Saturday, February 15, 2014

Vegetarian Valentine's Day Dinner

A home-cooked meal is our Valentine's Day tradition.


We go out to eat at least once a week all year long, so when a big holiday such as Valentine's Day comes around, I prefer to prepare a lovely meal to leisurely enjoy at home.



We dress for dinner, I set the table in the formal dining room, we light candles, and have a special wine with classical music playing in the background.


Mr. Mickey had just arrived, so he was still wearing his scarf. Doesn't he look handsome?


The dinner menu included crudites as a starter. I cut up fresh baby heirloom tomatoes and served them with olives, garlic I roasted earlier in the day, and rosemary Asiago cheese slices. Sometimes the combination of fresh, delicious items presented simply on their own is the best choice.

I also added some of the roasted garlic and unsalted butter to Rudis Seeded organic bread before lightly toasting it in the oven.

The pasta dish includes Gluten Free Brown Rice Spaghetti from Hodgson Mill. The meatless sauce is the same recipe I told you about here. The leftover sauce will be served over another piece of the yummy Rudis bread as a sloppy Joe lunch with a kale salad on the following day. This sauce could be used in any dish requiring ground beef. (Even the meat lovers who tasted this the first time I made it could not tell there was no meat in it!)

Our wine was 14 Hands 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mr. Mickey brought freshly dipped chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert, cards, and flowers. He is a Prince!


I wore a rayon three-quarter sleeve black and tan blouse from Coldwater Creek from a couple of years ago. The black Traverlers pants from Chico's are about eight years old. I paired them with my Anne Klein black high heeled shoes.

Later in the evening, as we relaxed in front of the fire, I tried out some of my new reading glasses from Readers.com. Which statement style do you like best? I liked them all! When you need glasses only for reading, it's great to have a stylish pair like these near every chair and in every handbag.



This style is called The Ivy in the brown fade.


This style is The Dolly.



The Maryann comes in several colors, and each has its own matching case.



17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is that a wedding ring on Mr. Mickey's hand???

Susan said...

That's a "friendship" ring I gave him for Christmas last year. :)

Sandra said...

Mr. Mickey looks quite fetching. That is the best way to spend Valentine's Day. You are so cute in all of your glasses style. The brown color is my least favorite with your skin and hair color. I prefer all the others.

Anonymous said...

My personal favorites are The MaryAnn and The Ivy. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Anonymous said...

Some people notice everything re the ring comment. I do like the MaryAnn style on you.

Claudia Schmidt said...

I like The Dolly glasses best - so cute on you! I don't often comment because I get your post in my inbox, but I just have to tell you I love your blog! You and Mr. Mickey are just the cutest couple and you look so great in your very classy and stylish, yet age appropriate outfits. Thank you for your posts and know that I read you every time! All my best, Claudia

Lynne in NC said...

Lovely idea for sharing dinner "in" with your Valentine.
You both look fabulous.
We always enjoy simply prepared meals and appreciate when others share their menu ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs xoxoxo

meriusa said...

Your post gave me great pleasure.
My comments:1. Mr. Mickey looks charming . He became also thinner, I think ( an influence by you?) 2. Your Valentine s meal is super healthy and delicious.3. I like the dolly style glasses on you . Most of all I like your happy smile .
Thank you for sharing your Valentine s dinner with us!

Donna said...

Your Valentine's Day celebration with your special valentine was perfect. You do know that Mr Mickey has his own groupies. 😊. You both look fabulous! I like the Dolly and the Maryann glass on you. Thanks for sharing a special evening with us.

Anonymous said...

hi, I have just found your blog, being of a certain age myself, i have added you to my regular reading list. question - what do you use on your skin? it is just stunning!
Janey

me said...

What a great valentines day. A nice idea. Thanks for sharing

Susan said...

Click on Beauty Routines After 50 at the tab above for those of you who asked what I put on my face. Thanks!

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

You look great in all of the readers,Susan...I really like the selection they offer on this site. Your dinner looked lovely...I could easily be vegetarian, but not the rest of my family!! Love your look!

Polly Sue said...

You are radiant, Susan. Thanks for your blog.

Toni D. said...

I discovered your blog about 6 months ago, and I'm hooked. You and Mickey are such a beautiful couple. I enjoy reading about the fabulous places you two visit. Thanks for sharing your wonderful fashion sense with us. I like the "Ivy" glasses best on you; they frame your eyes perfectly.

Angie said...

I love you in the Dolly, and your meal looks fabulous!!

Angie said...

I love you in the Dolly - - and your dinner looks fabulous!!