We don't fall in love: it rises through us

We don’t fall in love: it rises through us

the way that certain music does –

whether a symphony or ballad –

and it is sepia-coloured,

like spilt tea that inches up

the tiny tube-like gaps inside

a cube of sugar lying by a cup.

Yes, love’s like that: just when we least 

needed or expected it

a part of us dips into it

by chance or mishap and it seeps

through our capillaries, it clings

inside the chambers of the heart.

We’re victims, we say: mere vessels,

drinking the vanilla scent

of this one’s skin, the lustre

of another’s eyes so skilfully

darkened with bistre. And whatever

damage might result we’re not

to blame for it: love is an autocrat

and won’t be disobeyed. 

Sometimes we manage

to convince ourselves of that.

Julia Copus

This poem by Julia Copus is actually titled ' In Defence of Adultery' - something I don't want to defend really, but the way she describes falling in love, this inexplicable force that draws you to someone can is in my opinion not only reserved to adulterous falling in love, so, I chose this poem for Valentines day. I hope you enjoy it and that you can experience this kind of  overtaking falling in love.

2003, Julia Copus
From: In Defence of Adultery
Publisher: Bloodaxe, Newcastle, 2003
From Poetry International website

Valentine Breakfast

This really would be my ideal Valentine breakfast! What could be better than your man whisking you up some pancakes in the morning for an ultimate breakfast in bed. Sooooooo much better than a dinner in a fancy restaurant on this 'hyped' day. His effort would really show true love (and cookery skills if he manages this :) ) A LOVEly start of the day!

Also I read an article in Psychology Today that food can affect your behavior  even just by looking at it. In an experiment where people were asked to volunteer their time to help a stranger, those who were given a sweet candy were more likely to say yes than those given a salty cracker or sour candy. So the taste you have in your mouth can really affect the way you behave. So I would say bombard everyone with sweets tomorrow! Wouldn't it make for a sweet world :)

Serves 4 (or two very hungry lovebirds)

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

What You’ll Need:

• 60g unsalted butter, at room temp
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 4tsp sugar
• 16 Strawberries, sliced
• 200g flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 300ml milk
• 200g mascarpone

What To Do:

1. Beat together the butter, cinnamon and sugar. Dollop it into a saucepan and melt over a medium heat. When the butter starts to froth add the strawberries, toss well in the butter and turn off the heat.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, egg, and milk until smooth. Heat a heavy based, non-stick frying pan or bake stone and grease with a little oil. Pour small amounts of batter into the frying pan (about 2 tbsp per pancake), once the top has bubbled and dried flip the pancake and cook the other side till golden. Keep warm whilst you make the rest of the batter
3. Reheat the strawberries gently while you arrange the pancakes. Place a pancake on each serving plate and spread with mascarpone then arrange some sliced strawberries on top. Repeat this layering until all the pancakes are used up. Top the stack with any remaining strawberry slices and drizzle over the melted cinnamon butter.

from Vivastrawberries.com.