V-Day

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!