Homemade Valentine

In protest of the commercialization of Valentine's Day, this year I didn't buy a single Valentine at the store.  No cards, no chocolates, no conversation hearts.  What I did buy were some cookie cutters and cupcake liners with hearts on them.  My $2 purchase (plus a little a lot of kitchen time) brought smiles to the faces of ALL my Valentines with little treats throughout the day.

Good Morning, Valentine!

 

 

 

Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce were a yummy way to start the day.  We're going to keep looking for the "perfect" pancake recipe, but the Strawberry Sauce is a definite keeper. 

Some of you knew I planned to make Chocolate Sugar Cookies w/ Cayenne Pepper for my spice-loving sweetheart.  I am pleased to report that they were a success!  The tiniest little tingle of spice creeps up on you when you're just finishing the cookie - pleasant and delicious!  I opted not to frost them, but they would have been even better if I had done so.

Don't these cupcakes look fantastic?  These truly are THE BEST cupcakes I have ever eaten.  If you love chocolate and cream cheese (and really, who doesn't?) you must try these.   Now that I've made these twice I'm going to start playing around with some variations - what fun!  Expect a more in-depth post on these at some point! 

SCOTT!!!

 

It was refreshing to throw off societal expectations of what Valentine's Day "should" be and lavish my family with love in my own way.  Now....I need a cupcake.