HUGS & KISSES

This Sweet Treat is an ideal "care package" to that special someone: Start with a layer of pretzels on a cookie sheet. We prefer the "Butter Snaps", they are in the shape of a square with a 'grid pattern'. Place an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hug ontop of each pretzel. Bake for 2-3 minutes at 350. (Note: the white chocolate "Hug" will melt quicker than the milk chocolate "Kiss".) While the chocolate is still hot, place an M&M in the center of each Hug or Kiss... this time of year, we use the Valentine's bags, with pink, red, and white M&M's. Allow to cool, and they may be kept in the freezer. Unwrapping the kisses is a great project for "little helpers" - but be sure to buy extra chocolate!

AND GUESS WHAT??? On this day - February 9th, in 1894, Milton S. Hershey founded Hershey's!! Check out more about that wonderful place called Chocolate World .

NEW HOLIDAY created by CSP

Taken from Charlotte Smarty Pants: Please click here to read more about : CSP: Hug-a-Girlfriend Day

FEBRUARY: Heart Month - Gus Diamantoni

In honor of Heart Month, we reached out to Laura Benner Diamantoni to learn more about congenital heart disease and her very personal story.
Laura pledged Fall 90

Thank you, Laura, for sharing...

At 24 weeks pregnant with twins, we went for a level two ultrasound. The biggest thing we were worried about was not finding out the sex of the babies. As I was lying there half naked, the doctor begins by saying baby A looks fine but baby B has some heart abnormalities. The next hour was a blur. They said due to the nature of the apparent large hole in his heart and what looks like dual outlet right ventrical, we needed to do an amnio right away to see if we were dealing with genetic or other issues. We would also need to decide where to deliver the babies, because Lancaster hospitals would not touch us with these challenges.

Steve, who is a family doc in town, did all the research on who was the best pediatric cardio thorasic surgeon. Thank goodness we did not even need to travel out of state, and the babies were born at Hershey Medical Center.

The first three weeks of Gus's life were spent at Hershey, since his first surgery was at three days old, and second at six days old. We lived at The Ronald McDonald House with our newborn Will and 5 year old Jackson. It was quite a bad time. We were finally sent home with Gus on a NJ tube due to the fact he would not feed, and he was not strong enough yet for his open heart surgery. After 7 grueling months of in and out of the hospital Gus had his first open heat surgery. He did well, but at 18 months of age had to once again undergo another open heart operation.

Gus is quite a little trooper. We take things 6 months at a time, just holding our breath until his next cardiologist appointment. It seems once they go in and fix one thing with his heat, it negatively affects another area. Gus is a sweet, happy little guy going to a special preschool where he is able to receive speech, occupational and physical therapies. He has global delays, and does not speak yet. If you ask his twin Will, he would tell you Gus talks all the time.

Gus was named as the spokesperson for The American Heat Walk here in Lancaster, and has been involved in The Childrens Miracle Network to raise awareness for congenital heart disease. He just turned three and loves music. His formal name is Gust after his grandfather, but his friends call him Gus.

To learn more about these organizations and see how you can help, visit:
Ronald McDonald House
Children's Miracle Network

Friday February 6th is the American Heart Association "NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY"... so sport your "cardinal", Pi girls... and show your support for the American Heart Assoc!

...And say a prayer for Gus, Laura, and their family...

GROUNDHOG DAY

Punxsutawney Phil, that world famous groundhog, came out of his burrow in Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney, PA just after 7:30 a.m. this morning to work his magic. So, what did Phil predict? Six more weeks of winter ! Sorry, folks, but Phil has spoken.

Did you know...
Groundhog Day grew out of a mainly German superstition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow February 2 -- the Christian holiday of Candlemas, halfway between Winter and Spring-- winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will be early.

Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886 with a proclamation in The Punxsutawney Spirit by the newspaper's editor, Clymer Freas: "Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow." The groundhog was given the name "Punxsutawney Phil, Weather Prophet Extraordinary'' and his hometown thus called the "Weather Capital of the World.'' His debut performance: no shadow - early Spring. The legendary first trip to Gobbler's Knob was made the following year.
Click here for your Groundhog Day Coloring Page.

The Green Expectation: February

The Water Challenge: Reduce your waste by eliminating bottled water. If you calculate the amount of money you spend each year on bottled water you will see that you are saveing much more than you are giving up.
- Instead of buying plastic bottles, use a water purifier for tap water and carry a reusable container. It will taste just as good, be just as healthy & save $$.
- Take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
- Try to water your grass and garden a few times a week instead of daily.