Special Valentine's Dinner

How about preparing a special Valentine dinner and involving your grandkids? What could be better.

Last year I did exactly this with my eight, ten, and twelve-year-old grandkids. Yes, I could have taken them shopping and let them pick out small gifts for their parents. But we all know that the best gift you can give is yourself--or at least your labor and your time. I wanted that lesson further instilled in my grandchildren. So I suggested we cook a special meal for their parents.

I think the seed of this idea was planted many years ago. I traveled to California with my sister and her young family to visit her in-laws. My brother-in-law's mother was a jewel--we all called her Grandmother Mabel...or at least I did. Now mind you, I was only about 12 or 13 at the time, but I remember Grandmother Mabel giving my sister some marital advice. Not sure what prompted this exchange, but I've never forgotten what she told my sister. She said, "You should sometimes eat by candlelight for your evening meal. I've even put up my folding table by the fireplace and covered it with my best tablecloth and set up two candles. That will really put romance back in your marriage." Here's a chuckle for you, my sister does not remember this, but I DO! And it's served me well over the years.

I mostly did it on our anniversary or on Valentine's Day. And even after the kids came, I still did it! You'd be surprised how excited the little guys get when they see Dad's car pull into the driveway and we dim the lights and light the candles! And another funny benefit of this? They tend to whisper at dinner and use their best manners. 

Now. . . back to that special Valentine's dinner~

I picked the kids up early on a Saturday. We had a lot to do. I had already done the grocery shopping, but we headed to the craft store to pick up decorations. We wanted to do this dinner up right. The girls picked out everything. When we got home, we made paper flowers and hung up all our sweetheart decorations. Then we hit the kitchen to prepare our meal. Poppa and grandson were in charge of grilling the steak. The girls and I made a vegetable tian (recipe below) and salad. And I had made the cake the night before, so all they had to do was ice and decorate it with a Valentine theme. They even wanted to make their very own fruit punch--a concoction they had invented one day at their house~can't remember the recipe exactly but it included strawberries and lemons.

Before their parents arrived, we finished setting the table. I even let them pick out the dinner music. We dimmed the lights and lit the candles. I did make one purchase--we stopped by the grocery store and picked out a rose for their mother. The kids presented that to her as they greeted her at the door.

We searched through my linen closet and got out all the linen and things that we deemed would work for Valentine's.

Some of the decorations we bought at the craft store. And the paper flowers we made.

Don't forget the candles!

We hung some of the decorations in the entrance hall.

Next came the COOKING! Such a great bonding time with the granddaughters. (As I said earlier, Poppa and grandson were out back grilling steaks and playing darts. Sure wish I had pictures of that, but alas, I don't.) I've seen many of your Facebook posts--cooking meals with your grandchildren, whether it be Thanksgiving or Christmas or some other holiday meal. So you know the joy of cooking with your grandchild. 

Concocting the girls' special Valentine punch.

I even let the youngest saute the onions. She was super careful!

Busy, busy, busy!

At last dessert--the cake they decorated.

Cooking with the grands!

I'm sure you've all been able to cook with your grandchildren some time or another. And I know you'll agree, it's the best of fun! Share any fun times you've had cooking with your grandchildren or nieces and nephews. I love to hear your stories. And Valentine's Day is almost upon us. Share any fun things you've done with your grandchildren. Just go to my "Contact" page. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Link to recipe:

​www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/barefoot-contessas-vegetable-tian-ina-garten-196404