Be Mine, Valentines

When I planned to go home to New Jersey over President’s Day weekend, it was because I hadn’t been home since Christmas and really wanted to be home for the long weekend. Due to my trips to Arizona, Ireland, and the Czech Republic, January was completely taken up, and when I got back I took a couple of weekends as breathers to catch up with things here in Boston.

When I realized it was Valentine’s Day weekend, I still really wanted to go, and not worrying about when we celebrated, the hubs urged me to stick with my plans.

I have to tell you that I LOVE Valentine’s Day. I love pink and red and chocolate and even though I love my family and husband every day, it is fun to have a day to pause and celebrate. I don’t understand why people hate Valentine’s Day so much. The same argument could be made for Thanksgiving, why do we need a day to be thankful, blah blah blah. I loved Valentine’s Day when I was single, when all of the other girls in the high school hallway nearly floated away on heart-shaped Mylar balloons, and I love it now.

Anyway, the weekend kicked off with a nice, quick drive to New Jersey and a pedicure with my sister. Loved the time with her, did NOT love the dirtiness of the Lookin Good Spa or the surliness of the front desk staff. Don’t go here.

After our pedicure, my mom, sister, brother in law, niece, and I went to Buzzy’s my favorite hometown restaurant. Its a very simple, down to earth place that serves great food and has friendly staff.

Sunday, I got to spend the entire day with the above mentioned family members. Trust me, I stopped often to reflect on how lucky I am to have people I love so much.

There was cupcake decorating.

And a delicious meal.

Salads with optional toppings, roasted red peppers, candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, and beets. I love loading salads up with toppings of many colors and textures.

Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs

We also had lobster with butter, roasted potato wedges, and rolls. It was yummy, and best of all we were all at home. I prefer not to go to restaurants on holidays, so the hubs and I will celebrate the holiday belatedly sometime soon.

Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day or do you avoid it? <3

I am excited to announce that I am over 1/3 of the way to my fundraising goal for my ALLY Foundation raffle! Many thanks to so many people from the blog world who have donated. Just a reminder of the prizes:

$100 gift card to Williams Sonoma

A mixed case of wine from Wine Cellar of Stoneham

A custom granola blend from me & goji

One month membership to all Healthworks Fitness Centers

A private tour and tasting for 10 at Westport Rivers winery

How to enter:

Visit http://firstgiving.com/meghanmalloyteamally

Each $10 donation counts as one entry for the above raffle.

Thanks a million to Wine Cellar of Stoneham, me & goji, Healthworks Fitness Centers, and Westport Rivers Winery for their generous prize donations!