Nothing Says Love Like a Knife

We had a low key, but great Valentine's Day weekend. Have I mentioned Brooke and Holly on this blog? Brooke was Brandon's neighbor and best friend growing up-and their parents have always been good friends. After they got married, Brooke and Holly moved to Ohio so we haven't really seen or heard from them in 9 years until they moved to Meridian in October. It has been so great having them here; they are practically like family and we do alot of things together. Anyway, Holly and I decided to plan a romantic meal for Brandon and Brooke that we had a few days before Valentine's Day.



Brooke and Holly

The four of us had chicken tortellini bake, a yummy winter salad, garlic bread, English Trifle for dessert and even sparkling cider! It was fun to eat by candlelight and use a tablecloth like grownups.






Unfortunately, not all of us acted like one.



That's Brandon nose peeking out of the side!



On Valentine's Day, we went to a Fondue Party given by our friends Stoney and Emilee. I made Cheddar-Bacon Fondue to dip bread and veggies in, and we had a chocolate fondue for fruit, pretzels, cake and marshmallows. Fondue is fantastically fancy fru-fru fun. (How's that for alliteration?) Not to mention extremely delicious and romantic.





Brandon's gift from me was a large batch of his much beloved favorite cookie, Soft Gingersnaps. I surprised him by leaving a basket of goodness in his car at work.




He surprised me with some roses, a new banana hanger (how's that for random?), and some fancy chef's knives! I was thrilled about these because I have had the dullest knives imaginable for years. (Might this be related to the fact that on more than one occasion I have caught Brandon pruning bushes with them in the yard?) Anyway, it was a very thoughtful gift because I mentioned to him in passing a few months ago that I really just wanted one or two good quality, sharp chef's knives for cooking and that I didn't need a whole butcher block. He remembered this and delivered on it like the good husband that he is.



I must say that cutting up sweet potatoes tonight for dinner was very exciting (and much easier than it used to be.) And Brandon, repeat after me: I will not use the knives for hunting, yard work or working in the garage. On second thought, just leave them alone and leave the slicing and dicing to me.