Valentine's Day 2017

Valentine's Day with a little one is a game changer. Typically, it falls during the week which makes getting a babysitter a challenge. Going to fancy restaurants with an active toddler is not as appealing as it once was with a sweet little infant who slept through the entire meal. Early bedtimes often make for quiet evenings spent at home. So instead I have made it a goal to go on a date with my Valentine some time in the coming month. 

Like a lot of couples we celebrated the weekend before with a good friend and a seafood filled dinner fit for a king. I always forget how much I love having people over for dinner, especially those who love food as much as we do. It was fun to procure a meal filled with all of our favorite things like fresh mussels, Sea Wolf bread, Salt Spring Island Cheese, Theo Chocolate and each other.  Our meal was reminder of all the beautiful experiences shared together thus far and made me excited for all the fun stories the future holds.  

Valentine's Day this year consisted of flowers, an adventure with my little man, the most divine ginger raspberry yogurt, and time spent with some of my favorite ladies. I am grateful for all the love I feel on a daily basis from the people in my life. Valentine's Day is a good reminder you don't need a holiday to celebrate the love in your life, but it sure is a good excuse to make sweet treats and buy flowers. 

Jasper is always game to bake something with me. On this particular morning, I got up early and laid everything out ahead of time so we could make blueberry muffins for our brunch guests. 

I kept the menu simple and made an asparagus tart, yogurt and granola parfaits, blueberry muffins and a fresh fruit platter. When we got married we used these cute little bud vases as part of our centerpieces, so it is always fun to pull them out and put them to use again.