I know I’ve been obsessed with Etsy lately, but people’s creativity inspires me and I love looking at what people come up with. Then I find the cutest things and have to share!

Speaking of cute, I am really embarrassed that my vocabulary consists of “cute” and “darling” I was a journalism major for crying out loud!! You have to forgive me. I am going to try to expand my vocabulary. Maybe it’s because I say “uh oh” “go” and “hi” all day…who knows!!!!

Here are some “delightful” cards from Siska Studio.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5318478&order=&section_id=&page=1

These are on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens this month. I have to say, the more I look at them, the more I love them! Who’d of thought to tie a ribbon around the cupcake, what a great touch! And I love the dusted cookie on top of the cupcake. So cute. While I’m not a huge fan of red velvet, (and think they’d be just as cute with chocolate) I do think these little cupcakes would make a wonderful V-Day treat.

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Is it just me, or does it seem like there are only Valentines Day gifts out there for girls. Flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals (gag). I never see anything for guys except boxers with hearts on them. So, I decided to come up with a few fun dates nights that cater to your man.

Here’s my guy, isn’t he dreamy?! He likes fishing, camping, sports, snowboarding, tools, horses, flying his plane and biking. Basically all things guy. A mans man in you will. Sure do love him! He would die if I gave him flowers, chocolates and a stuffed animal!

So…here are a few “stay home with your man” themed date night ideas…with the fellas in mind. (PS. If you guy doesn’t fish, like football or golf, email me and I’ll help you think of a theme date for your guy.) wildingamber@yahoo.com

For the Fisherman…

The Menu:

Spinach and Citrus Salad (with parmesean gold fish crackers as the croutons)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_33857,00.html

Pesto-crusted Salmon Fillet with Citrus-Soy Sauce http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_15061,00.html

Asparagus with Lemon Butter
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_30606,00.html

Icecream sundaes with swedish fish as a topping (AND I just saw a big chocolate fish at Wal-Mart that says, I’m Hooked On You) It was actually pretty cute.

The Gift:

Fishpond Laurel Run Molded Nylon Fly Box $18.00 http://www.frontrangeanglers.com/shop/proddetail.php?prod=fishpondlaurelrunflybox

The Activity:
Set up a fish pond booth and give him a pole. You go on the other side and make him answer trivia (fishing, marriage, dating, memories, etc.) Everytime he gets one right, he gets to go fishing and win a prize. The prizes can range from new flies, other fishing gear to the lingerie you are wearing that night!! Woo wooo!

For The Golfer…

The Menu:

Mixed Baby “Greens” Salad with Mandarin (greens…get it?)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_22263,00.html

Tenderloin Steaks with Gorgonzola and Herbs and Roasted Garlic and Grape Tomato Pasta with Basil and Arugula

(raid his golf back and put tees sticking out of the steak, if you want, you could carve a line in the top with a mini sign that says I Love You!)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_75145,00.html

Green Beans with Apple Cider
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_29103,00.html

“Four” Layer Trifle (Four…get it?) Lemon Curd Trifle with Fresh Berries
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_22159,00.html

The Gift:
QOLF Chipshot Practice Set $19.95
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http://www.intheholegolf.com/store/qolf.html

The Activity…
Putt, Putt, Strip, Strip (if you’re not married, play Putt, Putt, Kiss, Kiss)
Buy those red party cups (draw on hearts for the occasion) and set them up on the ground throughout the house. Put up signs to label each cup (hole) like Lovers Lane Par 3, Hottie Hillside, Par 5, etc.

Grab his putter and a few balls from his golf bag and have a putt, putt tournament. Everytime someone makes a shot, the other has to remove a piece of clothing, Strip Golf. It would be so fun and hilarious!

For The Football Fan…

The Menu:
Guys’ Caesar Salad
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_34222,00.html

Guacamole Hamburgers with Monterey Jack and Chiles
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_18808,00.html

Oven Baked Parmesan French Fries
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_31995,00.html

Game Day Chocolate Cake
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_89240,00.html

The Gift:
Favorite Team Tee and Hat
http://www.nflstore.net/cgi-bin/prodgen.pl?pn=NGRTCP $22.50

The Activity:
Surely you can think of an activity with “tackle” and “score!!!”

We played a game on Christmas with football where you had to answer trivia questions about Christmas. They had a white board with the yard lines drawn out and whenever you got an answer right you watched a play and your team got to take that yardage, or interception, or whatever. SO… you could do this with V-Day, except with mars vs. venus trivia or trivia about your relationship, i.e., when did we meet, when did we kiss for the first time, etc. Instead of watching the plays, put a punch of plays on paper in a bowl and draw the plays each time you get an anwer right. You’d both have to put in the questions to make it fair for each person. Might be fun!

FOR THE UTE FAN!

While I cheer solely for the Aggies, my husband, brother and father are all Ute Fans. So, per your request, I’ll post a Ute date just for you Jamie. Next to Aggies, I guess Utes are okay. Speaking of rivals, my little brother gave a speech in his college speech class about why The U is the best school while attending BYU!!! Studly or stupid!??!

ANywaaay, here’s your date night for your fella…

The Menu:

(use Red Delicious apples) Chopped Apple Salad with Toasted Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_90073,00.html

Bowtie Pasta with Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce (notice the RED theme)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_30126,00.html

Broccoli with Toasted Garlic (it can’t all be red!)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_33589,00.html

For dessert, make the Red Velvet cupcakes above…see post titled Red Velvet Cupcakes

If you have Ute cups, flags, etc. decorate your table with it. If you want to go all out, get red napkins, cups, etc. If you don’t want to cook, do a tailgate dinner idea and pick up burgers and eat them at home with chips, cans of rootbeer, etc.

The Gift:

No matter how many Ute hats my brother own, he always wants a new one…$18.50
http://www.footballfanatics.com/COLLEGE_Utah_Utes_Hats/Nike_Utah_Utes_Crimson_Wool_Classic_Hat

The Activity:
If you can get a sitter, there is a Ute game against San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 16. Would be fun.
Men’s Basketball
San Diego State
2:00 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah

If you are just going to stay home, then I dare you to dress up as a cheerleader and sing the Utah fight song!!! OR make him go on a scavenger hunt with miniature Ute footballs. Hide them throughout the house with clues on where to find the next one, and at the end of the hunt is his biggest fan.

Wouldn’t you love to recieve a Valentine from this darling little mailbox?! $6.50

This gal has some really cute V-Day items in her Etsy Shop, Queen Vanna Creations.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5031383

And look at these clever, clever clothes pins. I love them! $3

And these fun letters…$5.50

Wouldn’t you love to give one of these away, better yet, recieve a small treasure in one from someone?

They look pretty easy and inexpensive to make. And Martha gives you the labels. Thanks Martha…

http://www.marthastewart.com/jewelry-boxes?lnc=bf89cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&page=2&rsc=articlecontent_crafts

Vintage-Label Keepsake Boxes
Inspired by period French apothecary packaging that held curatives and patent medicines, these tiny boxes instead proffer sweet sentiments that may also prove to be just what the doctor ordered. Their labels are printed on newsprint to approximate the faded look of the period originals.

Vintage-Label Keepsake Boxes How-To
Two same-size gift boxes with lids at least as half as deep as the box bottoms are needed to create each keepsake box.

1. Remove lids from boxes; save one bottom for another use. Place 1 lid, opening face-up, on a work surface. Place a dab of paste-style glue on bottom of box, and nest it into the upturned lid. Press together, and let dry.

2. Measure perimeter and height of box lid. Add inch to the perimeter, and deduct 1/8 inch from the height. Using a craft knife and a ruler, cut 2 strips of paper to these dimensions. Coat the reverse side of 1 strip with paste-style glue, and wrap it around the lid, overlapping ends in the back. Glue other piece to box bottom. Let dry.

3. Download appropriately-sized labels:
Small Labels
Medium Labels
Large Labels
Extra-Large Labels: Precious Thoughts and Love
Extra-Large Labels: A Treasure for My Treasure and Keepsake

Using photo-editing or art software, size labels so that they are 1/16 inch smaller on all sides than the box lid. To give labels a vintage look, use newsprint or sketch-pad sheets or off-white or sepia paper. Print multiples, to allow for inscription mishaps; cut out labels using a craft knife and a ruler.

4. Add a personal note or a signature to label. Apply paste-style glue to back of label. Center label on box lid, and attach.

Sources

I am in love with these shoes! If I had a little girl, these would be purchased immediately! Are they just the cutest or what?! Designed by Diddle Dumpling…

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9219170

Valentines Day Love Birds Wool Felt Baby Shoes- Sizes 1-6 $23.00

Here’s a few books for your little Valentines. There’s nothing like a brand new book. I love opening them for the first time and pushing back the fresh pages.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802796648/sr=8-1/qid=1201564479/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1201564479&sr=8-1&seller=

Broadway Paper has got some fun little trinkets for Valentines Day!

http://shop.broadwaypaper.com/browse.cfm/2,20.html

Love is in the air sniffs $2

Love Eraser $3

 

Teal striped secretary pad $7.50

 

Feeling crafty? Look at these darling V-Day Kissing Balls

Posted by Heather Bailey, she re-created the idea. I guess they are called Kissing Balls and you make them from all the Christmas cards you recieve. She chose cute paper and did her own thing, and thank goodness she did! They are darling! She is amazingly talented!

Here’s the pattern…

http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/HB_PaperTopiary.pdf

Global Heart-Warming

I love this centerpiece…

www.marthastewart.com

 

Here’s another version which is also very pretty…