Peter and I were kind of off to a rough start this year with saving money. With Mir coming just before Christmas, then Christmas, Kirsten's visit and spending New Years in London, Peter's birthday on January 5th, then my birthday on January 20th, Peter's car service (including a new clutch for a whopping £780!)....we didn't even have to discuss a Valentine's Day budget. Luckily though, we were both on the same page, as usual, and only spent £9 on each other!
This sweet little basket was waiting for me on Valentine's Day morning. He knows me so well. Berries, grapes, chocolate, my favorite chips, a picture of us, and daffodils!
Since we don't have any vases small enough, I used an idea I saw on pinterest not so long ago, and decorated an old sauce jar. I simply cut out some scrapbook paper, taped it together, and wrapped a little bow around it. Cute huh?!
My presents to him were a little silly, I thought. I found a new razor with two blades on sale for only £4.99!! So I got him that, and also a new black fountain pen for work. On top of those, I also registered a new email address for him, and starting January 17, I wrote him a love email (almost) everyday until Valentine's Day. That was fun, and I'm pretty certain he like that idea :-) I also, just because I had the day off, decorated our house with cute scrapbook paper flag banners (another pinterest idea) hanging around the windows, TV, and into our kitchen, and I ironed a weeks worth of his work shirts, since he absolutely dreads doing that. All in all, it was the sweetest Valentine's Day I've ever had! Plus, we got a fantastic dinner deal from Marks and Spencers, for only £20! Here's what we had....Breaded crab cakes for starters, a peppercorn rump steak with gastropub chips (fries), and peas, and for dessert we had a raspberry vanilla panna cotta. Plus, it came with champagne and a box of chocolates. Perfect! Much better than going out and spending a fortune--and it's always fun being in the kitchen with him!
By the way, how cute was the Valentine's Google Doodle?! Here it is, in case you missed it!
Just before Valentine's Day, we got hit with some major snow. It was actually really nice since we didn't get any in December or January--it was cold enough to have snowed though! It was my first ever, actual snow day. Work was called off for me on Sunday, so Peter and I went out for a walk. It was stunning! The entire time I kept thinking to myself that my struggle with winter was so worth it just to see this snowfall! I think we ended up walking and taking pictures for about 3 hours that day :-)
I forgot to mention our birthdays! Peter's parents made it a family tradition to make a three course dinner of your choice on your birthday! So for Peter's, we went over and had Pâté, a meat fondue and bread and butter pudding! yum! We also went out with Kerry, Heather, and JP to an Indian Restaurant called Ancient Raj , Peter and I had been here on one of our monthly dates and LOVED it! For my birthday, we finally booked our wine tasting in Brighton. Actually, I tried to get it sooner, but the only date they had open was my birthday, so we took it! That turned out to be freezing cold, but still lots of fun and absolutely delicious! I'm not sure what I was expecting when we drove in....lush green vines? No...it's winter, so the vines were completely dead. Anyway, we got a tour, tasting, lunch, and a complimentary bottle. Then, we used our vouchers for free admission into the Royal Pavilion which included scones and tea! We love that place and will be heading back in summertime when the weather is nicer. Then it was off to Pete's parents for our dinner, and Andrew was also here for three weeks, so he got to experience the birthday fun, and even helped Cat make the dessert--a fruit tart! For starters we had a baby spinach salad with strawberries, walnuts, and bleu cheese. I love these kinds of salads, but they don't really have them here, so it was new for them and I'm pretty sure they all enjoyed it! Then we had steak with dauphinoise potatoes and cauliflower cheese. A few days after, we had my dinner with friends, and I chose the Duke William pub--their food is delicious and it's so cozy! Peter's mom took Miranda and I there for lunch one day, and I had to find any excuse to go back!
'Til next time...
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