P.S. I love you, too

I tip-toe up to mentioning this holiday (yes, I will take the liberty of actually calling it a holiday) because Cupid's cute little arrow might have pinched you on the cheek or stabbed you in the heart; either way, a little gentle sweetness might not hurt.

I expected to be telling you about almond vanilla ice cream or red chili truffles, but another day another time. After the infiltration of chocolate boxes, it seemed considerate to give you a break from all that temptation. Considerate and entirely difficult! trust me. Instead it seemed appropriate to think of something small and love-worthy and make a big hoopla out of it.

Perhaps Valentine's Day was invented by money hungry mongrels sitting in a tall building somewhere, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Today is the perfect day to remember simple little things that love us so well it is sometimes easy to forget to even notice. You might be expecting me to swoon about my dog husband, but actually it is something else entirely.
For a moment, one tiny moment, my favorite meals would like some attention. Because they have been with me, so faithfully, for some time now I sometimes forget to mention how wonderful they are. If I may ask you to indulge me just a moment, I feel it is high time to mention some of my favorite simple meals. (just some or we would be here awhile). After so consistently being wonderful, they deserve a bit of pink Valentine kisses.
Here is a little overdue recognition for a few of my favorite things. (singing Nun: enter stage right)

Buttered toast with a schmear of avocado topped with a chipotle over easy egg.
Whipped sweet potatoes with goat's cheese and roasted brussel sprouts.
Grilled cilantro jalapeno hamburgers on sourdough toast.
Cornmeal pancakes.
Peanut butter.
Peanut butter, granola, honey, banana sandwich on wheat toast.
Balsamic glazed chicken, roasted potatoes, and baby spinach.
Peanut butter. (yes. I know I already said this one.)
Curried cauliflower and lentils with anise.
Avocado, lemon, and cucumber sushi.
Cornbread smothered with turkey chili.
Roasted chicken with grainy Dijon, rye bread, and baby spinach salad.
Candied winter squash and black bean salad.
Chicken noodle soup.
Sweet potato coconut milk bisque.
Chickpea Cauliflower salad with lemon and bulghur wheat
Apple butter, red onion jam, and sharp white cheddar grilled cheese.
Thai green curry.
anything that involves rice. fluffy gorgeous basmati rice.

aah.
It feels so good to praise the simple things.
Of course I think Cupid is a hoax; I do not actually believe in love soaked flying arrows. But if the 14th of February can remind me of lovely things, it might not be a complete waste.
Here is to a love filled day.

p.s. If no one gives you chocolate, take two rainy day chocolate cakes and call me in the morning.
p.s.s. I promise to swoon all over my husband (and dog). promise.

Comments

[Emily]

We are so alike! (At least I like to think!) I will be celebrating the day by making one of my favorite simple pleasures: peanut butter fudge! Yum! Your simple favorites are making me hungry! I will definitely attest to the avocado shmear and egg on toast...mmmmmmmm! So delicious!

[L*Joy]

emily
i think we are a bit alike. (you are so wonderful, brilliant, and of course beautiful).
let me know how the fudge goes!
L*Joy

[Anne]

Ooh, I like the addition of granola to my favorite sandwich- peanut butter, honey and banana. Elvis' favorite included bacon. I can't say I disapprove of that either.

[L*Joy]

anne
hurray for PBBH lovers.
granola completely satisfies the crunch that I suppose Elvis got from the bacon. I wonder if the King would agree.
L*Joy

[dana!]

darling! you are on my favorites list. ps i love YOU and don't forget it. i saw you called and thought maybe we could talk sometime tomorrow. your blog makes me so hungry, come up here and cook for me already! or at least with me. anyway, lets talk soon. xxxooo

ps. why didn't you put the dana culinary school special "brown rice with kale" also known by "kale with some brown rice" on your favorites list? I only fed it to you a few dozen times. Don't you miss it like you miss bean toast?

[L*Joy]

Dana!
talking sooner than soon is in order.
how could I have left kale with brown rice off of the list? Truly, it just has to made by you :)
Love you!
L*Joy

[Shannon]

Kiersten and I had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend! The "boys" were out of town so it was just the girls with days full of shopping, pedicures and leaving our "stuff" all around the house and not worrying about picking up after ourselves!!.. Yes I did say that Kiersten and I are the slobs...and boy did we enjoy it. The house is now picked up and inorder preparing for the return of our special men tomorrow! During this down time we decided to cook together and after a lot searching Kiersten choose the Chicken Noodle shop from Nov 2007! I was a little nervous...there were a lot of steps prior to eating the soup...many more than clipping on the can opener and pouring!!! I must report it was a HUGE success! It was so good I wanted to share so we took some to our elderly neighbors for their dinner tonight and they were thrilled! Little sweet Harriet said, "how nice of you to bring us something that smells SO yummy!!" So not only was the result a success the actions that lead up to it were rewarding, fun and mother/daugher bonding! Thanks L*Joy for once again adding a memory and milestone to our world! Love ya, Shannon

[L*Joy]

oh my. this is why I do this.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
L*Joy

[Vanesa]

I mean HOW COOL that you give US all your fabulous recipes! ;)
I feel like I know a star.