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Since chocolate and Valentine's Day go hand-in-hand, here's an easy treat to tempt your sweetheart with today (or tonight!)

Truffle Treats

1 Package (8 oz.) Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate squares

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tub (8 oz.) cool whip extra creamy whipped topping, thawed

Toppings: chopped nuts, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, sprinkles, grated chocolate, etc...

_____

MICROWAVE chocolate in bowl on high 3 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring halfway through heating time. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.  MIX in peanut butter until smooth. COOL to room temperature. GENTLY stir in whipped topping. Refrigerate 1 hour.

ROLL mixture into 1-inch balls. COAT with desired toppings.

Makes 35-40 truffles.

Variation: Use 8 squares Premium White Baking Chocolate instead of Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate.

Recipe courtesy of the "Celebrate with Cool Whip" cookbook.

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Fictional romance, just like real-life romance, comes in every shape and size.  Through novels and movies our imaginations, hope and dreams have all played out and tugged at the old heartstrings. From the ill-fated romance to twists of fate - what draws you the most?

Are you at the edge of your seat rooting for the romance that will have a tragic ending like Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde?

How about wiping away the tears as lovers look past what the rest of the world sees in the stories like Beauty and the Beast or Pretty Woman?

Love and adventure more your speed? All the Indiana Jones Movies or Star Wars.

Destined to find love? I'm thinking Affair to Remember or Somewhere in Time.

So many different moods, so many different timeless love affairs to warm your heart.

What's your favorite? For me, the ill-fated doesn't give me the warm-fuzzies. I am ALL ABOUT the happy ending in my romance and nothing leaves me colder than a love-story ending in death (sorry to all you Romeo and Juliet fans!)

I'm a sucker for destiny and fate anyday.

No matter what your preference, love is in the air this weekend - so enjoy it with the one you love!

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Nefarious ~ adj ~ extremely wicked

Today's Word Goal ~ 1000 words

Today's Coffee ~ Plain, ordinary Columbian Supreme

Valentine's Day is one close to the romance writer's heart and I'm no exception. I'm all for the sexy lingerie, the chocolates and the flowers. I've gotten my share of long-stem roses delivered to the office before I was a stay-at-home mom (now they come home with the hubby instead.)

Valentine's Day evokes images of scrumptous dinners, fabulous wines and satin sheets...

Valentine's Day does NOT make me think of this...

How about you? Is this on your list of "must-haves?"

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Macabre ~ adj ~ gruesome, grim, horrible

Today's Word Goal ~ 800 Words

Today's Coffee ~ Vermont Country Blend

Fine, you caught me. This time of the year I AM a couch potato almost every night. Two of my favorites are back on TV, one will be off for a few months and I found a new one to take it's place.

Last night was the "winter finale" and just when I got that tug on my old heartstrings thinking Peter was going to kiss Olivia, it didn't happen.

I love Peter. I love his tortured past and his troubled relationship with Walter. Most of all I've loved the way he's been letting his guard down more and more around Olivia.

But we knew the truth would come out soon enough and last night Olivia saw Peter in a new light. She saw the "glimmer" of the alternate universe - she knows what Peter is.

OMG! Can't wait for spring.

Jack is back! Okay, so it's not totally believable that any of this could happen in just 24 hours, and some of the plots are way, way out there - but I have to watch!

He's always there saving the day, putting his life on the line, and maybe, just maybe he might get a little more affection this season.

I like that they've brought Renee in this time around, I hope Jack at least get some affection out of this season, it's a been a few since we've seen him with any kind of love interest. (Hey, I AM a romance writer, did you expect anything else?)

New show! Mark Valley (wow, great eyes!) plays Christopher Chance in this showed based off the comic of the same name. Valley is a West Point grad, and a gulf war vet, which gives him just a bit more of an edge in this role.

Love the dry sense of humor.

I've got a soft spot for shows and characters that operate just outside the "law."

Haven't seen this one? Give it a try.

And last, but not least... LOST is back for it's final season.

Will the Island finally give up it's secrets?

The premiere was interesting with two realities going on. One with our losties still on the island and the other - our losties aren't lost at all, they're landing in LA going on the path they would have gone if flight 815 hadn't crashed on the island.

But which one is real? Will they have to make a choice where to stay?

I loved the raw emotion we saw in Sawyer when he was trying to save Juliette, honestly 5 years ago would any of us have guessed he could love anyone that deeply and be so overcome with grief? And Sayid, OMG I think the whole house heard my sigh of relief when he came back from the dead - thank you! We can't lose Sayid now.

So, there you have it. My favorite time-sucks. Give me a warm blanket, a cup of tea and something sweet (really, anything chocolate will do!) and I'm content for a few hours.

Happy Couch Potato-ing (I'm sure that's not a word, but it's my blog and if I want to make up words... I can )

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Labyrinth ~ n ~ a structure containing winding passages through which it is hard to find one's way.

Today's Word Goal ~ 800 words

Today's Coffee ~ Vermont Country Blend

I have now officially reached the age of weighing what's worse - the problem or the cure.

Two weeks ago I had my very first visit to the gastroenterologist for a few things, among my complaints? Hearburn after the gallons of coffee I drink daily and at night after the Lindt truffles I pop while watching my favorite TV shows. I should add here that I have NO intention of giving up either one of these routines.

To the doctor's credit I think he immediately picked up on my stubborn nature and didn't even mention taking a break from either offenders to see if my symptons went away. Instead he went straight for his trusty prescription pad and scribbled away. He also gave me a few samples to take home and try first.

The first side-effect on the bottle? Headaches. And they're not kidding!

Honestly, I'm not getting the point of these pills. The headache is so bad I want to gouge my eyes out with an ice-pick. Sure the heartburn is gone, but it went away with half-a-dozen tums too and at least I was getting calcium with those babies.

I go back to the doctor next Tueday to report on my progress - question - do I lie and tell him "hey those pills are great!" or do I tell him I'd rather stick with the fruity flavored tums?

And don't say to stop drinking coffee and eating chocolate. I'd rather die.

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Today Puxatawny Phil will be pulled from his slumber to give his yearly prediction of a longer winter or an early spring.

I'm hoping for the early Spring... how about you?

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