Look Over Here: Happy Valentine's Day!

This song always puts me in the mood for Valentine's Day.

When I asked Josh what he wanted to do for Valentine's Day, he went on this rant about how it's all a marketing ploy and only an excuse for spending money on things that don't really have much sentimental value any way. But just when I wanted to start pouting about his cynicism, he said, "We can be romantic any day we want - we don't need a calendar to tell us when." *Sigh* I love this man.

And I completely agree with him. But at the same time, I never shy away from an excuse to make a regular old day extra special. That's what made Valentine's Day so much fun in grade school - sure candy and cards are nice, but anything out of the ordinary was cause enough for celebration.
So we did decide to do a little something special today after all...

Josh made me my favorite meal - Chicken in Mustard Sauce, with egg noodles and green beans (I made the green beans). I couldn't eat it fast enough! If I were ever in a position to request a last meal, this would probably be it. We paired it with a lovely bottle of 2000 Maison Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet - deliciously crisp, with a slightly smokey nose and a bit of green apple in the finish. A nice clean white to pair with the rich dish.

And I made Josh a Chocolate Ganache tart, which I decorated with cocoa powder. (I talked him into getting the heart-shaped tart pan for me last Valentine's day). It was DELICIOUS, and he's already asked me to make it for him for his birthday in a couple of weeks.

I also wanted, in honor of today, to share with you some of my favorite red, pink, and otherwise Valentine's-y dresses.........