Last year and this year, Valentine’s Day fell on a weekday, so we celebrated at home. This year, Mr. Handsome randomly had the day off (his work schedule can be a bit wonky), so we were able to spend the entire day together.
After stopping by a lumber yard to pick up wood for a bookshelf that he is going to make for me, we went for a short drive through the beautiful, rolling, Tennessee hills. Then we came home for lunch, and he did a painting, while I started refinishing our kitchen table.
At dinnertime, he gave me roses, we exchanged valentines, and we enjoyed a delicious meal of oven-barbecued ribs with one of my homemade BBQ sauces. Our dessert was very last minute. I finally got around to asking Mr. Handsome for some ideas around 4pm, and he suggested crème brûlée. Having heard from many people how complicated it is to make, I happily accepted the challenge and headed over to the grocery store to pick up a few ingredients.
You know what I discovered? Making delicious, rich, and creamy crème brûlée is actually quite simple! Rather than purchase a kitchen torch, I used the broiler setting on my oven, and it worked well. (I still might invest in a torch at some point, just to make myself feel official.) Mr. Handsome said it was on par with the crème brûlée he had at a fancy restaurant a while back, which made me feel like a real pro.
Christine Sanford
Looks great. We had a low key Love day to. I was working so we decided that my huband was going to pick up dinner and I was going to get dessert and surprise each other. he got fish and chips and I got cheesecake. It was great. I got some extra surprises though as I got home and he had made me a handmade card and put together our Crib and dresser for the babies room! Gotta love great hubby's
Anonymous
Dinner looks yummy, and your china pattern is pretty.
Anonymous
This looks like a very nice celebration. How adventurous to make your own creme brûlée on a moment's notice: I am impressed.:) Eileen
Anonymous
Your meal and table setting looks so romantic. We used our gift card we received for Christmas and went to Red Lobster on Valentine's Day. Wasn't romantic it was crowded, no privacy…Jane
Anonymous
What a nice day and way to celebrate. You and Mr. Handsome make such a charming couple.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Anonymous
Looks wonderful! (I do not get the part about refinishing the kitchen table. The table in the picture looks done.)
Anonymous
I don't go out to dinner on Valentine's day or Mothers'day because restaurants are usually crowded.
Ellie: thanks for your work on your blogs. I enjoy them very much.
Anonymous
I agree with you about the restaurants being crowded. That's why I prefer to celebrate holidays at home:-)
Regina
What a sweet Valentine's Day! My poor Tim has been very sick all week so we didn't get to celebrate our anniversary which is 13th nor Valentine's Day. We plan on celebrating next week. Have a blesed weekend!
Anonymous
Happy Anniversary Regina. I hope your husband feel better soon so the two of you can have a wonderful celebration. How many years have you been married? Eileen
Regina
Thank you Eileen! We've been married 25 years.
Anonymous
Your meal looks delicious! I haven't had asparagus in so long but after seeing how good it looks in your picture I'm going to buy some this week.
Candi
Ellie can you post your creme brûlée recipe please!!! I've always wanted to try it but don't have a torch. If you can do it under the broiler it gives me courage to try it. Thanks!! Sounded like you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!! My hubby took me out the night before for supper since our church kept the schedule for bible study Wednesday eve. I would love to see a pic of your table when you're done with it!
Anonymous
Here there was a pizza company that made heart shaped pizzas and included a bonus box of solid chocolates in the shape of hearts wrapped in red foil. So I ordered that. My honey looked at the romantic theme and said well anyway we can eat some good food together!