BUSY Valentine’s Day Flowers

Today has been one of the busiest days I have had a quite some time. The day before Valentine’s Day at a floral shop is chaos, likely for me organized chaos! We have been working diligently all day designing the preorders for Valentine’s Day. I am lucky that my boss is so kind and patient as I continue learning and growing as a florist.

I have never made so many arrangements in a day. I think this Valentine’s Day has been even busier than last year’s already. Hopefully, with all our preorders done, tomorrow will be easier and less stressed.

I have been getting really good at basic bouquets and arrangements. Many Valentine’s Day orders are simple using just one flower, typically roses, with a ribbon. We had a few extravagant bouquet orders that gave us a little more freedom for creativity but they took a little more time.

I cannot thank my boss enough for such a great opportunity this has been. I have learned so much in the past year and grown as a florist. In the beginning I would have never imagined I would be comfortable making countless arrangements for Valentine’s Day or working and creating bouquets and centerpieces for weddings. I couldn’t be happier with the path I took to get to be where I am today.

Even though I will be working all tomorrow on Valentine’s Day, I have a little plan for my husband. I have to be at the shop really early in the morning, so I am going to make breakfast for him and have it ready with a love letter. I am sure he will love it. In the evening we are going to have a romantic movie night at home. Being in the comfort of our own home will be a great way to celebrate this holiday of love.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day tomorrow!

Until next time,

Nancy

Surprise Dinner

I love when my husband surprises me with little romantic gestures.  When I got home from the floral shop this evening, I walked into the house and he had dinner almost ready, candles lit, dinner table set, a single rose, and an envelope waiting for me on the table.

He really went all out, putting our Valentine’s Day dinner to shame. 🙂 He set the ambiance in the room with romantic lighting, actually put our nice tablecloth on the table, used our “fancy” silverware, and had my favorite CD playing.  He knows how to set the perfect mood.

Of course he pulled out all the stops and made me my favorite sea food dinner.  (I had been wanting it so bad lately, he knew it would be a great surprise for me)  He always concocts delicious flavors from recipes by adding his own “pizazz” to make them better.  He made roasted shrimp cocktail, baked flounder with roasted tomatoes, AND angel food cake with strawberries and raspberries.  It was seriously one of the best meals I have had in a while.  I don’t know where he got this “cooking bug” from, but this was definitely better than what I expected from him. 🙂

The single rose and envelope at my seat made me feel giddy like it was our first date again.  The rose we so beautiful and in the envelope was a love letter.  He wrote how he can’t make beautiful floral arrangements like I can, but this single rose is even more beautiful than a million.  But nothing compares to my beauty.  My heart felt so much love and warmth.  It was the most thoughtful thing I have received in a while.  Even for Valentine’s Day he didn’t do anything this romantic.  I am so thankful he is in my life.

I truly believe whether you have been married for two months, 5 years, or 20 years, it is important to keep the spark alive with little surprises.  Valentine’s Day was just two weeks ago, I did not expect him to do anything like this but am so happy he did.

Little sparks of romance make me feel so important, cared for, and loved.  It is amazing when we look back at our years together and we can see how our love has continued to grow after all these years.  Needless to say, this was the perfect start to our weekend.

Until Next time,

Nancy

Valentine’s Dinner Planning

It is almost Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest most romantic days for florists. Valentine’s Day is a great way to make sure you celebrate the romance and love in relationships. Although I have to work at the floral shop during the day, my boss said that I will be off in the early afternoon. Providing my husband and I the perfect time to have a romantic afternoon and dinner at our home.

I believe that best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach; at least that is the case, for my hubby. Instead of going out to dinner and waiting in line with all the couples kissing, we decided to have a romantic dinner just the two of us at home. I am so happy Valentine’s Day is on Saturday this year, we have all afternoon to spend with each other and be romantic and kissy 🙂 …Clara and Bobby would laugh at us if they read that.

When I get home from work, my husband and I decided to go on a bike ride on a trail we have wanted to go on for a while and then cook our favorite dishes for dinner. We are going to have such a great time in each other’s company. I am so happy that we have time to spend together with no distractions.

Obviously I have to make a beautiful flower arrangement for our special dinner. 🙂 I have been looking up new ideas so I can create a uniquely perfect center piece. I found one I really like with roses, peonies, and tulips. It might be a little more difficult than the other ones I have made but my husband is going to think it is great regardless.

We are going to have a beautiful dinner with the flowers and our favorite foods. Here are our favorite recipes that we are going to make for our romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

Parmesan Pork Chops 

Ingredients-
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ tsp. sage
• ½ tsp. grated lemon zest
• 2 boneless pork chops
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. butter

Instructions-
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and lightly grease a 7×11 inch baking dish
• Mix the flour, salt, ground pepper in a small bowl. Then combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, sage, and lemon peel in a shallow dish.
• Gently coat the pork chops in the flour mixture then dip into beaten egg then press into bread crumbs. Toss between hands to any crumbs not fully stuck on fall off.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the pork chops on each side for about 4 minutes and place on prepared baking dish. Bake until meat is fully cooked, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Enjoy!

My husband’s favorite Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients-
• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• Flaky sea salt if desired to top

Instructions-
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and place in oven so they become hot.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into ½ inch sticks and toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on the heated baking sheets lined with foil.
• Bake them while rotating the pan and fires until edges are lightly browned and centers are tender. About 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.

And for dessert, my favorite, Strawberry Cream served with Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients-
• 2 cups frozen unsweetened whole strawberries
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup whipped cream

Instructions-
• Place the strawberries and sugar into a food processor and process until finely chopped.
• In a small bowl beat the whipped cream and fold in the berries. Freeze for about 15 minutes or until your desired consistency. Serve with chocolate cover strawberries, everyone has their own favorite recipe, and enjoy!

There is no doubt that this is going to be a delicious meal with all our favorite foods. We still have to come up with a salad but I don’t think it will be a problem, my husband loves coming up with things on the spot. It is going to be a delicious Valentine’s Day with the one I love the most. Hope your Valentine’s Day is extra special! 🙂

Until next time, ❤
Nancy

Surprise Picnic

I was feeling really spontaneous this morning. While I was having my coffee and catching up on Pinterest and saw the cutest pictures of picnics in parks; it gave me a great idea. I decided to surprise my husband at work for a picnic lunch. 🙂 We had just been talking about taking a little road trip or a romantic getaway so it was a great way to keep the romance flowing.
Picnics make me think of romantic afternoons in a beautiful park with someone special. What could be better than enjoying the fresh air, good company, and some delicious food to make my husband’s day just a little more special? I made chocolate cover strawberries, his favorite pasta salad, and delicious little sandwiches this morning. I saw this great idea to put the pasta salad in little mason jars, so cute. It made it even more romantic and special.

I knew he didn’t have any meetings today so it was the perfect day to surprise him. When I got there he was surprised to see me. I rarely visit him at work, only when he forgets something and I need to drop it off for him.

When I told him I brought a picnic lunch for us he got the first big smile of the day. He planted a big one on me after that. 🙂

We went to the park near his work, laid out the blanket, and had a great lunch. It felt like we were kids again, sneaking out of school to go sit in the park with each other. The little romantic things we have been doing bring back all the young love feelings again. It’s almost like were newlyweds again.

Our picnic lunch ended up being so special. The little surprises we have started doing for each other is what keeps our relationship growing and the love flowing. After my little surprise for him, he said he had one up his sleeve…oh I can’t wait. Being new empty nesters has brought a new aspect of romance and love to our relationship. And I love it!

Until Next Time,
Nancy

On Cloud 9

It’s been almost a week since I went shopping and got the PERFECT dress for my wedding anniversary dinner. I have been excited all week to get dressed up and feel good in my new clothes. I can’t remember the last time I was so “giddy” for a dinner out. I didn’t show my husband the dress or the new clothes so I could surprise him right before we left.

When I walked down the stairs, his jaw hit the floor when he saw me. I have not seen that look on his face in years. Not only did I shock him with my look, it shocked me when I put it on; the amount of confidence I felt wearing my new dress was unmatchable to anything I’ve felt in a very long time. It is shocking how a little wardrobe update can make you look and feel like a new woman.

We went to our favorite Italian restaurant for dinner. Of course, the food was incredible and it almost put us into a carb coma…it was definitely worth it.  It was so good to finally sit down together, just the two of us, and have a conversation without worrying about the kids. We reminisced about all the crazy things we did when we started dating. It is funny thinking back to the things you did to impress someone. We had a good laugh about how our relationship began and how it grew into what it is now.   All evening he kept telling me that I looked even more beautiful than I did on our first date! It felt so good to feel like his beautiful bride again and not a sweaty menopausal woman.

Our romantic night got even better when he surprised me with tickets to New York. I have wanted to go to New York for years but didn’t have time with two young kids and a career. It is going to be the perfect romantic escape to get away from all the stresses here and have a week alone with my husband. He always knows how to make me feel special! I’m so excited!

 

It was one of the best nights we have had alone in a very long time. It had been so long since we took the time out of our busy schedules to sit down and enjoy each other’s company. We decided that we want to start making time to go on dates and spend time just the two of us.

Now I have to brainstorm some ideas to keep the romance growing for two empty nesters.

Until next time,

Nancy