Mostly Valentines and Galentines

Galentines!

Nichole and I took some bonding time together near Valentine's Day. It was actually on February 11 which was Peppermint Patty Day. We went to the Orem Library and picked up a movie to watch. It was Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Then we had some fun with shadows in the park. It was one of the last days they had the lights on. 

We stopped by Winco and picked up some peppermint patties (and other treats since Nichole doesn't actually like peppermint patties) then we went home to watch our movie. 

Jr. made us some popcorn. What a sweetie.

Love bonding time with my gal. 

 

February 13 was National Tortellini Day. I made Hamburger Soup and added tortellini to it. 

February 14 was Valentine's Day of course. Here's how I celebrated:

When I sent the kids off to school in the morning, I encouraged them to spread love and kindness.

I went on a walk by the lake and got to see some cool ice stacks. I saw a bald eagle in a tree as I was looking around.

I stopped by the library to pick up a book on hold, the movie, Penguin: Spy in the Huddle, because I completely forgot to get it for Penguin Awareness Day in January, and my own "Blind Date with a Book." The book turned out to be Meet Me at the Museum, which I still haven't read because I've been reading so many other books.

I said "Hi" to Libby the Librantula. I always love it when she's out where I can see her.

At home I cleaned up the aftermath of Valentine box construction. I love to see the creativity in my family.

This is how Lucky's Rockhopper Penguin box turned out. 

Jeremy helped Lucky design Valentine's for the kids in his class. Each design had a different bird with courtship info about that bird.

I baked bread.

I made sack dinners for Jeremy and Nichole to eat at Life, The Universe, and Everything symposium they went to again this year.

Jet and I picked up Nichole to take her to the conference with Jeremy.

We had heart shaped pizza for dinner. The boys made sure I cut it in a zig zag way. Oh no. It's a broken heart.   

I got to listen to Jr. Jr. and Jet laughing together and just being plain cute.

 

February 15 was National Gumdrop Day. I forgot to get the gumdrops out for that holiday so we had gumdrops the day after with cookie candy flowers the boys put together.

 

February 16 was National Almond Day so I had a salad with almonds in it for lunch. 

I had Jr. make a Valentine's dinner for Jeremy and me since Jeremy wasn't available on Valentine's Day. Jr. made Ogre Stew from The Fablehaven Cookbook.

Wow. Plenty busy around Valentine's we were.

Cheddar and Almonds

I forgot to mention that between Superb Owl Sunday and Valentine's Day was National Cheddar Day on February 13.

I asked the kids what I should make with cheddar cheese. They wanted impossible cheeseburger pie. I figured I could do some rice as a side dish. Hmm. Cheddar Day. How about some cheese on the rice? I realized that reminded me of Hawaiian haystacks so I added some pineapple that was in the fridge. I almost got out chow mein noodles but didn't. I did get out lettuce for another side... and added cheddar cheese and salad dressing. Then I threw a piece of bread in there as well... with cheese on top.

Then after all our Valentine's fun, the kids and I celebrated National Almond Day on February 16 by watching the Studio C sketch, "West Side Snapping."

Gumdrops and Almonds and Cabbage, Oh My.

I was too tired this week to blog about the holidays (or the computer was unavailable) so here's what we missed:

February 15 was National Gumdrop Day. The kids had gumdrops for after school snack. 

February 16 was Pancake Day at IHOP. It was also National Almond Day. I had honey bunches of oats with almonds for breakfast. Jeremy and I had a snack with almonds in it in the middle of the day. I made a broccoli salad with almonds to go with our dinner of chocolate chip pancakes that Jr. made. Thanks, Jr.

February 17 was National Cabbage Day. Mmmm, more Chinese food. I only had one bag of chow mein noodles left so I made less than I normally would and so many of us picked at the chow mein while dinner was being prepared that we ended up with just a small bowlful at dinner. There were plenty of egg rolls, though. Mmm, Chinese food.

February 17 was also Random Acts of Kindness Day. I started watching an episode of "Random Acts" on BYUTV while I was making dinner. It was the episode with The Food Nanny. You know I love The Food Nanny.

There, blogged. Phew.

National Almond Day 2021

For National Almond Day on February 16 I made a broccoli salad to go along with dinner. It had broccoli, onions, dried cranberries, almonds, and honey mustard dressing. I got the idea from budgetbytes.com but I didn't use homemade honey mustard dressing. Bottled stuff from the store is just fine for me. Yumm.

Snacking on Almonds

Enjoyed snacking on almonds this National Almond Day, February 16?

I sure did.

Almond Roca... Yumm!

National Almond Day, February 16.  Great excuse to make homemade almond roca.  

Yumm!