Valentine's Coupons - by Marci Madsen

So one of my favorite things to do for Rick and my kids for Valentines Day is Valentine Coupons. For Rick I would do things like: Coupon good for 1 free back massage or foot rubs or cuddling on the couch or breakfast in bed etc. For my kids I do things like: Coupon good for a movie night or an after school slurpee or an extra bed time story or a trip to the dollar store etc. I'm sure there are many more creative things you could do just depending on what your husband and kids like.

{I created some coupons you can print out if you don't want to make your own. If you need the PDF version click here.}

Making your husband feel special-by Melanie Ewell

First of all, check out this:

And this:

You won’t be sorry. Very good stuff.

Valentine’s Day is the day before my husband Larry's birthday, and it’s also my son Harrison’s

birthday, so between celebrating Harrison and romancing me, Larry can get a little lost in the mix. It’s not that we don’t celebrate his birthday, we do; it’s just that we’re celebrating everything right then and I think it’s hard to tell what’s really meant just for him. But I’m determined not to let him feel like he got the short end of the stick. The kids and I are going to make sure Daddy feels special this year. We have a fun Valentine date night planned (that involves some Phantom of the Opera tickets bought with the local’s discount), so we’ll do that, but for his birthday I have something else planned.

This year for his birthday I’m going to give my husband a day of his favorite things-go see a movie he picks, go to a restaurant he wants to try, give him free time to do what he wants (no honey-do lists from me), some fun time with the kids, and then a break from the kids. I’m also going to buy something that is just for him; something that says I was thinking about him (this is a suggestion from “The Love Dare”). The kids can pick things out too (doesn’t have to be expensive), and we’ll have a celebrate dad day on Sunday and put the things around the house (his bathroom counter, his desk, on his tie rack, etc). For instance-Larry loves the jerky with the Indian (sorry, Native American) on the package. He loves the mini donuts with the crumbly brown outside. He loves Ruby Red tangerine juice. He loves to wear nice cologne (and if we all say we picked it after smelling a whole bunch then he’ll like it even better). He wants some new workout shoes, and he wouldn’t mind a new tie and white dress shirt. I haven’t thought it completely through, but I’m thinking it’s a good plan!

What are you going to do for your husband this year for Valentine’s? Share your ideas – it will be great inspiration to me and others!

Homemade Valentine Kisses - by Jennie Slade

Oreo Kisses

1 package oreo cookies (divided… use cookie including the cream center)
1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)
chocolate bark

1. Finely crush all but seven cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency.
2. Stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.
4. Then, begin to form the shape of a kiss. Flattening the bottom and forming a point at the top. (Mine ended up about 1.5" tall)
5. It helps to put the uncoated balls in the freezer for a few minutes to keep the mixture from starting to fall apart when you drop into the melted chocolate.
6. Melt chocolate as directed on package and then dip "kisses" one at a time into chocolate, tap off extra and slide them off spoon onto wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.
7. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy! Oh yeah, just eat the extra seven cookies.

Decorate:
1. Handwrite your messages or create them on the computer. Cut out the strips (about 1/4" tall and however wide you need).
2. Cut up some square sheets of aluminum foil (about 5.5" square)
3. Place dry kiss in center and start wrapping the foil around the base. Insert message near top and secure it by pressing the foil together at top.

Quilled Valentines by Jennie Slade

The look of these quilled Valentines are so unique and easy for anyone. For the full instructions go here.