Search Results for: valentine

victoria’s cream cheese wedding mints
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victoria’s cream cheese wedding mints

These little mints evoke so many memories for me. My grandma’s friend, Victoria, was a caterer for much of her life, and she actually catered my and Jeff’s wedding. (Read more about Vic in THIS post.) Throughout my childhood and teen years I attended other weddings that she catered, and she always made these pretty,…

scenes from the past couple weeks
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scenes from the past couple weeks

A Valentine’s Day celebration ~ a date day with the hubby: this movie and a favorite wine bar.. later: pajamas, pink champagne, roses, chocolate, and the Breakfast Club on DVD while we munched our favorite pizza…This winter I’ve been reading an eclectic mix of books. I’m thoroughly enjoying a reread of the Little House Books,…

love goddess strawberry spinach salad + chocolate vinaigrette
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love goddess strawberry spinach salad + chocolate vinaigrette

Are you ready for another Valentine treat? This one is especially delicious as well as colorful and healthy. It’s makes a wonderful beginning to a candle lit dinner and sets the stage for romance. The vinaigrette is slightly spicy and surprisingly the perfect accompaniment to the other flavors and textures in this simple, elegant salad….

overnight oats jar

overnight oats jar

I’ve decided that as a new tradition for my annual “Week of Valentine Treats” I’m going to include a heart healthy recipe. Last year it was my Heart Beet Salad, and this year I made one of my favorite versions of overnight oats. This recipe is incredibly versatile. Use your favorite berries (or other fruits…

clam brandade + parmesan & truffle
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clam brandade + parmesan & truffle

Sometimes romance comes in the form of comfort food, wouldn’t you agree? Warm, cheesy, potatoey, comfort food with just a hint of seafood and black truffle oil essence. This gets really decadent when you enjoy it on a slice of freshly baked baguette. When accompanied by a glass of  good white wine (I adore Sauvignon…

{just like ritz carlton’s} maui macadamia nut waffles with coconut syrup
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{just like ritz carlton’s} maui macadamia nut waffles with coconut syrup

Happy Valentine’s week, Lovelies! We’re kicking off our annual “Week of Valentine Treats” with one of our favorite romantic breakfasts. Jeff and I enjoyed waffles just like these while vising Maui, Hawaii. Every morning The Terrace Restaurant, at The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, served this amazing breakfast spread…. gorgeous, buttery caramel rolls, plump, fresh sausage, smoked…

mushroom meatloaf supreme with sweet mustard dill sauce {crock pot recipe}

mushroom meatloaf supreme with sweet mustard dill sauce {crock pot recipe}

I just returned home after a fun day cooking with my daughter and my grandgirls (Two Cuties in the Kitchen.) We made some awesome, 3-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream Scones in preparation for Valentine’s Day, and we took Maddie May’s Easy Bake Oven on it’s maiden voyage. Oh my gosh… SO much fun. The girls are…

baked chicken fajitas
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baked chicken fajitas

This was such a fun, delicious and easy meal to make for our Valentine celebration this year. We were all decked out in our comfiest jammies under quilts in the living room while watching movies on demand and munching baked fajitas! Thank you, Cozycakes Cottage, for the inspiration. These exceeded my expectations! I was a…

scenes from the past couple weeks
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scenes from the past couple weeks

curious kittens taking baking lessons… flaky sweet rolls for a cozy breakfast on a snowy morning… and French press Rose Espresso from my friends Dan and Judy over at Coffee on the Porch in Camden Maine (thanks, friends!)… sleepy kittens and comfy quilts… a delicious out to lunch date of char grilled strip steak and…

paper doily heart garland
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paper doily heart garland

A Week of Valentine Treats ~ Day Seven Conversation Hearts Paper Doily Garland Happy Valentine’s Day, Lovelies! I am popping in to share this treat with you before we head to the market to get the ingredients for our lunch and Valentine’s Day celebration. I have to apologize for not sharing the full 7 treats…

peppermint pinwheel foot massage lotion
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peppermint pinwheel foot massage lotion

A Week of Valentine Treats ~ Day Six from page 56 of my book, Chin Deep in Bubbles ~ Little Luxuries for Every Day I’m back with another treat, Lovelies! This lotion is so great for foot massages. Mix the following ingredients together in a small bowl and use as foot massage lotion or as…

sour cream chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting
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sour cream chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting

After spending the day cooking up a new soup recipe I discovered in my new copy of Tasha Tudor’s adorable recipe book, I decided to go all out and make a homemade chocolate cake for dessert. We went overboard buying cake flour when I was experimenting with red velvet cakes to make THIS wedding cake…

scenes from the last week
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scenes from the last week

I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with my darling daughter Andrea at Sakura Sushi Bar here in Red Wing… nigiri, Cali rolls, sashimi, crab rangoon and orange chicken… YUM! Really great Japanese fare and super fresh sushi…if you’re in the area, give it a try ~ I am still savoring each and every page of the…

scenes from the last couple weeks
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scenes from the last couple weeks

valentine roses & champagne godiva chocolates butterfly line drawings by my dad silly kitten cherry berry treats (I had red velvet! of course!) walnut honey cream cheese bagel with orange marmalade for teatime! dried valentine roses I hope you’ve all been having a beautiful winter…. Much love, Melissa

aphrodisiac foods ~ a sexy recipe collection
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aphrodisiac foods ~ a sexy recipe collection

The Awakening of Adonis ~ John William Waterhouse A Week of Valentine Treats ~ Day SEVEN Are you ready for some romance in the form of food? Below you will find a romantic recipe collection that I’ve compiled from my blog. These are just suggestions for serving each of the aphrodisiac foods. You will be…