! That ought to make your little heart go pitter patter! Get better acquainted with Phoebe June here.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I can’t think of a better thing to discuss than chocolate. I love chocolate! It dominates the candy aisles in stores on a regular basis, but at this time of year, people purchase more of the stuff than ever. I’d venture to say that it puts the fall pumpkin rush to shame.
The other thing lurking on the candy aisle, however – that troll hiding under the bridge waiting to ambush you – is sugar. If you haven’t figured out yet that sugar takes a toll on your body in more ways than just the addition of unwanted pounds, you’ve got your sweet head in the sand.
This spring, I’ll begin my fourth (Really? Wow!) year of feeding my body all kinds of wonderful things except for sugar and grains. If you’re not humming “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” with your fingers in your ears, you might want to learn a little more about your body and my journey here.)
Yes, I still eat my chocolate (of course) birthday cake. Yes, I still have a big slab of pie at Thanksgiving and cookies at Christmas. Once a week, if that often, I might eat something on a bun. However, my former lifestyle as the Bread & Pasta Queen is over and SURPRISE! – I don’t miss it.
One of the first things I had to figure out was how on earth I was going to get my chocolate – and plenty of it! Chemical sweeteners, such as aspartame (Equal), sucralose (Splenda) or saccharine (Sweet ‘n Low) were not an option. I’d learned enough to realize that would be akin to exchanging strychnine for cyanide. Stevia seemed the only option and, though sweet, sometimes it just didn’t taste “right”.
Dedicated and determined because I had a health issue to conquer, I plunged in, reminding myself that Thomas Edison had far more failures than he had successes and yet, he kept going until he finally got a bright idea!
Today, I’m sharing two recipes that you can enjoy not only in the current chocolate season, but all year round. And, with the FREE printable at the end of this post, you can get started right now!
I have stated in previous blog posts that when it comes to stevia, you get what you pay for. My favorite brand has always been Sweet Leaf and, of the store brands, I still prefer it.
Last week, however, my friend, Sarah, introduced me to the Pure Stevia Extract Powderby Trim Healthy Mama. Again, you get what you pay for, but I found that instead of using a tablespoon of Sweet Leaf in a recipe, I could use ¼ teaspoon of THM stevia! It has no bitter aftertaste and I think I’m in love! It’s available in one ounce and four ounce bags.
It’s February! What are we waiting for? Let’s have some chocolate!
Not Apologizin’ Hot Chocolate
12 ounces milk
2 Tablespoons Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
¼ teaspoon Trim Healthy Mamma Pyure Stevia or 1 Tablespoon Sweet Leaf Stevia
1/8 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
In a Pyrex measuring cup, heat the milk in the microwave until hot but not boiling. While it is heating, mix the cocoa powder, stevia and salt in a small custard cup with a mini whisk.
Pour an inch or two of the hot milk into the bottom of a large mug. Add the cocoa mixture and whisk until fairly smooth. Add vanilla. I call this my “sludge” – a rather unsavory name for something so wonderful.
Continue to whisk while adding the remainder of the hot milk. Add the heavy cream, stir and enjoy! To make my experience complete, I scoop up Phoebe June and settle into my favorite chair. Since you don’t have Phoebe June, you’ll have to make do with your own kitty, borrow one or just pretend.
Traveling Version:
When I’m away from home, I don’t like to miss out on my hot chocolate, but toting milk around becomes a problem. I’ve tried using powdered milk in the dry mix so that I could “just add water”, but it failed to give me the texture and flavor I wanted. I’m being nice – it was nasty. I’ve discovered that adding 1 ½ scoops of Reliv Delight makes a wonderful dry mix.
Reliv Delight, a whey-based milk substitute and nutritional supplement, provides the benefits of milk — plus additional nutrients — in a delicious low-fat formula. It supplies your body with a good source of proteinand an essential nutritional balance of vitamins and minerals. And at only 90 calories per serving it is also a great way to help maintain a healthy weight. Mix Reliv Delight with water and use it as an alternative to milk — while cooking, in milkshakes, with cereal or simply as a refreshing, creamy beverage. It’s a healthy choice for adults and kids alike.
As promised in the disclaimer on this blog, I’m disclosing the fact that this product must be purchased through a Reliv distributor and that I am a Reliv distributor who may receive monetary compensation should you decide to purchase the product through me. You may do so by contacting me at barb@midweststoryteller.com
This is a great way for me to take a travel mug while on the road and stop for some hot water so that I can have my chocolate fix. All I have to remember is to never leave home without my pre-mixed little baggie of dry ingredients, my little bottle of vanilla and my mini whisk!
Are you ready for no-guilt Valentine treats?
Almost everyone seems to love those beautiful chocolate-covered strawberries that cost an arm and a leg. We all indulge without too much guilt because, after all, strawberries are fruit and fruit is good for you and therefore, legal – right? Those sold in stores or special ordered are most likely made with shortening. (Repeat after me: “Shortening. Is. Evil.”) Not only that, but the chocolate coating is loaded with that ever-present, ever-enticing culprit – sugar!
I came up with this recipe to remove the culprits. The results were fabulous and I’ve served them up several times to people who tell me how yummy they are. I usually make them to share, so this recipe makes quite a few! The ones in the photo were gigantic berries and I had enough coating to do twenty-five berries. If they had been “regular” sized strawberries, I think I could have done about forty! What could be easier than dipping whole berries into chocolate sauce and letting them dry? This, combined with the fact that you get to lick your fingers and that your recipients will think you’re oh, so special ought to get you going on this recipe.
Oh, you weren’t going to give any of them away? Well, just be sure and wipe the chocolate off your chin before anybody sees you.
Wash berries and pat them dry with paper towels or allow them to dry completely on a drying mat.
In a double boiler, small ceramic coated saucepan (or a Pyrex bowl over a small saucepan), melt the coconut oil and butter over low heat. Add cocoa powder, heavy cream, stevia, vanilla and salt, whisking until smooth.
Grasp each berry by its stem and dip into the chocolate mixture. Be sure not to cover all the lovely red part! Allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl before placing the berries onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Place the berries far enough apart so they do not touch.
Leftover chocolate? Consider re-dipping!
If desired, sprinkle some or all of the berries with shredded, unsweetened coconut while the chocolate coating is still soft.
Do not attempt to rearrange the berries on the waxed paper until the chocolate coating is completely hardened.
Refrigerate until ready to serve or give as a gift. Remember, the chocolate coating will begin to soften at about 76 degrees, so be sure to store your beautiful berries properly. I did, with good intentions to take most of them to some cherished friends. But then, we had this icy weather and didn’t get out and, well, you know how it goes…now you know why they’re called “Eat ’em All Chocolate-covered Strawberries!”
You can share more than chocolate with a friend. How about sharing this post? You can do that through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Enjoy your chocolate and don’t forget your FREE printable recipes. Just click on the banner below.
I invite you to join me for true confessions! Tell me about your favorite chocolate obsession and how often do you indulge. Scroll back up to the top of this post and “Leave a Comment”.
I think the main reason that I enjoy Valentine’s Day so much is that it’s one of the few times in the year when the rest of the world gets on board with my sappiness. All the tough cookies in this world soften up and, at least for one day, we’re all hearts and flowers.
This month’s freebie will allow you to go all out with old fashioned mush! All you have to do is become a subscriber, if you are not already, and comment on this post, saying: “I Love Valentines!” (Complete rules are included at the end of this post.)
These handmade Victorian Valentines are the perfect way to make someone feel special. Each of the eight cards has a different image taken from antique postcards and Valentines, surrounded by real lace and fancy trims. They come with red envelopes and I’ve thrown in an extra in case you make a mistake trying to get all curly and swirly while addressing them.
Inside each card is a Scriptural quote from Jeremiah to let your recipients know that they’re not only cherished by you, but by God as well.
I love my faithful subscribers. I hope this freebie makes you feel so loved and so special that you’ll want to use it to make eight other people feel loved and special!
Isn’t that special? (I told you I was sappy.)
Oh, by the way, they are handmade by me – just something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Ah, yes – paper crafting. Didn’t I just say in a recent post that paper was my nemesis?
Why not SHARE this post today with the people you love? One of them might win and then send you a beautiful handmade Victorian Valentine!
Check out some of Midwest Storyteller’s previous freebies on our “Freebies” page. A couple of my favorites are here and here.
REMEMBER: A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I Love Valentines!”
And now, here are the rules:
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
Three simple steps!
Now hurry! Go! Go! Go! Subscribe, Confirm and Enter before midnight tonight, February 2nd!
Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month and you know what that means! Don’t you just L.O.V.E. free stuff?
“There’s a catch,” you say? I’ll admit it – you have to SUBSCRIBE to the Midwest Storyteller blog – which, by the way, is also F.R.E.E.
Speaking of “loving” free stuff… Ooh! …there seems to be something hidden inside this secret “envelope”?
Oh, my goodness, if I give out any more hints, you’re going to guess what’s inside and the secret will no longer “be mine”!
“Like”, “Pin”, “Tweet” and by all means, “Share” on Facebook with all your friends so they can enter to win.
Then, check Friday’s post for the reveal and your instructions to comment.
And now, here are the rules.
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
When the Freebie is revealed on Friday, you’ll need to scroll back up to the top of the post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
Three simple steps! And only one more day! Loving it!
Now hurry! Go! Go! Go! Subscribe, confirm and enter tomorrow!
