Do you have plans yet for Valentine's day? Can I tell you about our best Valentine's date ever?
Two years ago, instead of going out for Valentine's Day, we put the kids to bed, stayed in and cooked together.
For the first time ever we cooked a lobster! We followed this Alton Brown Recipe for Stuffed Lobster. We had no idea what we were doing, and we loved every minute of it.
True confessions: While taking the photo above I was shrieking "Ah, it's moving!" To which my charming husband replied "Of course it's moving, dear. It's Alive."
We had Caesar salad and cheesy herb biscuits and lava cakes for dessert. Oh. my. word. I'm having deliciousness flashbacks!
We didn't need a babysitter. We didn't need reservations. It didn't even really cost that much.
But It was Romantic. And a little bit silly. We talked and laughed and enjoyed working together in the kitchen.
Oh, and after dinner we watched Star Trek. Because we are that particular brand of Awesome...
Thank you for visiting The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. Do you have any simple, lovely, thrifty Valentine's ideas? Please share them in the comments below!
Your dinner looked amazing...especially the dessert! We usually go out for Valentine's Day... fancy restaurant, maybe a movie, but not always on the 14th since everything is so busy then! So, on the 14th we'll make heart shaped bbq chicken pizza at home with the kids and will put up some decorations and bake heart shaped sugar cookies.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! The dinner looks soo good! Too bad I have no one to share it with. I usually go out with some of my single friends for dinner and maybe a movie, but maybe I should do stay in this year! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOh, how this post made me laugh! Ya'll look like a fun loving couple!
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh! We watch Star Trek too - love it! I never cook lobster at home becuase I'm always shrieking "It's Alive!" and I can't handle it. And husband doesn't like lobster {what?!!?!?} so it's not worth the trouble.
ReplyDeleteI tried to make lava cakes for husbands' birthday last year. Epic Fail. I'm jealous of yours....
You make me smile.
ReplyDeleteAwww, that sounds awesome! I love the look on your husband's face in that last pic...that's a happy man!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny what makes the best memories, isn't it? This past Sunday, my husband and I spent several hours in the kitchen together doing prep for our Super Bowl party that night (mom-in-law watched the toddler - awesome!) - we never spend time in the kitchen together normally, but it was so lovely. We worked and chatted and really interacted in a way that we don't often have time for.
ReplyDeleteI guess maybe that was our early Valentine's Day, huh?
Substitute:
ReplyDelete1) Chili or braised pork for the lobster.
2) Doctor Who for the Star Trek.
Serves 2 ;)
Yum.
That's really cute!! Now I want to make Lobster!
ReplyDeleteYou are BOTH awesome!!! That is a perfect Valentines date. We've actually done almost exactly the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd to Dana...my husband's truck license plate is DRWHO. !!!
Tina
I love this! What you have described is our typical date night most weekends - but usually a much less fancy dinner! Ha! My hubby and I love to put the kids to bed, open a bottle of wine, put on some fun music and then cook dinner. We try new recipes and enjoy our time together and over the years we have become pretty good cooks! We have no family nearby and very few babysitting options, so this is our way to have dates - and we treasure them! :)
ReplyDeleteLiz
This is a great idea. I don't really like going out on Valentine's Day anyways.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote at the end..."Oh, and after dinner we watched Star Trek. Because we are that particular brand of Awesome..." This sounds exactly like my boyfriend and me. I'm a nerd and I'm proud of it!
That's pretty close to what we're doing this year, only my husband doesn't know it yet. I'll do most of the cooking, but once the kiddos are asleep, we'll be having prime rib and twice baked potatoes. I'm debating between two very decadent desserts right now. We'll light some candles, and it will be lovely. Our particular brand of awesome will probably include some NCIS or Burn Notice afterward.
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious! I love the 2 most recent posts (well, actually, all of them!). Great V-day fun and I love the "send the grammar correction hate mail to my third grade teacher" bit on the FAQ post...SO funny! I love the blogging advice, and I plan to put it to use! I'm pretty new to blogging, but if you'd ever want to check mine out, I'd be honored. http://mamaofthehouse.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWhen we first lived together, we couldn't afford a sofa so we ate on the floor, and usually by candlelight so now every valentines day or anniversary my other half cooks (I'm usually the cook) and we watch rented movies, eat her meal and drink champagne then follow it up with heart shaped pancakes (because she just loves pancakes).
ReplyDeleteWe eat out, anyway, so it doesn't seem like a treat to eat an overpriced set menu in a packed out place. Now my daughter is older, I'll also gift her heart shaped sandwiches for lunch and bake something Valentines themed with her.
am I just not seeing/finding the recipe for the lava cake?
ReplyDeleteI love that you watched Star Trek. It's good to know we're not the only nerd-couple out there.
ReplyDeleteIts the simple time that mean the most I find. We shall be staying in and enjoying a home cooked meal too. Last year we even had my youngest joining us too, she was 15 then and wanted to hear all the story about how we met and the adventures we had before she was born. It was lovely.
ReplyDeleteX x
What a sweet couple you are!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. I would have been exactly the same with the lobster. It's on my challenge list.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me cravings for lava cake. When my man and I were in Europe a few years ago, it was translated as 'runny heart' pudding on a menu and we've called it that ever since. I might just have to make runny heart for Valentine's Day.
I was hoping for a recipe for that lava cake! Looks amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteWe do the same thing, too, every year for V'day (except Filet for us)! My parents often watch our kids for other dates, but we figure it's their Valentine's Day too. We have found it really relaxing, "connecting" and yummy tradition. <3
ReplyDeleteI just ran across your blog, and I kept thinking to myself "we have a lot in common," but you totally sealed it with that second-to-last paragraph. My husband (of 23 years) and I have never cooked lobster together, but we have watched a LOT of Star Trek! And we take special care to spend time alone together even though we have 7 (out of 9) kids living at home.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't do anything for Valentine's day this year - my husband worked that night - but this is a great idea for next year!
this is a sweet reminder...thank you for sharing :) Fi
ReplyDeleteI seriously love it. My husband and I have taken to playing board games with many little pieces to them after the kids go to bed. It's great.
ReplyDeleteAhem, the last part was what I liked the most though. We often watch Star Trek too. Or Dr. Who. Either way.
Maybe we'll have to try cooking a lobster some day. :D
Super Duper idea - simple too! I love knowing young couples make time to come up with ideas like this. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI'm just roaming through your blog and I know this is a very old post but can I just say:
ReplyDeleteCutest couple ever. I hope that me and my boyfriend get to be nearly as cute when we grow up.
This has to be my favorite post that I have read thus far!! You two are so sweet. This shows that even with kids and a busy schedule, you can still be romantic.
ReplyDelete