Column from February 11, 2010

Do something special for your family

It’s not every year Valentine’s Day fall on a weekend. With it on Sunday this year, there’s no excuse for not spoiling your significant other. You have the entire day to plan a special date or some other way to say how much he or she means to you.

Although it’s typically a day for lovers, it’s also a good time to show your children how much they mean to you. There are lots of activities families can do together to demonstrate their appreciation for each other.

How about a fun craft night to create personalized cards for friends and family – or to take to school for Valentine’s parties? Use some card stock or construction paper to attach wings to a small candy bar and you have an instant Valentine butterfly.

You can also easily make your own heart-shaped boxes to hold special treats and tiny gifts.

Other ideas include tying small wrapped candies together to create an edible Valentine necklace, decorate a small flower pot with cut-out hearts and fill it with a packet of pretty flower seeds, string some heart-shaped beads together for a cute bracelet.

There is no limit to the inexpensive and easy-to-make gifts that provide a more personalized touch to the holiday.

You can spend part of the day playing some fun games. Try a Valentine scavenger hunt to find hidden items relating to the holiday or a treasure hunt with clues that lead from one place to another until the treat is found at the end.

Another way to celebrate is baking some special dessert with your kids. There are lots of recipes that are simple and safe for children to make.

And with some adult supervision, the ideas are endless. You could make some heart-shaped pancakes to start the day or Rice Krispies treats with a little pink food coloring. Make some fudge, cut into small squares, press a conversation heart into the top of each piece and place in small foil candy cups.

Here’s a fun recipe the kids can help create … or do it yourself for that special someone you’ll be spending the day with.

Valentine cake

18-1/4 ounce white cake mix (plus eggs, water and oil as directed on box)

3-ounce box strawberry flavored Jell-O

16-ounce package frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and drained

1 cup butter, softened

3-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Red of pink candies

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8-inch baking pans, one round and one square, as directed on the cake mix box.

Add the Jell-O to the cake mix, then prepare the mix as directed on the box. Fold half the strawberries into the batter. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake according to package directions.

Remove the cakes from pans and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.

Cut the round cake in half and place the two semicircles against two sides of the square cake to make a heart shape. Set aside.

Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add remaining strawberries and beat until well combined.

Spread the frosting on the cake and decorate with the red or pink candies.