Valentine's Day--Past and Present

This week over at Kelly's Korner is Show us Your Life- Valentine's Dates or Ideas. It's funny how over the course of life one can go from absoluately hating Valentine's Day to loving it and then end up thinking of it as just another day. I won't go into detail about my experience with Valentine's Day pre-James, but let's just say that February 14th over the years has gotten better and better.

James and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together in 2004. I remember that he brought me balloons and some chocolates...maybe even a rose. We both lived in separate cities at the time so it was nice to spend the day together. He took me to Chipotle and then to Coldstone Creamery. I believe that is the day I developed my intense love for Cherry Cake Double Take, which they no longer have on the menu.

In 2005, I was surprised when I received those beautiful red boxes from Red Envelope. James had sent me these cute little pink pajama shorts with my named embroidered on them. He also sent me a lovely necklace and earrings set. It's really sad that I don't remember what we did or what he gave me in 2006. I am for sure, however, that there were roses involved. Valentine's Day 2007 was a wonderful one. I must admit that I was hoping he would get around to popping the question. He took me out to Texas de Brazil for some wonderful food and then handed me a little blue box. I was a bit sad to see that it wouldn't be an engagement ring, but that all changed when I opened the box to find a beautiful necklace with my birthstone.

Valentine's Day 2008 is certainly one to remember. On February 13th, I was at work when the front desk called to tell me there was a package for me. James had sent beautiful flowers in a lovely purple vase. That evening, I got home and James told me he had to get down to Fed Ex before they closed. I rode along with him, but he wouldn't tell me what was in the box. Well, later that night before bed I found out. We had been talking for the last few weeks about getting married. In fact, we were already making plans. The only thing that was missing was an official proposal. To my surprise, James picked Valentine's Day Eve to give me a beautiful engagement ring and ask me to be his wife. The next day I stayed home and worked and James went into his office. Later that afternoon I opened the door to theUPS man. Here was another Red Envelope box with chocolate covered strawberries, champagne-filled chocolates, and a lovely little compact mirror for my purse. He really went all out that year!

 

      My beautiful engagement ring!

   On our Wedding Day!

Last year, we had another nice Valentine's Day.when James took me to The Melting Pot for the first time. Can you say Yummy!?! I received some beautiful red roses, and the food was wonderful. It was our first time and it was so great. We went back in October for our "date night" during the Weekend to Remember (marriage conference). A that time, I was already looking forward to Valentine's Day 2010.

Our Valentine's Day 2009 menu.

Mmmmmm....cheese!

Flash forward . . . here we are in 2010! This year, we decided to save our money and do our own little version of The Melting Pot at home (last night). The theme for the day was "Do you fondue like I do?" It was great!

1st course: Somerset cheese fondue with bread cubes, veggies and apples

Beautiful!

  

We had to force ourselves to stop eating it because it was so yummy!

2nd Course: Chicken, Shrimp,Beef, and assorted veggies cooked in Coq Au Vin broth.

Dipping Sauces: Green Goddess, Sesame Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, and Horseradish & Sour Cream

Finally...the Pièce de résistance...Flaming Turtle Chocolate Fondue.

I was a little freaked out by the flame!

But, it was oh so worth it. See that plate of goodies...we ate it all!

I really enjoyed having our own fondue party. It was quite a bit more work than just going to the restaurant and dipping and conversing. But, I'm now ready to have a fondue party with more guests. I highly recommend having a fondue night with your sweetie. You don't have to go all out like we did. I think cheese and chocolate are just fine. Heck...chocolate is just fine for dinner...right?!? 

Today we've celebrated Valentine's Day by watching movies at home and enjoying heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's. We also enjoyed watching "Couple's Retreat" and are currently watching "The Time Traveler's Wife." James gave me a cute little teddy bear from Hallmark (the one that says "I love you" when you talk to it). So cute! Sometimes the low key celebrations are the best.

Our heart-shaped pizza (sorry, I can't get the picture rotated)

The dogs also got something special for Valentine's Day. For Chistmas, my sister had given me a brownie mix for dogs. So, today we decided to make it. 

     

Both dogs approved before I even mixed it up. 

It looked like black tar. They didn't have to worry about me eating it.

   James cut them into heart shapes.

   I added their initials in peanut butter. A for Autumn and B for Brandie.

    They had to sit/stay before they good dig in.

    They loved them!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2010!