I hope this finds you well-recovered from a lovely Valentine’s Day… and if I doesn’t, maybe he’ll do better next year. I’m dying to share about my Valentine’s Day but I fear someone will think I’m ungrateful for the kindness, love, and generosity that my husband extended to me. Ok… I’ll share {with his permission}. I really think there’s no better, more romantic way to tell your wife that you love her than to send her a basket of cheese & sausage. In his defense, I do like cheese and I do like sausage but I’m still trying to figure out what it is about me that lead him to believe this would be the most appropriate gift to send. He happened to be away on Valentine’s Day so I called him when I received “the basket”… “Oh honey, you shouldn’t have… the cheese and sausage, it’s so wonderful, looks delicious and… I can’t wait to eat it all. {pause} Did you really mean to buy me a basket of sausage & cheese…it was card-less and maybe intended for someone else?” It was no mistake and all sarcasm aside, it was thoughtful of him to think of me, to go to the trouble of purchasing my Valentine and arranging for it’s delivery by his father who said upon delivering it, “Well, I’ve never seen a Valentine quite like this before!” Justin, I’ll be sure to save you a few bites of each cheese log and sausage link, and you’re right, I have always said, “don’t waste money on flowers“. I must confess, I’m not much a hopeless romantic myself, he received socks & steel cut oatmeal for Valentine’s Day… I believe the romantic side of our marriage needs some sort of intervention! In reality, I’m just thankful to know, without a doubt, that he loves me! And at least I got something, right!? And, if anything, we’ve had several really good, hard belly laughs about it. Next year, early February, would someone remind me to write a post just for men, full of suggestions of things that women would love for Valentine’s Day?
Now moving on to the children and their Valentines… we {well, really I} decided we’d do a very budget friendly Valentine this year. Inspired by beautiful cookies I saw on foodgawker, we made cookies using Bakers Royale sugar cookie recipe and completely flooded them with royal icing {thinned to pouring consistency} from Amanda at I Am Baker. It was messy and fun! Once they dried {overnight because my icing was poured but still thick & opaque} we tucked each one into a wax paper envelope that the girls helped me make Saturday morning; they did the folding, I did the sewing. And this is how it all unfolded…
Be back soon!
Nicole
February 15, 2011 at 8:31 amAh yes, this brings back memories of the Christmas my husband got me 4 hubcaps (!!) for my car. I was speechless. 4 hubcaps, wrapped up beautifully under the tree…
annek
February 15, 2011 at 8:35 amToo funny! I know what you mean about sounding ungrateful when you get a gift like that…but they do make you wonder sometimes don’t they. haha Cute cookies.
Amanda @ Serenity Now
February 15, 2011 at 8:37 amMy husband did a great job for Valentine’s Day this year (flowers and some chocolate), but he gave me a handgun for Christmas one year. Yes, a handgun. I almost shot him with it, I was so angry. 😉
We’ll be married for 10 years in August, and I was just thinking the other day that we could use a boost in the romance department. We married pretty young (still in college), and things are so different now with kids, a house, etc. etc.
Those cookies look divine! I bet the kids’ classmates were excited to receive them. 🙂
Hollie
February 15, 2011 at 8:47 amBeautiful, yummy cookies! And thanks for linking the talk from Tim and Emily! I loved their talk and their blog! I passed the link along to my little sister who is probably getting engaged soon! She loved it!
Melanie Marsh
February 15, 2011 at 8:52 amadorable valentines!
My hubby still buys me a summer sausage each year for Christmas because I told him once how much I like it! Men are such funny creatures. I think they really do try- they just CONSTANTLY forget their crystal ball and it wreaks havoc on their gift giving abilities:) I wish he could just get inside my head better:)
Melissa
February 15, 2011 at 8:53 amHilarious about the cheese and sauage! Love those cookies – what cute valentines! I also love the girl’s matching outfits. So cute.
Kate
February 15, 2011 at 9:01 amI laughed so, so, so hard about the sausage and cheese. I’ve just taken over the Valentine’s Day present giving – we always go on a trip. Sometimes on it, sometimes a couple of weeks away. I book it and the babysitter. He pays. We both love the romantic time together. I think it’s a good arrangement. 🙂
GORGEOUS cookies. The frosting idea looks super, super, super fun. Can’t wait to try that with my Little V. She’ll love it.
Amy
February 15, 2011 at 9:03 amOh how funny! Cheese and sausage! At least y’all gave each other gifts. I received a nice snuggly robe, flowers, and candy and I totally forgot to get my husband something. Last night he said, “Did you atleast get me a card?” Poor guy, not even a card. I totally lamed out on Valentines Day for him this year. Maybe you can post about gifts for the husbands too. Love those cookies. They look delish!
Ashley
February 15, 2011 at 9:07 ambahaha! cheese and sausage:) that’s the first time i’ve ever heard of anyone receiving that for valentines day 🙂
the cookies look darling!!!
Meg
February 15, 2011 at 9:07 amThat’s such a riot! My husband and I love those moments though – those are the best to look back on and laugh about! Your cookies look delicious! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Lacey Wilcox
February 15, 2011 at 9:08 amThese are beyond beautiful and adorable…LOVE it!! Someday, when my baby girl is big enough to stand, we’re doing this together!!
HannahJ
February 15, 2011 at 9:10 amBWahhhhhhhaaaaa- hilareous- gotta love husbands- too funny! And those cookies look divine!
Dina
February 15, 2011 at 9:18 amAdorable! Of course now we need to know how to make those adorable wax/sewn bags?? And did you use an Avery label (which one?) for the circle stickers…my handcut ones look terrible. Thank you!
lizziefitz
February 15, 2011 at 9:19 amI am book marking this project for next year. You are such a Martha:)
Kate from Party Resources
February 15, 2011 at 9:27 amWhat a great idea and beautiful packaging (and photos). Just love it!
Jill
February 15, 2011 at 9:30 amThat is too funny! Make sure you take a picture of the basket to remember this Vday. I got 24 sticks of green chapstick and I love every one of them:) My hubby knows me very well.
Joy
February 15, 2011 at 9:39 amSo funny!! I send my husband an “ideas” e-mail. I’ve learned to put my top priorities, well, at the top because he usually gets the first thing(s) on the list. I know it doesn’t sound totally romantic, but it’s a sort of happiness guarantee for both of us. And sometimes he takes off on his own tangents from the “ideas” list and comes up with very cool stuff.
Lindsey
February 15, 2011 at 9:57 amI love it! Two years ago my husband gave me hedge clippers, yard gloves and hummingbird feeders for Christmas. Nothing was wrapped he just came in and placed everything on the coffee table in a Grand fashion. He was so proud of himself I couldn’t even act disappointed in fear I would hurt his feelings. I gets me things “he think’s I’ll want” instead of things I actually want…go figure. LOVE the cookies!!
naomi
February 15, 2011 at 9:58 amYour cookies turned out great looking! OMG-I love the packaging. Beautiful!
Love the story about the cheese and sausage basket. You handled it so graciously. Such a funny but cute story
Andrea
February 15, 2011 at 10:09 amYour cookies are beautiful! I made your peppermint patties (molded in roses candy mold b/c that was all they had left) for Valentines and everyone loved them! I was thinking it would be a really cute idea to make those for a baby shower or gender reveal party with (obviously) the pink or blue inside. Thanks for all your ideas! Because of you I bought a popcorn popper (I had been on the fence about anyway-smile) and Jesus Calling for Kids- love them both. 🙂
Beki - TheRustedChain
February 15, 2011 at 10:17 amThose are so pretty!! Love the shot where they’re all shiny.
Melissa
February 15, 2011 at 10:21 amHilarious and wonderful all at the same time. I, too, have pause before spending money on flowers, but I can’t help it, I LOVE having fresh flowers in the house, special days and every day. It’s an indulgence my husband and I both can live with. By the way, I think commenter Nicole should get a prize for her Christmas hubcaps!
Katherine @ Grass Stains
February 15, 2011 at 10:37 amWhat adorable cookies and envelopes! Love! And although I wouldn’t have been a big fan of the cheese and sausage myself, you’re right … it’s nice to be remembered and loved. 🙂
Dianne
February 15, 2011 at 10:39 amLucky ones that received those Valentine cookies!!!
The girls outfits are adorable.
I got a dozen heart shaped donuts. Where do men come up with these things? 🙂
Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss
February 15, 2011 at 10:50 amPrecious cookie/packaging idea! I must file this away!
Nancy
February 15, 2011 at 10:54 amI just laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks. His father’s comment was the best! In fact, I’m having a hard time typing now. The cookies look delicious. I love how you do these wonderful projects with your girls. I have two boys, but I think they would enjoy some of them, too. They love to cook. The baby girl, well, she’s just too small still.
I’ve got to forward this to my husband now.
toni
February 15, 2011 at 10:55 amSee, I’m thankful today especially for your blog (which I love oh so much). Thank you for making me realize, IM NOT THE ONLY ONE! Im so inspired by the way you handled recieving sausage and cheese for V-Day. Thank you Darby! I likey the cookies!
Mamacita
February 15, 2011 at 11:11 amExcuuuuse me, I’m just gonna reach right past you here and lick every last bit of icing off that foil. Okay, all done, thanks.
Sarah
February 15, 2011 at 11:12 amThank you soooooo much!!!! We are the worst couple when it comes to romance! I always say we should do better but really what I want is my husband to do better:) My mom always says praise God he’s faithful, loves the Lord and works hard. I am so thankful for those things and I don’t want to complain but give a girl a break I need some romance up in here!!!
Enjoy your sausage and cheese:)
Meghan
February 15, 2011 at 11:21 amAbsolutely hilarious! And to Amanda . . . Last Christmas, I received a handgun. While I was grateful to have extra protection, I would have much rather had Hunter boots (and they are much cheaper!) 🙂
Boo Hartsell
February 15, 2011 at 11:23 amThere is hope because you have daughters that soon will be doing his shopping for him. I am so glad that I have 3 daughters to do their father’s gift shopping. So funny-cheese and sausage!
Rebecca
February 15, 2011 at 11:37 amGrab a bottle of wine & some candles. One random week night after the kids are to bed make a night of eating the cheese & sausage just the two of you!
I own a jewelry store: yesterday was HILARIOUS w/the men & their stories (or the kids that came equipped w/their dad’s credit cards!) Please do a Help List for them next year! Great Idea!
Rachel
February 15, 2011 at 11:38 amToo funny! If it makes you feel any better my V-day card read “from the both of us.” I asked my husband who the “other” person was suppose to be. He laughed hysterically and told me he never even read the card. Typical. He also told me, “You better hurry up and enjoy your flowers. I think one is already dead.” Guess after working night shift I was thankful he even remembered on his way home. Life would be boring with the normal things 🙂
rachel / cr.e.at.e
February 15, 2011 at 11:41 amvalentine’s day gifts ARE funny. just when you get practical, you want romance. when you want romance, you get practical. i got “beat up” roses that he picked up as a side purchase at the hardware store when he was buying a faucet! he got mad i called them “beat up” but i said “did you look at them?”, paired with my comment “is sutherlands known for their roses? … rose BUSHES maybe.” 🙂 but as he predicted, they did “perk up” in water. “it’s the thought that counts” , but unfortunately we will pick apart & analyze it all. 🙂 HA! and LOVE your cookies & bags!!!!
cat from constant in chaos
February 15, 2011 at 11:51 amWow! Those look wonderful and I know so much hard work went into that. And, you said that you forgot to send valentine’s to school for their friends this year……… 😉
Megan
February 15, 2011 at 11:56 amCheese and sausage…hahahahahaha! You just made my day! We didn’t exchange gifts, but my wonderful hubby waited until lunch time yesterday to get me a card. How do I know this…well, he texted me. Yes, you heard correctly HE TEXTED to tell me that he was going to get my card right that second. It read, “Baby, I’m a bad husband…I still don’t have a card for you. I should have went during 2nd service (church) yesterday.” I gave him crap all night, but I must admit I’m one lucky girl.
tracy
February 15, 2011 at 12:24 pmi once got a box of mac & cheese with my picture on it, saying “you’re the cheesiest”. this was a birthday gift from my husband. i’ll have to admit i wasn’t too amused then but treasure it now. funny how that happens. enjoy the cheese and sausage!
taraf
February 15, 2011 at 12:36 pmDarby, you seriously crack me up…seriously. Love knows no boundaries (including cheese and sausage boundaries). Your Valentine’s gift to us is your trial by error to create great recipe’s for us. I have four children and without reading your suggestions, I am not sure I would be brave enough to make these things (we made peppermint hearts as gifts this year and I just made a batch of honey cin. butter for my new neighbor). Both were a great hit! Thank you so much! Finally, I love the little rover in the bottom of the pic with his farm animal on the table….
Ali
February 15, 2011 at 1:30 pmSo funny! I think we can all relate to those “cheese and sausage” gifts! 🙂 Guys are too funny! They love us deeply but, sometimes they are so random! 🙂 I love that you were both grateful for the gift and oh so surprised that he thought of “cheese and sausage”! Seriously, I laughed so hard (only cause it could have happened here and still might one day). 🙂 Too fun!
I love those heart cookies you made with the poured icing! Lovely! And those cute wax paper envelopes are adorable! Please share how we can make them! I’ve never heard of that before but, I loved how they looked!
You are so creative! Thanks for sharing the great recipes and the funny stuff that makes life real and laughable!
~ Ali
Katie Pilcher
February 15, 2011 at 1:47 pmI have got to find out what Justin was thinking!! Love you Justin, but you are going to have to repeat these words before such events…. “Something that sparkles, Something that sparkles, Something that sparkles”….. I am with you (Darby) though, two thumbs up for taking the time to order and send your sweetheart something! Good Job Justin!
laura
February 15, 2011 at 2:00 pmAh! Husbands are the best 🙂 Please share a how-to with those ADORABLE bags!!
jennifer
February 15, 2011 at 2:48 pmLove those cookies! Too funny regarding your gift basket. I’ll be waiting for that valentine post next year and be sure to highlight it for my husband! Ha!
Anna
February 15, 2011 at 3:04 pmThe cookies are too cute!
The Valentine’s present is too funny! I still do most of the holiday shopping for my dad for my mom. When I gave him her Valentine present he asked where the card was!
Nelle
February 15, 2011 at 3:07 pmI swear. Boys!!! They just don’t get all we really want is a little hand written note with lovely words. Your girl’s outfits are precious and perfect for Valentine’s Day. Do they make them in big girl sizes? I want that hoodie! Ooh Honey Bee Tees…there is an idea. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your rovers. BTW I LOVE my dish towel and think of you every time I empty the dishwasher now. 🙂 Just cheers up my kitchen so, so much Darby!
Lisa Scurlock
February 15, 2011 at 3:33 pmHow funny! Last year my husband sent me 2 racks of ribs from his favorite rib place AND I had to share!!
Lisa
February 15, 2011 at 3:42 pmThanks for sharing this story – You made so many of us laugh! My sweet husband stopped trying to surprise me long ago. I truly don’t know why! If I say I want something he will get it. I mentioned I wanted a charm bracelet for Valentine’s Day and that is exactly what he bought. He did crack me up when he said, “Look Honey, I got you a crown charm, because you always wanted one.” I thought that was a hoot! (Yes, what little girl didn’t dream of being Miss America?)
I loved the cookie pictures also. I may attempt your peppermint patties this weekend. They look so delicious!
Bebe Dance
February 15, 2011 at 3:44 pmCan you please share what size round labels you used and where you got them? Cute project!
Maria@ Live Beautifully
February 15, 2011 at 4:41 pmOh, thank you for making me laugh out loud! I love this 🙂 I love the homespun valentine sweets, so precious!
Jennifer Watson
February 15, 2011 at 5:23 pmI have hooted reading all the comments! The cheese and sausage is funny but the handgun and hubcaps are really cracking me up!!!
Turner LOVED his Honey Bee Tees he received for Valentine’s Day! Thanks!
Alli
February 15, 2011 at 5:39 pmgreat shots & cute kids! i love the shot from under the drying rack.
Lynne
February 15, 2011 at 5:44 pmSo sweet and so funny! One can only imagine the thought process of guys when purchasing, but I suspect, Justin was reaching for something that could be ordered ahead. Love,love,loved his dad’s comment. Thank you for sharing! It didn’t read at all ungrateful-just funny. It will make for a good laugh for you all for a very long time. I have caught myself giggling at random times today thinking of this. Just love the story!
Tiffany Radtke
February 15, 2011 at 6:10 pmYour story reminded me of when my husband bought me a Honeybaked ham for Mother’s Day. I was shocked. He had the best of intentions, but he really missed the mark on that one! Love the cookies!!
Lisa
February 15, 2011 at 6:15 pmMy husband got me an electric toothbrush a few years ago for Valentine’s Day. Very romantic. He does know I like teeth, so it wasn’t too weird. This year I got a Keurig! WAY BETTER!!! 😉
Cyndi
February 15, 2011 at 6:22 pmRachel’s comment on 2/15/11 at 11:38AM is absolutely hilarious. I literally laughed out loud. Just before the first V-Day I celebrated with my husband he described in detail a child-like hand-made valentine he made “in elementary school” for “his first love”. Unbeknownst to me “I” was his first love & he presented that hand-made valentine to me. Priceless. After 20 years, and that’s saying something these days, he’s still my Valentine.
Tessa
February 15, 2011 at 6:57 pmLaughing so hard…I got a bizzare gift this year and didn’t know how to react. Usually we just get each other cards, occationally I get flowers, but not always. So when I saw a charge last week for a shop that only I go to, I called to say our credit card had been charged in error – the owner said no, my husband had been by…hmmmm…so when I opened the rather pricey gift I had somewhat high expecations…it was a 2×3 picture frame with “antique” jewelry parts glued all over it…it was sooooo bad. I couldn’t even fake it. Thankfully we’ve been together for years, I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but I couldn’t stop laughing…he told me the store completely overwhelemd him, he had taken our 2yr old son along with him to shop. Said son knocked down a painting and was heading for more destruction so my husband quickly grabbed something, paid and left. we laughed about it quite a bit. at least the cheese and saussage is edible! so funny!
michelle
February 15, 2011 at 7:35 pmI had thought about telling my husband about the sausage gift…but I’m too afraid to plant an idea like that! At least he tried! 🙂
Cait @ Hernando House
February 15, 2011 at 8:58 pmOh my, cheese and sausage! That is hilarious!
My husband and I don’t really do anything for Valentine’s Day (partly because my birthday is too close to it). I guess technically he bought me a Space Pen while we were in Office Depot, and we bought each other chocolate covered popcorn.
jen
February 15, 2011 at 9:30 pmLaughing out loud about cheese and sausage! And I love the cow eating cookies…
danielle
February 15, 2011 at 10:27 pmThat is hilarious!! I laughed so hard I cried!
chris
February 16, 2011 at 1:43 amyou are the envy of women everywhere! maybe next year you’ll get carpet cleaner or floormats for the car.
of course it’s even better because the two of you can laugh about it (and the internet).
i think my favorite gifts have been the handwritten post it notes on the coffee maker when hubs leaves early in the morning but he wants to make sure i know first thing that he is thinking of me. although the year he got me an office chair for christmas was AWESOME! i kid i kid.
oh, we made the peppermint patties for valentines day. used all of the sugar and when the mixer wouldnt mix it anymore my daughter kneaded it like bread dough. it worked really well to have the mixture very stiff. then we put about a tablespoon or so into heart shaped molds made from silicone and popped them into the freezer. then i popped them out and did the whole chocolate thing.
they were a m a z i n g! thanks!
Robyn
February 16, 2011 at 10:30 amOh boy the cheese and sausage made me giggle. This year I got a replica of Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, but only because I was ooing and ahhing over it on amazon and my husband said, “Do you want that for Valentine’s Day? Click it!” There have definitely been some “laugh at it laters” in our history, tho!
I made the peppermint patties for my daughters “Valentine Tea for Mommy and Me” party and they were a big hit, not as pretty as yours but really yummy. Thanks for sharing!
lesley
February 16, 2011 at 10:48 amWhere to get the circle label stickers to print? We do crafts for the preschool kids all the time, and like this idea! What about the wax envelopes? we usually use clear cello bags with ribbon, but this would be a cute change. 🙂
Lorie Smith
February 16, 2011 at 12:24 pmI absolutely adore your blog…you have the best stories! Your children are such cuties and so are you and your sis…I’m a twin myself so I love seeing pics of the two of you together. 🙂
I had to laugh out loud about the sausage and cheese, so funny and such a man thing to do. I must try your cookies, I like how you just poured the icing on, that’s a great idea, I would have never thought to do it like that. 🙂
Thanks for all of your inspiration!
Lorie
Anna
February 16, 2011 at 1:14 pmYou crack me up! I’ve got your crazy gift trumped. For our first Christmas my husband gave me a carpet cleaner and -brace yourself- a bathroom scale. Right?! I’ll NEVER wish outloud in December again.
Renee
February 16, 2011 at 2:44 pmOK… I laughed all the way through these comments! Husbands are the best (and very strange creatures… how will our little boys ever learn to romance a lady while we’re getting cheese and sausage or folded laundry for v-day!?). I am reassuring myself that his love language is “acts of service,” so all the housework he did Monday was my gift… no card, no flowers, just laundry… I’ll take it! I think Stephen Colbert said “Valentine’s day is just around the corner. Ladies, get your hopes up. Gentlemen, get your apologies ready!” I love to see your posts about crafting with your children. I look forward to more of that when my 2-yr-old and 3-month-old sons are old enough to do more focused projects than just karate chopping playdough and “decorating” our tables with crayons.
Carrie
February 16, 2011 at 5:30 pmI laughed and laughed reading about your sausage and cheese basket. I often wonder what goes through the mind of a husband. One of the very first birthdays I had with my husband he gave me a cheese grater as my gift. No card and “wrapped” in the brown paper sack they gave him at the hardware store where he bought it. Our marriage was still pretty new and I didn’t want to seem like a brat so I tried to play it off like I was thrilled with my knew kitchen tool which he could clearly see through. He sheepishly said to me “You mentioned you wanted one”. Yes dear — I did mention that, but what I meant was “I need to remember to add it my shopping list” NOT “Honey, I’d love to open this as my special gift on my birthday”. We’re still happily married and we laugh about it still — every time we use the dog gone cheese grater 🙂
Ellen
February 16, 2011 at 8:55 pmMaybe cheese and sausage are the foods of love? There’s got to be a song about this…too funny! Love the cookie envelopes!
Amy
February 17, 2011 at 9:07 amMy hubby is a wonderful gift giver. He never ceases to amaze me with one delightful surprise after another. That said, I am one of those weird women that love presents that are practical… something I can use all the time. My hubby, being the good guy that he is, understands this about me and tries to cater to my wishes. My favorite example was the year that he gave me a Wusthof cleaver for Valentine’s Day. The lady at the store thought he was insane, but I couldn’t have been more excited.
ashley
February 17, 2011 at 3:54 pmOh gosh, I sent my 4 year old to Pre-K on Monday with Scooby Doo pencils and valentines — at least my little one picked them out. I love the homemade cookie idea. I think I’m gonna be a little more ambitious next year!
Katie {The Social Secretary}
February 18, 2011 at 11:01 amSo funny, I had never even heard of Make Way for Ducklings until yesterday when I was scouring Barnes and Noble for a gift for my newly preggo BFF. It’s the cutest!
Micaela
June 13, 2014 at 1:30 amMy brother suggested I might like this website. He was once totally
right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how a lot time I had
spent for this info! Thanks!
Gemma
June 24, 2014 at 1:28 amI don’t know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your website.
It seems like some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can somebody
else please comment and let me know if this is happening
to them too? This may be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had
this happen previously. Many thanks
move to hawaii blog
July 11, 2014 at 9:20 pmIts like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive
the message home a little bit, but other than that,
this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
tricycles for kids
September 14, 2014 at 2:51 amGreat goods from you, man. I have understand
your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great.
I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it
smart. I can’t wait to read much more from
you. This is really a great web site.