I had a great weekend with my grandsons, one is the celiac kid.  Thanks to Eleanor’s Bakery, this celiac kid even ate the crusts of her wonderful sandwich bread!  The other kid loves the white sandwich bread he calls “gluten bread” that he only gets to eat at Grandma’s.  We even had Valentine Cookies — gluten free, too.  Two happy boys!

If you are mailing a Valentine package — you best get it in the mail!  If you are not — well think of someone who could use a “pick-me-up” and send them a Valentine package.  Pack you box with goodies specific to the person you are sending it to — I send Lego’s to my grand kids and plenty of candy.  Once the box is packed, then add some pizazz to the package with stickers and stamps.  Someone is going to love it!

Surprise someone with a “Heart Attack!”  Attack a friend or relative with lots of hearts!  Whether it be an office window or door, classroom door, bedroom door or window, cover it with pink, red, purple, white hearts — all sizes.  What a great way to tell someone you love them!

There are several treats that go with Valentine’s like red hearts.  Two popular treats are chocolates and Valentine cookies.  Because the “Celiac Kid” is near and dear to us, we are always on the look out for gluten free food.  We have found “Eleanor’s Bake Shop!”

They make the best sandwich bread and my celiac kid loves it.  However, today, besides buying bread, the cookies looked wonderful.  Gluten free people: CELEBRATE with a great frosted sugar cookie for Valentine’s!

And, I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this GF cake while I was there. Isn’t it amazing!?!

A quick way to remind a child that you love them is to put Valentine stickers on their lunch sacks.  If they don’t take a sack lunch, Throw a set of Valentine stickers in their backpack.  You might want to put them inside a notebook or book so they will be sure to find them.  If the backpack is not an option, under a pillow or in a coat pocket is a great place, too.

We are ready to roll with Valentine ideas!  Cookie cutters aren’t just for cookies! I loved cutting bread into a heart shape using a large cookie cutter.  Then I’d cut heart shaped cheese to fit the bread or bologna.  Depending on the person I was making lunch for, tuna, egg salad, ham or turkey all found their way onto a heart-shaped piece of bread.  Husbands and kids alike enjoyed the surprise when they opened their lunch — including my high school kids!

p.s. Use the bread crusts for bread crumbs!

Young and old love to receive a genuine note in the mail.  It stands out past the advertisements and bills.  It’s the envelope that you sit down for and carefully open in hopes of something wonderful.  So . . . find your favorite pen and buy some stamps – some cute ones and yes, they are now 45 cents now, but the happiness a stamp will bring is priceless!

If you know a Veteran, tell them “Thanks!”  We take everyday freedom for granted.  Having recently  read about some of the atrocities in WWII, I’m grateful for those who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy the freedom we have today.

Thank you to all those who have served!

Recently, my niece asked about my dad who served in WWII and the Korean Conflict.  It opened up a flood of memories about him.  He has been gone, now for over two years so the memories are very dear.  He and his 5 other brothers believed in serving our country.  Remember them this Veteran’s Day!

A Paper Hug for Dad — WWII and Korean Conflict Veteran.

You will never be forgotten!