Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Here is what I am planning on doing this year for our Valentine's date. I love romantic date nights and am so excited it's my year to plan. I'm just going to cook a romantic, candle-lit dinner at home and then build a fort and cuddle and watch a good chick flick after dinner. I don't watch many chick flicks with the hubster, in fact I'd say I watch about 30 NBA games for every 1 chick flick we watch together, so I love to watch them every chance I get. So of course it's definitely gonna be all my choice, no matter how cheesy and romantic! :) I'm trying to decide which hunk I wanna see in my movie...

They are of course Cary Grant and Channing Tatum. Both great choices, but I have a feeling I'm gonna go with good ol' Channing in Dear John. Then we continue on to the next portion of our evening. I'm not gonna lie, I LOVE to kiss my husband. A lot. Who doesn't?! So I came across this book on Amazon and plan to try a couple of these new kisses out together that night. Why not?? :) It's probably too late to order for yourself, but you could always check your library or Barnes and Noble or something.

And finally, if I have time to find a couple of chinese lanterns, I would love to write love notes to each other and send them up into the sky. How romantic. I love it!

Well, these are just a couple ideas I have and I think it sounds like a splendid evening! I hope you all have a fantastic Valentine's Day whether you are celebrating it with a spouse, boyfriend, your kids, or your girlfriends, HAVE FUN!!! :)

 Mary

Valentine's Chex Mix

Day 11:

Okay, okay, I admit that I love Pinterest!  When I meal a meal idea I turn to Pinterest, when I need a project for the kids bordem (besides the offering of chores) I turn to Pinterest.  I seriously LOVE pinterest. And yes, my husband knows and approves.  So when I was looking for some ideas to make Valentine's Day a little more special for my kids I came across this Chex mix recipe.  I knew that it would be perfect for a little treat in their lunch.  I decided to try it out at the Super Bowl party we went to, and my daughters loved it so much they begged me to make it again, and soon!  Little do they know, they will be getting it again next week!

4 1/2 C. Rice Chex Mix cereal

1/2 C. white vanilla baking chips

1/4 C. peanut butter

2 Tbsp. butter

1/3 C. powdered sugar

1/4 C. white, pink, and red chocolate coated candies

2 Tbsp. sprinkles

Place cereal in a medium bowl.  In a small microwave safe bowl microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter on high for 1 to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.  Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Place 1/2 of the cereal in a 1 gallon ziplock bag.  Add powdered sugar.  Seal bag and shake well.  Spread on waxed paper or foil and let cool for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir in sprinkles and candies in the remaining cereal.  Spread on waxed paper or foil and let cool for about 15 minutes.

In a serving bowl, combine both cereals.  Store in an airtight container (if you have any left).

Enjoy!

~Rachel~

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10

Valentines According to Pinterest

Day: 10

There are so many great and fun ideas floating around Pinterest lately so I thought I would share some of my favorites that I have seen, here they are in no particular order...

1. These would be adorable..and pretty easy to make

You can find them here at Plum Adorable

2. I LOVE chocolate covered pretzels, you can do all sorts of decorations on them. So cute..and yummy!

3.Another thing I love that is easy and endless decoration options, Rice Krispie Treats

You can find them at Cooking on the Side

4. These delicious looking Red Velvet Cookie

You can find them at Buns in my Oven

5. If your planning on cooking a home cooked soup for the big day, how cute is this?!

You can find it at Recipe by Photo

Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest! 

--Michelle--

Doorway to the Heart...

Day 9:

I have thought and thought of a cute, cheap idea for my kiddos for Valentine's Day and I came across the idea of decorating their bedrooms doors.  For pre-school my son needs to work more on his cutting skills and so we went to work drawing and cutting out hearts.  After 20 minutes of work we had about 25 hearts ready for the 4 doorways.  We made them all sizes and different colors.  I then took some curling ribbon and cut it into different lengths, ranging from 12"-18".  (I started with 18"-24" but that was too long)

I am going to decorate each child's doorway on the night of the 13th so on Valentine's morning when they open their doors they will be surprised with hearts.  You may even want to add little love notes to each child on the hearts.  I am so excited to see my girls faces when they come upstairs that morning!  I know they are going to love it!  And my little guy will be surprised and happy to see his hearts he made hanging in his doorway.  

Fun and simple, that is the way we roll here!  

~Rachel~

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8

Cookies&Cream Red Velvet Cupcakes

As you can probably tell by now, I am obsessed with Red Velvet.  There is no hiding it now, I love it.  So as you can see, when I have an excuse-like Valentine's Day-I will red velvet to the max!! This year I have, and I haven't stopped yet.  My newest creation is red velvet cupcakes with COOKIES & CREAM frosting!! Yum!! They are delicious, if I may say so myself.  And if it is not okay that I say it, my husband says it.  :) haha Seriously though, you have got to try these.  I know I may say this phrase all the time but I am saying it again, "they are sooo easy!!"

Want this easy but decadent recipe?? You got it! Follow these few quick steps and before you know it, you will be indulging in one of these beauties! So hurry and get started! Totally worth it.  And no need to wait until V-day, I didn't! Whip them out right now. :)

Cookies & Cream Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients
-Red Velvet cake mix (with ingredients on box as well)
-8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
-1/2 stick of butter (room temperature) 
-1 tsp vanilla
-2 Tbsp sugar
-1 Tbsp milk
-Powdered sugar until right constancy
-6 Oreo's (crushed)

Directions
Make and bake cake mix according to directions on the box.  While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.  Cream the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.  Add sugar, vanilla, and milk.  Mix until incorporated.  Add powdered milk.  Add some of the crushed Oreo's  leaving some to sprinkle on top when piped.  When I crushed my Oreo's, I used a blender, but I scraped off most of the filling because I didn't want it to be clumpy when I sprinkled it on top.  You can add the filling to the cream cheese mixture if you don't want to waste it, or you can just eat it like I did.  :) Once you have mixed everything in the cream cheese mixture, pipe it onto the cupcakes and sprinkle the rest of the crushed Oreo's on top.  I also think it would be cute if you broke Oreo's in half and then stuck a half piece on top of the frosting.  Just an idea.  Hope you love these as much as we did!! Enjoy!

-Melanie-

I almost forgot my favorite part about these!! 2 words 1. Mini. 2. Cupcakes.  Honestly, changed my life.  I know it wasn't me that came up with that idea because there is a minicupcake pan, but it is brilliant! I love cupcakes, but they are just hard for me to eat because they are kind of messy. 

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 9 

Letters of Love

Day 7:

Heather and I got together to makes these boxes for our Valentines a couple of years ago. I wrote a letter and put it in the box to my husband for a start for his "treasure" box, for his Valentines present. The point of it was for them to have a place for all of the love letters we give them over the years. The next year I filled the box with 100 strips of paper and on each one I put a reason why I love him. That's about as far as I've gotten with it. Truth be told, it has been filling up with letter and notes that he's written me. He's a lot better at that than I am I guess. I need to do better so that the box can be used what it was made for.

Things we Used:

a box (we got ours from Michaels)

scrapbook paper

ribbon

vinyl or stamps

any little scrapbook decorations you like that can spruce up the box, like frames or brads or anything else you can think of

Scrapbook ink to go around the edges

--Michelle--

Linguine with Shrimp Scampi and Chocolate Mousse

Day 6:

Linguine with Shrimp Scampi

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
• 3/4 pound linguine
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 1 pound large shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled and deveined
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/2 lemon, zest grated
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
• 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.

Meanwhile, in another large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and the pepper and saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.

When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.

Recipe found at foodnetwork.com

I don't always have lemons to do the slices, and it is still really good, but it is better with the lemons, they just add such a nice flavor to the shrimp

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

2 C. Bisquik 

6 Tbsp. butter

2/3 C. Milk

1/2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. old bay

1/2 tsp. parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 450.

In a mixing bowl combine Bisquik, 4 Tbsp. butter, milk and cheese using a pastry cutter of fork.  Spoon into baking sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes.

While they are baking combine 2 tbsp. melted butter, garlic powder, old bay and parsley flakes.  Brush over biscuits when they come out of oven.

Roasted Asparagus

• 1 pound fresh asparagus
• Extra Virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling
• Freshly ground black pepper.
• 
  
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• I always cut off the 1"-1 1/2" of the root end, it is a bit touch and woody tasting. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus for 25 minutes, until tender but still crisp.

Easy Chocolate Mousse

from: Our Best Bites

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1 Tbsp cold water

2 Tbsp. boiling water (just heat in a small bowl in your microwave)

1/2 C. sugar

1/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 C. whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand for about 1 minute.  While gelatin is softening bring 2 Tbsp. water to boil in the microwave.  whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool slightly.  

In a medium mixing bowl combine sugar, cocoa, whipping cream, and vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form.  Mix in gelatin and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  

I put mine in pretty wine glasses and then refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Add whipped topping and fruit right before you serve.

This is a very rich mousse.  My husband and I never finish in one setting, so really,  in just a few minutes you made dessert for two nights.  :)

~Rachel~

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

Valentine Photo Shoot

Day 5:

A couple of years ago I was having a hard time coming up with a gift for my husband for Valentine's Day that  said "I love you."  A friend of mine and I were talking and she suggested that I take some photos of me and make a little book for him.  I was more than a little uncomfortable doing this because I am not a huge fan of the way I look in pictures, or the way my body looks (no they were not naked ones!!) still, I am in no way close to being a model.  After thinking on this for a while I decided that my husband loves me for me, and he loves the way I look, even if I am a little cheesy in pictures and I do not have the body of a super model, so I was going to do it.
I gathered all kinds of little props, like his favorite jersey and a basketball, borrowed some stillettos (which I never wear) fish-net stockings, a feather boa, you get the idea...  I did my makeup very carefully and fixed my hair just right... and then I took some pictures...

There are a couple of ways you can do this... If you feel comfortable enough with and you have a girlfriend of yours who is also okay with it, you can them take the pictures for you.  Maybe they will even get you to smile more naturally or even laugh a little.  But if not, I have found that it is really easy to take pictures of ones-self if you have a little hand held remote.  If you are lucky enough to have a printer at home that does a great job with photos - print them at home and get a fun photo book at the store.  If not snapfish.com has little books that all you have to do is choose your picture and drop it in the spot.  You can rearrange them all you want until it is just perfect.  I think the cost is around $11 and can be in your hands within a week of submitting the order.  

My husband loved the book and told me he wouldn't mind in the least bit getting a new one every year.  

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 6

The Best Husband Valentines Day Present

Day 3:
A couple of years ago we were really poor, so when Valentines day came around we decided to do homemade presents for each other. I'm always horrible with coming up with things...but I was determined to come up with the Best. Present. Ever. And I think I did a pretty good job! My hubby L.O.V.E.D it...our very own board game!

You can do it one of both ways, when I first saw it it was on a sheet, I've tried both and I like the board game better. But do whatever you think would be fun for you.

For the sheet you get a fitted sheet...just find the cheapest one you can get. You'll need masking tape, a permanent marker and cardboard (from a cereal box would work perfect). At the top of the sheet I believe I named it "The Game of Love" and underlined it, and then used the masking tape to evenly mark the lines. My game board was 7 across, 7 down so I had 49 total. After you "draw" your lines, you'll cut out whatever shape you are using out of your card board, this is a horrible drawing but I used something like this:

You'll trace that on your rows...49 times and then go back and fill in your game plans. You'll want to use the majority of your sheet. I think I had about a foot at the bottom left, and maybe 6" on each side. Each shape was about 4", but measure what fits your bed best. I used each "activity" at least twice so you make sure to land on it at least once. And you can say it different ways to change it up, for instance "XOXO" and "Kiss Me Baby". You can be creative and come up with ever you want and whatever you feel comfortable about. I had to edit mine a little and blot some of mine out so we can keep it G rated here, and because our Mom reads our blog. :) 

The sheet is fun because you'll cover it up by making your bed so your hubby will have no idea. And it's good for in the future to too surprise him random nights.

When we moved I just threw away the sheet and decided to get a $3 board game at the D.I. and I'm really glad I did. Now it's our inside joke that no body has any idea what we're talking about...besides you now that are reading this. But there's been a few times that we are out to dinner or out and about and will say "Soooo do you want to play Chutes and Ladders when we get home??"

How to Play:

You'll just need 1 dice, they will roll it every time, if it's a 4 or 6 divide by 2, and if it lands on 5 I let him pick between the 2nd or 3rd one.

They have 30 seconds for each activity, no exceptions. :) You can have a stopwatch or just count, whatever you'd like to do.

That's pretty much it, it's fun and your husband will love you even more forever and ever! He will think this is the best present you could ever give him!

**I have everything out and ready sitting on the table. I've made some chocolate covered strawberries, since we don't drink alcohol for our "bubbly" I used sparkling cider or wild cherry pepsi. I get a couple little silly presents like candy or something and had them wrapped up for him to open if he landed on a present. And for the music I just used Pandora and the station I like is Ashanti because a lot of the songs it plays is circa my high schools years, so it's a fun flash back and it's kind of sexy music. But like I said...do whatever makes you happy!! And have fun!!!

--Michelle--

Day 1, Day 2, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6

Star Jones' Garlic Lobster Tails plus Stacy's Steak for Valentines Dinner!!

Day 2:
  Last year for Valentines Day, I honestly can't remember why we did not got out to dinner like we usually do.  I don't think I particularly wanted to cook dinner for my husband and I because we so rarely go out to dinner, I really enjoy it.  He may have actually had to be out of town or something.  Regardless the reason, I cooked our Valentines dinner and I wanted it to be good.  I do not like seafood, but he does.  I RARELY ever make anything with seafood because I dispise it so much, but I thought for this dinner I was going to spoil him with lobster!
  My favorite grocery store, Publix, actually had a decent price on lobster tails that week (probably for suckers like me ;) so I went ahead and bought like 4.  I found a recipe on www.foodnetwork.com that looked really good and had lots of stars and lots of reviews and gave it a shot.  I paired it with the best looking steak I could find and a great salad and my husband and I really enjoyed it.  I actually thought it was the best steak I had ever made and I haven't been able to repeat it since then!  We had sparkling cider since we are non-alcoholic drinkers, and topped it off with my husbands favorite, cheesecake!  It was delicious.

  Here is what I did. . .Star Jone's Garlic Lobster Tails

Ingredients

• 4 large lobster tails (8 ounces each)
• 4 to 6 large cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into bits
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun spice
• 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Seafood Magic

Directions

Preheat broiler. With kitchen shears or large, sharp knife, cut lobster tails down back on curved side of shell. Pry sides of shells apart to expose meat. Top meat with garlic and butter. Squeeze lemon juice over lobster meat and dust liberally with Cajun spice and seafood seasoning. Preheat broiler. Set lobster tails in roasting pan and broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until meat is opaque in center.

This is rated easy and serves 4.

For the steak, I rubbed it with a steak dust and let it sit in that for 30 minutes or so.  Then, just as I was putting the lobster in, I put the steak on the grill with about 1/2 tbsp butter on top.  My husband likes his medium rare and I like mine well done so I put mine on first.  Once one side was cooked, I turned it over and added his.  I definately had to cook it a little longer than normal because they were so much thicker than I regularly buy, but it was worth it!!!  It was literally, melt in your mouth, delicious!

For dessert I made my husbands favorite cheesecake...from a box!  Jello brand cheesecake is his favorite.  And it is Valentine's Day, I can't deny him his favorite!  :)

-Stacy-

Day 1, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6

P.S. Don't forget to check out our Shops "Item of the Week"!

14 Days of Valentine Ideas

I love Valentine's Day, but let's be honest-what girl secretly doesn't??  It is a day all about love.  Not to mention all the treats that are made on and around that special day! Mmm..my favorite! My sisters and I have kept our eyes out for recipes, gift ideas, and other things we have done in the past to share with everyone. The next 14 days, we will be posting ways to celebrate February 14.  Hope you enjoy!

DAY 1:
 -Better than anything red velvet cupcakes-
Just take a gander at these for a quick second, and tell me your mouth isn't watering.
 

Let's take a look at the recipe and then get started baking.  If you have never made better than anything cakes, they are easy peasy! All that it takes is:

Better than anything red velvet cupcakes

*1 pkg of red velvet cake mix
*Caramel topping (I love the Mrs. Richardson brand)
*Chocolate syrup
*4 Heath or Score bars (divided)
*Cool whip

Soo easy! Make the cake according to directions on the package.  Bake the cupcakes and let them cool on a rack.  Then poke holes into each cupcake.  I use the end of cooking spoons, so they are larger holes, leaving more space for the good stuff.  After the holes are poked, drizzle warmed caramel and chocolate syrup over the top.  Top with 2 crushed candybars, and then add cool whip.  Top again with the remaining two candy bars and tada-they are done! Next step-indulge in these amazing cupcakes!

~Melanie~

Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14

P.S. Don't forget to check out our Shops "Item of the Week"!

Pinsperations!

I LOVE pinterest! Greatest thing ever! Of course there are a lot of Valentine Day ideas floating around out there, but for those of you who have not been converted yet...I thought I'd share some of my fav's that I've found!

You can find this here

You can find the tutorial for "the husband gift" here

And here are just some yummy cute treats you can make...

Easy Peasy..

Love crepes found here

You can make some lovely hot cocoa

Lots of food hearts shaped ideas found here

Aren't those just the funnest cupcakes!? LOVE them!

And if you have kids and want to come up with cute saying for the valentines in class you can find them here

And I just think this is AWESOME! "The Game of Love" You can find how to do it here

Hope this gives you a couple ideas if you are stumped!

Happy Valentines Day!!

--MIchelle--