Another Zing on My Harp Strings

Happy Friday! I'm excited for the three-day weekend, though honestly, I will be spending my Monday working on outlines, yet it is nice to have a weekday without classes!

If you've ever seen "Meet Me in St. Louis" you'll remember the iconic "Trolley Song" sung by Judy Garland. I always remember the line "Zing went the strings of my heart." The next best thing to heart strings is harp strings, which I have plenty of! So here's another Valentine's Day themed song!

This Heart of Mine

Oats are heart healthy. Steel cut oats are even healthier! So I made homemade oatmeal with steel cut oats!

Contrary to what you may think, they are quite tasty. The first time I tasted them I thought someone had slipped some honey into my bowl. They are that just naturally sweet!

So to celebrate both a healthy and happy heart to continue the Valentine's Day theme, check out "This Heart of Mine" sung by Sarah Vaughan.

HOMEMADE OATMEAL       

4 tablespoons steel cut oats

1 ½ cups water

Dash of salt

1. Put all ingredients in a large saucepan with high sides. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Occasionally stir the oats as the water is absorbed and cook for 12 minutes or until oats are somewhat tender. Do not let the oats boil over. Do not cover the saucepan.
2. Garnish with fresh fruit. 
3. Serves two to three people. 

Strings of My Harp; Actually, I Mean Heart

In continuing my efforts to find the most romantic jazz songs to lead up to Valentine's Day, I couldn't pass up "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" sung by Judy Garland, especially since it gave me the opportunity to introduce my Camac Big Blue electric harp! This picture was taken after I performed solo on the harp for Chocolate Extravaganza. I played for an hour and a half during the silent auction that raises funds for the pediatric and neo-natal units at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

Frankly, my heart zings as if it has 47 strings like a harp does when I get to perform romantic songs or play my harp. Hooray for romance!

It Could Be June in January

Valentine's Day is everywhere...at least in the candy aisle! I enjoy a good heart candy. These raspberry heart jellies covered in nonpareils are so tasty!

Now we just cannot escape that it's cold outside...really cold outside! Yet often romance (in songs, at least) creates a warmer world! So check out "June in January" sung by Julie London.

I should keep this "romantic song" theme going. In fact, I think I will! A month of my favorite romantic jazz songs leading up to Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is at Hand...And Maybe Some Romance?

So it's still a bit early for Valentine's Day...okay, really early. But it's not too early for my favorite Valentine's Day candy: Jelly Belly® Little Petite Hearts!

I've never been a particularly romantic person. I mean, I'm allergic to roses and lots of other flowers! But when it comes to great jazz songs, I love romance. It's hard to choose just one jazz song about romance but I narrowed my list down to one to go with today's sweet and sour candy jelly hearts: "Isn't It Romantic" sung by Ella Fitzgerald.