Valentine's Day

What a wonderful second Valentine we had with our little lady.  Even though she's a complete handful, she's the sweetest girl.  I can't believe last year she was just over 7 months old.  Just a tiny peanut! 

Little girl woke up to her Valentine happies.  A book, reusable stickers and a teddy bear.

She loves The Little People books.  They really are cute!

After B woke up we went for a late breakfast which turned into lunch at Crepes and More.  The line and waiting for your food was ridiculous.  I think we were there for 2 hours.  When we were standing in line, the French owner talked to us saying we could cut the line if we wanted.  We go there often, ha.  We didn't, but was nice that he offered.   B and I both got the ham, egg and cheese croissant.  So buttery and flaky.  Definitely worth the wait.  Vivian got the egg and cheese croissant which she ended up eating half of it.  She thought it was yummy!  Before we left, the owner came to us saying he had a Valentine's gift for us.  He gave us a chocolate croissant to go.  So very nice of him!

After our late breakfast/lunch we headed home in which Vivian fell asleep in the car.  We napped on the couch.

  

B made reservations at the Osteria Cicchetti  for dinner.   Vivian looked so cute in her little Valentine's dress!

I ordered the tortellini michalangelo with a spinach salad, B had the chicken parmesan and Vivian ate bread.   

We skipped dessert.  If I hadn't gobbled up the chocolate croissant an hour before leaving dinner, I probably would have ordered something.

We got home and started Vivian's bath.  B went to a basketball game and I crawled into bed after Vivian went to bed and watched tv.  My kind of Valentine's day!!    

Next Valentine's we'll be sharing it with two little ladies!  Still can't believe that one :)

Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I would make Vivian and I a special treat.  I've had a major sweet tooth lately...maybe because I have my glucose test coming up on the 25th and my high risk Dr says I'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes again...so I'm getting in all the sweets I can.  Not great for the growing waistline, but I want to enjoy yummy treats while I can.

I did make B some Valentine cookies so he wouldn't feel left out.  I did an easy recipe of 1 cup butter, room temp, 1 cup sugar, 1-1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, 1 tsp water, 3 cup self rising flour.    

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla

Add egg and water

Add flour and blend

Divide dough in half and wrap in saran wrap.  Chill in the refrigerator for an hour.

Roll dough on a lightly floured surface and cut them using your cookie cutter.  I used a heart shape since I wanted Valentine cookies.

Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes, take them out just before the edges are brown.  I like to like my cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.   

Use your favorite icing or make your own. 

Now, back to the hand pies.  These were so good and so incredibly easy to make.

The recipe makes 4 hand pies, but you can make 8 if you use 2 frozen puff pastry sheets.

Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies

Ingredients 

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (I used Pepperidge Farms)
4 - 8 Tbs of strawberry preserves.  The original recipe called for cherry jam if you prefer cherry over strawberry. 
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup powered sugar
1-2 tsp water

Directions

Thaw your pastry sheet either overnight in the fridge or at room.
temperature for 40 minutes.

Preheat oven at 425

Lay your thawed pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll out your pastry sheet to at least 12 inches long.  If there are any cracks in your pastry, add a little water to smooth it out.

Cut out 8 hearts.

Place 4 hearts on a rimmmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. My heart cookie cutter was small so I was able to cut out an extra one.

Add a tablespoon of your preserve or jam to your heart cut out.

After filling your heart, go all around the edges brushing your lightly beaten egg.

Top with your remaining heart cutouts.  Seal your hearts by pressing a fork all around the edges.

Pop in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.

You may have some hungry beavers trying to wait patiently :)

While your pies are baking, mix your powdered sugar and water.  Mix until smooth.  Drizzle on top of warm pies.

You can double the recipe by using both pastry sheets if you want.  This also makes for a nice after school treat for your kiddos or indulge them for yourself.

My Little Valentine

What a great Valentine we had.  Mainly because we had our little Valentine, Vivian!  Odd to think this time last year I was pregnant with her.  Brian got her the onesie she's wearing as a Valentine gift last year.  I'm surprise, kinda, she can still wear it since its 3-6 month size and this little stinker will be 8 months next Saturday.

Isn't she just the cutest!!  We exchanged our cards and gifts before heading to our early 3:30 dinner at the Little Dipper. Daddy Vivian, eh hem, forgot to get Mommy a card.  I told her she better remember next year!  

 Brian opened his card and gift from Vivian first.

Vivian says, "I recognize those little tootsies!"  Side note:  I wasn't planning on painting on so many hearts, but Vivian was getting frustrated with me and kicked her heel on the bottom.  We had to do a little cover up :)  Mommy got Daddy a picture of us to haven in his office.

Next we let Vivian open her cards.  I didn't get her a gift.  I know, mean Mommy.  She will get something next year for sure!

Card from Daddy

Card from Mommy

Brian got me a sweet card and a charm for my Pandora bracelet.  I told Vivian when she's older I will give her my bracelet since it was all about her.

Afterwards we headed downtown.  I really didn't eat much before going because I knew I was going to eat myself sick.  Of course, I did.  I can't remember the last time I ate at the Little Dipper.  Gotta take full advantage!  

We started with Baja Cheddar Fondue.  So good!

As the main course we had their 'Instant Karma,' a combination of filet mignon, chicken and shrimp.  Delicious!  We used chicken broth to cook the food to make it healthier.

  

Then on to my favorite.  Chocolate!  We of course we had the Supreme Dipper.  You have to have the cookies, marshmallows, rice krispie treats in the mix. You can't just did fruit.  That's just boring.  We dipped our goodies in Turtle...caramel and dark chocolate topped with nuts.  Dark chocolate and nuts are healthy, right?

I can't believe we ate most of this.  I don't care for the cream puffs, so that wasn't touched.  I did eat ALL the marshmallows, oreo cookies, pretzels, a chocolate chip cookie cake and half the heart shaped sugar cookie.  We had to waddle out of the restaurant.  

The best part of this Valentine was spending it with my two favorites!

 

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day.  This marks in my book the BEST yet!  XOXO!!!!