Happy Valentine’s Day…or as I like to call it Singles Awareness Day and If-You-Don’t-Get-Flowers-And-Chocolate-They-Don’t-Love-You Day!! One year, I even said Happy VD. Somehow, the meaning got lost in translation.
The truth is, I’m as romantic as the next girl. I like picnics and presents and unexpected gestures. Hallmark commercial make me gushy and even though I’m not obsessed with The Notebook (it’s sweet though), I still dream of Jake Ryan leaning on his sports car so he can give me a big birthday cake. And if you get that movie reference, we are kindred spirits for sure!
I’m just not in love with Valentine’s Day. I think St. Valentine might have had a good thing going, but the whole holiday has become too commercialized and lost that spontaneous feel. Plus, let’s face it, my husband is one of the least romantic people on the planet. I would love for that to change, but I don’t want him to be romantic just because the television and the internet told him to. Honestly, that’s just cheating!!
This year I told the Super Trooper not to even buy a card (I can only do so much with all of these cards around here) because I wasn’t buying him one. I didn’t get anything for the kiddos either–although I generally limit their Valentine presents to a card and some candy or a small amount of money anyway. I am going back to the way it used to be when we first got married…it’s all about the food baby!! In addition to a Chicken & Stuffing Casserole AND a Chicken Noodle Casserole (everybody has their favorites) with all of the sides, they will be getting Oreo Truffles, two kinds of cake pops, Apple Streusel Pizzas, and Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes. They are all getting a dessert they will enjoy and I am just a little excited about the cake pops!! Hopefully, I’ll have a new recipe to share. My idea sounds good in theory…we’ll just have to see how it tastes!
At any rate, this promises to be a busy day for me. I’m hoping that for my Valentine’s gift, someone else will actually was the dishes.
While I am cooking and drooling over the possibility of these banana cream cheese cake pops I’m making, I will leave you with my (few) Valentine’s decorations and a mini craft. Remember, the hall cabinet from Christmas? I’m planning to decorate it for every holiday and maybe even some birthdays. And of course, I either have to use what I already have or make stuff…this is no spend decorating! (Spizzie wanted to contribute, so she loaned me two Valentine’s snowglobes out of her collection…see if you can find them.)
These were in the window. The “bunting” is just brown paper bags that I trimmed down and glued red card stock hearts onto. I glued ribbon along the backs to hang. So simple!
I made the big glittered heart a while back. I made several hearts and the word “kisses.” Are you ready for this tutorial??
I bought these at the Dollar Tree last year, but you can find something similar just about anywhere you look. The key is to not spend a lot of money! (Notice my snazzy table protector…wrapping paper that someone gave me and I didn’t like enough to wrap with.)
Coat one side with Mod Podge and cover with glitter. If it isn’t thick enough you can do another coat. Just make sure the first coat is dry first!! These were dry enough to move within a couple of hours and dried completely overnight. They are pretty stiff afterward and will stand up if you prop them against something. I really like the look of this one in the frame though.
I bought that tiered tray at the Goodwill for $1.50. It was silver, but a little white spray paint always does the trick. Some of the decorations are leftover from Christmas. And it’s amazing what cutting out a section of scrapbook paper and putting it in a tiny frame can do!
This was a “Pinterest-inspired” idea. I just wrapped a doily around a Ball jar with some red and white ribbon. I love my blue jars!
I’ve had this box forever. I think I got it at the flea market. I just put another glittered heart in it and placed some flowers behind it. The little heart with wings is actually from a set of magnets I bought. I’m thinking I need something like that for every season!
See what you can do with cheap flowers and berries from the Dollar Tree? I stuck a few red hearts in the bunch for some contrast. I do believe these are as sweet as any flowers my husband could send me (which he is not allowed to do because the last time he sent me flowers, he also had the bill sent to me–Mr. Romance, I tell ya!).
I’m off to make desserts now. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and everyone lives Happily Ever After!!
