Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Love is Blind

There are many ways to express your love to your spouse. Some women like to be told often, others like their better half to show their love in things like taking out the garbage without being lectured. Men, on the other hand, prefer that the little woman makes herself scarce when they’re watching the big game.

When I was in grammar school, Valentine’s Day was a biggie for me. That was before it became the custom to give everyone in the class a valentine–you gave only to your best friends or someone you were sweet on. I would wait breathlessly while the teacher handed out the valentines from the decorated heart-shaped box on her desk to see if I got a valentine from that special someone that would make me starry-eyed for days.

Now I am happy with a Whitman’s Sampler, soft centers, if you please. No glitzy bling for me. Diamonds are not this girl’s best friend. But a new Lexus would be nice.

They say that love is blind and I find it is so true when I’m ‘people watching’ in a crowded mall or other places where couples are walking hand in hand. “He’s tall, she’s short- she’s good-looking, he’s not-she’s pleasingly-pump, he’s thin as a rail.” But who am I to question cupid, who knows no prejudice when it points its arrow toward someone’s heart. This little marksman has been in the business far too long to be questioned.

This English couple, Edna and Simon Martin, are not your usual May-December romance. They’re more like a January-December one. At 73 and 35, Edna is nearly 40 years older than Simon. The couple met through their love of playing the church organ.

Although Simon is dyslexic, he is apparently a fabulous organ player. He had never had a girlfriend before he met and married Edna, who has three children, all older than Simon. Apparently things are hot, hot, hot in the romance department. “We kiss about 150 times a day,” they said.

When The Washington Post asked its staff to make up the best valentine quote, the winner, in my opinion, was this witty entrant:

“My love for you is hotter than a ’74 Nova with a V-8 engine and a busted water pipe.”

Now that is hot. A tad unromantic, but hot nonetheless.

Are you long on love but short on time? Use pre-packaged cookie dough to fashion a sweet and fanciful heart-shaped delight.

Valentine’s Day Dessert

Serves 9

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, whipped

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (8 ounce) container frozen topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Roll the cookie dough to 1/4 inch thick and form it into a heart shape. Place the heart shape on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until the cookie is lightly brown on the edges.

In a large mixing bowl, mix cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar. Spread the mixture on cooled cookie dough. Cover with cherry pie filling and whipped cream.