magazine
2 2 8 0 7Romance March 2011
Volume 1 Issue 1
Edition
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Letter from the Editors
Readers, Thank you for reading the inaugural issue of 22807, Harrisonburg’s newest online magazine created for college students, by college students! We have thoroughly enjoyed this process and are pleased with the first issue. For this issue, we pursued a romance theme that we feel appropriately exemplifies the spirit of love associated with the coming of spring. As our sister publication, Curio, continues to grow in popularity, we hope to set a similar precedent with 22807. We feel as we continue to learn and grow together as a staff, the sky is the limit for subsequent issues. We hope you enjoy our romance issue and look forward to your future readership. Mary Becker and Steven Butler, Executive Editors
22807 Magazine Issue 1, March 2011 Executive Editors Mary Becker Steven Butler Editor Nora McLeese Articles Editor Allie Conroy Art Editor Katie George Photo Editor Blair Parks
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Designers Jeff Darling Mary Claire Jones Molly Rossberg Photographer Arielle Whitt Advisor David Wendelken
About 22807 Magazine is created by the students of James Madison University’s School of Media Arts and Design. With its focus completely on students, 22807 shines a spotlight on many of the issues and phenomena facing our generation today. If there is something you would like to see in the next issue, please let us know at 22807mag@gmail.com.
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February 2011
Contents Sweet Escape
A look inside the tastiest spot in Dayton By: Kelsey Hanley
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Classic Love Stories
Comparing classic with modern romantic movies By: Alana Massey
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Weak in the Knees
Stories about the kiss that came first By: Megan Reichart
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She Said “Yes”
Unique and heartwarming proposals By: Allie Killam
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Shades of Red
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Single and Surviving
Fight the February blues with a festive wardrobe By: Blair Parks
How to celebrate without a date By: Natalie Graver
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Big Heart, Small Budget
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Inexpensive ways to say “I love you” By: Erica Orange
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The Five Spot
Tasty treats with five or fewer ingredients By: Molly Haas
Cover Photo by: Arielle Whitt
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Sweet Escape By: Kelsey Hanley
When asked her favorite type of chocolate, the owner of Warfel’s Sweet Shop scrunches up her warm, green eyes in concentration, having an internal debate. “Hmm salty logs definitely. They’re logs of caramel dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. I like the salty sweet combo,” she explains. Her other favorites are chocolate pecan toffee and of course her mother’s aged old fudge. Rows and rows of creamy fudge, gooey caramel turtles, and milk, dark, and white truffles line the counters of Warfel’s Sweet Shop. Looking at the massive display of chocolates and candies makes your mouth instantly water. The owner of this quaint shop is Elaine Warfel Stauffer, a second-generation candy maker in her early 60s. Her pleasant demeanor and charm attract numerous people to her chocolate stand located at Dayton Farmer’s Market in Dayton, Virginia. Stauffer started her company from scratch and is involved in every aspect. Her products are homemade; she designs the packaging, and works at the shop three times a week helping customers. Her love affair with chocolate started when she was 10. On weekends, Stauffer helped her mother make and sell fudge and pastries at the Central Farmer’s Market in Lancaster, Pa. In 1969, Stauffer left Pennsylvania to attend Eastern
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Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Va. Like a typical college student, extra cash was hard to come by. Stauffer started making her mother’s famous fudge on the side, and sold it at an ice cream shop near school. “I became quite popular,” she jokes as a slow smile spreads across her reminiscent face. Stauffer got her degree in elementary education in 1972, and left the small college town for big city life in New York a year later. Standing on her own two feet was hard for the recent graduate; she crashed in a friend’s studio apartment until she was able to find her own. She found a job running an after school program for elementary-aged children, putting her degree to use. However, after two years, Stauffer, a country girl at heart, concluded big city life was not for her and needed a change of pace. “I didn’t want to do this for the rest of my life, I needed something else.” After paying back her college loans and debt, she found a job back in Harrisonburg and met her now husband Tom. The couple decided to move to Alma, Kan. promptly after being married. A new place to live meant a new start for Stauffer. “I struggled with what I wanted to do for a while. I love kids but elementary education just wasn’t for me.” Stauffer decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps, and started making chocolate and baked goods full time. She opened Warfel’s Chocolates on Main Street after settling from her move. Business was booming after the shop opened. People began flocking from all around to taste the sweets that had everyone raving. Her chocolate pecan toffee became a hit with both locals and out-of-towners. Word spread so far, that Bloomingdales began carrying it! The business received so much exposure that sales doubled in a few months. As business savvy as Stauffer was, she started a mail order company along with the shop itself. After seven years of her thriving chocolate shop in Kansas, Stauffer and her family decided to move back
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to Harrisonburg in 1993. Almost immediately, Stauffer began searching for locations for her business. She came across Dayton Farmer’s Market, three miles outside the city, and it was love at first sight. Dayton Farmer’s Market is a place where local vendors can get together and sell their original homemade crafts and delicacies. The ambiance of the market made Stauffer feel right at home. “It has a very intimate, homey feel to it. I like being able to interact with customers on
“Chocolate is a universal gift. You can’t go wrong” a more personal level.” She opened her business at the market in 1994 on Mother’s Day Weekend. Before coming to the market three days a week, Stauffer makes fresh batches of her sweet concoctions in her “mini chocolate factory,” at home. Shelves and shelves of fudge, toffee, truffles, and peanut brittle align the walls in her home in Hinton, Virginia. The dining room is her pseudo postal distribution center for her mail order service. Packaging tape and cardboard boxes are strewn haphazardly across the floor. “My home is chaos,” she chuckles. But with that chaos comes some of the best chocolate money can buy. Her best selling products are the caramel turtles, chocolate crème truffles, and chocolate pecan
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toffee, which gained her company so much exposure in the first place. Some of her other homemade candies include: barks, brittles, fudges, chili chocolate, chocolate dipped pretzels, Earl Grey bars, Shenandoah Midnight bars, and of course her favorite, salty logs. In recent years, Stauffer has been experimenting with her chocolate creations, and she’s begun making a more sophisticated variety of these goodies. Some of her more adventurous creations include: chocolate-dipped apricots, orange and raspberry truffles, and cranberry-chocolateespresso bars. “People have become more adventurous, wanting to try new things. I’m glad I’m able to provide that for them.” Stauffer not only gets inspiration from her customers but from her travels as well. She enjoys wandering in other sweet shops just to see what the competition is creating. Contrary to popular belief, Valentines Day is not the busiest time of year for Warfel’s Sweet Shop. “Christmas, by far, is my busiest holiday, followed by Easter, then Valentine’s Day,” she says. “Chocolate is a universal gift. You can’t go wrong.” You’d think after all these years, Elaine Warfel Stauffer would get bored of constantly making chocolate. But it is evident to anyone that chocolate is her passion. Her face lights up as she greets a new customer and explains some of the new things she’s come up with. “This is the best job I could think of for myself,” she says. “After all it’s in my blood.”
Photographed by: Katie George
March March 2011 March 2011
Classic Love Stories By: Alana Massey
It’s February and you are planning a movie night with that special someone. You want to pick the perfect romantic comedy, so you find yourself browsing OnDemand or staring at a Redbox™ machine. A few romantic comedies catch your attention, so you instantly flip the case over to read about the storyline— but you’re soon not surprised when you can guess the exact ending from only the front cover, the title and actors starring in the leading roles. All modern romantic movies have different names and nearly the same plots. A pretty, gutsy actress is placed in some glamorous city in search of “ the one.” As A.O. Scott, a writer for The New York Times, describes, the actress will be courted by a couple of men along the way, one who superficially seems right for her but then fades from her fancy only to be replaced by Mr. Right. And this epiphany always happens in the final 30 minutes, and then both characters live happily ever after. This predictability is, well, boring. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “27 Dresses,” “Knocked Up,” and “There’s Something About Mary,” are just a few examples of these types of films. And though these movies elicit that happy-go-lucky feeling, none of them come close to the exhilarating narratives of the romantic classics. “When I want to watch a romantic movie, I know exactly what to expect no matter what the film is,” said
JMU senior, Devin Gilbride. “I still think they’re funny and I enjoy watching them, but I can almost always predict what is going to happen just by watching the trailer.” According to Scott, the actors in new-age romantic comedies lack the verbal dexterity and eccentricity that years ago defined characters in those roles and made them so attractive to viewers. Now, leading actresses are spunky, sweet and sexy—think Katherine Heigl,
“Classic romantic films take on love as though it is some noble sport.” Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz. This pattern forced me to look back at the classic romantic films of my parents’ generation. And when I did, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for those types of loves stories to return. Classic romantic films take on love like it’s a noble sport. The indisputable chemistry between the main
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characters, the non-stop madness that drives the action, and the witty script, all define these classic tales. Movies such as “Casablanca” and “Bringing Up Baby” fit this mold. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in “Casablanca,” and they take viewers on a wonderful
“The audience is swept up in the drama, and caught in the middle of the love game.” journey. The relationships between leading roles both build emotional tension and captivate the audience. Rick, played by Bogart, says to Ilsa, played by Bergman, “You’re part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.” This exchange is just one example where watchers can’t help but be drawn in to the drama and become caught up in the love game that unfolds on screen. “ ‘Casablanca’ is a great film,” said JMU senior, Elisa Tedona. “I was wrapped up in the story the whole time, and I had no idea how it would play out.” This unpredictability and captivation is not unique to “Casablanca”—other classics follow suit as well. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, another dynamic duo, star in “Bringing Up Baby.” This romantic comedy, widely regarded as the archetype for the genre, leaps from one bizarre situation to the next, astonishing viewers all the way through. In one scene, Alice Swallow, played by Virginia Walker, asks David Huxley, played by Grant, “Oh
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David, what have you done?” He responds, “Just name anything, and I’ve done it.” An intense, top-notch “crack up” follows, which leaves the audience in stitches. “’Bringing Up Baby’ is a riot,” said Gilbride. “Both actors in the leading roles, mixed with the insanity of the movie, make it one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time.”
2 2 8 While the two aforementioned films tend to rank 0highly on many individuals’ favorite classic romantic movies 7 and list, the classic films will leave your heart pounding
your mind racing. “Notorious,” “The African Queen,” “Roman Holiday,” and “Sabrina,” each hold their own in the romantic film category. Although they cast dazzling actors such as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the scripts, screenplays and directing are exceptional in these films. Unlike today’s most popular and predictable romantic comedies, these classics have varying plots and jaw-dropping endings. Though I certainly may sound sardonic in regards to modern films, I have to admit that I also enjoy them from time and time. Nevertheless, these romantic movies do not leave the same lasting impression that their predecessors do. Rent one of classics described above, and don’t be surprised how fun, exciting and compelling a romantic movie can be.
Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca
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March 2011
Weak in the Knees
Remembering your first kiss.
By Megan Reichart
“There
are first kisses,
and then there are real first kisses,” Marilyn
“The
Edmonds said.
ones that give you that
feeling where you get weak in the knees and your whole body feels like jelly and you can’t see or hear anything else that’s going on.”
Though Edmond’s first kiss was actually in sixth grade on the school bus and “tasted like chicken,” she doesn’t consider it her first “real kiss.” That moment occurred the night she kissed her crush, Patrick, in a darkened living room on her neighbor’s leather couch while the kids she babysat were asleep upstairs. “It was one of those kisses where you’re not supposed to be doing it and it made it that much more thrilling,” said Edmonds, an occupational therapy graduate student. “We had been flirting
all night and he asked if he could kiss me. The rest is history.” Whether short and sweet or hot and heavy, almost everyone remembers their first kiss. It could be a highly personal moment – a loss of childlike innocence or a memory kept tucked deep inside to treasure. For some, a first kiss may have been a comical or embarrassing experience. Sam Brooks, a senior international relations major, remembers her first kiss in sixth grade to her boyfriend, Drew, as awkward but sweet.
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“It was on New Year’s Eve at my best friend’s house and it was just the three of us,” she said. “We were slow dancing in front of the TV and as the ball dropped, we kissed.” Two years later, Brooks experienced her first “real” kiss during a Halloween party and a game of “seven minutes in heaven,” where couples go into a closet and kiss. “It was dark in the closet and really awkward,” she said. “I’m pretty sure we missed the first time, too.” Kisses can make or break relationships, said Loren Maxwell, a junior communication studies and justice studies double major. Like many others, Maxwell’s first kiss came in middle school, and as many experiences go at that age, she said it was awkward and uncomfortable. “You can be extremely attracted to a person, but if they aren’t a good kisser and there’s no chemistry, it’s not going to work,” she said. But why are first kisses so memorable? A first kiss is an example of a “very salient historical event” in our lives, according to Michael Hall, a psychology professor at JMU. “Those are flashbulb moments. The emotional component is why you remember it so well.” Remembering such specific details during these “flashbulb moments” can be attributed to our cognitive memory, said Hall. These memories can be triggered by our senses, like certain sounds or smells. Hall admitted that before his first kiss with his wife, they had both been eating garlic. To this day, when he smells garlic, it reminds him of that moment. Actress Diane Kruger told Allure magazine that she even remembers the music that was playing during her first kiss. “I remember the music I kissed to,” Kruger said to the magazine. “‘Hello’ by Lionel Richie, Sade, Depeche Mode. I still love that stuff.” Onscreen, actor Leonardo DiCaprio may enjoy kissing some of Hollywood’s hottest starlets, but he doesn’t look back fondly on his first lip lock experience. “It was the most disgusting thing in my
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whole life,” he has said publicly. “The girl injected about a pound of saliva into my mouth, and when I walked away I had to
“I’d rather wait to kiss the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
spit it all out.” It turns out that David Archuleta, the
19-year-old “American Idol” star, is actually as innocent as he seemed during the seventh season
of the hit show. The singer recently told Seventeen magazine that he has never had a first kiss. Archuleta isn’t alone. Kelly Ostergren, a sophomore English major, hasn’t experienced her first kiss yet, either. “I’ve been in two relationships, but I put my standards really high to the extent that I haven’t kissed anybody yet,” she said. “I’ve waited this long, so I figure I’d rather wait to kiss the
person I want to spend the rest of my life with. “I get so emotionally attached, so to add the physical component, it makes it so much harder when the relationship potentially ends. This way, you’re left with no regrets.” Ostergren said that if she were in a relationship that was heading toward an engagement, she may reconsider, but for now, she’s not in any rush. Regardless of time or place, a first kiss can fuel the chemistry between a couple and may even set the stage for the rest of the relationship. According to Lewis Smith of The Times Online, the impact of a first kiss may be more important than anyone may think. In 2007, researchers from three universities surveyed a total of 1,041 college students aged 18 to 25 and found
that a first kiss can have “profound consequences for romantic relationships and can even be a major factor in ending one.” “While a kiss may just be a kiss for a man, for a woman it’s an all-important means of gauging a prospective partner’s compatibility,” Smith said in the article titled “Fate of a couple is sealed with first kiss.” Women use the first kiss “to assess a rich and complex exchange of romantic and chemical clues that pass between partners as their lips touch,” according to Smith. Sean Burke, a senior biology major, agrees that women tend to reminisce about their first kisses more than men do. “I think everyone remembers their first kiss,” Burke said, “and it was probably a big deal at the time, but when girls grow
Photographed by: Amy Gwaltney
March 2011
“I guess some stories do have happy endings.”
up, they idolize their first kiss and fantasize about it. They do the same thing with weddings. Guys don’t do that.” But sometimes fate really is sealed with a first kiss. For Maxwell, all it took was a kiss on starry night in South Africa for her to fall in love with Kevin, the man who would later become her husband. “It was really late at night and we were sitting in the sand on the beach waiting for our friends to meet us,” Maxwell said. “We saw them coming and we knew we only had a small window of time to kiss. We were both nervous, but we both knew we wanted to kiss each other. So we did.” Fifteen months later, the couple was married in a church in Ireland. “I guess some stories do have happy endings,” Maxwell said.
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She said * “ *
*
Story: Allie Killiam • Photos: Arielle Whitt
The first snow flurries of the season are magical. They float down, one by one, silently. On the terrazzo of Dave’s Taverna, one man stood there, surrounded by Christmas lights and rose petals. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his girlfriend, whom he’d sent on a treasure hunt so she would be busy while he was setting up. When she arrived at Dave’s, ready for the next clue, the employees smiled and sent her to the terrazzo. The couple frequently dined at Dave’s Taverna. She walked up the stairs and saw her boyfriend, standing there, snowflakes falling around them. Then he lowered onto one knee. “Will you marry me?” he asked.
The “Kissing Bridge” , which is covered with flowers and ribbons, is a short bridge by the edge of the woods at the fair. All of the couples that cross share an intimate moment, which Fischer wanted to share with her boyfriend. When they arrived, Fischer exited the car, and her boyfriend whispered to her daughter, “I’m going to ask her.” So the three walked toward the bridge together. Fischer was in the front, eager to get there. Her boyfriend was lagging behind, nervous. Her daughter was even
**
*
“When she realized what she was looking at, she screamed and cried. And said yes, of course.”
According to the Christian Science Monitor, 10 percent of marriage proposals occur on Valentine’s Day, but neither that one nor the following did. But they all share a common theme: the love in a relationship and the meaning behind the proposal.
“The two had discussed their future... Now, she was just waiting for him to ask her.”
*
“Ooh, I love my story!” said Debra Fischer. She had been dating her boyfriend for a while, and the two had discussed their future and commitment to one another. She was just waiting for him to make it official. They both decided to go to the Renaissance Fair in New York together. Fischer was a big fan, and even dressed in costume for the occasion. Her daughter also came with them. Fischer was most excited to kiss the man she loved on the infamous “Kissing Bridge.”
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yes”* *
*
further behind because she was going to take pictures of the proposal. Fischer remembers wondering what he was trudging around for. “C’mon, let’s go!” she said. The couple finally reached the bridge. He leaned her against the railing. She thought, “Oh my god! He’s going to push me over!” Instead, he said to her, “You’re my soul mate, you’re my best friend…” He got down on one knee. “Everyone disappeared from the bridge,” she said with a smile, remembering. And her daughter took wonderful pictures, of course. Lindsay Rinker (’04) and Andy Wilardo had just spent their afternoon eating a five-course lunch at the Palladio restaurant, followed by some wine tasting at Barboursville Vineyards. During the tastings, many visitors of the vineyard purchase the wine they enjoy the most and sit outside to drink and relax. Rinker and Wilardo did just that, and they sat on
When he returned, Rinker looked down at the chilled
third bottle because Rinker is happily expecting. One couple, who shall remain nameless, were seniors at their university. The two were avid hikers but because of their upcoming graduation, the boyfriend asked his girlfriend to hike with him up Reddish Knob. “We have to do it one last time!” he said. Reddish Knob is a summit located in the mountains of George Washington National Forest. At the top is what is affectionately referred to as “the parking lot in the sky.” Many students in the Shenandoah Valley will drive to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of mountains. The boyfriend wanted to hike from the bottom of the summit to the top. And he brought his personal camera, as well as a video camera. He tried to make it as boring and cheesy as possible because it was the last time they’d ever hike Reddish Knob. He stopped frequently on the trail, and she each time she would frown, eager to keep going. “Hold on honey!” he would say, “I’ve got to take a picture for the scrapbook!” She’d smile. CLICK! “Wait!” he’d call out. He took a picture of the landscape, the trees and the trail. He was driving her nuts. By the time they reached the top of the mountain, she was exhausted. But, it didn’t take long for her eyes to scan across the tiny little parking lot and notice the small blanket with champagne—set for two—off to the side. They walked over, and with only the mountains to bear witness...he proposed. But they can relive that moment forever because it’s all on tape.
March 2011
the side of the grassy hill next to the winery. Wilardo went to purchase Rinker’s favorite wine. Rinker waited, unaware of the fact Wilardo had special labels printed and placed on the wine bottle.
white wine and noticed it didn’t read “Pinot-Grigio.” Instead it read “what a guy would normally say when he’s down on one knee,” said Rinker. And once she realized what she was reading, she screamed and cried. And said, yes, of course.
“Hold on honey!” he would say, “I’ve got to take a picture for the scrapbook!”
* * *
Rinker mentioned that she may have cleared the hill with all the excited commotion she made. Wilardo had two other labels printed. They drank the second bottle at their wedding, and saved the third for their first anniversary. But, they never made it to the
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These JMU Girls brighten up winter with brilliant hues of red
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Clockwise from the left: Grace Milbourne, Suzanne Raouf, Melanie Parker, Jillian Gerke, Casey Bedford
March 2011
Shades of Red
Photographed by: Blair Parks
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Artwork by: Molly Rossberg
Holidays aren’t meant to be celebrated alone… especially Valentine’s Day. And as February approaches—faster than the speed of cupid’s arrow—single ladies everywhere can expect onset signs of that all-too-familiar dread and panic that accompanies flying solo. If you’re anything like me, the plan for the entire day is to hide under the covers and emerge only when the clock strikes midnight, signaling the much-desired end to this nightmare day. And I don’t care how self-assured and satisfied you are with being single, a romance-devoid Valentine’s Day can shake up even the most confident girls. And I have the solution. You can call it the Emergency Evacuation Route. Consider it an emotional parachute for those times when flinging yourself off the tallest building seems—logical. And if you hold tight to my system for beating a lonely
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heart, you’ll forget all about being miserable. Please choose one (you should probably try all five) remedy in my Single Girl’s Guide to Conquering Valentine’s Day, and set yourself free from the V-Day blues.
“Nothing makes the heart happier than a rush of endorphins.” ◆ Rent a slasher movie: Watching romantic movies such as When Harry Met Sally or The Notebook with a box of heart-shaped chocolates is so cliché and really amplifies your despair. So skip the “Romance” section on Netflix and choose “Horror.” Flicks like Monster, Swimfan, Carrie and Fatal Attraction all contain female killers who seek revenge on their scumbag lovers. I am feeling the satisfaction already… • Enjoy a day of indulgence: Melt your single worries away while enjoying a day at the spa. How often did you treat yourself at the spa or salon when you were with your last boyfriend? Whether it’s a Mani Pedi, facial or full body therapeutic massage, pamper your self, even if no one else will. Many day spas offer special Valentine’s Day promotions meant to be gifts, so take advantage of the discount. • Buy yourself something special: Remember that Calvin Klein dress and those Kate Spade shoes you’ve been drooling over for the past month? Buy them. I generally don’t advocate using material purchases to ease pain, but I consider it
• Organize an Anti-Valentine Day’s Party: Take this opportunity to get together with your single friends. It gives you all something to look forward to—rather than dread—in February. Get dolled up, open that bottle(s) of wine and spend the evening toasting. Burn pictures of your ex and use the fire to make s’mores. • Sweat it out, then pig out: Nothing makes the heart happier than a rush of endorphins. Take a spin class or do some kickboxing to raise your heart rate. After burning all those calories, stroll down the junk food aisle and fill your cart. Enjoy a day of eating all your favorites, guilt-free. Now that you are armed with these five survival tactics, you’ll be more prepared than the single ladies when Valentine’s Day strikes without warning. As much as I jest, I understand how hard it can be without someone special on a holiday dedicated to love and romance. Many see Valentine’s Day as a masochistic holiday invented by greedy capitalists. Some even dub it “Singles Awareness Day.” However, I tend to look at the glass as half full, even if it is a double shot of tequila. And the best remedy is optimism. Think about all the people in your life that love you and surround yourself with them on this holiday…and, of course, keep
March 2011
my civic duty in this struggling economy to help our country’s national debt, one pair of shoes at a time. Look at it this way; you’re spending the money you’ve saved by not purchasing Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetie.
Big Heart,
Small
Budget By: Erica Orange Romancing the one you love does not require a lot of money; it requires thought. This Valentine’s Day, show your partner you care with thoughtfully made gifts or an inexpensive romantic evening. Be original. Compose a poem, create a scavenger hunt or paint an abstract picture showing your feelings. A homemade card adds a personal touch. Use construction paper, magazine clippings or recycled materials to show your creativity. Celebrate being a couple, but also make sure your partner feels special. Include their hobbies and passions in your gift. While making a collage for your boyfriend, find clippings from Sports Illustrated. Add those extra love songs to a mix CD for your girlfriend. When making dessert, use their favorite flavors, even if your taste buds don’t agree. Your partner will appreciate your attention to detail. A gift doesn’t have to be something material. This Valentine’s Day, make a point to spend quality time together. Bonny Albo, a former dating writer at Suite101.com, says to give them the gift of time. If your partner loves hiking or has been begging to see a specific movie, do it. Keep in mind that many of these options, such as hiking or watching the sunset, cost nothing. Many restaurants tend have a limited menu and increased prices on Valentine’s Day. Instead of going out for dinner, stay in and make your partner’s favorite meal. Why choose from four entrees when you can have exactly what you want in your own kitchen? Between the reservations, raised prices and tip, you will be glad did. Remember, long lasting memories come from the heart, not the wallet.
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The
Five Spot
Tasty Treats with Five or Fewer Ingredients By: Molly Haas
T
he Oreo Truffle, even the words are mouthwatering. With three simple ingredients and less than 10 dollars, you can make this perfect Valentine’s Day treat.
Valentine’s Day is difficult. If you are single, it can be lonely. If you are dating, it can be expensive. An Oreo truffle solves both problems. Once your significant other tastes a truffle, not only will his or her stomach be full of chocolate goodness, he or she will be impressed with your creativity and secret baking abilities.
Oreo Truffles
8 oz. cream cheese (any brand is fine, but it CANNOT be low fat) 1 pack of regular Oreos 2 packages of Baker’s white chocolate First, put the Oreos in a large re-sealable plastic bag and crush them into small pieces. Use a wooden spoon or a table, but be careful not to break the bag. After the Oreos are crushed, pour them into a large bowl. Add the cream cheese in small dollops until it is all used. Then, stir the mixture together until blended. Next, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a cookie sheet. You can fit many truffles on one sheet because you do not need to account for spreading room, as you would with cookies. When finished, refrigerate the truffles for 15 to 20 minutes until they are cold to the touch. While the truffles cool, melt both packets of the Baker’s chocolate in a microwave until it can be easily stirred. When the truffles cool, remove them from the refrigerator. One at a time, dip the truffles into the melted white chocolate and lay them on the tray. Take care, as this part tends to get messy. Once all the truffles have been covered, place the tray back into the refrigerator for another 15 to 20 minutes until the white chocolate covering has completely hardened. One batch will make 25 to 30 truffles, depending on size. What happens next is up to you. They are delicious and decadent regardless, so let your creativity take hold of the decorating. You may want to use squeezable icing to drizzle over the truffles for a little bit of color or you might arrange them in the shape of a heart, the
Photographed by: Alison Parker