Author | |
bfarmmom Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 12 2006 Location: Kentucky
Online Status: Offline Posts: 354
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 9:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I was wondering if any of you had any ideas about a St. Valentine's Day Tea. We are new to our parish and I wanted to invite over a few other Catholic Homeschooling families. Any ideas?
__________________ Peace,
Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
|
Back to Top |
|
|
alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1992
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 12:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I will be hosting one with my children this year, Kirsten.
For St. Valentine's Day, we have heart-shaped tea sandwiches, heart-shaped cookies, red punch, and other goodies. (If possible, I will try to post more detailed suggestions this week.) I also use a teapot with palm on it and a red tablecloth, both to represent St. Valentine's martyrdom.
[By the way, I hope to post plans for our Candelmas tea later this afternoon. Candelmas is coming up on Friday.]
Recently, I had an idea for something appropriate for any martyr's Feast--at least any Roman martyr's feast, including St. Valentine. You could make a "Catacomb Cake." Make a dark chocolate layer or bundt cake. Wrap small religious medals, particularly medals showing the Roman Martyrs, in a bit of wax paper attached to long red ribbons. Stick the medals in to the cake (after it is baked), leaving the ribbons to hang out all around. Then frost the cake. Allow the children to pull out the medals before eating the cake (to avoid choking hazards). Explain to them that the early Christians hid in the catacombs and were buried there. They also said Mass directly on top of the relics of the saints. This is why all Catholic churches have relics in their altars to this day.
If you can't get a hold of saints' medals before Valentine's day, any small religious medals will do to represent the relics of the saints.
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Cay Gibson Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005 Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline Posts: 5193
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 1:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
alicegunther wrote:
Recently, I had an idea for something appropriate for any martyr's Feast--at least any Roman martyr's feast, including St. Valentine. You could make a "Catacomb Cake." |
|
|
Oh, wow! Alice! This is something I can do!!!
I'm going to dig up some saint medals right away. I think we'll just do a strawberry (or perhaps red velvet) bundt cake in honor of Valentine's Day and insert medals of the saints with red ribbon. What a perfect tradition to start.
God love you!
(Edited: I can understand the chocolate to represent the Catacombs. So much one can do with this idea. .)
__________________ Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Alice R Forum Pro
Joined: May 28 2006
Online Status: Offline Posts: 169
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I never thought of that..a tea party.
Oh, Good idea!
__________________ Mom to Nathaniel (10), Noah (8) Alise (6) Rebekah (3)and expecting another blessing Faith, Grace and Family
|
Back to Top |
|
|
alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1992
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 4:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Cay Gibson wrote:
alicegunther wrote:
Recently, I had an idea for something appropriate for any martyr's Feast--at least any Roman martyr's feast, including St. Valentine. You could make a "Catacomb Cake." |
|
|
Oh, wow! Alice! This is something I can do!!!
I'm going to dig up some saint medals right away. I think we'll just do a strawberry (or perhaps red velvet) bundt cake in honor of Valentine's Day and insert medals of the saints with red ribbon. What a perfect tradition to start.
God love you!
(Edited: I can understand the chocolate to represent the Catacombs. So much one can do with this idea. .) |
|
|
Well, I thought of chocolate for the catacombs, but a red cake works *beautifully* too, especially for St. Valentine! Great idea!
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
MacBeth Forum All-Star
Probably at the beach...
Joined: Jan 27 2005 Location: New York
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2518
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 5:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
How about a honeycomb to represent the catacombs? Sweet!
__________________ God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog
|
Back to Top |
|
|
kathleenmom Forum Pro
Joined: March 09 2005 Location: South Carolina
Online Status: Offline Posts: 348
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 5:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We are conflating two holidays here....I often find myself doing this. My dd#2 has a birthday a week before Valentine's Day, and a week before her newest sibling's Birthdate as well, this year, so I thought I would simplify. We are going to have a Cupid's Tea a la Mrs. Sharp's Traditions on dd's birthday and make Valentines with her little birthday guests. I'm trying not to over do it with the Valentine theme. One year her birthday was the last day before Lent and we had a Mardi Gras Party. Do you think she'll mind...there'll be lots of pink and confections....naaaahhh. I think she'll be alright with it.
Kathleen
__________________ DH Daniel, Sophia Brigid (97), Russell Powers (99), Honoria Jane (02), John Patrick (05), Brigid Mary Feb. 24, 2007!
AMDG Academy
|
Back to Top |
|
|
LLMom Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 19 2005
Online Status: Offline Posts: 995
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 5:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I was thinking of having my kids make some placemats for our tea a few days ahead of time. Use some symbols like hearts, palms, red others for love and St. Valentine. You can buy those white paper doily placemats and then decorate them.
__________________ Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
One of my favorite St. Valentine's Day treats is cranberry-orange scones.. they're a bit sweet and tart and come out a pretty pink.. but they're not a heavy sweet treat like candy and sugar cookies and the like.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Cheryl Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005 Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline Posts: 978
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 7:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
How about strawberry Ovaltine in milk for children who don't like tea?
__________________ Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
|
Back to Top |
|
|
MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline Posts: 13104
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JodieLyn wrote:
One of my favorite St. Valentine's Day treats is cranberry-orange scones.. they're a bit sweet and tart and come out a pretty pink.. but they're not a heavy sweet treat like candy and sugar cookies and the like. |
|
|
I love cranberry-orange scones - very yummy.
But if you do want a heavy sweet treat there are many unhealthy but delightful Valentine's recipe ideas here.
I was thinking another idea to bring into a Valentine Tea could be The Sacred Heart and The Immaculate Heart either through decorations or foods. I don't have specific ideas at this minute and will get back to that unless Alice does first.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
Back to Top |
|
|
kathleenmom Forum Pro
Joined: March 09 2005 Location: South Carolina
Online Status: Offline Posts: 348
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jodie,
Can you post your recipe for cranberry orange scones, pretty please?
Kathleen
__________________ DH Daniel, Sophia Brigid (97), Russell Powers (99), Honoria Jane (02), John Patrick (05), Brigid Mary Feb. 24, 2007!
AMDG Academy
|
Back to Top |
|
|
bfarmmom Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 12 2006 Location: Kentucky
Online Status: Offline Posts: 354
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, such wonderful ideas. You ladies are just fabulous. Any special crafts? Maybe valentines to Jesus and Mary? Does anyone have a special prayer to St. Valentine? The catacomb cake is great! Would each guest get a medal?
__________________ Peace,
Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
|
Back to Top |
|
|
bfarmmom Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 12 2006 Location: Kentucky
Online Status: Offline Posts: 354
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MaryM wrote:
I was thinking another idea to bring into a Valentine Tea could be The Sacred Heart and The Immuculate Heart either through decorations or foods. I don't have specific ideas at this minute and will get back to that unless Alice does first. |
|
|
Of course! That is a great idea.
__________________ Peace,
Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
|
Back to Top |
|
|
alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1992
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 8:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MaryM wrote:
I was thinking another idea to bring into a Valentine Tea could be The Sacred Heart and The Immuculate Heart either through decorations or foods. I don't have specific ideas at this minute and will get back to that unless Alice does first. |
|
|
LOL, Mary, I love all your ideas and know without question that your specifics will be brilliant, so please do get back!
But in the meantime,
Years ago, we held a party for the Feast of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. (Over the years, I think we've had a party for just about everything. )
I am trying to remember the details, but I know we had heart-shaped sandwiches, heart-shaped sugar cookies, and Sacred Heart cupcakes--plain white cupcakes with lemon and stawberry curd used to make them look like Sacred Hearts. I remember dh coming home and saying, "Well, you certainly know how to stick to a theme!" If you check the First Holy Communion Tea thread right now, you will see suggestions just posted there for Coeur de Creme (a creamy and beautiful dessert) and Sacred Heart Cupcakes. These would probably work well for Valentine's Day.
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1992
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
bfarmmom wrote:
The catacomb cake is great! Would each guest get a medal?
|
|
|
I am so glad you like it, particularly because it can be adapted for other Feasts (St. Sebastian, St. Agnes, Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, St. Philomena, for example).
I would suggest a medal for each child if possible. For a large group, you might want to adapt the idea and have "Catacomb Cupcakes"--carefully hiding a medal wrapped in waxpaper inside with a ribbon attached for pulling. Decorate with a cross or heart on each one, if you can get them. Then again, a circle of roses would make a good "Crown of Martyrdom."
And, as long as we are brainstorming, a bundt cake with a circle of icing roses on top would make a perfect "Crown of Martyrdom Cake" suitable for the Feast of any Martyr. (Add a bit of blue here and there and you could adapt it as a Crown of Blossoms for Our Lady for May.)
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
alicegunther Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1992
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 9:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Here is a wonderful site with a great deal of information on St. Valentine, including a prayer and charming story: Shrine of St. Valentine, Whitefriar Street Church.
You will want to read the legend yourself, but I'm thinking a craft or centerpiece with silk yellow crocuses might work beautifully, if you can get them, and perhaps a bowl of almonds for the table. (You'll see why--I need to run for now.)
__________________ Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
Back to Top |
|
|
MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline Posts: 13104
|
Posted: Jan 29 2007 at 11:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
alicegunther wrote:
Sacred Heart cupcakes--plain white cupcakes with lemon and stawberry curd used to make them look like Sacred Hearts. |
|
|
Those sound amazing - great idea.
One idea I had was to take cream cheese and mold into heart shapes to use for a spread for crackers or chips. For the Sacred Heart cover one with salsa or a red taco sauce for the blood. Sprinkle grated cheese around the base for the "flames." Stick broken pretzel sticks in a line across to form a crown of thorns. For the Immaculate Heart leave the cream cheese heart white for purity. Put a line of small silk flowers (or edible ones made like ALice's for the Guadalupe tea) across the front. Pierce the side with a plastic cocktail sword.
alicegunther wrote:
You will want to read the legend yourself, but I'm thinking a craft or centerpiece with silk yellow crocuses might work beautifully, if you can get them, and perhaps a bowl of almonds for the table. (You'll see why--I need to run for now.) |
|
|
That would be really pretty, Alice. The crocus one is the version of the story that is told in Robert Subuda's Saint Valentine (A Feb. Mosaic title).
I also think paper woven hearts make a lovely valentine that could be a tea favor for each participant. You can modify the size to make them larger or smaller. You could tuck a holy card of St. Valentine, the Immaculate Heart, or the Sacred Heart inside. This site has some amazing variations in their patterns section.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
|
Posted: Jan 30 2007 at 1:06am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Here you go Kathleen.
cranberry-orange scones
1 3/4 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking pwd
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp butter
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tbsp grated orange zest
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
sugar to top the scones
Preheat oven to 425*. Grease large cookie sheet. In medium bowl with fork, mix flour, baking pwd, sugar and salt. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In cup with fork , beat eggs; reserve 1 tbsp. Sir milk and orange zest into flour mixture until well mixed. Fold in cranberry just until distributed. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; with floured rolling pin , lightly roll dough 1/2 inch thick. With knife cut dough into 3 inch squares, cut each square into 2 triangles. With pancake turner, place triangles 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. brush with reserved egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 10-15 minutes until golden. Makes 10-12 scones
For St. Valentine's Day I will use a heart cookie cutter instead of making triangles.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
Back to Top |
|
|
marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1883
|
Posted: Jan 30 2007 at 7:51am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary M, the variations are fabulous! Marianna and I are totally doing woven hearts this year, thank you so very much! Everything else will be gravy.
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
|
Back to Top |
|
|