We started our Valentines' Dinner (on Thursday, because that was the day that worked for us) dressed in pink and red . . .
. . . and really red.
I hauled out my printer paper box of supplies,
There were hearts everywhere: the tablecloth (that lived a previous life as a fitted bed sheet), hot mats (sewed together from of an old polo shirt and towels), and even the applesauce bowls.
I seem to have given away my heart-shaped cookie cutters over the years, so our red-and-white reuben sandwiches weren't heart shaped. But they were indeed red and white!
And this year, we added a recipe my sister gave me for spinach-artichoke dip (because artichoke hearts, right)?
Following upon the heels of our Black History Month dinner, this makes two Special Dinners in one month. I love how much my family looks forward to these, and what a great way it is to gather together again.
It's one of the great (frugal) things about tradition. Aside from maybe the artichoke hearts, nothing on this menu was particularly pricey. I got the strawberries in bulk last summer and the rhubarb in my CSA box, and I set them aside (actually, canned them) to use for this dinner. Red bread is just flour, water, yeast, salt, and a bit of red food dye. Corned beef and swiss cheese are a bit of a splurge, but they're certainly not filet mignon or lobster.
But in spite of the frugal input, the fact that this was the beloved Valentines' Dinner made the whole evening super special. K-daughter snapped photos, saying "I keep telling everyone that my family is the best family, and they're all so jealous". I-daughter agreed. The boys asked for seconds, and thirds, and . . . and it was a great evening.
 |
| Baby A has got some serious balancing skills. |
. . . and really red.
 |
| J-son is getting ready for his big match this weekend. |
and this allowed us to decorated super quickly, yet very festively.
There were hearts everywhere: the tablecloth (that lived a previous life as a fitted bed sheet), hot mats (sewed together from of an old polo shirt and towels), and even the applesauce bowls.
And this year, we added a recipe my sister gave me for spinach-artichoke dip (because artichoke hearts, right)?
Also a new keeper for the meal is strawberry-rhubarb pie. Definitely better than red jello.
Following upon the heels of our Black History Month dinner, this makes two Special Dinners in one month. I love how much my family looks forward to these, and what a great way it is to gather together again.
It's one of the great (frugal) things about tradition. Aside from maybe the artichoke hearts, nothing on this menu was particularly pricey. I got the strawberries in bulk last summer and the rhubarb in my CSA box, and I set them aside (actually, canned them) to use for this dinner. Red bread is just flour, water, yeast, salt, and a bit of red food dye. Corned beef and swiss cheese are a bit of a splurge, but they're certainly not filet mignon or lobster.
But in spite of the frugal input, the fact that this was the beloved Valentines' Dinner made the whole evening super special. K-daughter snapped photos, saying "I keep telling everyone that my family is the best family, and they're all so jealous". I-daughter agreed. The boys asked for seconds, and thirds, and . . . and it was a great evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment