Monday, February 14, 2011

Celebrating Valentine's Day Montalvo Style



  I will admit it.....I kind of like to make a big deal out of ALL the holidays.  It just makes it more fun for the kids, and who are we kidding....the BIG kids like it too!

  Generally speaking, I decorate for all the holidays, and I usually make a nice dinner and dessert for the holidays as well.  I am already planning St. Patty's Day as we speak.  I usually include music as well.  Being Scottish, I love the Bag Pipes.....so it is right up my alley!

  The only ones I don't cook for, are 4th of July,  (That is a cook out holiday, and I leave that one to the boys),  And Mother's day....(also a day where the boys have to do the cooking).

   I thought I would share a few pictures of our Valentine's Celebration, including making Valentine's for my Niece to take to class. We got together on Friday night with my Brother and his family.  That was loads of fun!!





I always make sure we have holiday candy in the house.  It's one of the cheapest ways to add some holiday cheer, and there are so many cool candies to choose from.  These are Valentine's candy corn, in Strawberry Cream flavor.  The dishes were from my Grandmother years ago.

Red Hots!

Please excuse the iPhone pics....I did this in a rush.  :)


Lexi helped me put on the table cloth, set the table, and wanted to light all the candles in the house.  She really is very cute....always trying to be a mini MOM.


I made a red velvet cake for the first time in my life.  Not something us "Yankees" tend to make!  It was sooo good! The recipe was from Paula Dean. 


My most favorite Christmas gift in the whole world.....Oh kitchen aid, how I love thee!  Can you believe that it called for 2 TABLESPOONS of Red food coloring?

They came out perfect!  You rock Paula Dean....Paula Montalvo isn't too bad either.  hahaha

Cream cheese frosting, and I added a little strawberry Jam to the middle to cut the sweetness.

The sun was shining today...It hit a whopping 40 degrees today.  All of us Chicagoans were without our coats.  It was too HOT!  Seriously....no joke, just wearing a sweater today..anyway, I was trying to show how I use parchment paper under the cake to keep the frosting off the cake stand.  I just slip it out when I am done.  A trick I learned from "Martha", ages ago.

While I was in the mood for baking, and already had the majority of the ingredients out already, I made Irish Soda Bread.  My lifelong girlfriend just sent me the recipe.  I will have to make some again for St. Patty's Day!





Stuffed Green Peppers for dinner!
   So there you have it.  Valentine's Day....Montalvo Style.  Hope you all had a wonderful celebration as well!  
Blessings! <3 Paula

4 comments:

  1. Great celebration! The red velvet cake looks delish! Any Paula Deen recipe is good! I love her bread pudding...try it you will love it!

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  2. Everything looks so good! I would like a slice of that cake please :)

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  3. Hi Paula
    I love your Valentine celebration. When I was raising my girls, every holiday, no matter what, was an occasion for celebration. You are making wonderful memories for your kids. And some yummy treats too! I have never made a red velvet cake, that 2T of red always throws me off too. {that's a lot} Yours looks so yummy I may just have to try it.

    Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Sue

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  4. I will have to say that....I have had red velvet cake before, but this was by far the best one I have ever tried. Paula Dean's recipe was amazing and the cream cheese frosting was easy to make and the perfect amount of sweet but not too sweet! You all have to try it! Thanks for stopping by!

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