Valentines Day is the simplest and maybe lovliest holiday in my home. We make decorations, set a beautiful table, and have a lovely family dinner in front of a roaring fire.
Every year my daughter (and now one year old is helping) cuts pink, white or red hearts with her fancy sissors and decorates them to hang on our "holiday" tree. The holiday tree consists of curly willow coming out of a large black urn and base in my entry. It's a show stopper against the white wall but my favorite part is that my children get to be creative and "show off" their crafts. The best is every morning I walk down the stairs and smile. This year the biggest grin is over a small turtle drawn in the tip of a heart, "just because it belongs there" says little Emma.
We make the evening special by setting the coffee table in the main living room for dinner. Last year the theme was morrocan. We decorated with lanterns and used a lovely jewel toned patchwork throw as the tablecloth. This year we are going for a lovely white and pink theme. We will drape the coffee table with a lovely white on white damask table cloth, silver chargers, white dishes, old teacups with saucers, and the best idea I found on www.marthastewart.com ... cut out paper hearts in pale pinks to decorate the table. We will have to find lovely pink flowers to use as a center piece. Light the tea lights and we should be set. I will try to post a video of us setting up for good humor. Emma often will add paper scraps...and yes I let her! ha ha ha.
This year's menu is still unplanned as I need to create something that I can quickly finish as I work all day. I am going to have to hit www.epicurious.com to find a fabulous easy do ahead menu. They already have the planner up for Valentine's Day. Last year I made John Bishop's lamb stew with dumplings, and a beautiful flourless chocolate cake with coffee granita and raspberry coulis. It was easy and lovely.
So we will sit down for a late evening in front of our fire and celebrate Valentine's Day. We will be cozy and enjoy each other ,not dressed up, not out to dinner... just as we are.
