Valentine's Should Be a Special Day!

To date I've never had a particularly "good" Valentine's Day. In fact, on Valentine's Day a few years ago a friend and I were held up at gunpoint. Suffice it to say, it wasn't a very pleasant experience. But Valentine's Day should be wonderful! It's a day of love! It should be one of the most beautiful days of the year! So, my Valentine's mission each year is to brighten others' Valentine's!
Today I made cinnamon rolls with red sprinkles. I tried to find heart shaped sprinkles but was unable to do so. I also made chocolate kiss cookies with a drizzled raspberry glaze. Both are heavenly! I'm SO looking forward to delivering them to their various recipients tomorrow! Some will be hand delivered and some will be doorbell-ditched. I can't wait!
Everyone should feel loved on Valentine's Day!

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Ἄλινδα

For years I've yearned to go to Italy and Greece! Tonight I made a Tuscan dish and as I divulged in the garlicky taste I was reminded of my yearning. I want to experience the food and culture. And of course, I want to see the beautiful art! There is so much to do in both countries, I don't know where I would begin but I want to do it soon! While in Greece I would like to go to the town I share a name with. It's on the island of Leros. From the pictures I've seen online, it's absolutely gorgeous! (Above are some I found online.) I cannot wait to go!