In this issue:
Valentine's Fun
Valentine's Day Tea

This Hallmark holiday tends to sneak up on me every year, when I suddenly think that perhaps I should do something nice for the grandparents, the great-grandparents, or even for Dad from the kids. Here are some fun projects that are easy to do and different from the average fare. Not a bad idea to take up some time on these cold days either!

Love Bugs

Craft items needed:
1. 2 pipe cleaners
2. Construction paper cut into heart shapes
3. Wiggly eyes

Cut paper into 2 same size heart shapes. Cover one heart with glue and lay the pipe cleaners over the glue with the tops sticking out to create bug "antennae".
Sandwich the pipe cleaners with the second heart shape and glue together.
Glue eyes, color face, etc. and have your kids send out the "love bug" to those important and deserving family members.

Heart Napkin Rings

If your kids get into the spirit and really want to set the perfect table, these are a fun, quick craft project to get them started.

Items needed:
felt (paper can be substituted also)
scissors, glue, glitter, etc. to decorate

Cut strips in felt to fit around napkins. Cut heart shapes out of felt and decorate to your liking-- glitter glue, beads, pen, etc. Glue heart on top of strip of felt, and voila-- napkin holder!

Cookie Bouquets

Use any sort of cookie dough and when ready to bake, insert a popsicle type stick into the cookie-- flatten cookie dough slightly if necessary. Bake cookie with stick inserted and when cool, gather several "cookies on a stick" together and tie with a ribbon to create a bouquet of cookies. If you are feeling really creative after they cook, you can have the kids frost the cookies to look like flowers or add paper "leaves" to the bouquet.

Enjoy!

Reminder!

Join the Bedford Historical Society for a family-friendly afternoon tea on Wednesday, February 14th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Historical Hall on the Village Green to celebrate Valentine's Day. Activities will include Victorian Valentine arts and crafts, a tea leaf reading, and etiquette lessons.

If not for the tea and etiquette though, come for the goodies!

Bedford's own Antonia Davis, classically-trained pastry chef, graduate of the French Culinary Institute and owner of Flower upon Flour (914-234-6799), a local specialty cake and pastry business, will prepare a variety of tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours and pastries for guests. Antonia serves clients in Manhattan, Westchester and Fairfield Counties designing sugar decorations for special occasion cakes. Flower Upon Flour is a boutique business, allowing for personal detail and the freshest product possible. Antonia uses all-natural ingredients, such as fresh zests and fruit purees, rather than extracts and flavoring pastes. I can already taste the fun!!!

Festive attire is requested and advance reservations are required for the event. A fee of $25 for Bedford Historical Society members and $35 for non-members includes all refreshments and activities. Children are free if accompanied by an adult. Call 234-9751 for registration information.

So, don a pretty dress, grab a hat and pearls, and gather up your favorite dates for an afternoon of fun and frivolity. It may just be the best part of your Valentine's Day-- I don't know about you, but I don't have a babysitter that night...