February SKI Tips

Cut branches of forsythia, pussy willow, crabapple, quince, honeysuckle and other early spring-flowering plants to force into bloom indoors. Place the branches in warm water and put in cool location.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world in different ways. Wales does it through love spoons, while Denmark share white roses or snowdrops. On the eve on Valentine's Day, women in England used to place five bay leaves on their pillows -- one at each corner and one in the center -- to bring dreams of their future husbands. In South Africa it is customary for women to wear their hearts on their sleeves on February 14th; women pin the names of their love interest on their shirtsleeves. 

The easiest way to prevent salt damage to plants and trees is to use coarse sand to provide traction and make sidewalks and driveways less slick.

Begin to prune fruit trees. Remove dead, damaged or weak limbs and thin branches for good light distribution. Proper light is essential for high quality fruit development.

John Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, brought out a line of sturdy, interlocking logs known as “Lincoln Logs” in 1916.

Test leftover seed germination by placing 10 seeds between moist paper towels, or cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep seeds warm and moist. If less than six germinate, buy fresh seeds.

Omphalphobia—the fear of belly buttons.

Cheddar cheese is a great source for calcium, phosphorus, and casein protein, all of which help strengthen tooth enamel and neutralize the acidity caused by eating and drinking.

February is known as the Chocolate Lovers Month, Creative Romance Month, Grapefruit Month, Hot Breakfast Month, Potato Lovers Month, Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month and Snack Food Month.
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Groundhog Day—specifically February 2—traces its roots back to an ancient celebration of the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. According to legend, a sunny sky on that day signifies a stormy and cold second half of winter while a cloudy sky indicates the arrival of warm weather.