Thursday, February 14, 2013

I'd Rather: The Valentine's Day Edition

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  I know this is a day that tends to be met with either excitement and enthusiasm...  or groans of annoyance!  I am in the excitement/enthusiasm camp, even though I've only had a boyfriend 3 out of my 32 Valentine's Days I've celebrated!  I get that people hate the commercialized aspect of this holiday and hold the view that your love for others should be expressed every day - not just Valentine's day - and I completely agree with those views.  But I like that there is a day each year that is dedicated to the expression of love - whether that is love for your significant other, family, friends, etc.  So that is why I like this holiday!

Given the polarized view on this day, I thought it would be fun to do an "I'd Rather" post to sum up how I feel about today!

I'd Rather...
 - stay in and make dinner than eat out in a packed restaurant.


- receive French macaroons (especially salted caramel flavored) than flowers.

- receive flowers on a random day than on Valentine's Day, but would of course accept them today as well! :)

- receive tulips or gerber daisies or something like that than roses as roses don't seem to last very long - but would graciously accept any flowers that I received, of course!

- eat Laffy Taffy and conversation hearts than expensive chocolates (I'm not a huge chocolate person).

-  celebrate the day running and take in this view...

 
and enjoy a post-run hot cocoa from Angelina's...


as I did 2 years ago today than celebrate in any other city!

- but... since a Valentine's Day trip to Paris is not in the cards anytime soon, I'd rather spend the holiday with Phil, cooking lentil enchiladas (his favorite meal I've made thus far), Spanish Rice, and Chocolate Souffles (wish me luck, this is a new recipe for me!) than spend the holiday any other way!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  Regardless of your relationship status, I hope that this day - and every day of the year - is filled with love!

23 comments:

Abby said...

Wow! I am super impressed by your meal !! Chocolate soufflés !!! Big wow! I agree with you on almost every aspect of this post! Except I do have a thing for roses. I love how they transform as they open. But they really don't last long enough!

I, too, love conversation hearts and lady taffys! And red licorice! Much better than chocolate.

I just hope my day at work is calm. That would make my day ever so pleasant!

Marlys said...

Sopunds like a perfect way to spend the day! I have to plan a meal to make for your Dad, so I best get to that! 6PM isn't that far away! Last year we went out to eat in Wahpeton and every place was packed so we ended up eating at Pizza Ranch! That won't happen this year as we will just stay home and eat! Have a beautiful day! I love you!

abbi said...

Enjoy the day and the chocolate souffles!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Awww... You will have to let me know how the chocolate souffles turn out! That is one of my favorite desserts. That and flour-less chocolate cake. They are just the right amount of sweet without being overpowering. I agree with you on most of these -- I would rather eat in than go out with the crowds, I would rather have chocolate covered strawberries than candy, I would rather have dinner in my PJ's with loved ones than get all dressed up and go out (even though it IS nice to get all pretty sometimes!). Happy Valentines Day! Enjoy!

missris said...

Ooh that meal sounds delicious! Happy Valentine's Day!

Caroline said...

I agree with so many of these! Especially getting flowers on a random day rather than today. Or in addition to.. haha Happy Valentine's Day!

Stephany said...

Oh, have the best time tonight! Your menu sounds delicious! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Unknown said...

Lentil enchiladas, my kind of guy!!!
I always wanted to try souffles. Let us know how they turned out!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Leigh said...

I agree with you...I'd rather have flowers on a random day then just on Valentine's Day. And I'd rather stay in then fight the crowds. I'm just not a big Valentine's Day fan

Raquelita said...

Enjoy the time with Phil and the chocolate soufflés! I'd rather be having a quiet meal tonight with Mark at home, but we have campus interviews going on so we will be having dinner with some of my colleagues and the candidate instead.

Nora said...

That sounds like an awesome dinner! Love it!

I'm with you on the celebration of this holiday most definitely.

Conversation hearts; there is something I haven't had in ages. Kind of makes me miss the valentine's day parties we had in elementary school.

Carolina John said...

Happy v-day Lisa! That sounds like a great meal. I may have to steal it for tonight as well.

Cherry Blossoms said...

Sounds like you have a wonderful dinner planned! I can't wait to hear about the night and I might just need your dessert recipe.

I am right there with you on the hearts and laffy taffy. I can't even remember the last time I ate a candy bar. I guess that is a good thing.
XOXO!

San said...

I love the "I'd rather" -concept of your post today. Of course, I would't mind getting flowers, chocolates or a nice dinner today, even though I usually hope that every other day of the year could become just as special :)

Happy Valentine's Day! So happy you get to spend it with Phil!

Elizabeth said...

Happy Valentines Day to you too lady!! :)

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Yum, sounds like a fantastic plan! Eric and I are going to a fancy dinner tomorrow night, which is actually for his birthday- so tonight we are just staying in and eating pizza/sandwiches. We did go for a nice Valentines Day run, which put me in an infinitely better mood than I was in!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I'd rather eat at a cheaper ethnic restaurant with delicious food than go to a packed, stuffy steakhouse with mediocre food :-)

Happy V day!

J said...

Happy Valentine's day! Hope you had a nice day yesterday with Phil! I honestly love Valentine's day because it is a chance to remember and appreciate all the people in your life that you love not just a significant other. Of course it seems over commercialized but I love buying the heart shaped reese's for Brian! They are so good! WE went out to dinner to this restaurant that we go to every year only for valentines day! Every year it is soo good and we say we should go more often but then we don't since it is on the other side of town from our house so a bit of a drive.

Shoshanah said...

I've never made souffles but would love to eventually. You'll have to let us know how yours turn out though!

Jeanie said...

I love this list -- and the rest of your dinner sounds amazing -- I'm so happy you have someone to share it with who will love and appreciate it, too. I had lots of "rathers' this Valentine's Day, but in the end, I was just where I wanted to be and really, isn't that what it's all about? (Yes, tulips.)

Becky said...

Oh I'm so behind on your blog! I hope you and Phil had a GREAT Valentine's Day - that meal sounds fabulous!!

And I love the laffy taffy factoid!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

The big question is whether you gave this list to Phil before Valentine's Day to prepare him for how to treat you right?? =D

Amber said...

Yes yes yes, low key Valentines Days all the way! We stayed in and cooked and drank wine and it was quite lovely! I'm glad you had a nice V-day with P as well :)