Although it may not seem possible, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Usually, this part of the year goes very slow until it gets warm, as in actually warm, outside, but for some reason, this January already seems to be going faster.

Maybe it has something to do with that day that was over 60 degrees last week. It could be because it’s sunnier this January than I remember other years of this month being.

Either way, there’s another day with optional celebrating ahead.

While many of us adults may not really do anything, chalking it up to a hallmark card holiday and we seem to lose our romantic side year by year, there are those of us who still try to make these kind of days more fun for the sake of our kids.

There’s something about seeing the excitement over the simplicity of a holiday intended for expressing love and gratitude for those we love, through the eyes of a child.

I see this holiday as a Thanksgiving for people. While we may be thankful and love people year-round, much like Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks, this is a holiday just for making sure people know that we love and appreciate them.

Like I mentioned before, this is a seemingly optional holiday. While you absolutely don’t have to be one to fall prey to the candy and card aisle at the local grocery store, think of how happy it would make your loved ones if you did.

Some may see it as a simple ploy for certain companies to make more money, and though I definitely can see that side, I also see the potential for investment to be made in love, that this day provides us with.

Whether you choose to celebrate this holiday with a parent, child, spouse, best friend, co-worker, chosen family, or your pets, we have some ideas for you.

Please don’t feed this particular recipe to your pet, though. That wouldn’t be good for anyone.

As always, thanks for reading! Happy celebrating from hbk.

INGREDIENTS

2 C. corn Chex cereal

1 C. stick pretzels

1 C. Cheerios

1 C. M&Ms, Valentine’s Day mix

1 C. peanuts

2 C. white chocolate chips

1 tsp. vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix Chex cereal, pretzels, Cheerios, M&Ms, peanuts together in a large bowl.

2. In separate bowl that’s microwaveable, mix oil and white chocolate chips and melt in the microwave, using 30 second increments, stirring and scraping the sides of bowl with a rubber spatula after each time until smooth.

3. Pour melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and gently stir everything together, again using the rubber spatula.

4. Spread mixture onto parchment or wax paper and allow to thoroughly cool and set.

5. Put into Ziploc bags for individual servings or serve as a party snack. This mix will go far!

Note: You can substitute the white chocolate chips and oil for white melting chocolate.

Katy Wise is a Fredonia resident.