V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

The kiddos were thrilled for the big day,

but after having made over 100 valentines the night prior,

we were ready to celebrate low-key at home!

I don't go super-crazy with the decor,

just some fancies hanging here and there,

but I do love to rock the food!

Here we go...

Breakfast*:

Heart-shaped Toast with

Fresh Strawberry Jam & Butter

+

Assorted Chocolates

*You can see this was a very complex

-not to mention highly nutritious-

breakfast!

Gotta love the love!

For dinner,

everyone's favorite:

From Scratch Pizza!

It's the best!

 

Well, not everyone thinks so.

Sorry, Gabriel!

Eat some more chocolate!

The kiddos love helping with dessert,

and at this point in their lives,

they are truly experts at dipping strawberries!

We can't get enough of them!

The big finale?

I shocked them all!

A Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

smothered in

Strawberry Ice Cream,

Whipped Cream,

and

Fresh Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!

Did you hear the screaming?

...

And last,

but certainly not least...

Happy V-Day

to the love of my life!

Samuel,

what else can I say?

Let's eat!

XoxoxXoxoO

Me

Where There Are Scotchmallows...There Is Love!

Love is in the air!

There are...

  

...valentines to be made...

  

 ...and decadent cookies to bake!

  

 There are faces to smear with pink nail polish...wait...

What?!?

  

 There are pounds and pounds of candy being consumed...

perhaps none more delicious than fifteen-yes, count them, 

fifteen beautiful, beautiful Scotchmallows!

  

I just may cry! 

 Yes, you know you hit a home run...

  

 We dined casually at Plutos and all I have to say is, 

"Where have you been all my life?"

This salad was HUGE and every bite was scrumptious!

Heart garlands are hung, courtesy of...Samuel!

  

The table is set... 

  

...and there are smiles... 

  

...all...

  

...around!

  

 Three-cheese pizzas are baked...

in the shape of-what else?

Hearts!

  And yet, sadly...

  

All good things must come to an end!

Boo!
 

Family Camp: Day Three, Attack Cupid, Happy Trails, & Birthday Wishes

Thursday dawned bright and clear with a hint of...fire smoke? No.
Pine trees? No.

Aw, yes. I know that smell well.

It's love!

Love is definitely in the air which means its...

VALENTINES DAY!

(Whoa, there Luke! Don't get too sweet on your cousin there!)

I was in charge of this particular holiday and because I LOVE sweets the kids decorated sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles including pink sugar crystals, red-hots, and conversation heart candy.

Iris hard at work.

Isabella with her delicious creation-but oh! What's that there in the woods? It looks like we have a visitor!

Cupid (a.k.a Samuel)!
That mischievous love bug has invaded our camp intent on pricking us with his love arrows!

I told the kids that while we love that he pricked their parents with arrows many years ago, it was time to turn the tables on our match-making friend. Each child, armed with a cupful of ice-cold creek water, made their assault to keep him at bay. I thought Cupid would be a bit more nimble, but within seconds his garlands sagged under the weight of the water!

Alas, he wasn't defeated though. He managed to capture me and planted a soggy kiss! I owed him though, seeing as he's always willing to be part of my crazy schemes!

Thank you honey!

You really are a sweetheart!

Later in the afternoon we took the kids on a mini-hike.

We made quite a sight tromping into the woods.

Two of my manly mountain men.

Sweet Iris

Owen, my heart.
(And how appropriate for Valentines Day!)

Isabella & Abby

Gazing in the stream, or in Uncle Ron's case, up at the sky!

Uncle Houston blowing a beautiful dandelion parachute ball.

Ava's birthday fell on this, the third day of camp, and we celebrated with chocolate cupcakes.

Later, with tears in her eyes, she told me she wished that we could stay at camp forever!
She has such a tender heart.

Ava with the birthday crown that Isabella made for her. I'm so glad these sweet girls are good friends too.

Happy Birthday Ava-dear!

Happy V-Day Owen...I mean, Ava?

We have two girly-girls in our family: Isabella & Iris.
Period.

Ava is definitely in a class by herself-no frou-frou stuff for her. Her family knows this, especially her grandparents, so when Grandma Clista gave the kiddies their Valentine cards, Ava was speechless to discover that while Isabella & Iris received Disney Princess cards, and Owen received a Spider-man card, she recieved...Strawberry Shortcake?!? On the way home she kept repeating in a soft and dazed voice:

"I can't believe it. I just can't believe it."

That was the end of it-or so we thought. Later that evening, after finishing her homework, she announced to Samuel that now it was time to do her other homework. She then proceeded to furiously erase Owen's name from his Valentine only to replace it with her own. She was so proud that this gross error was now rectified!

All I can say is:
Thank goodness Owen's too young to care.

Valentine's Traditions: Part V

Crab Feast!

There is nothing I love more than crab legs! And several years ago, when we obtained our Sam's Club membership, we learned that they sell 2 lbs. of frozen King Crab legs for under $15.00. That's a steal! We began by boiling the legs, but now prefer to bake them, and in 6-8 minutes you can have a feast!

Since we eat later than we normally would due to waiting until the kiddies are in bed, we keep the meal really simple:

Main Course

Steaming Crab Legs
Bubbling Butter & Fresh Lemon Wedges
Crisp Caesar Salad
Warmed Sourdough Boules

Dessert

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

The whole meal is exquisite and comes together for under $25.00!
You can't beat it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Traditions: Part IV

Early Kiddie Dinner & Super-fun Dessert!

I think we've actually gone out to eat on Valentine's Day as a couple only once. It was at Black Angus, and all I remember is that it was PACKED! Since then, we've opted to stay in for the evening.

We start by making dessert:

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.
They are so easy-just melted chocolate chips and a smidge of shortening!-and the kids love dipping and decorating them with assorted sprinkles.

By the time we finish with a fun and easy kid dinner (usually hot dogs, corn dogs, or chicken nuggets), the chocolate has set and everyone is ready for dessert!

We find that placing them on wax paper works best, and to set them more quickly you can place them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

These also make super-impressive gifts too!
Happy Dipping!

Valentine's Traditions: Part III

Family Breakfast

I hate breakfast! It is seriously my least favorite meal of the day, but I will admit that if you throw in strawberries and whipped cream I'll probably like it!

Hence, to Sam's delight, breakfast has weaseled it's way into our family traditions in the form of egg bakes, chocolate croissants, crepes, orange juice, fried ham, and yes, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream!

Usually we serve a cinnamon-peach topping with all of our waffles (it's so good!), but for Valentines Day, how can you not spring for strawberries? I start off with 2 pounds of frozen berries that I drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sugar. Toss to coat and then let the fruit macerate while you turn your attention to the waffles.

Note: This topping can be served cold or warm, though we prefer it warm for the toasty waffles! Don't forget the whipped cream and always, always sprinkle with powdered sugar. It's a rule!

Our waffle recipe comes from one of the best cookbooks ever: The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. And what I love best about this recipe is the folded in egg whites. The resulting batter is almost like a foam, and the waffles turn out so beautifully.

Buttermilk Waffles
6-8 waffles

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons fine-ground cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• Pinch of Cream of Tartar

1. Heat the waffle iron.
2. In a large bowl whisk flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, butter, and buttermilk.
4. In an mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (approximately 2 minutes).
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in buttermilk mixture. Whisk gently until just incorporated (batter will be lumpy).
6. Fold the whipped egg whites gently into batter.
7. Ladle mixture onto waffle iron.
8. Top with syrup or fruit topping.
   

Buttermilk Substitute: For the buttermilk I always substitute 2% milk and 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice. I just don't use buttermilk enough to justify buying a carton from the store for a single recipe.

Waffle Warmer: Because our waffle maker turns out one waffle at a time, the cookbook has a brilliant solutions for holding your waffles until all are cooked. Heat your oven to 200 degrees, and place several baking sheets with wire racks in the oven. As the waffles are done, place them on the racks and cover them with a cotton towel. When the final waffle is in the iron, remove the towel to let the waffles crisp for a few minutes. This works great every time. No more soggy or lukewarm waffles!