Valentine's Day 2010

There is nothing I like better than a holiday.  Except a holiday that lasts for a long, long time. :)  We don't usually do a lot for Valentine's Day but we decided to kick it off early this year with a celebratory "Stefan-is-finally-done-with-his-note" dinner.  Steak was definitely in order for this one.

For those who are unfamiliar, a note is really just an article that students write for a law journal.  Every student who is involved with a law journal is obligated to write one and believe me, they are a major time commitment (Read: Lori's pretty excited Stefan can hang out again!).  So, we celebrated the end of this major accomplishment with a little party.  I also celebrated the addition of my new cast iron skillet!

Cooking with cast iron has been pretty cool so far.  I feel like a real gourmet and it's something I've wanted to do for a long time--also very inexpensive compared to non-stick, which I am somewhat hesitant about.  Now I can make Buttered Rosemary Rolls from Pioneer Woman (though seriously P.W., what's with the rusty pan?!  Tetanus much?) and this delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake!  A very useful addition to the kitchen.  The finished product for this meal?  Steaks topped with sauteed mushroom sauce and garlic rosemary frites with bleu cheese dipping sauce.  A very special treat.

Later this week we went to Dogtown--the Irish area of St. Louis--to check out a local coffee shop, Cairdeas Coffee.  Unfortunately they were closed early for Valentine's Day but we went across the street to visit the little bakery I've been madly in love with since the moment I laid eyes on it.  There we bought a sweet little linzer cookie that I haven't eaten yet--it was far too pretty!  I will let you know how it tastes when I finally open it. :)

Sunday Stefan took me to Cheesecake Factory for a lovely luncheon and some shopping at the Galleria.  All in all a wonderful weekend.