Homemade Valentines For Kids

The first year Bean was in school, I forgot (until the night before) to buy cards to pass out to his classmates.  My husband stopped at the only store still open and paid a small fortune for a box of Snoopy valentines.  I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning signing the cards and stuffing them into envelopes.  Not my finest moment.  This year Bean and I will be making the valentines together.  Here are a few we are considering.

Via Dandee Designs

Via One Charming Party

Via Honest to Nod

Squirreling Away

Squirrel Nutcracker

Years ago my husband got a squirrel nutcracker for Christmas.  He loved the thing and proudly displayed it in our first apartment and our first home.  I was never a big fan of  the thing, probably because of my fear of being attacked by a squirrel.  I always felt like the little guy was waiting for me to turn my back and then he would pounce.  He also did not fit in with my holiday decor.  That is why when we moved to our current home, he "accidently" got boxed up with items going to my in-law's house.  I thought he was out of our lives forever until one day I walked into the kitchen and there he was.  He had found his way home.  I needed to step up my game.  I decided to take him to my brother's house for Thanksgiving and discreetly hide him in their holiday decorations.  I figured he would be much happier there.  Unfortunately, I switched diaper bags at the last minute and left him behind.  The squirrel wins again!  Yesterday I happened to be browsing through the Anthropologie website and guess what I saw.  You got it!  Could it be that my husband was right  all along? Is this little nutcracker really a gem?  I have my doubts, but I did put it out on display.  Who am I to argue with Anthropologie?

An Easy Romantic Dinner

Last night my husband asked me if I was making a special dinner for Valentine's day.  The answer is yes.  I am planning on making a romantic dinner for two tomorrow night.  I would love to say I am making something super complicated (like beef wellington) but I would be lying.  The kids have been wearing me out lately and by the time I was done cooking, I would be too crabby to enjoy it.  I am keeping the food simple, lighting a few candles, creating a romantic playlist and buying a bottle of champagne.  Here is my super simple menu.  If even this seems like too much work for you, skip it and just buy the champagne.  You won't even miss the food after a few drinks!

The Menu
Clinton Kelly's Beef Stroganoff 
Garlic bread bought at the bakery and thrown in the oven
Roasted red potatoes and broccoli
-Heat oven to 400.  Toss 1/2 lb of broccoli and 1 lb of red potatoes (cut in half) with 2 tbs. of olive oil and salt and pepper.  Roast for 18-20 minutes.
Ice cream pie
-Buy a cookie crumb pie shell and fill it with your favorite ice cream.  I am using a coffee flavor.  Drizzle hot fudge or caramel over the top.

Simple Valentine's Day Decorating

Via Curly Birds

I am always amazed at the people who transform their home for every holiday.  They have holiday sheets for the beds and throw pillows for the sofa.  They get out the holiday towels and special dishes.  Even if I had the ambition to attempt such an undertaking, I think the guilt of storing all those hardly ever used items would eat me alive.  I also don't think my husband would keep dragging the stuff up and down the stairs and there is no way I'm going into the creepy basement to get it.  So here is how I like to decorate for Valentine's day.

Valentine's Day Wishlist

I don't really like getting flowers.  Well, that's not completely true.  I love getting flowers when they are wildflowers picked just for me on an ordinary day.  Expensive jewelry is lovely, but doesn't get worn often.  So  what do I want for Valentine's day?  I would love a quiet evening at home, curled up on the sofa with a good book.  Oh, and dinner with my husband.  Takeout would be just fine.

I am probably the only person who has not read The Help.
I love chai tea and this is a great recipe if you want to make it yourself.
A beautiful candle with a tobacco/sandalwood scent.  Fantastic!
A cashmere robe is a little impractical for me, but I'm worth it, right?