Tag Archives: Valentines Day

Things I will not be buying for Valentine’s Day this year.

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When you’ve been happily married for 41 years, Valentine’s Day passes quietly. A few cards, some flowers and a kiss usually suffice. We tend to avoid the overcrowded restaurants offering kitschy two for one meals and definitely bypass heart themed gifts.

Like these made for men.

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Laser engraved meat.

How romantic.

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Because nothing says I love you like highly salted and over processed meat petals.

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Yeah..,

No.

I won’t be giving my guy any of these items, but please make sure to blog about it if you do.

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The anti Valentine gift for the rest of you…

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For the friends who are soured on love.

For the readers who gag at Hallmark movies.

For the people who want Cupid to shoot himself in the butt with that stupid little arrow.

The perfect loveless Valentines Day gift.

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You’re welcome.

And speaking of litter boxes?

A Valentine from your cat….

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If cat poop isn’t your thing and you’re looking for something a little more direct?

How about this…

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Nothing says I love you like targeted heart penetration.

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Happy (early) Valentine’s Day.

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We decided to beat the crazy Damn it, I have to take the wife out because it’s February 14th again Valentines Day crowds and spent yesterday having fun instead. When you’ve been married as long as we have, big romantic gestures are a thing of the past… and that’s fine. We started the day with a light lunch and cocktail at our local pub and then hit some antique stores.

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Where someone made art out of discarded lobster shells. Quirky, if not slightly disturbing.

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They say necessity is the mother of invention and this sled with skis seems to prove the adage.

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I found one vintage beer crate but it was full of bottles I didn’t want and a rotted bottom that wouldn’t hold my vinyl for long.. so I passed.

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Here’s the husband examining what was tagged as “A turban egg beater from the late 1800’s”

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Not seeing any colorful head coverings we realized the disc said “turbine egg beater”…. which, when you think about it, is equally as puzzling.

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Remember my post about Maine inventing chewing gum the other day? Glad the husband didn’t see this.

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After an afternoon of antiquing we ended at one of our favorite restaurants for dinner which was blissfully empty when we arrived.

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After a few lemon drop martinis and a fabulous cup of smoky clam chowder, dinner.

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Pan seared panko haddock with garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes, almond compound butter green beans, crispy leeks and lemon dill aioli paired well with a blackberry margarita for me.

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And a very rare Wagyu beef filet with red wine demi glacé, pickled peppers, pea tendrils and maple butter roasted carrots for the husband. Both meals were fabulous as usual and we shared a coffee crème brûlée that we devoured too quickly to photograph.

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So today.. on the actual day, we exchanged cards and my other half gave me a fancy cupcake and a box of truffles.

Alright, there were originally six truffles in the box and I took the picture at 8:00am.

Don’t judge, they were a delicious breakfast.

❤️

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Just in time for Valentines Day.

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While most people will be out shopping for romantic cards, flowers, chocolate and/or thoughtful gifts for the holiday … I offer an alternative for those with something other than love in their hearts.

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Huntress… I think this has your name written all over it.

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Cry Me a Cockroach sounds perfect for your ex.

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And for those who live in the Northeast…

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You’re welcome.

❤️

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Love was in the air.

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A rather tardy Valentines Day post.

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A bouquet of flowers was delivered that morning….

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And while I don’t think it was our local florist’s best work, the sentiment remained steadfast.

Early afternoon found us out in the barn and back at the Scrabble board.

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Although the way it started reminded me a little too much of Bill and Monica.

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Did I win?

Such a silly question.

Unbeknownst to my husband, I’d made early evening reservations at one of his favorite restaurants and before the place got too crowded, we slipped in for a glorious meal.

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Long stemmed red roses were given to ladies upon entry… and petals were scattered everywhere. On the floor, on the window sills, on the chairs…..

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Even under the beer taps.

We settled happily at the bar (the husband’s preferred spot because one of the bartenders was a Marine which can lead to hours long conversations) and I tucked into a few delightful Rum Punches. We had appetizers that I forgot to photograph… garlic Parmesan wings for the husband, creamy clam chowder for me… and were awaiting our meals when this older couple sat down across from us.

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In case you can’t see it, the man was wearing a Marine Corps tee shirt. It was at that moment I knew I was doomed.

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Like recognizes like… and within minutes the gentleman uttered the words I never want to hear on Valentines Day.

Semper Fi.

My husband bought them a round of drinks. They bought us a round of drinks. Military stories were traded across the bar….and by the time our lovely meals arrived?

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Filet Oscar with fresh lobster, roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled asparagus for the husband.

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Filet au Poivre with cremini mushroom brandied cream sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled asparagus for me…

I’d lost him.

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And ended up eating most of my meal alone.

So when I said love was in the air?

Apparently I was talking about the Corps.

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Things I will not be giving my husband for Valentines Day this year.

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Have you ever looked at ads for products and thought, that can’t be real?

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Jerky flower bouquets for the special man in your life?

No way.

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Way.

And they’re not exactly giving them away either.

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The Ball Hammock.

Yes, my Facebook algorithm is back to its old tricks just in time for the holiday. Will I be buying my husband a rocket to put in his pants?

No.

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I will not be asking him to release the Kraken either.

Well, not that one anyway.

And finally the last gift I won’t be buying him…

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Ball therapy.

Just…. no.

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I fear I’ll never catch up…

 

Which is why I’m posting about Valentines Day at the end of March.

 

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It started with a nice bouquet of roses….

 

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And a kitchen selfie before we went out for a late lunch on the water.

 

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The building used to house a garage… and was previously a wonderful restaurant called, are you ready?

La Garage.

Clever… no?

But now it has new owners and a new incarnation as the Water Street Kitchen and Bar.

 

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It sits on the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset and please pardon the reflection of my hands in the window.

 

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We’ve been wanting to try it for a while, and found that’s it’s undergone a major remodel.

 

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The feel is more modern.

 

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And I have to say I was loving the metal works installations. This would be perfect for all my husband’s rusty crap treasures!

 

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But first things first.

 

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A marvelous basil limeade with a view….

 

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The menu was small, but seemed alright.

 

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And just as the waitress brought my (overly salted) charred Brussels sprouts appetizer, the husband saw a friend of his walk in and asked them to join us.

On Valentines Day.

Oh, well.

 

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This called for two Blueberry Mojitos… .because a girl can only take so much romance.

Husband had a butternut squash soup, which you couldn’t pay me to eat.

 

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And then it was on to a rather dry, garlic-less shrimp scampi for me, and an overcooked paella for the other half.

 

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The meal was redeemed by dessert.

 

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A delightful lemon marscapone cake…

Husband’s friends said their meals were good, and the cocktails were lovely so we might give them another try.  We do like the area and supporting small businesses.

 

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And I might have to take another look at the metal works.

 

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They really were quite interesting.