oh blessed day

It's official (this is Jamie speaking): I hate Valentine's Day. I'm not sure why suddenly this year I feel so strongly about it. I've never had a bad Valentine's Day experience. I never had a boyfriend who forgot about it, my parents always have made a point to do a little something for each of us in the form of chocolates or cookies or a gift card, and Trevor traditionally sends flowers to my office. And for that, I am extremely apreciative and grateful. But this year I do, I hate it...and I'm being a real grumpy-britches about it too.

I think the thing I hate most about it is that I heard people in my office talking about buying their spouses new expensive sunglasses and clothing and jewelry. Then I saw this really terrible ad for pajamagrams, and inevitably when I go to the grocery tonight, I will see dozens of vases teaming with roses and marked up 200% of what they are actually worth. It's not that I mind presents...at Christmas and Birthdays...

And then there's the email I got from The Melting Pot advertising some crazy Valentine's Day special for only $175/couple. When really, we could wait and go there next Tuesday or any other day and have a fantastically nice meal for $75!

I guess it's like all things in American culture: rampant consumerism has ruined the original idea of it all which was this: a designated day to show the people you love that you care about them. Then again, why is it that we need a socially mandated day to express our love for those around us? How much more special would it be for a husband to drop by and pick up flowers and chocolates for his wife, some random Thursday in June, just to see her face light up when he walks through the door? My boss says that it's a holiday for guilty husbands and I think he's right. If people need a specific date on the calendar to show their wives how much they care - what does that say about the current state of marriage/relationships? It's been hyped up by society for one simple reason: for businesses to make money.

On the other hand, I got an email from my dad today saying that my brother wanted to do something special for my mom today and wondering if we wanted to be in on it. Of course I said yes, and my heart can't help but be glad when I think of the look on her face when our gift is delivered to her this afternoon at school. She's going to love it and it's going to be an outward, physical reminder to her that she has 4 kids who love her so much. It's not like she doesn't know - we say it all the time, and try to display it in our actions, but today she will be reminded once again how much she means to us. And for that, I can't help but be a little excited.

So I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't say that I hate Valentine's Day. I guess I should say that I hate what Valentine's Day, like most holidays, has become, and it challenges me to take what our culture says I should do tomorrow, February 14, and spread it out throughout the year. To make sure that my loved ones KNOW how much they mean to me all the time. To do special little things for people, just so I can see the look on their faces...I have so many people to love...

Menu Monday

Sorry for the hiatus last week. We were extra busy I guess, and I didn't even grocery shop until Thursday night...so it wasn't worth it to dedicate one whole blog to only 3 dinners. If you are wondering though, we tried a new recipe on Thursday night - a wonderful turkey tamale pie which I'll be sure to post in the future (with a few minor modifications). Other than that, it was a whole lotta leftovers at the Lubiens house. This week may be more of the same.

Monday: leftovers (see, I told you) Tamale pie, chips and guacamole -or- pizza. Healthy, huh?

Tuesday: good old fashioned spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, and garlic bread. When planning my menus, I stray away from spaghetti because it's boring. But then when we do eat it, it always tastes SO good! Trevor will probably put this meal together while I work on our taxes. *gag* **about the taxes of course. Trevor's cooking is generally quite tasty (sorry babe)**

Wednesday: dinner at church

Thursday: chili and corn muffins

Friday: leftover pizza or Tamale pie with tossed romaine salad

Saturday: dependent on how many leftovers we STILL have (if any) for lunch.
For Valentine's day dinner, we're staying in this year, and I'm excited about our meal plans.
First course: cheese fondue (debating between Wisconsin cheddar or traditional Swiss) with assorted dippers (bread, apples, grapes, veggies)
Main course: Omaha steaks, garlic butter green beans, and mashed potatoes
Dessert: dark chocolate fondue with strawberries, pound cake, pretzels and brownie bites (maybe) Sounds good, doesn't it? After eating all that, I'd be willing to bet my left arm that we won't feel like being romantic, but it will be SO worth it to eat all that good food. Besides, we can be romantic any other day of the year. This is an excuse to throw the grocery budget to the wind and really EAT!

I know most of this post is boring and includes A LOT of leftovers. Here's why: I HATE throwing away food. Chances are good that if something isn't rank or growing a furry sweater in the fridge, we're going to eat it. Luckily, I have a husband who doesn't mind eating the same things multiple times each week. It's hard sometimes to cook for just two. For instance, I now know that the tamale pie recipe is big enough to feed a small army, and that even after cutting the recipe in half - note to self. The freezer has become my biggest ally.

As the days get longer and warmer, I'm anxious to use the grill a lot more, and the oven a little less. This spring we hope to join a CSA, but that's a different post entirely, and this one is already a little lengthy. I'm also working my way through some cook-lots-at-one-time-and-freeze-the-remaining-portions books, so I'll let you know how that goes. For now though, happy cooking!