XOXO

Valentine's is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays. It's not because Jared and I do elaborate things for each other. In fact, we usually do quite simple things like a favorite treat, DVD, or a favorite flower (that would be Gerber Daisies by the way). Just little things that we know the other one will like. Valentine's at our house is a family event. What can I say there is just so much love to go around.
The festivities always begin with the girls making their Valentine cards to friends and family. It was a little difficult for Amelia to not eat the treats that she had picked out to give away. While she was writing her name on her cards she asked every 5 minutes if she could have one of the suckers. It's tough being three.
While the girls were sleeping decorated the dining area with hanging hearts. The girls were so excited when they woke up. Then Hannah was off to school where they had a party.
For dinner we have a "romantic" family meal. "Romantic" meaning we have candles, sparkling cider in champagne glasses, and a tablecloth. The girl's love it. The table is decorated and sitting at each place setting is their present. For our meal I try to make everything red. This year we had grilled salmon, herb new potatoes, red jello with whipped cream and strawberries, a green salad (I realize this isn't red but we still have to be healthy; the red tomato will have to count), rolls, and sugar cookies for dessert.

Here are the recipes:

Grilled Salmon

1 lb. salmon fillet

McCormick salmon seasoning

1 T olive oil

lemon juice

Create a tray with tin foil that has the sides folded up. Spray with non-stick spray then place salmon skin down. Spread with olive oil, sprinkle with seasoning, then drip lemon juice over top to taste. Cook on a grill on medium heat. Do not turn salmon. It takes about 10 minutes.

Herb New Potatoes

3/4 pound small red potatoes (approx. 20 potatoes)

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup water

2 T butter, melted

1 T sour cream

1 tsp dill

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 dash lemon juice

Pill a strip down the middle of each potato. Place in pot with chicken stock and water (potatoes should not be covered all the). Bring to boil, cover with lid then reduce heat to medium. Let cook for twenty minutes or until tender. In a large bowl mix remaining ingredients together. Add potatoes and toss until well coated.

Sweet Dinner Rolls

1 cube butter

1/2 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 envelope yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 egg, beaten

3 3/4 cup flour

In a sauce pan combine milk, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, and salt. Heat until butter is melted. In a mixing bowl combine water and yeast let sit until foamy (approx. 10 minutes). Combine yeast mixture, egg, and milk mixture. Knead in flour one cup at a time. Place in bowl, cover and let rise until double in size. Roll out dough in a circle about the size of a large pizza. Melt remaining cube of butter and spread over rolled out dough. Cut into 16 slices. Roll up into crescent shape. Place on baking sheet let rise 1 hour. Bake at 400 for 12 minutes.

Soft Sugar Cookies

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

Beat together then add

1 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

Beat together then add remaining ingredients

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

4 tsp baking powder

7-8 cups flour

Mix together (dough will be quite soft). Roll out on floured surface place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Frosting

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 T butter, softened

4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add two cups powdered sugar until well combined. Add vanilla. Alternate remaining powdered sugar and milk until smooth.

Enjoy! These girls sure did

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day. We send our love to all our friends and family.

P.S. Sadly, we had to make our dentist appointments on Valentines Day. If anyone remembers my last post about the dentist you will know that it ended with me and Hannah leaving in tears. This time was a total turn around. Both her and Amelia did awesome!! Way to go girls. They even said that they love going to the dentist. YEAH!!