Happy Valentines Day!
It’s a special date for Ryan and I. We were married on Valentine’s Day. Not because we are super lovey-dovey, romantic people (in fact just the opposite!) but because the date was available at the wedding venue we wanted. And, who doesn’t want a free steak dinner, red roses, live music & dancing, and chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Here we are on our wedding day…we look so young!
When we chose our wedding date, however, we didn’t think about what that might mean for future anniversary celebrations. Who wants to go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day to celebrate their wedding anniversary? Over-priced prix fixe menus, tables crammed too close together, making reservations weeks if not months in advance, and (what we realized much later!) the inability to get a babysitter…FUN!
So instead, Ryan and I adopted an anniversary-Valentine’s Day tradition – we make dinner for each other every other year. Whether it’s a favorite dish (penne alla vodka or molten chocolate brownies) or Valentine-themed heart-shaped roasted beets on salad or heart-shaped mozzarella caprese), we go all out to make each other feel special. And, 2020 is my year to cook again! Here is what I am making for this year’s Mexican-themed menu:
- Ryan loves Ruby Grapefruit White Claw so I’m making margaritas using this recipe – swapping out the flavored soda for White Claw;
- Starting with chips, guacamole, salsa, Trader Joe’s Southwestern Chopped Salad and this soup;
- Chilaquiles are one of Ryan’s favorite so I’m making this recipe; and
- For dessert, one of Ryan’s favorite flavor combos is chocolate and raspberry, so I ordered this cake for delivery – can you go wrong with Milk Bar?
Here are some other ideas I have for purchased for Ryan for Valentines and anniversaries past: bacon roses (kids liked these too!), chocolate whiskey (and fully utilized the Chocolate Old Fashioned Recipe), and beefy jerky roses.
