ValentineLove

Valentines was "love"ly. Brandon took day off which was so fun.We rotate turns planning our anniversary and valentines. This year it was mine to decide. I woke Mr. Finch up with a rather unhealthy selection but hey, sweets for the sweet! Below a picture of the table set for dinner that evening.

 

For the activity of the day I asked Mr.Finch if he'd o"fish"ally be my valentine and took him to the Aquarium. He's been wanting to go for along time and he seemed very pleased.

 Dinner was at home to avoid waits and busy restaurants. Besides I love cooking for him.

Menu

~Your My Dream,Sweet as Cream Raspberry Cream Sodas~

~I Want to Hold Your HandBurgers~

~Sweetie Potato Fries w/ You're a Hunk Dunkin' Sauce~

~Lettuce Be Together Wedge Salads~

~You're the Apple of My Eye Pie w/ Homemade Ice Cream~

I am very lucky to have such a sweet valentine for the rest of my life and beyond. He surprised me with a little striped box with beautiful earrings and a necklace he'd matched himself. I'm one lucky girl and have so much love for Mr. Finch. Love my Lover Boy!

Birthday Month

February is a busy month for my family. This year we celebrated February bdays with the superbowl to combine events in an already hectic month. We all had our red on to support our 49ers. We were invested-we came so close but the better team won. Man we wanted them to win so bad! Once again everyone brought a dish to share. All delicious and so much food to taste! Dad and Mom made pulled pork and brisket sandwiches-melt in your mouth. Shelley made seriously the best homemade BBQ sauce i've had-new favorite! We brought loaded potato wedges, Matt and Kate brought individual bean dips and the hottest homemade jalapeno poppers (Mouth on Fire!), holly made bacon wrapped little chicken sausages and stuffed mushrooms and Jared & Carrilyne plus kids made addicting pot stickers. It was too good and just one bite of each completely stuffed me! Just enough time for the tummy to settle for chocolate lava cakes for bday celebration that were richly divine. 

I was spoiled by family and had fun celebrating Matthew and my Mom's Bday's as well. Matt and I are 1 year and 4 days apart. Our birthdays often had joint activities so it's always fun to be all together. That next Sunday I got treated to a delicious meal and wonderful evening with the Finch and Beyer Families. Here's our yummy dessert made by Cindy. 

 My best gift for my birthday was Mr. Finch taking the day off work to spend with me. Scrambled eggs in bed was sure sweet of him, quick pit stop to work out together, he let me open my gifts early: A book by the NieNie Dialouges blog I read often and a coupon to buy some black riding boots! We packed our lunch for a picnic in the car then off to Utah County to where else besides Alice Lane and Frontier Gate House. After drooling over someday hopes and dreams (better win the lottery) we were able to stop by and visit my best friend Laura and husband Grant at their new home. A perfect thing to do on your birthday- laugh and catchup with a friend.

 Another eating opportunity of course of my birthday, we dined at the Blue Lemon in Highland. Shrimp Fettuccine with Pesto Sauce for me, Sandwich for the Mr. and Butternut Squash soup to split. Perfectly satisfied we stopped for dessert with my parents and sister, Shelley. Home to relax with the Mr. What a perfect day. I'm excited for this next year. 

Scout Day

In case you didn't know Fri. February 8th was Scout Day. Another holiday that we would occasionally celebrate as a family growing up. Some people ask why we celebrated so many holidays; because my mother knows that everyday should be celebrated; everyday is special, a gift. No, you don't have to have a holiday to make the day special but these holidays sprinkled in throughout my childhood have created beautiful memories. Sometimes it was nothing more than saying "Happy Star Trek Day" at dinner but that'd start a conversation, that would put on a smile, that made the day special. You could find a holiday everyday if you looked online. Sometimes we just need a National Pancake Day to make it to the weekend. 

Now back to Scout Day. I have four brothers, all eagle scouts. My husband, an eagle scout. Me...not a scout. I enjoy camping and can make a pretty good campfire-i'm a tepee style fan; i'll make you a s'more and could bandage you or find some leaves to calm poison ivy, I can build a tent...usually.

I decided to set up a tent in our front room. The tent we used all summer seemed like it would fit! I didn't think through the need to have room for the poles to extend. I had 15 minutes to assemble the tent before Mr. Finch got home. I didn't make it. This is what he came home to.

A little help from some taller arms and we ended up with the tent. Not quite a perfect fit but we were set up for a fun night!

I made Tinfoil Dinners and Girl Scout cookies count as Scout Treats. Thin mints please! Plus some soda in fun glass cans that I got from Jared, Carrilyne and kids for my bday. Thanks!

Happy Scout Day! Get out there and earn some Merit Badges!