Today's Five on Friday is going to be a Valentine edition. Eric is working tomorrow and neither of us are fans of going out on Valentine's to a crowded restaurant, so I'm fixing a special dinner for us at home - Seafood Stroganoff. I haven't made it in YEARS!! Pictures and recipe to come next week. But for now, here's my Five on Friday.
1. Ed Sheeran | Thinking Out Loud
This song just makes me melt!! I seriously think it's one of the most touching songs I've heard in a long time. His tour is coming to St. Louis May 10 and I'm going to do everything in my power to be there to swoon. This will definitely be playing in the background of our Valentine's dinner at home.
2. $10 Great Dates Book
This is a great resource for anyone - not just those of us who are married. $10 Great Dates: Connecting Love, Marriage, and Fun on a Budget talks about economical things/places to go, gives you talking points and things you can take away from the adventure. I could see this working for parents with the kids, people on first dates or just getting to know their partner and out of town visitors. They lay out 52 "date" options so some of them will surely appeal to you.
3. Easy Fudge Recipe
What is Valentine's Day without a little chocolate?!? Well, this is a winner fudge recipe. Very few ingredients and VERY easy to make. You need a little lead time (2 hours) -- so make it tonight for tomorrow. You won't be sorry.
Foolproof Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
3 cups (18 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
Dash salt
1/2 to 1 cups chopped nuts (optional)
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Line 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt in heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
Chill 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan by lifting edges of foil. Cut into squares.
Variations
Creamy Dark Chocolate Fudge: Melt 2 cups miniature marshmallows with chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Proceed as above.
Milk Chocolate Fudge: Omit 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Add 1 cup milk chocolate chips. Proceed as above.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Glazed Fudge: Follow above recipe using 3/4 cup peanut butter chips instead of nuts. For glaze, melt 1/2 cup peanut butter chips with 1/2 cup heavy cream. Stir until thick and smooth. Spread over chilled fudge.
| I borrowed this picture from the Eagle Brands website |
I'd like to give a big shout out to my Valentine - my husband Eric. In 2000, I was a single mom looking for love and in walked Eric. He stepped into the role of husband and father like a real champ. Ian and I were both so lucky he came along! He is my number one supporter, encourager and friend. He truly is a wonderful husband for me. When I go out with friends (which is often), he NEVER is angry or begrudging. And when I say, "Hey, can you do me a favor?" (which again is often) he always says yes. I love you, Eric!!
5. Valentine Funny
Have a fabulous weekend! It's going to be a cold one in St. Louis -- but, hey -- every day we're one step closer to Spring!
Linking up with:
I love that song by Ed Sheeran! I pretty much love just about anything he puts out. The first time I heard it, I thought it was literally the most romantic song ever written. It's definitely the perfect Valentines song.
ReplyDeleteHAHA I love that someecard, too funny! I agree, Friday the 13th's are always great days/super luck for me! Here's hoping for another great Friday the 13th <3
ReplyDeleteSomeone just suggested we use that as our first dance song! It's so beautiful :) Oh, and that meme is definitely the best I've seen in awhile- love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the picture and story of you and your Valentine. That is what it is all about, unconditional love. A song that makes me melt, and reminds me of my husband is "From the Beginning" by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. :)
ReplyDeleteI am obsessed with that song I really wanted to use it for our wedding song!
ReplyDeleteI so love that song!!! Happy Friday.
ReplyDeleteI love with Ed Sheeran. He's amazing.
ReplyDeleteAgree on Ed Sheeran's song, it's been on repeat for months! I m interested in checking out the $10 Dates book, looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteIs Ed Sheeran one of the guys from the Lord of the Rings movies? I've heard so much about him lately...he's got a swoony voice.
ReplyDeletefirst off.. i cannot wait for the recipe for the Seafood Stroganoff cause that sounds amazing! lol! i love everything about this post.. ed sheerans song is amazing! and that quote is def something i would do hahaha too funny! great post!!
ReplyDeleteDid you say fudge? Yum! Maybe I will see if my husband will make us some tomorrow for Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYou guys look great together!!! I need to get my hands on some fudge right now! Can't wait for V Day
ReplyDelete1. I am definitely going to be trying the fudge. 2. A big LOL to number 5.
ReplyDeleteYour fudge recipe sounds too easy! I'm going to try this.. and happy valentine's day to you guys!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE that song!!! I seriously can't get enough of it!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Ed Sheeran! He's an amazing artist! I am always playing his songs. I love Thinking Out Loud, Lego House, Wake Me up and so many more! He's amazing! And the Valentine Funny!! Haha, That is Funny!!
ReplyDeleteOh that fudge recipe is so good! So tempted to do that today. Yesterday was actually a wonderful Friday, the 13th. :)
ReplyDeleteOh that fudge recipe is so good! So tempted to do that today. Yesterday was actually a wonderful Friday, the 13th. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is really great to know about your Valentine, your husband Eric. My husband is the number one motivator, supporter, the one who stands by me, when almost everyone has moved away, so I can guess how happy you must be. That Valentine funny card is absolutely funny :)
ReplyDeleteLove this little collection! I am in love with Ed Sheeran, he has the sweetest songs! Especially the one you linked up there. Chocolate fudge is always good for a nice Valentine's Day treat! I hope you had a wonderful day with your Valentine!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the $10 Great Dates Book. I recently retired and my husband is going to retire soon. We will be looking for fun things to do together that don't cost a fortune.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful valentines. I am happy for you! <3 Seems like it was such a nice treat too!
ReplyDeleteWorking my way through some of the Missouri Women Bloggers posts and came across yours. What a fun Valentine's post with a little bit of something for everyone! I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteOh Ed Sheeran, I love him. My son is obsessed with Thinking Out Loud. He watches the video on YouTube, he likes the dancing :)
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post! Ed Sheeran, thinking out loud, I can't think of anything else when this song comes on. Throw in the fudge and it is an amazing Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteI have that same fudge recipe, family loves it and have been making it for years. Love what you wrote about your husband!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful at-home Valentine's Day! We stayed home too. Couldn't imagine heading out with the crowds, especially when it was so cold! Thanks for linking up with us again at H54F!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie @ Cup of Tea