February was a short month that was jam packed. I had lots of orders for valentine's Day, including a rather elaborate box that was intended for a young man to ask out a young lady for a Valentine's Day dinner.
It was a treasure box. I embellished a beautiful box with pearls and sequins and lace and a picture of the young couple and I lined it with silk tulle. Then inside was a series of heart shaped cookies with a word written on each that said "Will" "you" "be" "my" "Valentine's" "date" "?" followed by a large cookie that had the details of the date (time, place, etc.) on it along with a cookie with a crag down the middle that said "Don't break me". And then in the box was tucked some little heart cookies that looked like the little conversation heart candies you used to get in grade school, some heart shaped marshmallows and some custom double heart lollipops, one with the couple's names on it and the other with their picture on it. All in all it was an incredible box. So incredible that I believe it could have been used to propose marriage, or at least be used as one of the 'date boxes' on a reality show like "The Bachelor".
Oh, did I mention that that the young man asking for the date was SIX? Yes, six years old. His mother (think "Real Housewives of New Jersey") ordered the box to send to the little girl (at seven, she was an 'older woman'.) She wanted something that would completely knock the socks off this kid. Poor little girl, no other man in her life will ever ask her out without her thinking "Where's my elaborate box, you schmuck?" It's an awfully high standard to hit at such a young age.
Alas, appropriate homage was not paid for the efforts on this endeavor and the date never actually got to happen. Too bad, photos of the restaurant looked nicer than almost any restaurant I've ever been to (they reserved the table by the fireplace with the mothers perched at a slightly less nice table nearby.) But the course of true love never did run smooth, especially in kindergarten.
Here are some pictures of the Valentine's creations I did this year.
For those of you in love, Happy Valentine's Day. For those of us that are solo, candy will be half price on Sunday, hang in there.
Each year I eschew Valentine's Day as a made up holiday for the benefit of greeting card companies and candy manufacturers. And I don't think that's actually too far off. Why do we need one day to tell the people we love that we love them? Shouldn't we be doing that like, um, every day?
My dislike of Valentine's Day goes all the way back to elementary school, where some moron decreed that Valentines should be given to classmates and then counted to see who received the most, thereby starting the popularity contest race in kindergarten. It also began my consoling myself with large amounts of Reeses's and M&M's.
My family wasn't sentimental about Valentine's either. My father brought home gifts to commemorate the day ONCE in my whole life. Now I have no doubt that he loved us. He was a brilliant man who worked twelve hour shifts in a steel mill so that he could provide for his family and allow his wife to stay home with her children. But he wasn't exactly Mr. Romance. So when he arrived home with gifts that one February 14th, it stuck out in our minds, because it was unusual. In fact, I didn't know my father knew how to go into a store by himself before that day. (My mother was so surprised by the gesture that she got us all gifts for Easter that year. I'll always remember that year.)
Now I do participate in Valentine's Day, because I love my family and I try to show them as often as I can, and because in my cynical little heart I actually like doing that sort of thing. But I expect (and usually receive) nothing in return. Then I'm not disappointed. But I do love romance so here are some things I'll share with you, to help honor the day.
Watch the "30 Rock" Valentine's episode that aired last night (available on demand online). One of the funniest shows ever and an excellent lesson in why not to eat cheese stew on a first date. Hilarious.
Best Romantic Movies to Snuggle with:
"Pride and Prejudice" - Either version. The Keira Knightly one is so beautifully shot, it's marvelous. But the BBC one with Colin Firth has, well, Colin Firth - Best. Darcy. Ever.
For that matter, anything by or about Jane Austen. That woman had a way with the romance. "Sense and Sensibility", "Persuasion", "Emma", all delicious. Or adaptations like "Bride and Prejudice" (the Bollywood version), "Bridget Jones' Diary" and "Clueless" (based on "Emma", did you know that?). Or try "Becoming Jane" for Austen's own romantic trials. And don't forget "The Jane Austen Book Club"!
"Love Actually" - Great Christmas film, great romantic film.
"While You Were Sleeping" - I have, quite honestly, seen this movie hundreds of times. I can watch it over and over and never get tired of it.
"Dirty Dancing" - Patrick Swayze, dancing, Jerry Orbach, dancing and a heroine that wasn't very pretty (sorry, Jennifer Grey) so those of us less that gifted genetically could actually see that happening to us. I wish someone would take me out of the corner.
"Pretty Woman" - Who would have thought that a movie about a prostitute and a hard nosed corporate raider would be romantic? Leave it to the brilliant Garry Marshall to make it so. I worship at the alter of this comedy legend.
"Return to Me" - I felt the love story, I didn't just watch it. Brilliant. Plus David Duchovny and a killer soundtrack. Kudos to Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake for making this one.
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - Pass the gyros and tzadziki, I'm going to that wedding. And John Corbett is so yummy, even though I can't figure out for the life of me why.
"Once" - A romantic movie it might not seem, but a romantic movie it is all the same. And a good one at that.
Best Stuff to Eat/Drink on Valentine's -
See's Chocolate - I'm a cream center kind of girl while everyone else is Nuts and Chews. Either way, you won't be unhappy.
Dreamstone Moscato Sparkling Wine - $7.99 at Fresh and Easy. Light, sweet and bubbly, what more could you ask for?
Freed's Bakery Eclairs - Thank goodness I live nowhere near a Freed's. Because just remembering eating the eclair made me gain two pounds.
Luv It's Frozen Custard - A Las Vegas institution for more than 35 years. It's so worth braving the bad neighborhood. The Desert Sundae (with hot fudge, homemade marshmallow and salted pecans) is the way to go. Do yourself a favor and order the junior size. You can't eat the large one, trust me, you can try but you'll regret it later.
Marie Callendar's Pie - It's no coincidence that Valentine's day falls in February and February is pie month at Marie Callendar's. Don't fight fate, just enjoy it.
Best Places to Spend Valentine's Day with your Sweetheart... For Free Who needs crowded restaurants with overpriced 'special Valentine's menus'? Here are some picks that are romantic and free.
In Bed - Hey, it's free, it's good exercise and nothing says I love you like a little nookie. Sorry if I went PG-13 all of a sudden.
Watching the Fountains at Bellagio - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman singing "Con Te Partiro", you can't get much more romantic than that. For those of you who don't live in Vegas, here's a video.
Swing Set at Park/Playground/Schoolyard - Remember that funny feeling in your stomach as you soared on the swings? It's a little like the feeling you get when you fall in love. Relive both feelings when you get your significant other to swing with you.
Okay, I just betrayed my wushy-gushy romantic side. Sure, I wish I had a 'romantic' valentine. But I am blessed with love. So while I will spend Valentine's Day with my family (eating the salmon and pie and watching one of the films on the list) I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by the people and things you love.
Happy Valentine's Day, Loyal Readers. May your day be filled with more sentiment than a Hallmark card commercial, more love than the Democrats have for Obama and more joy than a bag full of peanut butter cups. XXOOGa
It’s my favorite holiday. Life is truly sweet on this most special of holidays. Yes people, my favorite day of the year is February…..15th. Yup, the day after Valentine’s Day. No sappy cards, no wilted overpriced flowers, just candy – at 50% off. Life is good.
