A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-14-06.... Valentine's Day at the Finest

GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Since it's Valentine's day, I wanted to spot light 3 happy marriages. I chose, The Reagan's, The Bush's and the Bush's. You can see by the way they look at each, these couples have found their true love.

*His proposal was a simple one over dinner, "Let's get married." Her response was, "Let's."
In 1952 President Reagan married Nancy Davis
*The couple walked hand in hand always, and they often left love notes for one another.
*Nancy: "What can you say about a man, who on Mother's Day sends flowers to his mother-in-law, with a note thanking her for making him the happiest man on Earth?"
*Nancy: "My life began with Ronnie"
*Book by Nancy Reagan: I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan.
*The memories were many, including the good times the Reagans shared on their California ranch, which Ronald Reagan called "Rancho Del Cielo" - or Ranch of Heaven

George and Barbara Bush met at a Christmas dance in 1941 They became engaged a year and a half later, just before he went off to war as a Navy torpedo bomber pilot. By the time George returned on leave, Barbara had dropped out of Smith College. Two weeks later, on January 6, 1945, they were married. After George graduated from Yale after World War II, Barbara and George moved out to Texas to start their life together.

George and Laura met at a back yard barbeque at the home of mutual friends and were married three months later. George took Laura to a miniature golf course on their first date.
*Small wedding married on November 5, 1977
*Laura: "We had known each other about 2-1/2 months," she says of the proposal, "but I knew I wanted to marry him."
*Laura: "George and I have learned one important thing: whatever happens in life, we handle it."
*George: "I saw an elegant beautiful woman who turned out not only to be elegant and beautiful, but very smart and willing to put up with my rough edges, and I must confess has smoothed them off over time."
*On November 25, 1981, George and Laura's fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were born.

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 2-13-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Happy Valentine's day Billie and crew!

[Billie]

[Darksheare]

My images are still down.
:(

(Of course, I don't have any Valentine type images anyway.. oopsies.)

[GodBlessUSA]

Wow Snugs! Absolutely, Beautifully done! Thank you.

[Diver Dave]

Got an atta-boy, dave, from mrsd. She works in a large office bldg and the quartet drew a large crowd. atta-boys from our daughters when they found out what happened. get to wear my hero badge a little while longer. :)

[Billie]

Well, it looks like you figured it out. :) Two (or more)line breaks will give you the space you need between a graphic on top and a graphic on bottom. With just one, the top one sits directly on top of the bottom one. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

How Gorgeous. Thanks Kitty Mittens
Happy Valentines Day to you! :)

[Billie]

I think that is so cool, Dave! You know, I hope, my graphic about diamonds is all in jest. Most women, I think, love the kind of thing you just did way more!

[Majie Purple]

Meg33 did that bunny gif...on her own she did that to complete my wishes of the day! Thanks again Meg for your gif gift.& while I'm at it same to Louie...Thanks for your gif gift again! I'd place your name in the recipient box too but I can't remember the whole handle and I'm inside the post it box.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Southern Red Velvet Cake
Recipe courtesy Cakeman Raven,
Cakeman Raven Confectionery, NYC
Show: Sara's Secrets
Episode: Cakeman Raven

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: about 6 to 8 servings

Vegetable oil for the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Crushed pecans, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch round) cake pans. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.

Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.

Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Remove the cakes from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.

Frost the cake. Place 1 layer, rounded-side down, in the middle of a rotating cake stand. Using a palette knife or offset spatula spread some of the cream cheese frosting over the top of the cake. (Spread enough frosting to make a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer.) Carefully set another layer on top, rounded-side down, and repeat. Top with the remaining layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the pecans.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.) Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Yield: enough to frost a 3 layer (9-inch) cake

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_23379,00.html

[Billie]

Hi, Diva - thanks for the chocolates - I'm glad I saw them first! I left the ones with creme inside - nuts and caramel are history though! :)

[Majie Purple]

"(((Hugs)))" recipricated!

[GodBlessUSA]

:)

What a wonderful gift to give your wife. She must feel so special!

[Billie]

Your graphic is beautiful, GeeBee! I am having a hard time responding to all the sweet posts that *everyone* is making!

[Diver Dave]

You know, I hope, my graphic about diamonds is all in jest.

Glad I checked for pings. Was ready to head to the jeweler. ;) Ya just saved me more money than Geico does. $$$$$$$ ;)

[Billie]

Always glad to help out a friend. :)

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Jack Vettriano, "The Singing Butler"

(That's me in the apron holding an umbrella...)

[Billie]

Gosh that cake looks good! Happy Valentine's Day, PaL!!

[Billie]

You can do it! We've ALL been where you are! :)

[Kitty Mittens]

Oh, your Post is Beautiful, Snugs! I Love it!