How Do I Love Thee?

Valentine’s day fell on a weekday (i.e. school day) this year, which meant leisurely waking up and making breakfast was not an option, which only added to the love-filled chaos of the week!  I’m not sure what the annual household norm is when it comes to this Hallmark holiday, but in NJAPP’s home, there is major “love” build up to February 14th.  From the daily, handwritten, heart-shaped “Encourage Notes” taped to each child’s door, to each meal served on heart shaped plates (with coordinating napkins, straws and cups of course), to Valentine’s Day morning signified by the smell of NJAPP’s irresistible waffles, to the finale where the cousins fight for bragging rights at the annual “XOXO” tic tac toe tournament, the chaos, um love, can get quite intense.  If turning V-Day into the the twelve days of Christmas doesn’t appeal to you, there is nothing wrong (in fact, everything right) with going with the single task of  preparing NJAPP’s Irresistible Waffle recipe for your loved ones.

This month I have been reciting to myself, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...”  Editor’s note:  The last line has been changed only to increase your love for waffles.

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” by Elizabeth Barrett Browing

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after WAFFLES…