RaisingHome: Feb 14, 2011

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!