Happy Valentines Day! Valentine Treats – Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family by Sara Perry is fun, delightful and offers an array of wonderful ideas for this "lovers holiday”. Perry’s book is able to illustrate how to make one day of “love” a very festive and inviting celebration that involves the entire family. Valentine Treats covers simple and frugal ideas of gift-giving, old-fashioned heart-making, sweets, and recipes for V-day.  

For my own personal Valentine's party, my favorites include “Say-it-with-Hearts Valentine Card,” “Beaded Champagne Flutes for Two,” “Cinnamon Candy Sugar Hearts,” “So-What-if-He-Forgot Chocolate Chip Cookies” and “Pitter-Patter Pancakes.”  “Say-it-With-Hearts Valentine Card” reminds me of the time I was in kindergarten and we made homemade hearts for our parents. I was so proud cutting out my paper hearts and pasting them on my card made out of cardboard.  It was truly wonderful and my mother thought so too.  The “Say-it-With- Hearts Valentine Card” is a reflection of true appreciation and how simple love can be. Perry’s nostalgic step-by-step instruction on how to make your very own personalized card is what this day is all about. 

What is Valentine’s Day without treats?  I absolutely love the heart–shaped cinnamon Valentine candy. Perry has a special and delicious recipe for “Cinnamon Candy Sugar Heart” cookies. These are made from a simple sugar cookie recipe but the key is the melting and caramelizing of the cinnamon candy inside of the cookie.  Simply mouth-watering and fits the occasion just right.  

The “So-What-if-He-Forgot Chocolate Chip Cookies” recipe hits the spot and your heart at the same time on this day.  Even though he may have forgotten this very important day, this chocolate cookie will definitely dull the sting just a little. The scrumptious recipe calls for pecans, white & chocolate chips, coconut and raisins that mix up into a tasty pleasure.    

Valentine Treats by Sara Perry covers the whole day of devotion from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.  This book could not only be used for creating a day to remember for February 14th but could also be a reference to all of the other days of the year for when you want to show that special someone you care.