Last year Paul and I spent more money on each other than either of us would probably like to admit. It was amazing, fun, and totally worth it - we considered it an "investment year" - and you could say we got a big return. :)
After I moved up, Paul and I made a decision to save, save, save instead of spend, spend, spend. In Paul's own words, we were going to act like squirrels!! ha!
Soo...in January, Paul recommended we cook dinner at home instead of spending way too much at a restaurant. I agreed we should cook at home and thought about the fact that we always have fun in the kitchen and it would probably be a normal, nice night.
Welllllllll - little did I know.... my February issue of Martha Stewart Living was on it's way to my little mailbox and the entire night was about to take a completely new and interesting direction! {As I've mentioned before, I love the day of the month when I open up my mailbox and the large, glossy magazine is sitting there patiently waiting to be thummed through.} As I was doing just that...I noticed a page full of heart.shaped.foods and I thought to myself "I can do that!"
So we did do just that...over the next month I found a bunch of heart shaped cut outs and started to collect my supplies for the Valentine's Day Dinner at a great little spot on the corner of Savin Hill.
I must also tell you that after I told my mom my plans for the dinner, she went out to Williams-Sonoma and TJ Maxx and bought tons of heart shaped everything...which I brought back with me after my weekend at home (thanks Mom!!). Believe it or not, she used to be quite the cook/planner...everything in my life from the age of 0-3 was perrrrfect (almost to the point of obnoxiously perfect). Then something happened....she started having more kids...and after she was done with a total of four....she called it quits on the cooking. So now I reap the benefits because while she may not love to cook anymore, she still loves to buy the cute supplies which she then gives to her 24yr old daughter. As I want to have 4 babies as well.....I wonder if I will stop liking to cook??!? ahh....not going to think about that today...I'll think about it tomorrow (or in a few years). :)
anywho...back to the dinner! I must admit I went out.of.control with this - not going to try to dumb it down or hide it - I felt completely ridiculous but very happy all at the same time (that's what love is all about right?!)
Paul took me to Roche Brothers Supermarket in Quincy on Sunday morning to get all of the groceries. He thought I would like shopping there as opposed to Shaw's and he was right! It even has a Starbucks! (woo hoo!) Although we had already driven to one on the way (I must mention we got lost trying to find it and I thought he was annoyed with me for having to have Starbucks (we passed three DunkinDonuts on the way) - there may have been tears - surprise surprise)!
But once we found the Starbucks and arrived at Roche Brothers, everything was right in the world again! We were able to get all of the ingredients for the dinner for only $68!! I was proud of us - he was happy with the bill and I was happy with all of the baking/cooking I had ahead of me!
I spent the majority of the afternoon baking in the kitchen while Paul worked out in the living room and watched the Celtics game...aka I frolicked around in the kitchen while he did very manly stuff and we were completely content! :)
{rasberry sherbert heart treats}
{above - raspberry crumble cake}
{valentines funfetti cupcakes to take to work}
For Frosting: start with a dollop in the middle of the cupcake and then spread with a butter knife - best way to frost a cupcake or cake. You can also create the frosting towers by cutting of the edge of a ziploc bag and using it as your frosting tube!
Paul bought me flowers from the grocery store - $30 total... and I got to arrange them myself....
Worked out for the both of us! Beautiful and Fun.
I wore my pearls...somehow they help me cook better...I swear! The women in the 50's had something figured out....pearls always make the job better...
Then the fun began....Paul joined me in the kitchen.
On the menu:
Spinach Salad
Raspberry, "Heart" Goat Cheese, Walnuts
Pasta
"Heart" Ravioli stuffed with Ricotta and Goat Cheese, Sweet Basil Marinara
Filet
Simple and delicious filet topped with a "Heart" shaped fried egg
After all this preparation - it was almost impossible for me to get a good picture. Paul was rushing around the kitchen like a mad man saying he wanted to eat it while it was Hot! Which I agreed with, but I also wanted to get a good photograph!!! At one point I think I was literally holding him back while I snapped a picture.
{he decorated his own plate}
Not the best picture I have ever taken, but it was one of the best meals I have ever had! Paul did an amazing job with the steak, fried eggs, and pasta. Paul's roommate's girlfriend, Alison, also left her pink birthday roses for our tablescape since they matched and were already sitting there (thanks Alison!)
Hope you all had/have a great Valentine's Dinner! Valentine's isn't over for me just yet...Jenny is throwing a girls only vday party on Wednesday night - I'll be taking pictures - such a fun group of girls - I can't wait!