{Valentines Day Celebrations} My turn to organise it this year :)

Well, this year it was my turn to organise the surprise for "love day" as we call it in our house. Usually my husband organises a grand gesture, but I absolutley wanted a turn and loved spending the day (and then some) getting surprises ready for him! So here is what I came up with:

1. I decorated the house with handmade paper heart garlands - Love it!


2. This made the 'resturant area' just divine looking. Deceptive enough to make us forget we were home with kids asleep upstairs!


3. A Menu of Individual Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Racks with Rost Vegetables with a Chocolate Mousse and Shared Fruit Platter.

{Chocolate Mousse}

300g good-quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped
3 eggs
1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
1 tbs good-quality cocoa powder, sifted
400ml thickened cream, plus extra whipped cream to serve

Method:
1. Place the chocolate in a double boiler and stir until melted. Remove bowl from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Don't leave it for too long as it will harden and you will have hardened chocolate bits into your mousse. If you want to add a flavour to choc (coffee, liqueurs, essences etc...). I added a touch of brandy syrup I had in the pantry
2. Place eggs and sugar in a large bowl and beat with electric beaters for 5 minutes, or until mixture is pale, thick and doubled in volume. Fold in cooled chocolate and cocoa powder until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whip cream until thickened (don't over-beat). It is quite a rich recipe, if you want to tame it down a little, just whip 600ml of cream instead. Use a large spoon to carefully fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, trying to keep the mixture as light as possible.
4. Spoon intoserving glasses and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour. Remove from fridge 15 minutes before serving, then top with either extra whipped cream, grated chocolate and/ or fresh berries.

4. The Gift : Handwritten Book "All the Ways I Love You".
For a few weeks I compiled a list of the top reasons why I love my man. The top 20 quickly became the top 50, which quickly became the top 100. By the time I finished writing them all in the book, it was 102 handwritten reasons why I love him presented in a fabric envelope with a message on the front.

This experience should be a MUST do for married couples. To many times I hear people nag, complain and 'plateau' in the way they feel about their spouse. Showing the one you love that you love all the many things that make them, them is a very valuable thing. So I would love to hear if you attempt this for next years love day, your anniversary or just because.

Some examples of what I wrote (will only share a select few)

9. You show a work ethic that is God honouring and is a great example for our boys.
11. You love me having 'me' time.
18. YOU show our boys how to traet a woman with respect and dignity each day by how you treat their mother
31. You are an incredible steward of everything God hads given you.
46. I love how you can explain very complex concepts to people like me lol
50. I love your entrapreneurial spirit
54. I love how you have always planned for our future together
63. I love how you arrange 'acts of kindness' for people in our world when they need a hand
70. I love how you are always a voice of reason
81. I love how you genuinely marvel in the wonders of God's universe
98. I love how you just look at me sometimes - with no words.

Enjoy;
Lauren x