L for a love letter you write to someone special. Whether it’s a spouse, a child, or a dear friend, take some time to write down the reasons they are so special to you. It will be a gift they treasure for a long time.

O for organizing the family photos in a new way. Create a slide show on a DVD, a photo book or calendar, or even a family website where you can share pictures and stories with out-of-town loved ones. You’ll preserve old photos and help create new memories.

V for Valentine cookies like these Chocolate Chip Cookie Hearts. They’re a simple way to share some love. Even the youngest bakers can help make them by pouring ingredients and using cookie cutters to make the heart shapes. Have fun decorating them with pink, red and white icing and Valentine sprinkles.

E for an elegant dessert like this Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Pie. It’s easy enough for anyone to make, yet pretty enough to show off at a Valentine’s Day party or a romantic dinner.

For more Valentine recipes you can share, visit www.verybestbaking.com

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hearts

Prep: 20 minutes

Baking: 18 minutes

(Makes about 18 hearts with 2 1/2- to 3-inch heart cutter)

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• Metal or heat-safe heart cookie cutter(s) of desired size(s), 1 inch in height
• Various icings, sprinkles, Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Line 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with foil; lightly grease.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spread dough into prepared pan.

BAKE for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift from pan with foil handles to cutting board. Cut out hearts with cookie cutter(s). Remove hearts while peeling away foil.

DECORATE as desired.

Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Pie

Prep: 15 minutes, Cooking 5 minutes

Refrigerating: 2 1/2 hours

Yield: 8 servings

• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 1 container (6 ounces) chocolate crumb crust

WHISK together evaporated milk and egg yolks in medium saucepan.

HEAT over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is very hot and thickens slightly; do not boil. Remove from heat; stir in morsels until completely melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into large bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until cool. Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping.

REFRIGERATE for 2 hours until thickened. Sprinkle 1 cup raspberries over crust. Spoon chilled chocolate mousse over raspberries. Dollop remaining 1 cup whipped topping on center of pie; top with remaining raspberries.

Photo courtesy of Nestlé

Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Then it arrives.  The kids are home, and before the end of the first month…. it BEGINS!!  The “summer boredom blues”.  And with that comes a whole host of other behaviors I didn’t even know existed. UGH!!

When I think back to when I was a kid (which wasn’t TOO long ago!), I remember being outside, playing, hanging out with friends, being at the pool all day long, going places, and staying busy ALL DAY LONG!! And, that was without prodding or begging from my parents!!  I loved summer time.  It went by too fast, and I don’t ever remember being bored.

So, I’m having a hard time grasping this new way.   How do you “get bored” if you have nothing to do except what YOU would like to do??   I mean, come on… pick something!  Do something! What’s the problem??

Summer Camps are great – but the Money Tree in my backyard just hasn’t been producing as much lately, and those darn camps get expensive!   Carting kids from one place to another so they “have something to do” gets tiresome quickly too. Playing the “at-home camp counselor” seems to be my destiny.  The problem I have with all this is, I believe children need to learn to occupy themselves (without direction) like the good ole’ days.  They need to learn to BE bored- and be OKAY with it.  It’s in those “down” moments when the most genius ideas and thoughts float to the top.  It’s where brilliance is born!

Let’s not even talk about co-existing with siblings during summer time.  Now you have more than two of these boredom-stricken “things” under the same roof, at the same time.  That just wreaks of fussing and fighting and bickering and teasing and non-stop interventions.  Okay, I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

The good news is – it really HASN’T been that bad for me.  I’m pretty lucky to have two really great kiddos (both boys), and no tolerance for the aforementioned.  That’s not to suggest they don’t “try” it – but they learn real quickly from Sgt. Mom – “Not in MY house… Not on my time”!   To nip it in the bud sometimes it feels very much like a regression in parenting – - back to the days of time outs, going to your room, loss of privileges, etc.  – but, thankfully they usually come right be around.  Still not easy though.  Kids soooo need routine and structure be feel “safe” and comfortable.  All that goes away in the summer, and your left with a blank slate.  That’s kinda hard for ANYone to face.  Top it off with immaturity and/or low coping skills, and it’s just more than some can handle.

So, we count the days till school begins.  Make the best of the down-times, enjoy the fun times and activities we have planned together, and let the chips lay where they fall.  All in all, I’m grateful.  Grateful for my kids.  Grateful to have opportunities and choices.  Grateful to live in a wonderful place.  Grateful for summer time.  And also (in all honesty) I’ll be grateful when school starts again

This month our family faced this very situation as our blessed “Tomi” (To-me) was laid to rest at the age of 14.  He was a special part of our family and a special animal, in that he was over 80% wolf.  By his very nature, he commanded great respect from those around him – and was the gentlest of souls.  He loved being around people, but also appreciated his space.  Once you were in his “pack” you were family too.  His most prized companion was my youngest son, Brandon (age 4)… they shared a special bond.  I think Tomi saw him as our “pup”.

Brandon was witness to how Tomi’s health was declining.  We talked about it openly, and he understood there would be a day where Tomi would go to “Rainbow Bridge” to be with Grandpa.  I elected to have Tomi put to rest here in our home – on his own bed, where he was comfortable, and not distressed by strangers and a foreign environment.   I was (at first) concerned this might be difficult for the boys to witness – but after further consideration, and talking with them about it, I decided it was better for them to be part of the process rather than being sent away, and coming back to a “void”.  The procedure was very peaceful – in fact, Brandon held Tomi’s head after he laid it down to sleep.  He said to me… “you were right mom, that was very quiet”.   He’s a wise little soul.

Helping your children understand that death is not always traumatic, and can in fact be a peaceful process, eliminates some of the drama and fallacies they are exposed to.  Granted, not every child could handle this situation – some are better off away.   Each situation should be carefully weighed and considered – but if that time is in your families future, keep an open mind, and heart.

Regardless of how or when it happens, balance is critical to not only our own happiness, but to the happiness of those around us.  For me, my most accurate gauge (to balance) is usually in the eyes and actions of my kids.  When I find I am feeling just a bit more frustrated than usual, slightly more uptight, more stressed… more whatever you want to call it – MY balance is  directly reflected in them.   Likewise, when they are asking more questions than usual, spending more time in close range, whining (which is out of character), or fussing at each other more… it’s time for Mom to sit up and take notice.

I’m quite in tune with both my boys, and we are a close family, so noticing these changes is relatively easy for me, and I can usually take measures to get things back on track before things get too far out of hand.  But, realizing there IS an imbalance is sometimes the easiest part.  Figuring out WHAT is out of balance can be a little tougher.  Don’t make it harder than it needs to be though.   Just check in with yourself – first.  What’s changed recently?  How are things going at work?   Are things okay in personal relationships?   How are the finances?  Just run down a list of the obvious things and see if anything floats to the top.  If not, keep digging – sometimes it’s the not so obvious things that are really poking fun at us…   How much time are you spending on your computer lately?… and is that affecting your relationship(s)?   Have you neglected some promises?   You get the idea…

After you’ve nailed down a potential culprit (or two), be sure to acknowledge this with yourself (and any others who might have been affected).   Then, make sure to make amends and communicate that you are working on getting things to a more balanced and happier place.

Then, take action.   “Action” will be different for everyone – but, find your inspiration, then go to it, and then, LISTEN.  Listen carefully to that voice, that message, that feeling, that person, that sign – whatever it is that speaks to you and brings you more towards center.  Stay committed to making the changes you need to make, and revisit that inspiration (or others) along the way to gain the strength and energy needed to stay on task.

Find your inspiration, and listen…   Peace.

I am so very proud as well – of his accomplishments, courage, willingness, and ability to jump into this with both feet, and for (more than anything) making me a better person. We all see a little of ourselves when we look into the eyes and hearts of our children. I am so very thankful for what I see, and what he has taught me in our shared time on this planet – and look forward to what we have to share together in the future.

Don’t blink – Time Flies!!

Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to make and share treats with friends and family, but whipping up homemade sweets can be time consuming. If you’re pressed for time but still want to give something homemade, try a twist on the typical conversation hearts by making conversation heart fudge. Looking for a healthier alternative? Try these Valentine’s hearts made with watermelon and orange slices.

Enjoy time with the kids while they’re home for the weekend by putting together some Valentine’s crafts. If you have a budding musician in your home, help inspire them by creating this “You Rock, Valentine!” card.

Stray from the traditional boxed Valentine’s cards this year and make homemade cards using construction paper, paint and your thumbprint! Follow these instructions for how to make a thumbprint heart card.

Girls will love making Valentine Heart Leis, which you can easily put together with supplies you have around the house like construction paper and straws.

If you want to get out of the house, there are lots of opportunities to do so! Celebrate the state of Oregon’s birthday (it gained statehood on February 14, 1859) at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History from 11 am – 5 pm. Explore the museum for free and let the kids enjoy the museum’s various activity stations.

Take the family to Family Art Sunday at the Emerald Art Center from 2-4 pm. This free event lets families learn about American folk art and gives kids the chance to create their own art projects.

You can find more events for Valentine’s Day and the upcoming weekend on our calendar and at the Travel Lane County Event Calendar.

Do you and your family have other Valentine’s Day plans or a fun tradition you’d like to share? Let us know!

I am SOOOO excited about this launch and can’t wait to start connecting with readers, followers, fans, parents and partners Lane County. Our new site is (now) dynamic – so you’ll find current events, updated recipes, classes and workshops, new games for the kids, current articles, and much more. Check back often to see what’s new at OregonFamily.com ! You’ll like what you see!

Have something to say?… leave a comment!  Let’s get the conversation going!   But, the fun doesn’t stop there!  You’ll also find us on Facebook and Twitter (too)… Get connected and stay current – heck, we’ll even give you latest weather!

And – THANKS and credit due to “The Best” – Kelli Matthews, Verve Northwest!  She made this all possible…