Love Is In The Air, "Down there in the Sea of Love..." (Stevie Nicks)

"...where everyone should learn to drown." The first Valentine's Day was in the year 496! Having a particular Valentine's Day is a very old tradition, thought to have originated from a Roman festival. The Romans had a festival called Lupercalia in the middle of February-officially the start of their Springtime. Every year on 14 of February we celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. Couples send Valentine's Day cards and flowers and spend special time together to honour their love for each other What does Cupid have in store for this Valentine's Day? Roses, heart's, devine chocolate desserts, Champagne, Oyster's Rockerfellar , maybe a proposal or two? All fabulous ways to say I love you but what does it all mean?

Roses have many meaning's and the color you give will tell your sweetheart and friends, especially our single friend's who may need a little pick-me-up on this special day. Whether you give a single rose or a few dozen, who do I give which color? Well, here's the answer:

Red : red roses say I love you! red is symbolic of love, especially romantic love. Red also symbolizes beauty, courage and respect. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. Just like we are when we first fall in love.

Pink: pink roses also say, I love You!

While red evokes passionate love, Pink, a delicate color that

means sweet, nice, playful, cute, romantic, charming, feminine, and tenderness, is associated with bubble gum, flowers, babies, little girls, cotton candy and sweetness. the color pink is the color of universal love of oneself and of others.....both red and pink represent LOVE!

White : white roses mean "I am the ONe for YOU! " The color white is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity and virginity ('Pure' Love). It is also considered to be the color of perfection.

Yellow : yellow roses...mean friendship and joy but if your sweetheart loves the color of yellow roses, this color sends a message of appreciation and platonic love. The color represents feelings of joy and delight!

Yellow with Red tips : say "I am falling in Love with YOU!"

Orange, Salmon, Coral Roses say "I want you in my life." This color indicates desire, enthusiasm and fascination.

Peach Roses : show your deep appreciation AND GRATITUDE OR A VERY ELEGANT WAY TO SAY TO SOMEONE "THANK YOU!"

Red and white roses together : tell the receiver that "We are a great match together."

Heart's

According to one legend, Valentine, who lived in Rome around the year 270, performed secret weddings when marriage was illegal for soldiers. The day was created to remember St. Valentine. Since the heart is often thought to be where love comes from, it has become a symbol of love and can be seen everywhere on this day.

A Valentine's Key

"St. Valentine's Key, Italy" "While Saint Valentine's key's are traditionally gifted as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart, Saint Valentine is also a patron saint of epilepsy. the belief that he could perform miraculous cures and heal the condition-also known as 'Saint Valentine's illness' or 'Saint Valentine's affliction' - was once common in southern Germany, eastern Switzerland, Austria, and northern Italy. To this day, a special ceremony where children are given small golden keys to ward off epilepsy is held at the Oratorio di San Giorgio, a small chapel in Monselice, Padua, on 14 February each year." Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford 2012. I have a special rememberance of being a little girl and being given a golden key at the age of 6 by my Mother at my Grandmother's house.

Golden Key by Stephanie Tonini, art photographer

Love Italian Cake! Italian Love Cake! Love Italian Cake!

Original recipe by Stephanie Tonini...

White and Dark Chocolate Stephanie Tonini, art photographer

This Chocolate Italian Love Cake start's with a boxed chocolate cake but you can of course make your own from scratch. Boxed cake mixes are a great time saver and are just as delicious most of the time! In this case of recipe it's terrific!

Ingredients:

1 (15.25 oz.) package Chocolate cake Mix. Plus, ingredients called for on boxed mix.

For the Filling:

2 lbs. (32 oz.) Ricotta cheese

4 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla or 1/2 tsp. almond extract

For the Frosting:

1 (3.9 oz.) package instant white chocolate pudding mix (Hershey's).

1 cup cold milk

16 oz. whipped heavy cream or

16 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed (such a cool whip).

Instruction's:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray a 9 x 13 x 3 inch pan with nonstick spray.

!.) Prepare the boxed cake mix per package directions. Pour into prepared baking dish. Spread to fill the pan evenly. Set aside (do not bake yet).

2.) Prepare filling: Mix ricotta, eggs, sugar and vanilla or almond extract in mixer bowl till blended. Pour filling over chocolate cake mix and spread evenly. Ricotta filling and chocolate cake will switch places while cooking.

Italian Love Cake Stephanie Tonini, art photographer

3.) Bake the cake for 1 hour.

4.) Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Prepare the Frosting:

1.) Whisk together pudding and milk until combined and slightly thickened (about 1-2 minutes). Carefully fold the whipped topping into the pudding until combined.

2.) Spread frosting on top of cooled cake. cover and refidgerate at least 6 hours before serving or overnight. Cake get's better with age.