As you know, there's a big holiday coming up this month. It's a time when people who care about each other very much come together to celebrate what's most important in any relationship-groundhogs!

That's right. This month is Groundhog Day. This is the day when the groundhogs come up from their little holes to look around and see how things are going on the outside world. If they see their shadow, it means we're going to have six more weeks of winter. Or maybe that's if they don't see their shadow. I don't really know.

The important thing is that when those little guys peek out of their holes, it's a perfect time to bonk them on the head, drag them back to your cottage, and make that romantic holiday treat, groundhog stew.

What could be more meaningful than staring into the eyes of your beloved over two steaming bowls of aromatic and hearty groundhog stew. Here's an old Dare family recipe.

First, you and your dear one must rise before the sun comes up and make your way, hand-in-hand, to the nearest groundhog lair. Don't forget your club. I recommend a Louisville Slugger, but use what works for you. Next comes the hard part-waiting. We all know how late those lazy groundhogs sleep. But true love is always worth the wait. When the groundhog finally does make his appearance, you'll have to be fast. You may want to go to Chucky Cheese and practice on that game where the moles poke their heads up and you have to bonk them really fast. It can't hurt. After you've successfully bopped your hog, it's off to the butcher. We Dares always hire out all that nasty skinning and draining and chopping. The butcher should give you back 1-inch groundhog cubes. (If you're unlucky with the bopping, you can ask the guy at the meat counter for 1-inch beef cubes. But don't tell anyone.)

Once home, here's what you'll need:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 pounds groundhog (or beef) cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 3 cups vegetable juice cocktail
• 1 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules
• a few dashes bottled hot pepper sauce
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 cups sliced celery
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrot
• a big puffy chef's hat

Get a big plastic bag. Throw in the flour and a teaspoon of salt.

Add meat cubes several at a time to coat them.

Brown all the meat (half at a time) in a large saucepan in oil.

Add onion, garlic, and thyme.

Stir in vegetable juice, bouillon, hot pepper sauce, and a cup of water.

Bring to boiling then turn down the heat. Cover and let it simmer for 1 1/4 hours.

Then add the potatoes, celery, and carrot and let simmer for another half hour. Should be enough for six.

Make sure everyone at your romantic dinner party knows that you're celebrating Groundhog Day with a tasty groundhog stew. To heighten the celebration, try to have little photos of groundhogs at each place-or a big stuffed one in the middle of the table.

Of course the meal will be most special if it's prepared and shared with that one person who gets your heart all aflutter. But not all of us are fortunate enough to slurp groundhog stew with our true love every February, so feel free to make a cozy party out of it. And in such a romantic month, don't forget that true love isn't something that happens to you (like in all those silly movies).

The Bible says that true love is something you choose to give away. It's a commitment of time, energy, and emotion to other people-even when they don't deserve it (See 1 Corinthians 13). Be careful not to confuse strong attraction or deep emotions with true love-or you're sure to have a lot more than six weeks of heartache. So enjoy the stew this Groundhog Day. And guard your heart (Prov. 4:23). I dare you.

*Recipe Better Home's and Gardens' "New Cook Book," Meredith Publishing, 1981