Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

The Suburban Prince is working so I am spending the day with the Little Prince and then off to Rotary tonight for dinner.  Valentine's day doesnt mean much around here - we both feel we dont need to limit our love to just one day and at this point have little to prove.  No pressure here!

Did we all see the Grammy's last night?  I haven't heard of most of the performers but I do remember Drake from long before he was Drake and was Aubrey Graham of Degrassi.

Rihanna's dress reminded me of ornaments we had when I was little.

Have a fabulous day!

Pink Champagne Truffles and a giveaway!

The Happy Baker has been hard at work in her kitchen coming up with all sorts of yummy treats!  Her recent newsletter incuded these very yummy pink champagne truffles and I loved making them...and licking the bowl!  To make them in time for Valentine's day you will need....

3/4 Cup heavy cream

3 Tbsp softened butter

300 Grams chopped dark chocolate

1/4 Cup pink champagne

Cocoa for rolling

Heat cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles form around edges. Add butter, stir until melted.

Place chopped chocolate in a bowl, pour heated cream over top. Stir until melted. Stir in champagne.

Pour chocolate in a shallow dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Place dish in fridge for about 30 minutes to set. Using a melon baller make small balls of chocolate. Place on a lined cookie sheet and set in fridge for another 30 minutes.

Dip your hands in cocoa. Roll truffles to smooth out texture and then roll in cocoa.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

Dont they look delicious?  I can assure you they are!  The Happy Baker gave me a sneak peek at the recipe so I made them at Christmas for myself and High Heeled Life...she ate a few before going on her trip and said when she came back 2 weeks later the truffles were just as smooth and creamy as they were when I gave them to her!

The Happy Baker is also hosting a fun Valentine's day giveaway!  Lots of adorable baking supplies are up for grabs including a copy of her book!  Enter the Happy Baker's Valentine's Day giveaway!

Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day Surprises!

Don't forget to enter my Olympics giveaway! I had no idea these mittens were the hottest thing at the games! I even saw them on Oprah!

My bestie put this card in my mailbox - it made me laugh out loud!

I came home from running errands and this was on the table at the front door! The Suburban Prince told me he bought the heart ornaments a few weeks ago and while I was out he chopped down a few branches and put this together! What a nice surprise!

Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day gifts from me!

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine weekend! Tomorrow we are going to a winterfest - my parents are coming to spend the afternoon so rather than sit here staring at each other we decided to make them stand in the cold for a few hours. We will go somewhere for dinner after seeing the dog sledding, ice sculpting and other winter splendor!

On Sunday I think we will relax at home and have a nice dinner - I should come up with a menu of some sort! This might come as a surprise but Valentine's Day really isn't that important to me. I like to send cards and make little gifts but I don't really need big romantic gestures from the Suburban Prince to feel loved. He took my car to the gas station, filled the tank and got it washed - that's all the love I need for Valentine's Day! I ordered a few things from LLBean and he asked if it would be ok if he said 'Happy Valentine's Day' when they arrive lol! Fine with me!

It is a holiday here (so I have been told) on Monday so I think we will take the Little Prince to the playground to see all of the other parents and kids!


So after a week of Valentine's Day ideas here is what I put together to give out to my friends...

I mailed cards to friends who don't live close to us! I love these felt hearts!

I had lots of supplies from when I made gifts for my soldiers so I used what I had left and got to work! Lots of chocolate hearts, decorated cookies, lollipops, red paper shred and cardboard boxes.

Filling up the boxes!

Filled, wrapped with ribbon and embellished with a little heart. I had lots of boxes left over from the snowflake party and thought there would be no better way to use them than to spread some love this weekend!

For the Little Prince's daycare friends I used the same style boxes but they were red and put an individual package of oat cookies in each one along with a little card. I forgot to take a photo of them before giving them out! Still, I was the only mom who did anything so regardless of how they look, they are better than anything anyone else did!


Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 6

This is the last instalment in my Valentine's Day ideas series! I hope you enjoyed it and got lots of easy ideas for making Valentine's Day special! Tomorrow I will share what I did for friends and loved ones!

Set a beautiful table with candles, flower petals and put the place settings close and snuggly for this romantic dinner!


A nice cocktail sets the tone! Some sparkling wine with a splash of Chambord or Cassis is all you need!


Sometimes the simple things are the best things. Ask your pizza place to make yours in the shape of a heart!


Squeeze ketchup out in the shape of a heart or lips! Not every effort must be over the top!


Heart shaped ravioli - who wouldn't love this!


Don't forget dessert! How cute is this! It is simple chocolate pudding and berries but the presentation is what makes it so special. You don't need to be a great cook to make a special dinner!


This would be a great cake to make with your children - they could help with the sprinkles and decorations!


Cupcakes! Some icing and heart shaped sprinkles and you too can be just like Martha!


Hershey's Kisses make this cake super easy and yummy!


Bake brownies in a heart shaped pan, top with ganache or dark chocolate frosting and raspberries! YUM!


Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 5!

Here are the links to previous Valentine's Day ideas posts...

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Or just scroll down through my blog!


Today I thought I would share a few cute ideas for a Valentine's Day breakfast! These are so simple and if you are making breakfast anyway there is no reason you wouldn't be able to take an extra minute to make it special. These will also be wonderful if you are like me and prefer breakfast for dinner!

I see these pans everywhere! I have even bought a couple in the dollar store! If you cant find a pan like this just use heart shaped cookie cutters!



How precious! So simple yet made with love!


Easy but elegant presentation. A cookie cutter is used to cut out the center of the toast and it is filled with an egg! Nothing says romance like candlelight! Trust me, there is Bailey's in that mug!


You could serve anything on these adorable dishes and look like a superstar! I love the matching syrup dish! Even if you don't have these plates, check your dollar store for pink or red ones! Heart shaped pancakes with pomegranate seeds and whipped cream are easy and beautiful! I love how the whipped cream is in the shape of a heart!


Have a fabulous day!


PS....The site I wanted to use for yesterday's post is back up and running so here are the printables and ideas I wanted to share!

The little packets of hot chocolate are found everywhere - usually a box of 8 costs around 3.00 - all you need is wrappers for them!

Click on this image to go to the full size one - print, cut out and wrap around your hot chocolate packets!

Click on this image to go to the full size one - print, cut out and wrap around seed packets!


Click on this image to go to the full size one - print, cut out and wrap around tea bags! Adorable!

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 4! Plus a weekend recap!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! The Superbowl was such a great event and I couldn't be happier for The Saints. New Orleans really needed this win! I was telling the Suburban Prince this morning it really helps that their logo is a fleur de lis as the only thing that would make me root for a team more would be if their logo was a tiara!

On Friday afternoon I went to the bank to withdraw money to pay the babysitter, seamstress etc and I was denied at the ATM! I called my bank and asked them to increase my daily withdrawal limit so I could get the money I needed and they said it would not be a problem and to go ahead and make my withdrawal. After being denied a few more times I called them again and was told there was nothing they could do and I would need to go to my branch. I was using an ATM at different banking institution as my bank is actually in another city 45 minutes away. I told the CSA I was speaking so that this is ridiculous and I need to speak to a manager. Leading up to this moment I found out they had not updated my contact information even though I have lived here for almost 4 years and we have our mortgages with them! They got a manager for me and I proceeded to verbally castrate him for at least 20 minutes - in other words I tore a strip off him! Now I do realise he did not cause the problems I was having but considering it took 3 people to get to the bottom of what was really going on I felt he needed to know exactly how his company had failed over and over.

It turns out my bank card had been used somewhere that is now being investigated for fraud so they had reduced my withdrawal limit last week without telling me. I hadn't tried to make any withdrawals so I had no idea. You would think they might have told me but while questioning this I found out they had tried the phone number we had 4 years ago and called my husband's work to tell me. When they couldn't reach me they left it at that, raised my limit again and on Friday morning my account was robbed. Robbed! In another city at 8:30am! They got $445.00!

The account in question is actually a joint account I have with the Suburban Prince - but the bank did not feel the need to try to contact him to let him know about the changes to the account! Not only did they not try to contact him but they did not even think to cross reference the contact information to see if maybe there is some other way to reach me.

I bet you can picture the manager squirming and scrambling right! You know the scene in Ferris Beuller's Day Off when the principal and his secretary are running around when Sloane's father (Cameron) called? That's how it seemed when I finished letting this manager know exactly where we stood.

In the end they got it all sorted out, a police investigation, fraud report and I got a new card and pin number. The bank is replacing the stolen money this week and all's well that ends well. I am sure my file now has a flag that say 'Be very afraid!'.

Today I rewarded myself with a haircut! File this under 'It pays to be nice to people'....I called my salon this morning to ask if my stylist could take me today - they said no. Hmmm. I asked about tomorrow and they said no and as of Wednesday she is going on vacation. Anyone who knows me in real life knows I just don't accept being told no. I asked the salon receptionist if she would please ask my stylist if she would squeeze me in since I have short hair and it is just a trim I need. She sounded dubious but sure enough, two minutes later she called back and told me to come at 4pm. Always be nice to your stylist and always tip them well! You never know when you will need to be on their good side!


Here is part 4 of my Valentine's Day idea series - to see previous posts just scroll down!

I thought it would be fun to give you easy ways to make everyday treats spiffy for Valentine's Day! The following are printables you may use - just click on them and you will be taken to the full size image. Just print, cut out and put your treats together!

This is a seed packet wrapper! Such a great idea for the gardeners in your life! My pick for this is Forget-Me-Not seeds! I had other wrappers picked out for this post but unfortunately their site is down right now - if it comes back up by tomorrow I will post their cute wrappers too!


This is a chocolate bar wrapper! I love this one! To see more please visit Country Graphics!

Valentine's Day gift certificates!

Valentine's Day tea bag wrappers! This is a great idea for your co-workers who love a cup of tea in the afternoon!

How cute is this?! It's a microwave popcorn wrapper!


Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 2

First things first! I must wish my girl The Preppy Princess a tremendously happy birthday! I hope you have a fabulous day and all of your birthday wishes come true!

Now for part 2 of my Valentine's Day ideas series!

I am sure we all know this time of year can be very hard for so many of us. Suicide rates go up dramatically because of the lack of sunlight, fresh air, and of course, Valentine's Day. This is a day full of pressure to be loved, liked or even remembered.

Every year I go through my address book and mail a Valentine to everyone I think might not get one otherwise on top of my list of usual recipients. My list includes unattached friends, divorced friends, widowed friends and anyone else I think need a bit of cheer during the bleak winter.

We have all read those stories sent by email of how someone did not kill them self because of a card they received or a note in class or a short conversation in line - these stories always touch me and I feel my small act of kindness could very well make a huge difference in some one's life. It could save their life.

I am issuing a challenge! Please go through your address book and mail a card to every single person you think needs to know you are thinking of them. Please feel free to post this on your blog too so we can spread the word! Imagine if during your bleakest time you went to your mailbox and found among the bills, a card letting you know you are loved! Let's spread that love!





This is a printable mailer - simply click on it and you will be taken to the original - you can print these, put your card in them and pop them in the mail! How cute! It will certainly stand out among all the bills and junk mail!

You can find inexpensive cards at the dollar store or Target or Walmart. I picked up packs of 8 for around $5.00. A small price to make such a big difference! You could make your own cards too! You just need some card stock, stickers, glue and markers!

I know this is a lot more serious than my usual posts but it is such an important thing to think about. I would love to hear from everyone who took the time to spread the word and the love!


Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Day Ideas - Part 1

Since Valentine's Day is less than 2 weeks away I thought I would share some gift ideas. It takes very little to look like a superstar and let's be honest, no one will judge how small the gift is but they will always remember your thoughtfulness! I realise Valentine's Day is traditionally a holiday used by women to extort expensive gifts from their men during the post-Christmas pre-sping lull but there is no reason we cant give thoughtful gifts to our friends, co-workers, teachers, neighbours and anyone else we would like to spread some cheer to!

I will be posting ideas every day so this is part one of a series that will include food, gifts, decorations and more!

Today's ideas all came from Martha Stewart and the instructions are indexed on her website.

African Violet hearts. Take a leaf, cut it into a heart shape, push into soil and voila!

Wouldn't your spouse or children love opening their lunch to find their sandwiches wrapped in heart covered wax paper!? Bake loaves or cookies and wrap with this paper and tie with twine or butcher string and deliver to your friends!


I just love the presentation. Simple muffins are beautifully wrapped - this will make you look like a superstar! Keep life simple and get a package of oatmeal muffin mix from the grocery store.

Heart shaped button cuff links. Adorable!

If you are giving a box of chocolates put little love messages at the bottom of each cup!

Heart shaped fudge - so simple to make! When it has set just use your heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out the hearts and box them with pink cups, tissue and ribbon!

Plan a romantic bath with candles and petals! The bottle is actually a message in a bottle! What a beautiful way to give a love note!

Heart shaped soap. Your local craft store will carry soap moulds and melt & pour soap. You could even use an ice cube tray! This is a very easy project!

A chocolate bar wrapped in beautiful paper! The surprise is the love letter written on the inside!

Heart tea bag tags! Just cut out hearts, write a sweet message on each one and attach to the string of the teabag!

Have a fabulous day!

Valentine's Treats for the Soldiers!

Please enter my January Giveaway! You could win a Boatman Geller Note Tote from The Preppy Princess!

Since all of the Valentine's day candy is already in the stores I decided to get a jump on things and put together my gifts for soldiers in Afghanistan. We have adopted one soldier but he told us there are a number of his friends who don't get any gifts or parcels sent to them. Apparently some didn't even get any Christmas mail so I am glad I sent several boxes of chocolates, candy, cookies and other treats to the soldier we support.

I decided to send little buckets of candy and picked up enough supplies to make a dozen gifts. I will send them to our soldier so he can make sure anyone he works with who doesn't get mail will have one waiting for them on Valentine's day.

I found these little buckets in the dollar store!

I filled them with chocolates, candy and little decorated cookies that I found all individually wrapped!


All filled and getting wrapped up!


All wrapped and ready to be shipped to Afghanistan!

If you would like to adopt a soldier please use the following links:

Canadian Soldiers - Chosen Soldier Project

American Soldiers - Any Soldier


Have a fabulous day!