Cozy valentine's day & delicious recipes from sweet pea delights

A valentine's day celebration & anniversary joy

Welcome, friends! Happy Valentine’s Day! It's a special day for me personally as it marks my 28th wedding anniversary. My husband and I like to celebrate our anniversary a little differently – we go out to dinner earlier in the week and then enjoy a cozy night in on Valentine's Day itself, avoiding the crowds. Tonight, we're indulging in a decadent treat: Chocolate Lava Cakes topped with Chocolate Ice Cream! It’s the perfect way to celebrate love and delicious food.

Savory sensations: steak bites & roasted potatoes

This week on the blog, I’m excited to share some family favorites. First up, Buttered Steak Bites and Mushrooms - an instant hit from the very first bite! The key is tenderness, and this recipe delivers. Then there's the beloved Roasted Red Potatoes, a regular on our meal plan for the last fifteen years. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal attention, and they're perfect for dipping or topping burgers.

Elevate your steak with homemade sauce

No steak is complete without a fantastic sauce! My Homemade Steak Sauce is the perfect complement, offering a tangy, slightly sweet, and subtly smoky flavor. It’s a quick and easy recipe, combining the best elements of A-1 and Heinz 57 flavors, all made from the comfort of your own kitchen. It only takes a few minutes to put together and then simmers to perfection.

Brighten your winter with a fresh salad

Sometimes, you just need a burst of freshness, especially during the colder months. This Winter Salad with cabbage and Brussels sprouts is exactly what the body craves. It’s a vibrant and delicious way to add some life to your meals. I’ll be making it again this weekend – it’s that good!

Easy breakfast with slow cooker oatmeal

Start your day with a warm and comforting breakfast! My Slow Cooker Oatmeal is a family favorite, filled with creamy oats, sweet bananas, berries, a touch of brown sugar, and delightful spices. What's best is that it can be made in just one hour, without any stirring required! It's a truly crave-worthy and effortless breakfast option.

Party-ready baked potato dip

Looking for a fun and easy appetizer? Transform a classic baked potato into a crowd-pleasing Loaded Baked Potato Dip. Simply mash fluffy potatoes with melted cheese and butter, add crispy bacon and fresh green onions, and bake until bubbly. It's a portable party classic that's sure to disappear quickly!

Indulge in old fashioned chocolate cobbler & a lunch bag essential

For those with a sweet tooth, you absolutely must try my Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler. It's a rich, decadent, and easy-to-make chocolate lover’s dream! And speaking of essentials, I've been using PackIt Freezable Bags for over ten years. I highly recommend them for keeping snacks and lunches cold when traveling or out all day - a world apart from traditional lunch bags with ice packs. My son uses them daily for school!

A thoughtful movie recommendation: the wild robot

Finally, a movie recommendation! We recently watched The Wild Robot, and it’s a must-see. The storyline is truly charming, following Roz, a robot who gets stranded on a wild island and befriends the animals while learning to survive. The animation is breathtaking – it’s a work of art that captivated both my college kids and me!

A verse on love

To end on a heartwarming note, here’s a beautiful verse: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV