Valentine's Day and Iced Coffee in the Middle of February

Recently, I've taken up the habit of drinking iced coffee, probably an odd thing to do in the dead of a cold and snowless winter.  Despite my almost six decades on earth (two years short - yikes!),  I'm still not a hot coffee drinker, but I've always loved coffee flavor in cold form -- ice cream, milk shakes, ice cream sodas, (most likely a residual effect from my years working at Stewart's) -- so when I gave up drinking Diet Coke as my morning wake-up elixir, I had to turn to something else to wake me up!  I had remembered visiting my friend Liz (pea pod partner!) one summer day and she offered ice coffee.  I thought it would be an ordeal for her to have to brew the coffee, pour it over ice, etc., etc., but it was much simpler than that.  She opened the door to her fridge and pulled out a pitcher full of icy cold coffee, ready and waiting to be served up.  I thought it was a great idea, almost more instant than instant, and sooooo much better!  Liz is a great host, no matter if I just show up, or give her warning! (xox)...

Anyway, one day at TJ Maxx (max for the minimum!), I bought myself one of those clear thermal tall cups that looks like a fast-food disposable cup, but it's sturdy and not a throw-away, just for the day when I, too, might make my own pitcher of coffee ala Liz.  The cup has a screw-on cap with a  hole for a straw.  I brew a pot of coffee (so far, French Vanilla and Hazlenut), pour it over a pile of ice in my pitcher, and put it in the fridge.  In the morning, I pour the coffee over ice in my thermal cup, add fat-free half and half, sweeten it up a bit, and walk out the door with a jolt of java that accompanies me to work and sits very nicely in the Jeep's cupholder.  It's gone when my 20-minute ride to work is over, and I've noticed a real difference in energy.  It's a little late in life to become a coffee junkie, since I'm almost 58, but I'm really liking it!  The only problem is, some nights I find myself wide awake at 3 am with my eyes bugging out of my head, but there's always a price to pay!  Apparently, I have to learn my limits...

So far, this isn't a very "Valentine'y" post, but I've covered that with the last few, baking-wise.  I am ready for the big day.  I baked more little heart cookies for "my boys" Hank and Pete (big boy Russ already has his), and their cards are ready with a couple of DVDs Katie tells me they'll enjoy.  She and I went to Target over the weekend (aka "The Circle Store" in Henry's world) and had fun shopping for the big day.   Katie's cereal heart pops were a huge hit in Henry's preschool classroom this afternoon, and when I visited Katie, Bill, and the boys tonight after work, his artwork was proudly hanging on the walls - construction paper hearts with red doilies, shredded paper, and apparently lots and lots of glue!  Very cute.

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's day, whether your Valentine is all grown up, or a tiny little person, or a best friend. Have a great one...

Ready for my Valentines...