by AllRecipes.com Ingredients 4 cups fresh blackberries 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie 2 tablespoons milk 1/4 cup white sugar Directions 1.Combine 3 1/2 cups berries with the sugar and flour. Spoon the mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup berries on top of the sweetened berries, and cover with the top crust. Seal and crimp the edges. Brush the top crust with milk, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar. 2.Bake at 425 degree F (220 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature of the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Footnotes Baking pie is a rather straightforward technique, but a few tips can only help to make your pies come out looking and tasting perfect!

Photo by Shell Bingo is a wonderful way to interact with your children while introducing the theme of Valentine’s Day.  The traditional game of BINGO can be the perfect solution to strengthening many developmental skills.   Purpose: *Early Recognition of the letters L, O, V, E. *Early Recognition of the colors Red, White, Pink, & Purple. *Beginning Matching Skills *Listening & Motor Skills Materials: *White Card Stock *Black Permanent Marker *Markers or Crayons *Heart Shaped Candies Instructions: 1. Cut one sheet of card stock in half to create two equally shaped Bingo cards.   A single sheet of card stock can be used for each Bingo card if necessary.  The larger cards can provide easier viewing and manipulation for younger age groups. 2. Using your black permanent marker, draw a Bingo grid on each card.  Be sure to create a grid with 5 rows and 5 columns as seen in the picture.  Remember, the top row and columns need to be larger to place the letters L,O,V,E as seen in the picture. 3.  After completing your Bingo grid, fill in the top row with the letters L, O, V, and E. 4.  Next use your black permanent marker to draw or trace a heart shape in each of the remaining squares. 5.  For each card, choose one crayon or marker (pink, purple, red, or white) and color in four hearts to make the winning row (i.e. four hearts corner to corner, the top row of four hearts  from left to right, the middle row of four hearts from left to right, or the bottom row of four hearts from left to right) 6.  Now color in the remaining hearts on each card with varying colors (pink, purple, red, and white). 7.  LETS PLAY BINGO! 8.  Place some of your candy hearts in a small bowl or jar for random drawing.  Place additional candy hearts in a large bowl for the kids to cover their cards.  Remember, NO eating the candy hearts!  9.  Now simply, reach in and grab a heart out of your “drawing” bowl.  As you hold the heart in view of the participating children call out a letter at random.  I like to keep my own Bingo card handy to jog my memory.  As I call out the letter and color, I place the candy heart in the column of the letter I called. 10.  Remember, a simple game of Bingo can be as competitive or mind boggling as you allow.  Make each game as simple as need be for the participating age groups and skill levels.  HAVE FUN!

by Family Fun Magazine Here, two classic Valentine’s Day gifts — flowers and candy — combine to make one sweet treat. Materials Scrapbooking paper or card stock Scissors Lollipops Tape Instructions For each, cut three heart-shaped petals, two leaves, and two flower centers from scrapbooking paper or card stock. Poke a small hole in each, crease the petals as shown, and slide the pieces onto a lollipop stem. Tape the bottom to secure. More messages: You’re a sweet heart Our friendship is blooming

I love you all through February, Not just on Valentine’s Day; I cherish you when flowers of spring Appear in the midst of May. I adore you in the summer, When the air is filled with heat; Without you in my life each day, I wouldn’t be complete. I treasure you in fall, When leaves are turning gold; I loved you when you were younger; I’ll love you when you’re old. I prize you in the winter, When colder days are here; I love you, love you all the time, Every minute of the year. So I’ll give to you this Valentine, But I want to let you know, It’s not just today, but always, That I will love you so. By Joanna Fuchs