countdown to Valentine's day 2011

well folks i have BIG plans for the big V-day such as posting a 'love' quote on facebook today through monday, a survey of all time MOST romantic love songs, books, movies, etc and blogging about memorable and not so memorable V-days of the past. as always, the things i write here are all IMHO - that is, its not right, its not wrong, its just IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. also i want to express my appreciation for another blogger's piece titled 'four things every guy should learn to do' by scott johnson.

here are the 4 things every guy should learn to do:
1. clean up after yourself
2. cook a nice dinner - not just mac & cheese out of the box
3. how to give a foot massage
4. how to DANCE

i particularly love the last one. i mean what is more romantic than being in your man's arms as you dance across the dancefloor [well i guess it usually in large circles], stealing an occasional kiss or gazing deeply into each others' eyes...no its only MORE romantic if is a love song and he is singing to you. of course gyrating and 'grinding' on the dance floor, getting all sweaty, can be equally desirable :)

first, my all time PET PEEVES about Valentine's Day:
1. flowers bought at the gas station on the way home at the last minute! this is only worse if you add one of those horribly cheaply made stuffed animals

2. all the fuss about roses - yes, they are classic, they are classy but maybe your favorite flower is a sunflower or tulips or lillys!

3. cheap chocolate! don't skimp here especially if your loved one LOVES the dark beauty; one or two fine pieces beats a pound of hersey's kisses any day

4. over priced dinners and over crowded restaurants - you do NOT have to make reservations 3 months in advance to a "fancy" place you have never been to [unless of course your loved one has been begging to go there for the last 3 months] pick a place that not only would you enjoy any night of the week but even better, pick one that has memories - meaning to your relationship. yes the local pizza/burger/taco joint where you first took her/him or where you munched out after a hot date of dancing etc means TONS more than the fancy/schmancy over priced over crowded spot.

5. assuming its only about couples - its about LOVE and there are lots of people you love besides your special lady or your man; mothers, fathers, sisters, sons and daughters, brothers, even your co-workers deserve some LOVE. bake a cake, make cookies, bring breakfast tacos, etc.

OK, enough with the negative, here is some of my FAVORITE things to do for/with that special someone on Valentine's Day besides the typical dinner/movie date:

1. the picnic - i know depending on what the weather in your neck of the woods, this may mean a blanket spread on the floor in the living room or a meal taken in a screened in, heated porch.
what i like to have in my picnic basket: a good smoked sausage paired with a good smoked cheese, a fresh loaf of french bread, some fruit like grapes, granny smith apples or strawberries, olives or pickles [gotta have my salty snack fix], almonds or other favorite nuts, and a good bottle of dry white wine. YUM
picnics are romantic due to the privacy, simplicity, and leisure factor

2. a home cooked meal and dessert - no one can NOT feel good when they feel pampered and knowing your sweetheart worked hard in the kitchen so you don't have to, is very thoughtful and makes you feel oh so warm and special inside :) again, it doesn't have to be elaborate but i'm not talking opening a can of beef stew either. KNOWING what foods your significant other likes to eat is a MUST as well as being aware of any food allergies

3. a surprise gift - ok, yes diamonds may be a girl's best friend and cards, flowers, and candy the staples of the day but a well thought out gift hidden so that your loved one finds it unexpectedly totally ROCKS. for example, that hideous metal-band shirt that you ragged him about so he didn't buy, well he liked it so buy and then tuck it under his pillow or sneak into his car.

4. for the very serious, i'm going-to-my-grave with you relationships, matching tattoos. i know who really wants to spend the evening enduring pain while everyone is out 'partying', well maybe i do.