Celebrating with Your Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day!

As we start this blog, we are filled with joy and optimism.  This is our first holiday post.  Just like you, we spend a lot of time thinking about our families and ways to make them feel extra special on Valentine’s Day.  Dear to us are not only our husbands and children, but family members that have passed on and still remain in our hearts.  One way we remember our family is using treasured heirlooms that have been handed down to us, such as vintage silver and crystal from our mother and grandmother.  It’s a joy to pull these beautiful pieces out that are not used as often as they once were, and share memories with our children of an era gone by.  Today is the perfect time to pull out a vase, tray or small dish that has special meaning for you, and use it as you celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Wouldn’t you love to come home at the end of a day and snuggle up beside the fire with your loved one?  A few, simple touches are all it takes to create a special occasion….chocolate, berries, candlelight, champagne, and flowers.  In Massachusetts, we’re currently experiencing the coldest days of this winter, so we’re thinking cozy thoughts.  There’s nothing more cozy than lighting a fire, indulging in a few sweets and spending some time with that someone special in your life.

It’s especially fun to plan a Valentine celebration for our kids.  We love the colors….pinks, lavenders, reds and whites.  How can kids (or adults) resist all the sweets?

We had so much fun creating this for our children.  Simple heart shaped sandwiches, mini cupcakes, and treats from a local confectionary.  Many of the candies and the BE MINE cookie come from Dottie’s Delights in North Andover.  The owner, Alyssa Cohen, carries many nut-free options, along with a wide range of candies you probably haven’t seen since you were a child.  She has artisan confections as well, such as chocolates you can pair with your favorite wine, handmade caramels, and custom-flavored marshmallows.  Her boutique is a visual and olfactory delight; I smile every time I walk in her door.

Making chocolate dipped strawberries is a fun and easy way to involve your kids.  Who doesn’t love chocolate dipped strawberries?  They’re one of the easiest, most elegant desserts, appealing to children and adults, alike.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Happy Valentine’s Day!