Love In the Air, Ashes On My Forehead

when Lent begins on Valentine's Day ...

ASH VALENTINE’S GREETINGS!

It was always easy giving these up for Lent (have you tasted them? NOT a big sacrifice:-)

It does happen, though rather infrequently: Ash Wednesday shares a calendar square this year with Valentine’s Day. At first glance they would seem to be very strange bedfellows—the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, and a happy celebration of love. But I believe they go together just fine. The Christian custom of placing ashes on foreheads as a reminder of our mortality is not, to me, morbid at all. Rather, it’s a chance to reflect on what my life has been about so far, and to recommit myself to loving and caring for others on the journey going forward.

Oh, and I don’t give things up anymore in Lent. Instead, I try to do more good in the world; Lord knows our world needs all the good it can get . I am uncomfortably aware that I have an ulterior motive—uninterrupted chocolate consumption—as I make that rather sanctimonious statement. Mea culpa. Also, please pass me that brownie.

photo by Cathal Mac an Bheatha on Unsplash

HUMOR ESSAY: Let’s stroll down Memory Lane, back to a time when Happiness was a Daffy Duck Valentine card from your kindergarten crush…

On Valentine's Day--and Everyday--It's the Sincerity That Counts

a treasured handmade card from my youngest son (loved how he felt he needed to add his last name!)

MUSIC: “Ode” by Nils Frahm (arranged for strings by Gavin Leeper.) My Evan introduced me to the wonderful German composer Nils Frahm awhile back. Frahm’s work can be described as a fusion of classical and electronic music. I love the serenity of this piece…

REFLECTION: MY SISTER’S LENTEN SACRIFICE

Mo didn't even like chocolate ice cream touching the vanilla--stewed prunes were totally beyond the pale

One of my favorite Cunningham family stories involves my late sister Maureen, when she was in first grade at Epiphany School in NYC. The cardinal cafeteria rule was that the kids had to finish everything on their plate before going out to recess. One day in the Fall ( the time of year is an important detail), the dessert du jour was every child’s fave (not), stewed prunes. Poor little Mo just couldn’t bring herself to eat them, even if it meant no playground time. Eventually, she was the only one left at the table. When Ms. Cafeteria Lady came over and asked her why she hadn’t eaten her prunes, inspiration struck my sis. “Oh, I’d love to,” she chirped, “But I’ve given them up for Lent!” Cafeteria Lady, holding back laughter I’m sure, let Mo go out to play.

RECIPE: (RELAX, IT’S NOT FOR STEWED PRUNES:-)

KING CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

My own colorful King Cake!! (I actually put two dolls in so Aiden and Peter could each find one)

Hey, there’s still time to make this traditional Mardi Gras dessert—or save the.recipe to try next year! Easier than it sounds, trust me, and very pretty and yummy. Go all out (as you KNOW I do) and buy a tiny plastic Baby Jesus to insert in the baked cake, then wait and see who gets the Babe in their slice (it’s good luck! Unless you choke on the doll, I guess!)

BLOG PREVIEW: It’s Kitchen Kapers chez Seyfried these days, as, after 35 years of neglect, we finally re-did what is one of the smallest, but arguably most important, rooms in the house! But—now what? Join me on a slippery slope over at Working Title!

Check out the snazzy sky-blue drawer knobs and everything! (I’d share a “before” pic but that would be just too depressing)

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Amen, Saint John C.!

This week, my friends, I hope you have a chance to pause and reflect on all the good things you’ve done and will do in this world, and, importantly, all the good things there are about YOU. Sending love to all!