Since I was a little girl, this has always been the most romantic time of the year. In grade school, the bulletin boards would be decorated with red paper and lacy doilies. We would go to the store and choose a package of preprinted Valentine cards with pictures of puppies and kittens
...with just the right amout of sentiment, being sure they weren't too mushy or revealing.
Thrilled to put those tiny envelopes in the arts and crafts artsy-heartsy box and more thrilled to have a group of them to take home with me.
Many years later, our decision to marry at this time of year was no accident. It has always been easy to remember when our anniversary is coming up because we see hearts and love tokens everywhere.
One of the things that I have learned is that a full stomach makes for a much happier union. There must be a reason we feed each other cake at our weddings.
Knowing this, I made my husband one of his favorite dishes last week.
A true meat and potatoes kind of guy, he loves a good lamb shank dinner. Since I don't necessarily braise these the same way every time, the method is to brown the shanks in olive oil for a few minutes, add two finely minced garlic cloves, a sliced onion, a few carrots, salt, pepper, thyme, a dash of cinnamon, a good cup of red wine and some beef broth to cover. They cook for about 2 to 3 hours and are then ready. I serve them over orzo mixed with feta cheese and dressed with a little olive oil. Asparagus or a green salad on the side, and a wonderful glass of red wine...this is a wonderfully romantic dinner to my husband. What is the secret in your house to a romantic meal??
In the meantime, I have been changing things up in our dining room...
The hutch usually displays my collection of hammered aluminum...specifically the trays made by Arthur Armour and Wendell August Forge in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. After decorating the hutch with Christmas dishes and then putting them away, I was curious to see how my collection of Bennington pottery (also vintage) would look. I like it, so the aluminum collection is in storage and the dish set is on display for now. It is so nice to have something fresh to look at, but I know that sooner or later I will miss collection number one and the aluminum will find its way back onto the shelves.
So what is everyone planning for Valentines day? Do you bake or cook something special? Do you make your own cards or go the Hallmark route? After celebrating our anniversary, Vday is usually pretty low key around here...but maybe a special dinner might be in the works.
This post is being linked to Designs by Gollum for Foody Friday and How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.
♥, Susan
I keep looking at shanks at the grocery but needed a recipe. This one will be perfect. I enjoyed the photos of you and your valentine!
Posted by: Michael Lee West | February 09, 2012 at 04:36 PM
Happy Anniversary, Susan!
What sweet photos you've shared of yourself as a child and your wedding day!
My husband loves Osso Bucco or manicotti or anything pasta..lol I will probably make manicotti for valentine's Day dinner and a small dessert -- somehting chocolate.
Posted by: Pat | February 09, 2012 at 07:12 PM
It is nice to change things up now and then. Where there is not room to have everything out, rotating is the only way.
Posted by: Porch Days | February 09, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Happy Anniversary to you both. Love the recipe and the collections. Planning to do a filet mig. and shrimp with salad and perhaps and apple pie for the apple of my eye.
Posted by: Priscilla Bahr | February 10, 2012 at 04:09 AM
Such sweet photo's. Handsome couple you two are. Delicious lamb shanks, they look fantastic!
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Carol @There's Always Thyme to Cook | February 10, 2012 at 05:23 AM
Mommy,
Happy belated anniversary to you and daddy!! It was yesterday, right? Love you both so much.
That wedding photo is absolutely perfect, I love it!
The Bennington pottery looks fantastic on display, too.
Miss you, love you,
Jenna
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | February 10, 2012 at 09:16 AM
Sooo cute, looking back 35 years...love the vintage valentines, too! Thanks for sharing. Happy Pink Valentine Saturday!! ~Lorraine ♥♥♥
Posted by: Lorraine | February 10, 2012 at 12:16 PM
This is just great -- love the vintage photos AND valentines! Such love! I think Rick will cook for me on Tuesday; I'll make heart cookies and his Valentine book. It will be lovely!
Posted by: jeanie | February 10, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I always change things up too. I'm blessed to have enough stuff and places to put it! Amazingly playing with my goodies always cheers me up. I'm not sure what I'm cooking, but Da Hubs is taking me for dinner and a comedy show with friends. So I really need to think of a good one.
Happy PS St Valentines and anniversary
LL
Posted by: LL | February 10, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Susan,
Thanks for stopping by. I love to cook a special meal for the special man. I have a few pieces of hammered aluminum that I bring out from time to time.
Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day!
Carol
Posted by: Carol at Serendipity | February 10, 2012 at 01:43 PM
Love your story! Hope you have a happy anniversary and a happy Valentines Day. Happy Pink Saturday. ~Marti
Posted by: Marti | February 10, 2012 at 01:48 PM
low key all the way. plus lots of candy.
Posted by: rebecca | February 10, 2012 at 02:20 PM
That must be so enjoyable having your anniversary on Valentines day!!! Wonderful wedding picture. I loved exchanging valentines day in school and crafting that special box for them.
Ann
Posted by: Ann | February 10, 2012 at 02:26 PM
HPS! And I must say you are one lucky lady..35 years! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
smiles~
C
Posted by: Cat | February 10, 2012 at 02:36 PM
yummy, lamb shanks! Happy Valentine's Day <3
Posted by: Www | February 10, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Happy Anniversary and Happy Pink Saturday Sweetie...
What a beautiful share. I love the photos. Your school photo is priceless, as is your wedding photo. Just priceless.
I too, remember those Valentines. I loved the ones with brushed velvet on them. They were so soft and pretty. I can remember running my hands over and over the velvety substance. Thank you for the memory.
Have a glorious weekend. Many hugs and much love, Sherry
Posted by: Sherry | February 10, 2012 at 04:24 PM
Susan, Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day to you and your sweetheart. I've always loved this holiday. Being an elementary teacher for so many years, I've certainly had my share of those cute little valentines through the years. It always made me smile as I watched young children eagerly open a valentine, read those preprinted words as if they were written specifically for them. Then they would rush over to the one who had given them the valentine. It was so much fun to see these little ones going back and forth to each other excitedly sharing about the messages. Love and friendship ~ that's what this holiday is all about for me. ~ Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | February 10, 2012 at 04:54 PM
Oh what a sweet story. Happy Anniversary. Your food looks amazing and I love all your Valentine pictures. xo Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | February 10, 2012 at 07:58 PM
That's so sweet!!
I'd never heard of hammered aluminum so I had to check that out -- very neat. I love vintage and antique dishes. They just seem so homey.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! :-)
Posted by: Shari~Rain into Rainbows | February 10, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Lovely how you dress your hutch, wonderful idea I may take. I make all my familys favorites on VD too. Happy Pink Saturday! ~Diane (I am #16)
Posted by: Diane | February 11, 2012 at 07:21 AM
What a very sweet share, thank you. I love the pottery, but I can understand your love of the aluminum. My hubby hasn't bought me a hutch yet. We go antiquing and junking looking for that right piece (I've found several) but so far none have tickled his interest. I think it's because he knows I want to get a china set and he's seen the price of the one I really love :)
Have a Happy Valentine's Day...HPS
Hugs, LisaKay
Posted by: LisaKay Balazs | February 11, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Definitely a fun time when growing up. We had to make most of our valentines. No money extra for that.
Posted by: LaVoice | February 11, 2012 at 01:41 PM
Wonderful memories!
Happy Pink Valentines Susan.
Have a nice week ahead.
♥Regina
Posted by: Regina | February 12, 2012 at 05:24 AM
Such great memories. Why don't you link your post to Seasonal Sundays?
- The Tablescaper
Posted by: The Tablescaper | February 12, 2012 at 07:29 AM
Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Valentine's Day, Susan. And, Happy Anniversary, too.♥
Your lamb shanks look and sound delicious. This is a dinner which is enjoyed at our home, too.
Love your collections. I have a weakness for hammered aluminum, and your collection is fabulous.
Posted by: Beverly | February 14, 2012 at 06:25 AM
I love your post. I remember those Valentines and love them too.
Happy anniversary and happy anniversary!
Posted by: Loretta Houben | February 14, 2012 at 02:28 PM
Oops!
I meant happy Valentine's day!
Posted by: Loretta Houben | February 14, 2012 at 02:29 PM
Happy belated anniversary! And Valentine's Day.
Posted by: Sallie (FullTime-Life) | February 15, 2012 at 03:47 PM