My Valentine's Day Cupid is a Snowman

I am so glad you once again decided to join me as we celebrate the Valentine's Day holiday.  Last week, I shared with you some Valentine's Day treats, such as a scrumptious apple pie and chocolate snowmen filled with Baileys, a soothing Irish cream liqueur.  If you missed out on these delicious, after dinner Valentine's Day dessert ideas, just click on this link to see it:  Valentine's Day-Country Cooking With Snowman Angels.

Now, if you happen to live in the Midwest, Valentine's Day offers each of us a visit from a cheerful cupid, a giddy messenger of love and romance, whose characteristics may contrast with certain others.  Here in Wisconsin, cupid takes on the form of a jovial snowman with wings, most likely because of our over-abundance of snowfall.  These smiling white balls of ice and snow dressed with hats, gloves, sweaters, boots and other warm weather gear visit to deliver their magic and entice attractions among people. Rarely, do we get a glimpse at these elusive cherubs. If they are ever witnessed, undoubtedly, they are seen in the midst of a cold and snowy winter day.  I do believe their playful presence and serious work in developing courtships exists and felt throughout the year and not just during the winter season.  It is not hard to detect their mischievousness. Their grit and silly pranks can be observed any where there is happiness and folly among friends. Their hard work is responsible for long-lasting relationships, fun friendships and joyous weddings.

Well, now that we are acquainted with their frolic, it is time to pay tribute to their accomplishments, which most of the time goes unrewarded.  This week's tablescape, My Valentine's Day Cupid is a Snowman, pays tribute and offers a unique opportunity and glimpse at these whimsical Midwest Cupid Angels.  Debbie Mumm, the artist of these adorable dessert plates that are pictured in this tablescape certainly captured the attributes of these honorable, diligent, and, yet, secretive ice babies.  This tablescape is also one of many fine Valentine's Day tablescapes in this week's Valentine's Day Blog Hop with all of the links to my friends and talented tablescapers at the end of this post.  Please take the time to visit each one of them.

Some fresh cut greenery and snowflakes add rustic outdoor elements to the tablescape.  The outdoor elements contrasts well with the country decor and competes for your attention.  A shiny gold heart pick offers a small detail that subtly reminds us that love is all around us.  The light blue garbardine placemats, galvanized steel vase and napkin rings and mason jar mugs brings just the right amount of casualness to this folk-artsy tablescape.

Each colorful plate has a different design and catches sight of individual snow angels who are in flight and busy at work by candlelight.

While the snow angels are hard at work warming up our hearts with love, we can enjoy the cold weather season and the Valentine's Day occasion with a bowl of hot, savory tomato vegetable soup.  It is perfect for such a snowy day when coming in from the outside means cold noses and cold toes.  This homemade soup is tasty and very flavorful from the variety of vegetables and herbs that are combined with a pork rib broth base.  A steamy bowl of this soup warms up your soul as it warms up your body.

I love adding more garlic, spinach and parsnips to my soup.  The addition of oregano, basil, parsley, thyme and leeks with carrots, celery, green pepper, tomato sauce, V-8 juice and yellow flat beans make this a hearty and very satisfying soup.  I sprinkle a little of grated parmesan cheese on the soup just before serving.

A warm cheddar cheese and garlic biscuit with some soft garlic butter goes so well with this flavorful soup.

Here is the recipe for these "yummy-in-my-tummy" biscuits:

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Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits

Biscuits:
2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. sugar
1 T baking powder
2 or 2 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2/ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 C buttermilk
1/2 C unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix dry ingredients.  In separate bowl, combine buttermilk and melted butter.  Add to dry ingredients and fold in cheese.   Drop onto parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool slightly and prepare topping for brushing the warm biscuits.

Topping:
3T melted butter
1 T chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Combine the ingredients and brush the warm biscuits.

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A glittery splattered heart-shaped burlap gift bag is ideal for filling with a Valentine's Day note and some chocolate candies for guests to take home.

Each little burlap bag is filled with a Russell Stover Chocolate Heart and a "You Are My Valentine" note.  The wrapped chocolate candy heart is just the perfect size to fit into each bag for guests to enjoy when a craving comes along for a rich and luscious piece of chocolate.

I hope the lovable, chubby cherubs have touched your life.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Now don't forget to see what lovely Valentine's Day tablescapers have designed for you in this wonderful Valentine's Day Blog Hop hosted by Chloe Crabtree of Celebrate and Decorate.  The hop is organized a little differently this month in that all of the tablescapes will be featured on a single day rather than throughout the week.  So the following links listed below will be live with their featured Valentine's Day tablescapes beginning on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 6:00 am ET.  You can browse through them at your leisure after that time.

Celebrate and Decorate

Home and Gardening With Liz

Debbee's Buzz

Panoply

Bluesky at Home

Red Cottage Chronicles

Living With Thanksgiving

Home is Where the Boat Is

Everyday Living

Corner of Plaid and Paisley

My Family Thyme

Intelligent Domestications

White Arrows Home

Life and Linda

My Thrift Store Addiction

Calypso in the Country

PMQ for Two

Katherine's Corner

Create With Cynthia

Sweet Sensations

Our Crafty Mom

The Painted Apron

The Little Yellow Corner Store