L-O-V-E Letters

On my big list of Valentine to-do cookies, this idea was at the top. I like to call it L-O-V-E Letters. Cute, no? These are inspired by a L-O-V-E greeting card (different color scheme and patterns, but similar idea).

I really enjoyed planning this collection. It took me some time to decide on the words, colors, font, and backgrounds. I decided to go with a traditional Valentine color scheme, red, white and black.

I think the LOVE tiles are my favorite of the three words. The background, which is written by hand with edible marker, is the first line of the famous Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." 

In case you're curious, below is the poem in its entirety. Worth a read in my opinion. I also enjoyed reading this analysis of the poem.   http://www.shmoop.com/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43/analysis.html. 

    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 death.

I was curious why XO means kiss and hug. I googled it. There are a few options to the origin, so I'll let you look it up and decide which you think it is. But, the one interesting thing I learned is that the X could represent two mouths kissing and the O could represent a circle of arms or hug. That makes sense to me, and since I'm a visual person, I will now always remember which means what.

KISS - No hidden meanings here, just an expression of affection. 

I did find this interesting from Wikipedia:  "In modern times, scientists have done brain scans on people when a romantic relationship progresses. Some studies found that after that "first magical meeting or perfect first date," a complex system in the brain is activated that is essentially "the same thing that happens when a person takes cocaine." In studies of affection between lovers, when participants viewed images of their partners, their brains' ventral tegmental area, which houses the reward and motivation systems, was flooded with dopamine, an internal chemical that is "released when you're doing something highly pleasurable ..." 

I wonder if any scientists have studied the brain while a person is eating a Flour Box cookie. I can only guess the same dopamine rush occurs.

Are you in love with the Love Letters cookie collection? You can view or order this collection, along with a few the others, here on the Valentine's Day product page.

There is still one collection left to reveal. I am almost finished with it - hopefully here by Tuesday if all goes to plan.

Have a sweet week,

Anne

P.S. For all you Words with Friends players...I'm curious what other words you could spell with these letters?