February 16, 2012

Valentine's Day Fun

Valentine's Day, this year, was a blast!!   In the past we didn't really celebrate V-Day as it always seemed like such a Hallm@rk holiday. Things change ~ it was so much fun celebrating with Nugget. He enjoyed all of the decorating and activities.

I have seen all over the blog-o-sphere how much kidlets are enjoying gel window clings.  So the last time I was at Target I picked some up.  Nugget loves decorating the back door with the hearts.  The hearts have been rearranged several times since we took these pictures.  :o)








Nugget and I also made some cookies to share.
Nugget's first decorated cookie!

 
We shared lots of cookies with friends & family.


The sugar cookies are from a recipe that is showing up all over the baking blogs I follow.  You know those soft, sugar cookies that you can buy at Walmart or Kroger with the colored icing that always match the current season.  This recipe is supposed to be like those cookies ~ well ~ they are!  They are so good.

The recipe that I used for the sugar cookies can be found HERE  The only thing I did differently was use a heart shape cookie cutter.

I thought Nugget would really enjoy frosting cookies.  He frosted one.  He did enjoy putting sprinkles on the cookies ~ a few of them anyway.  Then he was off to play with his cars.

The second cookie we made was Heart Blossoms.  I usually make these cookies at Christmas time, but I didn't this year.  When I saw on Pinterest someone put a heart candy chocolate in the center I had to make them.  They were so cute. 

The recipe I used for the heart blossoms  was an old recipe that I got from my aunt about a hundred years ago.  I can't remember a Christmas that we didn't have them on the cookie tray, until this year.  I must admit, though, that I enjoyed making them for Valentine's Day.  This may be the beginning of a new tradition.

Here's the recipe if you would like to make them for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or just because.

Heart Blossom Cookies

1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tblspn. milk

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sugar
Dove Chocolate hearts or Hershey Kisses

~ Preheat the oven to 350*

~ Beat together the Crisco and the peanut butter until smooth.  Add the sugar and beat until fluffy.  Add the egg, vanilla, and milk.

~ In a separate bowl mix the flour with the baking soda and the salt.  Add to cream mixture.

~ Roll dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll each ball in granulated sugar.  Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

~ Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes.  Remove from the oven and place a chocolate in the center of each cookie, pressing down until the cookie cracks slightly around the edges.  Place the cookies back in the oven for 2 minutes.

It's best to make these cookies the day before you want to share them  The chocolate needs to reharden before you can store them.  It is worth the extra time, promise.


Enjoy!

On Valentine's Day Bear and I decided to stay in and make a nice dinner for the three of us.  I am so glad we did.  After some rushing around in the beginning it turned out to be one of the best evenings 'in' we have had in a while. 

We made a nice dinner of baked salmon, roasted broccoli, rice, and a loaf of crusty bread.  Then for dessert I made a brownie pudding with vanilla ice cream.  It was the PERFECT evening.
The recipe I used for the pudding can be found HERE

After dinner we shared a few gifts.  It was a lovely night.  I can't wait to do it again next year.

Doesn't it look like Nugget is giving the 'hang ten' wave?  :o)



I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day!



4 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a wonderful V-Day! Nugget is as cute as a button. He is at a fun age. I miss Bri being that little!

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  2. Looks like a perfect Valentine's Day and your dessert looks wonderful. We have gels and clings for all the holidays and Maisie loves decorating our back doors with them too.

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  3. Valentine's Day sure is a lot more fun! What better excuse than another day to tell our kiddos how much we love them!!

    Looks like Nugget is having such fun with the window clings. I'll need to find some of those for Hannah to enjoy!

    Mmmm...delicious baking! You're such a great baker!!

    Love you friend!

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  4. I love his little voice. So sweet. He's really growing. Glad you enjoyed your Valentine's Day.

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