I hope you had a great weekend!

We did. My husband and I drove 3 1/2 hours to go to a basketball game at our alma mater.

We lost. 🙁 But we got to reconnect with some old friends and play around at our old stomping grounds. 🙂

We spent most of our time in town saying, “We didn’t have anything like this when we were here!”

You know you’re getting old when that happens.

While there, we decided we would try a new swanky steakhouse that had just opened days before.

As we waited for our table at the restaurant, we noted that most of the others waiting for their tables were students with their parents.

This town IS the university and since most students have absolutely no money, who else can afford to eat there?

Our meal was lovely, but $220 later I decided I would rather have eaten my steak at home.

There would have been no wait and for less than a third of the cost I could have had my steak EXACTLY the way I like it–Teriyaki sauce and all.

So, good luck dear steakhouse. You’ll need it.

I think I will prepare your obituary . . . just in case.

Yes!

As I had hoped, my Valentine’s Day meal was a crazazy success! Yeah, I put an extra “za” in that word.

It was just that good.

See for yourself!

I put a little water in the bottom of a pan like the Gourmet Guide that came with my package said. I split the shells down the center with a sharp knife. Then I placed the thawed lobster tails in the water with a dollop of butter on each of them — right down inside the split. I then baked them at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or so.

I kept checking them to see if the meat was nice and white yet. And when it was, and the shells were a beautiful shade of red, I took them out and served them with the yummy sirloin steaks we had grilled.

Here’s a closeup. Brace yourself . . .

I melted some butter and mixed it with a bit of Tabasco for dipping. (That’s how he rolls.)

It was definitely a meal to remember. And it was a Valentine’s Day that was as memorable as the time I baked my now-husband cupcakes and delivered them to his apartment while he was on a date with someone else.

Our relationship was, how shall we say, undefined at that time.

But we’ve got it all figured out now and we can concentrate on more important things like what mouth-watering recipe we’re going to try next.

Oh yeah, and the kids’ college funds, the mortgage, car payments, retirement plans . . .

Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day, too!

I took my boxes of top sirloin and lobster tails out of the freezer.

This is what they looked like when I opened them up. . . 

Vacuum-packed for freshness. I can feel my mouth watering already. Not yet, Dena. Not yet. You’re not a lion. These have to be cooked. (And thawed first.)

I spread these out so that they can thaw thoroughly. In a few hours the steaks will be ready for a marinade or rub. I still haven’t decided.

I’m ready to take in the intoxicating smells of warm lobster tails mixed with the distinct aroma of freshly-grilled steaks.

My Valentine will be so impressed. And pleased, I hope. Lobster is a treat in our part of the country.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you! May your day be filled with lots of love and great food!

All right, enough with the corny stuff. . .