14 Days of Valentines

It is that time of year.  I try to plan early for the 14 Days of Valentines simply because effort takes a lot of planning.  And it shows.  Trust me, your favorite person is going to love this.

I've been pinning madly ideas I've found.  Some I will show and some are private.  Let's getting planning!  (Sweetheart, if you are reading, please read something else.)


Day 1:  I am going to have one of the kids help me trace myself giving a great big hug.  After decorating it with a lifesize photo of my head and sketching the rest (fingernail polish, wedding ring, clothing, etc) I will tap this up on the inside of his windshield to find early in the morning.  Along the top of the paper will be printed "On the 1st day of Valentines - I love you THIS MUCH!"

Day 2:  Red Velvet Crepes for bfast (along with manly bacon).  The kids will love participating in this.  How cute are they?  I traditionally make Swedish pancakes for Saturday morning breakfast, but they certainly have never looked like this!















 Day 3:  a batch of lemon white chocolate truffles.  They are his fave flavor from our local chocolatier.  I found a recipe on Pinterest.  Click link above.  Along with a cute take out box full of these will be a note that says "On the 2nd day of Valentines, white chocolate to sweeten you and lemon to make you pucker.  I'll be waiting for a sweet kiss when you get home from your church meetings."  Lipstick seal on the envelope.


Day 4:  a photo heart of our beautiful family on his bathroom mirror with  a note thanking him for our 4 beautiful children.  I usually do something about the kids on this day.




















Day 5:  I bought a gift cert for a local rope obstacle course for date night.  Everyone who knows me knows well my fear of heights and my non-athleticism.  But I figure that I can sacrifice  because I know he will LOVE this!  Include a note about needing 5 fingers to hang on for dear life (me) and to swing like a monkey (him).

         Day 6:  Giant rice krispie treat kisses in a basket for him with a note about 6 kisses.  He will share these with the kids.













Day 7:  Two movie tix and he gets to choose the movie.  He rarely chooses the movie.  Include a box of his fave movie candy.


Day 8:  Invitation for a date night to a bistro we've heard rave reviews about and wanted to try. Strict rule that we can't talk about kids or school or work.

Day 9:  Bucket of gummy worms and little printable on front.  I thought this was cute.
Day 10:  This day is always 10 Things I Love About You.  I print it up in calligraphy font and put it on his nightstand.  A few years ago I found where he had stashed EVERY SINGLE "10 things" I had written over the years.  It made me teary that it meant that much to him.  Each year it is original.  This year I think I will find a standing frame or frame with easel to keep on his nightstand.


Day 11:  Since it is family night, a two-liter bottle of his favorite A&W rootbeer with a note saying he floats my boat.  Double bonus, it will be treats for family night.

  
Day 12:  Mr. Wonderful will love this. Fake rose petals and Hersheys chocolate hugs  and kisses lead the way to the bathroom for a long hot bath with a new good book and no one to bother him or ask him for anything for a good hour or two.  Find entire idea and printable here.

Day 13:  Invitation to dinner the next night with menu.  Most likely steak with all the trimmings.  May be macaroni and cheese with lobster and bacon that I will copy from one of our fave restaurants.  When it gets closer I will post the menu. I will give him an assignment to pick up dessert at either our fave French place, Cheesecake Factory, or just let him surprise me.  I've found that having him do this makes the meal prep easier and sharing a small dessert means we don't have a ton left over.

Day 14:  Sorry, this gift is private. But utterly cool.  It should take me most of the week to put together.

That is it.  I'm giving myself this coming week to prep most of it.  I've found if I don't, I can never put things together last minute.

14 Days of Valentines: Dinner for your Sweetheart

(Blackberry Almond Torte)

Okay, I am breaking down meals and recipes ideas.

FOOLPROOF: If you are intimidated in the kitchen, or if you want easy, this is the meal for you. Alton Brown's Pan-Seared Rib Eye Steak. It. Works. Every. Time. Pair this with a loaded baked potato and whatever your lover will eat for a veg. If you have a Costco card, get the Lobster Bisque in the refrigerated section for your first course and then head to their freezer section for their cream puffs (drizzle them with chocolate and top with fresh berries) or the bite size Cheesecake factory cheesecakes. Easy, easy, easy.

(Halibut Oscar)

SEAFOOD WITH AN ATTITUDE: This is Mr. Wonderful's favorite. Halibut Oscar using the rescipe from Utah's Gastronomy restaurants. Add previously mentioned lobster bisque or a green salad topped with shrimp. Dessert is Creme Brulee or the Raspberry Almond Torte (I prefer fresh blackberries). Yes, it requires a little confidence in the cooking department. But this is not rocket science. You can do this. I will - because Mr. Wonderful actually requested it this year! I know! Will wonders never cease? (Okay, I know that pic isn't plated well. Just trust me, this recipe is delicious.)

(Creme Brulee with Blackberries)

CHICKEN UGLY: Actually, it is called Chicken Aglio e Olio and it isn't ugly. It's easy, restaurant quality, and it is divine. Serve it over rice with sauteed green beans on the side. We call it Chicken Ugly because that is what The Love Magnet calls it. She can't pronounce the other. The name stuck.

(Chicken Aglio e Olio)

VEGETARIAN DOES NOT MEAN BORING: Ignore the pork chops in this recipe and make the Pumpkin Polenta. Top with Wolfgang Puck's version of Roasted Root Vegetables. Yes it makes a lot of veg, just half it or love the leftovers. Serve chocolate fondue for dessert. Feed each other. The colors of the veg are gorgeous in this. I would add some sauteed mushrooms.

There you go. A menu you didn't have to think about. Let me know how you like them.

14 Days of Valentines: Days 4 and 5

The 4th Days of Valentines included movie tix with a note to take me to that manly-man flick coming soon that I know he wants to see. I didn't buy Red Vines since I noticed he had a stash in his truck.

The 5th Day of Valentines was something completely new wrapped around an old idea. A note involving a complicated romantic math equation (new idea) with the solution being the old idea. That's all I'm going to say about that.

14 Days of Valentines: Days 1, 2, and 3

Day 1 ended up being a surprise on his truck seat early in the a.m.: a cute box of icecream flavored Jelly Bellys with a cute note telling him that his kisses turn my belly to jelly. I know, corny. But cute. But no picture, a.s The Love Magnet absconded with the jelly beans soon after Mr. Wonderful arrived home.

Day 2 was The Triathlon Training Bible and a stick of Body Glide with a very cheesey poem about how cute he looks in his fit body and the presents are supposed to help him ride and glide. I can't quit laughing over that one!) He thought it was great.

Day 3 is Firstborn's bday. Today I left a note on his side of the bed about the memory of the day our first child was born. Mr. Wonderful held me and cheered me and consoled me when the labor got difficult. Then he named our son after my brother who is now in Heaven. It really touched my heart. He knows how much it meant to me.

Tomorrow will be a very simple creation of our first dance together along with a note of that memory.

14 Days of Valentines Plan-o'-Days

Sorry, this is a bit later than I promised. But here it is (*cue fanfare*) My 14 Days of Valentines game plan:

Day 1 (Tuesday): One gift basket full of all the triathlon and training stuff he keeps meaning to get but never has time, plus a note telling him how sexy I think he looks in his bike gear.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Me and You - a letter with my plans for our special Valentine's dinner.

Day 3 (Thursday): movie tickets and red vines candy. (Remember this is Firstborn's birthday so keeping it low key.)

Day 4 (Friday): 4-ever in love with you (recreating our first dance. Must get CD or MP3 download of Simple Mind's Don't You Forget About Me.) Yeah. That's when I first fell in love with him.

Day 5 (Saturday): 4 beautiful children and one cute wife pictures for his office. Irreverent silly pictures. Or just baby pictures including mine where my mom gave me a flat top. Seriously)

Day 6 (Sunday): Breakfast in bed with Pineapple Rolls, thick cut bacon, and a mushroom and Gruyere omelet.

Day 7 (Monday): One banana cream pie (his favorite) for Family Home Evening treat, with accompanying cheesy poetry.

Day 8 (Tuesday): Madness Make-It-G0-Away. I take the kids out and he gets downtime to do whatever he wants. Provide latest book he said he wanted to read, make sure his gym clothes are clean if he wants to work out. Dinner will be homemade pizza with a pepperoni heart.

Day 9 (Wednesday): Love note about our 20th Valentine's Day together and reminiscing about our 1st one.

Day 10 (Thursday): Ten Things I Love About You (written in calligraphy on a scroll)

Day 11 (Friday) Date night. Trip to the temple to do sealing and remember our own sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. Followed by dessert at our fave place.

Day 12 (Saturday) Valentines Dinner. Put kids to bed early. Menu will be posted soon.

Day 13 (Sunday) 13 Ways to say I Love You written on his truck in those fun window paints. Yes he will have to wash the car but he will have to wait until Monday. *grinning*

Day 14 (Monday) Home Evening about the importance of being a good husband. This is geared towards the boys, using their dad as an example.

I am particularly excited about days 11 and 13. SO EXCITED for V-Day 2011! Tell me about your plans, especially if this is the first year you try it. As always, look on the right side of the blog for the label cloud and click on 14 Days of Valentines for intro to the whole shebang and even more ideas on what to do to romance your Mr. Wonderful.

THE 14 DAYS OF VALENTINES 2011

(psst.....Mr. Wonderful...go away, you are not allowed to read this)

Are you ready for some R*O*M*A*N*C*E?! It's that time of year again (woot-woot!). Get ready to smother your lover/hug your honey/make your man feel 20 feet tall.

For those of you who have never done this, here is the 411 (dude, I am so hip!):

* Think up a little something to do for you Mr. Wonderful for every single day in February from the 1st and culminating on the 14th with you making a special supper for the two of you. (Don't worry if you don't cook. I have advice to make it easy for you.)

*Inexpensive and creative is the way to go.

*Borrowing/stealing ideas from others or past years is perfectly acceptable.

*Jewelry, flowers, or reciprocation in kind from your man IS NOT THE GOAL. This is unselfish, sweet love.

WHY DO THIS? Because he deserves it. Period.

Easy peasey. Check out the right side bar and scroll down to The 14 Days of Valentines for ideas. I will post my ideas by Saturday. Early planning is the key. Ideas can cost little or even be free. Think romantic and fun.

ON YOUR MARK!

GET SET!

GO!

14 Days of Valentines 2010

Okay the list is done. I realize this is the latest I have ever put this out. My apologies. I will not apologize for stealing ideas. It's all about the sharing. Feel free to use mine. Post yours.

Feb. 1 - One and Only - an invitation to be my date for Valentine's dinner along with one bottle of Kristian Regale with the instructions to bring the bottle to dinner.

Feb. 2 - Two hands - my two hands giving his two feet a foot rub.

Feb. 3- The three of us: Mr. Wonderful, Myself, and God. I have a quote from General conference about this. I'll post it when I pull it out. Basically how the two of us and God make a team. (This is also Firstborn's bday so I try to keep the 14VOD low key).

Feb. 4 - Four Things for Date Night - 2 movie tickets, a package of Red Vines (faithful blog readers know my love for very stale Red Vines), and a box of Junior Mints. There will also be a note with strict instructions that he picks a movie he wants to see and not a movie that he thinks I want to see.

Feb. 5 - 4 Cute Kids and One Cute Wife -pictures of the kids and myself put together in a collage poster that you can make at the Costco photo booth. I plan on putting this up in his office that day.

Feb. 6 - Private. Can't tell you. He'll love it.

Feb. 7 - Seven Pieces of Coconut Cream Pie - yes, I copied this one from my sis-in-love. I also happen to have the cookbook containing the most fabulous Tom Douglas' Triple Coconut Cream Pie recipe. It is so incredibly amazing. Those lucky Seattle-ites.

Feb. 8 - Family Night featuring 8 Things We Love About our Dad. The kids will help me with this. I hope to make a video of the kids to be shown this night.

Feb. 9 - Candy Bar Poster with 9 kinds of treats. I'll leave this in his truck to find that morning.

Feb. 10 - Ten Things I Love About You - this list gets more creative every year, printed on card stock in a fancy calligraphy. Mr. Wonderful has saved them all.

Feb. 11 - 11 Ways To Say I love you. Trying to find more creative languages. Post it notes all over his windshield.

Feb. 12 - Homemade Pizza - with 12 Canadian bacon slices making a heart.

Feb. 13 - Valentine's Dinner.

Feb. 14 - Homemade Sunday crossword puzzle with breakfast. You can make your own here. He needs to solve it on his own without the kids.

14 Days of Valentines

Ladies and Gents! Step right up, don't be shy. That's right, gather round. It's that time of year again, that time where you are going to pour sweet love into your relationship and serve extra sugar to your hunny-bun. It's time to start planning for the 14 Days of Valentines!

For the introduction of what the 14 Day of Valentines is (including history) click here.

Just as important, review what the 14 Days of Valentines IS NOT click here.

Or you could just read the entire account of past 14 Days of Valentines since I've been blogging by clicking on that label. Scroll down a bit and your find it in the right hand column.

Mr. Wonderful knows to not read my blog from January till after Valentines Day. On that day I make him gourmet dinner and we lock the kids in their rooms. Just kidding! They are more than happy to retreat to their rooms with all the romance going on in the house. well, everyone except The Love Magnet. She wants to be involved in everything. Too bad, so sad, she is sent to bed, too.

Please check out the past ideas. I will share mine including menu ideas for this year. Share yours in the comment section or link up to the blog so we can see your ideas. Feel free to copy ideas with abandon.

Your hunny-bun is going to love this!

On the 14th Day of Valentines, Mr. Wonderful gave to me....

A gorgeous bike

a cool bike

It's girly!

It's comfy.

It has lots of cool things.

I'm sure this means something, too.

With lots of gears that I need to learn how to use.

With cool lace-up handles.

I want to get a basket attached on the back for hauling picnics and books, and bell on front to warn people I am coming. Oh, and a helmet. Something that matches.

Thanks, Mr. Wonderful! I can't wait to use it.

Sunday Gratitudes

This Sunday I am so grateful for my Mr. Wonderful. He works so hard for us. He is my love, my sounding board, my best friend, my rock (call me a rock! - private joke for Mr. W), my math and stats tutor, my reason for my "million little reasons". Yesterday I made him a gourmet dinner to thanks him for the things he does for me every day,

Halibut Oscar and Fingerling potatoes (and me wishing I would have sucked in my stomach before the picture was taken. Look at the food. Please, look at the food....)

Mr. Wonderful brought me roses. He also set the table.

Usually, Mr. W ducks when he sees a camera, but he couldn't this time or he'd spill the nonalcoholic peach sparkly he was pouring. I have to be sneaky with a camera.

Halibut Oscar and lobster bisque (I didn't make the lobster bisque. Bought it as Costco.)

I did, however, make the most fabulous blackberry creme brulee for dessert. It is a dangerous thing, this knowledge that making creme brulee is insanely easy. Oh, but it makes a grand impression. Mmmmmmm.

Happy 14 Day's of Valentines to my Mr. Darcy, my own private Michelangelo statue, my honey, my Sweetheart of the first order. You deserve every single day of effort that went into it. God blessed me the day he brought you into my life.

On the 12th Day of Valentines

I printed out 11 poems/sonnets/lyrics/love notes. Instead of making scrolls as planned, I put them all in a binder. The final 12th page is an original poem by me. Not a cheesy poem, a serious one.

Did I ever mention that I am GREAT at cheesy poetry?


Not so great at serious attempts of poetry.



I trust Mr. Wonderful will get the gist of my intent and forgive me my many and varied faults. He has enjoyed the 14 Days of Valentines this year. The kids have loved pointing out the days he received treats. They wanted to be there when he opened them. They are all about the sharing.

I think I will share my stats homework with Mr. Wonderful tonight........

On the 11th Day of Valentine's

On the 11th Day of Valentines
I used to give you candles of red
To tell you about our dinner date.
(And give hints for what lies ahead.)

This year I leave it to you
To bring candles on your own.
And pick a bottle of sparkling-something.
(If you want, you could write your own poem).

I will be uber consumed
With planning our special night.
There is a lot to be considered.
(And I want to make it right.)

We’ll start with Lobster Bisque
And a Hot Crab Dip for two.
With pita chips and crackers
(it’s the least the I could do).

Then I will attempt to make
Your most favorite dish
From my most favorite restaurant
(hint: it will be fish).

Dessert will be our favorite recipe
I’ve attempted once before -
Also from my most favorite restaurant.
(I will be tempted to eat more.)

That is all I’m going to tell you
For the rest you will have to wait.
Dinner will be at 7 sharp.
I trust you won’t be late.


(this will be printed on a scroll and waiting for Mr. Wonderful on his nightstand.)

On the 10th Day of Valentines

Ten Reasons I Love Mr. Wonderful:

His arms wrap completely around me.

He makes me feel safe and protected.

He understands my sense of humor.

He thanks me for every single meal - he has never forgotten in 17 1/2 years of our marriage.

He is one amazing kisser.

He listens to me when I talk my head off, knowing that I need someone to hear me.

He encourages me in everything I do.

He works hard for our family.

I love the way he looks at me when we are sharing a private joke.

He honors his priesthood.

I taped this list on his bathroom mirror to find when he comes home tonight.

Even More 14 Days of Valentines Ideas

The following is from my fellow Cookie, Carol (Carol is the Cookie who knitted The Love Magnet a Red Riding Hood hat before TLM had her open-heart surgery). Carol copied a few of mine and had some great ideas of her own:

1 sweet baby boy - blowup of Levi
2 lunch for two at his favorite local dive
3 movie nights - we watch whatever he picks, no whining
4 love poems - various places around the house
5 heart-shaped red velvet cupcakes (his favorite dessert)
6 years together
7 x 70 that he's forgiven me (note; how much I appreciate his patience and good nature)
8 eternity - commitment to each other
9 ways he is the best dad ever
10 ways to say I love you (languages)
11 taper candles with printed menu
12 ways he is the best guy for me
13 love songs loaded on a special playlist on his iPod
14 Valentine's Day Dinner

For Valentine's Day dinner, I am ripping off an idea from a restaurant I went to in Toronto a long time ago. They were called Mezzetta - they had a mezza menu where you ordered small portions of a whole bunch of stuff. It was great fun. I don't have everything finalized for that yet, but there will be cheese fondue, asparagus BBB, artichoke/spinach dip with homemade bread, chicken rangoon, more stuff I haven't decided on, and for dessert, another favorite of his: meringue nests with vanilla ice cream and berry sauce. I am doing a silly thing with cards - we have an old deck of playing cards that is needing to be retired. I am throwing out everything but the hearts and one joker. Each day, he gets the corresponding number (or face) card with a hint (written in Sharpie) about where to look for his surprise that day. On the 14th, I'll use the joker.


I am going to rip off idea #7 for next year. thanks, Carol! You can find more of Carol (including cool knitting projects here.)

More 14 Days of Valentines Ideas

These come from my fellow Cookie Sally. She has some great ideas this year:

1. One apple – you are the apple of my eye
2. You are two sweet – two candy kisses
3. Picture perfect kids - Pictures of kids in heart frames
4. You are four me – give 4 love sayings on heart shaped post-its
5. I am not full of hot air – 5 heart shaped balloons
6. you are my sweetie pie - Pie sliced in six pieces –
7. You are stuck with me – 7 heart magnets
8. – Eggactly what I want - Eight items on breakfast plate – three eggs, two pieces toast, three pieces of sausage or bacon
9. Nine reasons I can’t say no to you – nine is no in german.
10 Say “I love you in 10 languages 11 You hold the ticket to my heart – 11 tickets with love sayings
12. You are my muffin man (inside joke) – give a dozen heart shaped blueberry muffins
13. Sugar and spice – sugar packet and 12 spice candies
14 Fourteen opera cream candies – with a personal saying -

Honey don't read this either....Valentine Stuff

Here it is: The 14 Days of Valentines 2009 list

1. Giant Valentine Card (bought at the after-Valentine sales last year)

2. Two Feet – Cheesy poem for a foot rub that night
.
3. Movie tix and Red Vines

4. 4 Cute Kids poster hung on garage door

5. Five phone calls (I’ll have 5 people call or send emails to wish him Happy 5th Day of Valentines. People he hasn’t talked to in ages.

6. I can’t tell you this one. He’ll love it.

7. I’m in Heaven (new feather pillow and a certificate to sleep in on Valentine’s Day morning (I’ll take the kids out to bfast so the house is quiet. Might try to keep them gone all morning.)

8. Eternity (picture of the SL Temple and memories of how I felt on our wedding day)

9. Family Night about Dads

10. Ten Things I Love About You (send emails, scatter labels, etc)

11. Two candle sticks to light for Valentine’s dinner. Include printed menu.

12. Twelve Love Notes/sonnets/poems/quotes (11 found, 1 original by me)

13. Thirteen languages to say I Love You (hot pink post-it notes on his truck, in his laptop, wallet, on his sun glasses, bathroom mirror, etc.)

14. Dinner and a movie

Now for the menu (which can be changed, but I doubt this will)

Appetizer: Smoked Salmon and cucumber rounds

Soup: Lobster bisque (Costco)
Main: Halibut Oscar , risotto, rosemary bread from Costco
Dessert: Crème Brulee with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

The recipes for Halibut Oscar and Creme Brulee come from our fave restaurant in Utah, Market Street Grill. In fact, the halibut is his favorite dish. We always would share creme brulee or Raspberry Almond Torte afterwards (which I might make instead of creme brulee). I really miss that place.

Honey don't read this.....Valentine stuff

Last night I worked on the 12th day of Valentines: 12 Love Notes. I had to be sneaky because Mr. Wonderful was home and he thinks I spend too much time on the computer.

I'm rather proud of this. (No, not my reputation for spending too much time on the computer.) I thought the Love Notes research turned out great. Between my computer and my own personal library, I found some doozies. Some of them are:

Trust; perfect confidence, honor, and love
Come from the Perfected Being above—
These make the truest of sweethearts kind—
These, my Jewel, in you I find.
-David O. Mackay, Heart Petals, p.44

"And what is a kiss, specifically? A pledge properly sealed, a promise seasoned to taste, a vow stamped with the immediacy of a lip, a rosy circle drawn around the verb 'to love.' A kiss is a message too intimate for the ear, infinity captured in the bee's brief visit to a flower, secular communication with an aftertaste of heaven, the pulse rising from the heart to utter its name on a lover's lip: 'Forever.'"

- Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac, Act 3

In all our losses, all our gains,In all our pleasures, all our pains,The life of life is: Love remains.In every change from good to ill,--If love continues still,Let happen then what will.

- Theodore Tilton

"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet..... I mean, what does any one life mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things..... all of it, all the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness'". –Shall We Dance

There are more. They will all be printed on white paper, rolled up, and tied with a red ribbon. They will be hidden in pockets, in his truck, in shoes. The last one (mine) will be waiting in my hands to greet him as he walks in the door that night.


I absolutely love getting ready for this!

The 14 Days Of Valentines

Its that time of year again! Time to show your Mr. Wonderful (or Mrs./Miss) that he absolutely warms your heart. Take the first 14 days of February and do something for him/her that will be completely unexpected, completely charming, and completely knocks his socks off! See the previous post under the 14 Days of Valentines under blog labels for ideas.

I had a few questions come up last year that require the following clarification.

WHAT THE 14 DAYS OF VALENTINES ARE NOT:

1. This is not a vehicle for you to dump guilt on your Mr. Wonderful if he is not the romantic type. If you are a guilt-dumper, change your ways or your are not allowed to play.

2. This is not a contest. There is no competition to see who comes up with the best ideas. All ideas are free for the taking. In fact, I encourage the sharing and taking of ideas. Your only prize will be a deliriously happy Mr. Wonderful (or Mrs./Miss....you get the idea).

3. This is not a build up for gifts. Do not expect a gift. This is for you to completely shower your Love with pure love. Completely selfless. You do not automatically deserve jewelry for doing this.

Okay now that is all settled. Onto the sharing of ideas! (Oh, and before I forget: Mr. Wonderful, if you are reading this post - its time for you to log off. No peeking. Shoo.)

Truly he won't read this if I tell him not to read this. Isn't he amazing?

This year I will be changing a few things. Day 4 will still be "4 Beautiful Children" with pictures of the kids. But.....this year it will be a candid shot, completely silly, and blown up to poster size. If the weather permits, it will be hung on the garage door. I shall try to capture his reaction for you.

The 1st Day of Valentines will be One Giant Valentines Day Card that I picked up on sale last year after Valentines Day.

The 12th Day of Valentines falls on Family Night which means we shall dedicate it to Mr. Wonderful. This year I shall be more prepared and make sure the kids are prepared BEFORE the big day.

As for the rest, it will be decided in the next week. I like to give myself at least 2 weeks to gather everything.

Don't forget to make dinner on the 14th just for the two of you. Homemade, or pick up something yummy. I'll post my menu as soon as its decided.

Leave a comment. Let me know what your are planning. Spread the love.

There isn't enough selfless love in the world right now.

____________________________________________________________

My ideas from last year:
Feb 1 - You Have My One Heart - heart shaped chocolates (Dove) in cute red/pink/white takeout box. Heart decoration over his mirror. Box and decoration for $1 each at Target.

Feb 2- For just the Two of Us - invitation in calligraphy on nice card stock to my homemade valentine dinner. Include menu and two candles, and bottle of sparkly.

Feb 3 - The Three necessities for our next date night - 2 movie tix and a box of Red Vines.

Feb 4 - Four Beautiful Children (and one cute wife)- head shots of the kids and me taped to the inside of his windshield. I might even write with lipstick on his windshield

Feb 5 - Five (x2) fingers - massage lotion from Bath & Bodyworks

Feb 6 - Six candy bars in a candy gram - things like Big Hunk, Twix, Sugar Daddy etc. No, I am NOT telling you what I am writing!

Feb 7 - Seven freshly made orange or cinnamon rolls. Hide the rest for later.

Feb 8 - I'll love you for Eternity (Eight on its side). This will be a home made Valentine card.

Feb 9 - Nine Items for Breakfast in Bed - 3 egg omelet with spinach, mushrooms and feta (that makes 6), sourdough toast (7), orange juice (8), broiled fresh pineapple (9)

Feb 10 - 10 - Ten Things I Love About You written on beautiful card stock and propped on his pillow to find when he gets home

Feb 11 - Eleven Reasons we are grateful for our dad and husband Family Home Evening. The kids will be involved with this one. I'll let them run with their imaginations and each come up with something.

Feb 12 - Twelve Hugs and Twelve Kisses. Hershey's Hugs and Kisses (12 each!) in another cute little takeout container. DH shares all chocolates with the kids. As long as it isn't dark chocolate, I have no problem abstaining.

Feb 13 - Thirteen Ways To Say I Love You on Post-It Notes. Start researching languages now. Make sure you write down what language it is. If your DH speaks a foreign language, be sure to include that one in the thirteen languages. Be silly and go for pig latin. Be creative with drawings of ASL signs. Write it Korean/Chinese/Japanese if you know the calligraphy.

Feb 14 - A letter expressing how much I love him and a note to remind him to meet me for dinner at a certain time.

Other Ideas from last year: hide red note card around the room with your fave romantic movie quotes, sonnets, Shakespeare, poetry, and sayings for him to find.

The 14 Days of Valentines are over. The Pan-Seared Ribeye recipe that my brother suggested was amazing, especially paired with the Seared Scallops. I never did get to the creme brulee but the strawberries were sweet and really tasted good. I have enough ribeye and scallops in the fridge to recreate the meal on Saturday for the family (good thing since the older boys were grumbling about pizza when we had steak.) The only bad thing about yesterday: I forgot to take pictures of the meal!

I've received word from a few people that their spouses loved the 14 Days of Valentines. I loved hearing about all the creative ideas and have stored a few away to copy for next year.

Today the kids have the day off from school. DS#1 is off snowboarding with friends. Mr. Wonderful has to work. I'm thinking it is a great day for a movie date with the younger kids. I might call Mr. Wonderful to see if he can take off early from work.

Let me leave you with the two great recipes:



Pan Seared Rib Eye
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

1 boneless rib eye steak, 1 1/2-inch thick
Canola oil to coat
Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Place 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet in oven and heat oven to 500 degrees. Bring steak(s) to room temperature.
When oven reaches temperature, remove pan and place on range over high heat. Coat steak lightly with oil and season both sides with a generous pinch of salt. Grind on black pepper to taste.

Immediately place steak in the middle of hot, dry pan. Cook 30 seconds without moving. Turn with tongs and cook another 30 seconds, then put the pan straight into the oven for 2 minutes. Flip steak and cook for another 2 minutes. (This time is for medium rare steaks. If you prefer medium, add a minute to both of the oven turns.)

Remove steak from pan, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 2 minutes. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto plate.




Seared Scallops
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

1 to 1 1/4 pounds dry sea scallops, approximately 16
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper

Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.

Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan on high heat. Salt and pepper the scallops. Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a 1/4-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center. Serve immediately.

Found this on a link from Anna's blog. Since I am a huge P&P fan, I couldn't resist!