Valentine Reflections and What is Next?

My little Valentine's.

The boys little gifts. We keep it simple for this holiday.

Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate drizzle. Our mailman was pleased...;-)

Romantic Dinner for Two by the fire post kids-in-bed. Menu: Lobster Ravioli with Garlic Butter-Cream Marjoram Sauce, Anti-Pasta olives, artichoke hearts, white wine salami, three Spanish cheeses, and heart shaped Foccacia bread, Sparkling non-alcoholic Chardonnay with Molten Lava Cakes and Raspberry Gelato for dessert.

Applesauce heart shaped pancakes with hearty organic bacon.

Aidan's staple as of late, peanut butter sandi with a heart cut out and chocolate chip filling.

Come February 14th, nearly everything I come across gets dipped in or drizzled with chocolate.

Brett's treats: Chocolate drizzled coconut slices and chili covered mango, with Cin-Mints. Hot sweets for the hot guy.

Why not glitter a single rose for the sweetest little lady bus driver? She teared up when Liam gave it to her so I would say it was more than worth it!

Brett's Gifts: His Hot Sweet Basket, and a chalk board decal for our bedroom wall. My gift is to write a love poem or love note every day for a year. Writing is the best form of expression for me so that is what I went with.

My little Jr. Sous Chef and baker I.T.

A gentleman in the making.

Aidan's First Grade Class Party was adorable!

My little men doing one of their favorite things: Decorating cookies.

Another sideways picture I can't seem to fix! Aidan wanted Pesto Pizza for dinner so it was also forced into a heart shape.

Miss Enya having her first taste of frosting! I colored it with beet juice and it turned out to be a very pretty shade of pink.

I needed an easy, quick dinner for Brett and I so I cheated and picked up some Trader Joe's Lobster Ravioli. All I can say is YUM. Plus, just look at how gorgeous this is! They are like little Valentine pillows of lobster delight!

To dress it up a bit, I made a Garlic Butter Cream Sauce with Marjoram. 

Aaaaand then there was dessert. We have had these little Molten Lava Cakes every Valentines Day for three years now. Why? Because they are SO good that we can't seem to move on from them. This is a very easy Martha Stewart recipe and I paired it with Raspberry Gelato. I am still swooning over how insanely good it was. Here is the link for the recipe. Her site has several other variations on them, most of which I have made, and every one of them is outstanding. Only try it if you are willing to dwell upon its delight for ages and ages after your first bite.: http://www.marthastewart.com/316965/molten-mocha-cakes

 So...What is next up for us here on A Time to Keep? Well, for President's Day on Monday the boys and I will be baking a Washington Pie (it is actually a cake) for tea time. I will post the recipe prior to Monday in case you want to try it, too. Also, expect more winter recipes, thought-provoking posts on awareness, health, and environment, and of course, you are in the company of two VERY PROUD IRISH women who embrace the blood of Erin that runs in our veins -therefore you are in for a St.Patrick's Day overload! See you soon!