Saint Valentine is a martyred Catholic saint. February 14 commemorates his feast day in France. Legend also has it that the first valentine was sent by a Frenchman, the Duke of Orleans. The French Duke was captured in 1415 in the Battle of Agincourt, and thereafter imprisoned in London. During his imprisonment, the lovelorn Duke sent oodles of poems and love letters to his wife in France. So, of course, one could send a valentine...
A rather curious old French Valentine's Day custom was "une loterie d'amour". The custom was for single men and women to enter houses that faced each other and to call to one another until they were paired off. But if the man was unhappy with his "partner", he would leave the undesired match for another woman.
The spurned women left single would build a large ceremonial bonfire and burn images of the cads who had rejected them. They then proceeded to swear and yell foul remarks at said men. Apparently it got out of hand and was banned. This all sounds like great fun, especially since I am single at the moment...
Religious pilgrims also travel to St. Valentin, a quaint village in Indre, central France. Events to commemorate the day are still held there, including the renewal of marriage vows. That leaves me out...
In France, they also do the traditional options:
"Climbing Iceberg" roses from my garden in a vintage silver mint julep cup. Flowers are always a cheery option.
Chocolate rolled heart-shaped cookies in a vintage silver dish--no need for icing!
Diamonds and jewels are a much-appreciated choice--unless you have to buy them for yourself...
" Bittersweet Chocolate Cake" on a vintage pressed glass cake plate made from a recipe in Chuck Williams' Simple French Cooking.
This is very rich and much like a giant chocolate brownie. Maybe I'll eat the whole thing myself. Or, I could go calling to the neighbors...
Happy Valentine's Day!
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