This Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day ~   I hope you are all wearing pink and having a lovely day.

Here are some of my favorite things about this Valentines Day....

* vintage valentines

I have a garland of these hanging on my china cabinet.  I love the vintage feel they give to the room.  (actually, I just like the word "vintage"... and the kids are cute too :  )


* bouquet of chocolate pops

I made these for my son's preschool party on Tuesday, but they looked so cute I had to put them on display for a day. 

* homemade sentiments of love...

are priceless.  I'll keep this forever. 


* Valentine cookies

A perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

Baking in a warm kitchen while the cold air beats against the windows. 

Just me, a radio, and my daydreams.  Ahh, I could do this all day, every day.


* This song...

If my Valentines day had a song, this would be it.  Could be the most romantic song ever.  I entered a radio contest once where we had to submit our top three most romantic songs.  I named this one as my number 1.   Makes me swoon.  Thank you Mr. Cooke.

* feeling pretty... and while we are on the subject...

* gifts to myself

I did a little impromptu shopping this weekend and treated myself to a few new outfits.  I used the "it's Valentine's day" excuse.  Works for me. 

* and last but not least, Death by Chocolate Ooey Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake!

This desert is for true chocoholics.  It's a cake that is crusty on the outside, but had gooey pudding in the middle.  You can eat it warm or cold.  Either way, it's decadent.   Here's how you make it.

Pudding Cake:

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For cake, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. 

Whisk in milk, butter, and vanilla.  Blend until smooth. 

Pour batter into an ungreased 9 inch square baking pan.  Use a spatula to evenly level the batter. 

For the topping, mix together sugars and cocoa.

Sprinkle evenly over batter.

Pour the hot water over the top.

*Resist the temptation to stir the batter*

Bake 30 minutes. 

You want the center to bubble and look almost set, like an undercooked brownie. 

If serving warm, let stand at least 15 minutes to allow the pudding to set.

I served mine cold with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. 

Good the next day too (for breakfast ; )

Just use that "it's Valentine's Day excuse again.  Milk is as long as you can.

I hope whatever the day brings you is happy and you are feeling the love. 

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

Danielle xo