Recipe For Her
Fellas. It's a big week, huh? I feel you. Puh-RESH-yer. Red pens are inked. Dripping, they hover over your grade card. Like a ravenous hawk circling its prey, this drenched quill Bic sharpie lay in wait to lash out or loopty-loo swirly curl your love efforts. Yes, it's true. A.big.deal. Kelli Forsythe even calls Valentine's Day the "bully of love" in this article with all the undo stress it places on couples this wintery February week.
I'm not here to argue whether Satan Hallmark did, in fact, create Valentine's Day. I'm here as an immediate assistant to your needs. I am the Ernie to your Burt, the Robin to your Batman, the Hall to your Oates. We got this, boys. Before we begin, I want you to provide you with a helpful link. You need knowledge and inspiration. Why? Because that's the difference between a bottle rocket and roman candle that's why. Do you want one quick fizz-POOF-and your DONE? Or do you want multiple explosions igniting on display? Don't go there. You're a guy. I know you already did. Let's move on, shall we?
I'm gonna start you boys right here. Camp out on this site for bit would ya? As in, take the quiz and find out your love language. Better yet, see if you can decode your sweetheart's language. There's a way each individual receives and gives love. It's true. No hogwash. No hill of beans. TRUTH. This Valentine's Day think about the way your honey best receives love. Then, put that into practice.
And brothers? I'm going one louder. Yes, ONE LOUDER. Free of charge if you place your order in the next 30 minutes I am giving you my 5 steps to a successful Valentine's Day. My credentials? Why I'm a homeschooling mother of 2 who runs a small business out of her home with master's degree in educational leadership and no W-2. Yes, you could say I'm synonymous with Dr. Ruth. You are golden, boys. Rest easy. Meg's gotchu.
Here.we.go.
Set It Off--
This means be preliminary. Think pre-game, fellas. Prep the setting. It's important. Read more about the benefits of table setting here. It doesn't have to look like a rose bush that just ended a 4 day stint with a stomach bug to make the mood meaningful either. Women like to see forethought. There's something else that starts with fore they tend to favor too. Go read up on it. Above you see candle sticks and twigs cut off of a cedar tree from our side lot. I snipped them and placed them in a water filled vase. The vase and the candle holders are my Mom's and grandmother's antique pieces, but you can go to the Dollar Tree and choose something different and new for your setting. Seriously. Go there. Select a new vase, a set of candle holders and some candle sticks. That's $5.00 out of your pocket and a sweetheart who will notice you didn't just use your Mom's stuff or hers for that matter. Mood matters. It shows you cared enough to present her with details. Women geek out over details. Fo sho.
Go Green--
It's all the rage. Salads are like the new Big Mac. And they're all kinds of good for you too. Let's bypass the whole "they keep you regular" thread. I know you'd love for me to spend some time on all points fiber and friendly flora, but we're after kisses here, men. Let's keep it straights. Eating more vegetables actually gives your skin a golden glow. Yes, check it out here. Who knew that J-Lo was hidden all up in some carrots. Salads are win-win. And there a great way to bring the art of detail into your meal. A colorful plate is a happy plate. Repeat after me: A colorful plate is happy plate.
Salad Ingredients:
1 head of Romaine lettuce 1 small bag of spinach 1 small bag of carrots 1 three pack of peppers {green, yellow, orange} 1 small container of Tommy Toe tomatoes 1 cucumber sliced 1 bag of celery {shown here is one stalk sliced}Don't forget:
salad dressing ** Choose a couple different salad dressing for her to try. Women love choices. There are one bajillion options to choose from on the shelves. She will take notice that you considered her taste buds and gave her opportunity to test out some new flavors. parmesan cheese crutons sliced almonds craisins sunflower seedsDirections:
Wash all vegetables FIRST. Then cut vegetables and shred lettuce. Combine all together in a bowl. Cover with saran wrap about 2 hours before your meal.
Warm Her Up--
Okay, cats. I know you're all alpha and like "I likes me steak." But, it's winter. And we want to impress here. Not to mention, soup is good for combatting cold & flu season which we're in. Check it. Plus, this soup of mine opens up a can of whoop arse on a prime rib and baked potato any day of the week if you ask me. My husband can vouch; the man loves it.
Loaded Potato Soup
{to serve 2} 4 baking potatoes 1 package of chives {those are the long green onions next to the celery in the produce aisle} 1 package of shredded cheese 1 16 oz. container of sour cream 2 sticks of butter 1 package of real bacon shredded bacon {this is housed on the salad dressing aisle next to the crutons} 2 cans evaporated milk {these can be found in the baking aisle} salt & pepper to tasteDirections:
Put water in medium-to-large sauce pan Peel potatoes and cut into cubes Put potatoes in water Boil potatoes until you can stick a fork in them and they are mushy all the way through Use colander to drain excess water off of mushy potato cubes Return to sauce pan {do not put back on the stove just yet} Add in 1 stick of butter to the potatoes Add salt & pepper With a fork or a potato masher {um, yeah, fork} mush the potatoes into a pulp like state Add 1 can of evaporated milk and return to the stove on medium-low heat Stir Rinse chives and slice thinly {use about 3-4 of the stalks} Add 3/4 of the cut chives, 3/4 package of bacon package, 1/2 of the container of sour cream and 1/2 of the shredded cheese to the potato mixture Stir well Move to low heat Taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper at this juncture From here, you eyeball it: You may want to add more butter {like a 1/2 stick more}. You may need to open the 2nd can of evaporated milk and add it to the mixture. Stir frequently. Lastly, place the remaining cheese, a dallop of sour cream, the remaining bacon and chives atop the soup Serve
Treat Her Right--
Treats, guys. Everyone loves a little sweet & unexpected. Why do you think hotels leave little mints on the pillows? I need you to hear me when I say this: Women like men that can bake. Repeat: Women like men who can bake. Baking is an art form composed of patience & love. Did you hear that? Patience & love. Um, those words evoke all kinds of eroticism in a lady. TRUTH. The more you can sink your teeth into the idea of "prior preparation" & "attention to detail", the better off your book of love will be. Roman candles men, remember? Roman candles. Not bottle rockets.
The above cake is a recipe I snagged from here.
A man that can make a cake from scratch is the Roman Candle god. Let's do this:
Cake--
Ingredients:
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus additional to grease pans 2 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups flour 1 Tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup milk
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. {DO NOT USE WAX PAPER! And do not just use the cooking spray. DO JUST WHAT IT SAYS HERE.}
Melt butter and let it cool to room temperature.
Combine the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in the large bowl of a stand mixer. (A stand mixer is preferable for this recipe, though a hand-held electric mixer may be used.) On medium speed, add the butter, incorporating in several additions. Beat for about 2 minutes, or until combined; the texture should resemble cornmeal.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla extract and milk. Add to the flour-butter mixture in two batches (scraping the bowl once), and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until smooth.
Distribute the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 20 minutes. Remove cakes from pans to cool completely. Frost the cake. It can stand at room temperature for 1 hour; otherwise, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Frosting--
Ingredients:
12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 pounds (10 cups) confectioners’ sugar
{that's two 4 lb. bags and you won't use all of the 2nd bag}
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
Directions:
In a stand mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until fluffy. On low speed, add the sugar in batches, increasing the speed to high after each addition is incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla extract and cream in a steady stream on low speed until incorporated. Beat on high speed for 8-10 minutes, until light and fluffy. I like to let the frosting chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes prior to icing the cake.
Icing the cake:
After cake has cooled at least 1 hour, place one circle cake {flat side down on cake serving surface}. You can use a pan use a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil or wax paper, a cake plate like I used or even a wooden board. Think the presentation through. Remember, women love the details. Then put a thick layer of icing on top of that layer. Remove the 2nd layer and place it curved side down on top of the 1st layer. {see step 7 in cake baking steps}.
Icing the entire cake:
This can be tricky, but you CAN do it. Start by placing a heap of frosting on top of the cake. Work that frosting with a butter knife along the sides. Yes, frost the sides of the cake 1st. Once they are smooth and iced, pile remaining icing on top of cake and frost the top.
TRICK: You never want your frosting to be too thin or the cake will flake off and show up in the frosting. Keep a good measure of frosting between your knife and the actual cake at all times. You can remove the excess once you have the cake's appearance smooth.
Lastly, DO IT UP IN THE DETAILS. And it doesn't have to be processed and fake. For this cake, I simply collected rocks, washed & dried them and then made a heart on the cake's top. Simple & classic looking. And very much so tied to my natural, not to mention, affordable theme with the cedar tree clippings.
Are you stressed yet? Seriously. Are you? Don't be. If cake-making-from-scratch doesn't happen to be on your bucket list, I got you covered.
This cake is easy. It involves Oreos and cream cheese. Gloriously divine too. Then there's these. Butterfinger Blondie Bars. I am quite convinced any dessert that involves a candy bar is roman candle material. On a bit of a healthy kick? If so, Kenny's Mamaw has a zucchini cake recipe that's an all time hit in my healthy camp. And last, but most certainly not least, my husband's favorite: strawberry pretzel salad. The man beams when I make this. With each bite, he looks at me with his 1.5 carat diamond studded blue eyes.
Exercise Your Love--
Get active. you hear me? There's a heavy amount of research out there that indicates mood is directly reflective of motion. Go here to read up. I love that my parent's loved going for walks together after dinner. Most oftentimes, my brother and I, harnessed on bikes, along with our 2 dogs would join them. But I love the memory of them taking the time to walk hand-in-hand. Exercise is so good for you and it's free. Whether you choose a hike or bike ride before dinner or a quiet bundled up walk after, find a way to get active.
And let's just go there. ACTIVE on Valentine's Day is like the 4th of July, right? A night sky bursting with one Roman candle after the next. I hear you, fellas. Put those bottle rockets to shame. I got nothing but love for you. Good luck and go gettum, tiger.
.mac :)
If you want to send your lady a little k.Mac love as an after Valentine's Day surprise, I would be honored. These scents are on sale for just $10 each. Go here to place your order. Be sure to send me what you would like on the personal note attached, and this k.Mac cupid will be at your service. A lady loves to receive sweet words from her honey. The time Kenny completely hacked my blog only to post this 5 years ago still has my heart racing. Email notification of order along with personal note to meghan@kmaccreations.com.
I will be in vigilant prayer that your Valentine's Day doesn't end up looking something like this. Because I don't know about you, but carrying 100 balloons attached to raffia on a beach with dress pants rolled up barefooted is JUST the Valentine's Day I'm after. {image credit}
You got this, homey.