Valentine's Day 2019

Figured I'd throw some Valentine's day pics out there like the old days.

We did what we've done pretty much every year since popping out all these kids....

....dinner at home.

The table setting wasn't as elaborate as I've done in the past.

I used a tablecloth that the little one wanted for her birthday, but was too small with all the leaves in the table.  

It still didn't fit, but oh well.

Paper doilies, cloth napkins, the flowers that I managed to eek out of the yard, some conversation hearts and their little boxes of chocolates.

Just enough to make it more special than a random weekday.

The napkin rings were a gift from my aunt.

 

Hellebores, snowdrops (Galanthus), and wallflower (Erysimum) were put at each place.

By the way, my purple and orange wallflowers have been blooming nonstop since last summer.

Definitely a winner in the garden, especially this time of year.

My mom mailed this to the kids.

Isn't it cute?!

Under the money it said, Grammy loves you.

The Dad brought home these goodies.

It's like he knows me or something.

The Kid and The Girl both had basketball practice, so I didn't do much in the way of appetizers.

By the time everyone was home together, we were all starving and ready for the main event.

Just a little picky plate to munch on while The Dad grilled.

I prepped all the dinner stuff during the day, so everything would be ready to go once the crew was all here.

Brownies were baked first and I made a blackberry sauce to serve with them.

A London broil marinated overnight in my favorite easy marinade.

I got browned butter done ahead of time, then just put it back in the pan to remelt and fry sage leaves in, before throwing in some cooked gnocchi.

Breadsticks were doctored up and ready for the oven.

Halved tomatoes were slathered in pesto, sprinkled with seasoned breadcrumbs, then covered in shredded mozzarella.

Caesar salad was assembled ahead of time and tossed with the dressing right before sitting down.

Annnnd, everything cooked and ready to eat.

No fancy plating...everyone's bellies were rumblin'...just family-style dinner.

Haven't said this in a long time.....

Here's dinner on my plate:

And there's another Valentine's day family dinner for the books.

Until next time....