I got up earlier than usual this morning to prepare for a special meal for my sweethearts. On the menu was~

Smothered Steak (with Monterey Jack cheese, onions and mushrooms)

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Garden Salad

Garlic Green Beans

Dinner Rolls

and

Red Velvet Cake ( A really lovely and tasty cake courtesy of Paula Deen, "The Butter Queen." Recipe below!)

We're still stuffed, but I did have some leftovers in case the boys got hungry later. (And what boy isn't always hungry?) I got them each some chocolate and goodies and we made cards to exchange. I bought the card for my husband and it plays "Ring of Fire" (Johnny Cash) when you open it. Corny? Definitely. Guess it's "fireman humor." :-)  I love those musical cards and had too much fun picking one out. (It doesn't take much to amuse me!)

 Between our homeschool co-op and my best pals online and their children, we had several valentines come to us. The boys ended up sending 100 in all! Can you imagine? They made boxes to keep them in. (Our little guy made a fire station, go figure.) He and I made heart shaped sugar cookies this afternoon which will be paired with a valentine and delivered to Grandma tomorrow. We've had a peaceful evening so far, playing checkers and watching Dumbo (60th Anniversary Edition). It's been a long time since I've seen that one and I had forgotten how cute it is.

Hope you've all had a sweet day, too!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Grandmother Paul's Red Velvet Cake

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Ingredients
Cake:
2 cups sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vinegar

Icing:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup melted marshmallows
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a
time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar
mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture
alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and
add to mixture. Pour batter into 3 (8-inch) round greased and floured pans. Bake for 20 to 25
minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool
completely before frosting.

Icing:
Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold
in coconut and nuts. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.