The Problem With Valentine's Day

Thursday, February 23, 2012


I believe that I had a epiphany today: Valentine's Day isn't perfect. In fact, it is seriously biting me in the buttox right now.

You see, the problem with Valentine's Day is ironically what makes it so great.

The candy. Creamy chocolate and sugary hearts all day long of the only guaranteed guilt-free day. It's bliss, isn't it?



...Until the day after. And the day after that. And if you're in my shoes, a week an a half later. Because it isn't really possible to eat it all in one day, especially when you take Valentine's Day as seriously as we do.

V-day needs stop around here already. Because my huffing and puffing, softening body is no longer amused.

V-Day

Wednesday, February 15, 2012



I love Valentines Day. Always have. Single or not, it is the perfect excuse to celebrate, eat chocolate, wear all the pink and red you want, and red lipstick isn't even a question. I'm not sure it gets better than that.

But as much as I love it, I do have mixed memories about this day. Like when I was 16, Abby and I spent hours upon hours making sugar cookies for my boyfriend because the first batch we mistook powdered sugar for flour. Don't do that. Then he took me to Subway (yes, the sandwich place) for our hot date where we shared a slimy sandwich with pickles. Or Jetblue's painful Valentine's Day massacre. Or freshman year at college we did a big group date to Olive Garden and mini golfing. My date tried to hold my hand, and that was awkward. Or last year when we babysat for my aunt's 6 kids all week, and I spent the majority of it dancing with my sassy 2 year old cousin- and loving every minute of it.

Well, this year wasn't anything spectacular. We both had classes, I had a crazy test, and then worked till 10. I don't think I saw Alex anytime between 9am-10pm.

But somehow, it was probably my favorite Valentines yet.

First off, I had an awesome outfit. Well I thought so.Yes, this is a self portrait...try not to poke fun.




In the morning I snuck out of bed to make chocolate chip red velvet pancakes, with a cream cheese glaze. (Recipe below.) With whipped cream, of course. Wow- don't even get me started! I full-heartedly recommend them, even if the amount of food coloring kinda weirded me out. AND I somehow managed to get it all done before I woke him up! (That never happens.)

By the time I got home to change for work, Alex had already left for another class. But waiting for me was a sweet surprise- little notes all over the place. Inside the microwave, in my closet, on the TV, and places that I'm still finding. I'm coming to find this guy to be quite the romantic, and I'm loving it!


Oh, and a trail of reese's peanut butter cups to the bed where a bag of Cadbury eggs lie. This guy knows me.


When I finished at 10, we dined over leftover lobster bisque while cuddling up to an episode of Chopped. We love our Food Network.

Can't wait for next year!


Red Velvet Pancakes with chocolate chips


2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons red food coloring
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips


-Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl
-In separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, sour cream, food coloring, vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold in chocolate chips.

Cream Cheese Glaze
  • 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk, if needed 
Simply blend together until even. And enjoy!

Mini Road trip

Saturday, February 11, 2012



The past two weekends Alex and I have taken "road trips" to Price for his NORC job. Yes, it is only an 1.5 hours away, but the fact that I never take road trips (what can I say, I prefer flying) and it felt like we were headed for the middle of nowhere... it qualifies.






The scenery en route was my favorite part. Stunning. Sorry, fleabag motel and the local joint with a hair in my food didn't make the cut. Not exactly exotic, but it is still fun to get out of Provo- even if it's only a couple days. Plus, how can you not be happy when blasting Billy Joel the whole way?










Another favorite: Alex's bug-eye oakleys that have definitely seen better, more trendy days.






It seems like a road trip wouldn't be legitimate without some trail mix. Or at least that's what they say...






As much as I long to get back to the east coast, days like this make it so worth it.
 
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