My husband is not a romantic in the traditional sense. He wont be spelling out my name in rose petals on our bed (which don’t do because it stains…or so I am told) anytime soon. I don’t really get flowers (though boy when we were dating I did…miss those days…well, the flower part). There are no spontaneous poems. There is no coming home to romantic meal for two that he cooked (the man burns soup). And this Valentine’s day I will get a card. We wont be going out, in fact, I believe we are getting the heart shaped pizza from Papa John’s because we find it amusing. No flowers, no chocolate, no romantic getaway, no lingerie (seriously men, don’t do this), no jewelry (though my husband is good with this…all mine comes in a little blue box). And I could care less. Why you ask?
I could care less because everyday my husband gives me a Valentine. He does it by going to work. He works at a job that enables me to only work part time and not only work part time, but work part time at something I love (don’t worry, he likes his job too).
Every workday he takes the bus for over an hour each way. Why? So that we can live in a house that we really wanted. And so that I could have the kitchen I was in love with. Again, another Valentine to me.
Every weekend when he gets up (he gets up way earlier than me) he watches horrible vampire type movies or plays video games. How is this a Valentine? He wears headphones so that the noise doesn’t wake me (I am a super light sleeper).
Every Thursday and Friday night he sits in the scorekeeper box with me to keep me company, even though he has already worked the whole day. And every Friday night he scorekeeps for me while I go and play my game in the league. Another huge Valentine.
Every week he eats Chinese food even though he is not that big a fan but I love it so.
Don’t worry, I promise I do some nice stuff for him too. 😉
So you see, I get Valentines all the time. Some people maybe never notice the things that their significant other does for them. But boy I sure do. And I find it incredibly sexy and romantic. So thank you dear husband for all the Valentines you give me on a daily basis. Know that I appreciate them so very much.
Speaking of things I love. Snickerdoodles. Every since I made (and ate the whole pan) of Snickerdoodle Blondies I have been in Snickerdoodle mode… a Snickerdoodle love affair if you will. I found a recipe for a warm cream cheese tart and it sent my mind wondering if I could put a Snickerdoodle spin on it. And I can, and did.
Hope you spend this Valentine’s Day with someone you love.
P.S. If you are looking to make something at home for you and your sweetie, check out my Seafood Gratin over at Northwest Noshings.
Warm Cream-Cheese Snickerdoodle Tart
5 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulate sugar
2 large eggs
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
1 baked Pastry Tart Shell (recipe follows)
cinnamon sugar
Preheat oven to 350F.
In the work bowl of an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, sugar, and butter. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add vanilla and beat until incorporated and smooth. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon and cream of tarter and beat until fully incorporated.
Spread filling evenly in prepared tart shell.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until center is set and edges are light golden. Remove pan from the oven and allow tart to stand for two minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Serve warm. (I ate it both ways and enjoyed it either warm or chilled).
Pastry Tart Shell
Makes 1 (10 ½-inch) tart shell
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
½ tsp cream of tarter
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled
½ cup plus 2 TBSP powdered sugar
2 egg yolks
cinnamon sugar
Using a food processor, combine the flour, cream of tarter, nutmeg, and salt and pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.
Add sugar and egg yolks and pulse again, just until the mixture comes together and pulls aways from the sides of the bowl.
Transfer dough to a sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a disc ans wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hours or overnight.
Prepare fluted tart pan by buttering pan and then sprinkling cinnamon sugar into the pan. Get both the bottom and sides of the pan.
Roll pastry out on a lightly floured surface into a circle. Fit dough into prepared tart pan, pressing evenly over the bottom and up the sides. Line tart shell with parchment paper and fill with dried beans or pie weights.
Bake tart shell for 20 minutes (at 350F), or until edges are very light brown. Remove parchment paper and weights.
Bake tart shell for 5-10 minutes more, or until lightly golden throughout.. Cool on a rack before filling.
Adapted from Taste of the South February/March 2009
Irene says
What a great post. My husband is like that as well (in fact, I would check his temperature if he were to erupt in spontaneous romantic poetry…). These little things are the real joys of marriage (well, flowers and little blue boxes are nice too). When we got married, my husband said – life is a tightrope and you need that one person who can help you walk it. Aw. 🙂
Joelen says
I love this post and find it extremely sweet and heartfelt! I’m with you on the daily Valentines and we’re similar in that we don’t go out of our way to celebrate Vday each year. This tart looks delicious and I love the simple flavor of snickerdoodles. 🙂
Cathy-wheresmydamnanswer says
Hubby is very funny about VD day he says everyday should be VD day and that I appreciate and love you all days not just this one day a year because Hallmark says so!
This recipe looks incredible and I will try this one – I may cheat and buy the tart shells though… shhhhhh 🙂
colleen says
Wow, I am honored that you commented on my blog – thank you! This is a great post – it reminds us what Valentine’s Day (and all other days) should REALLY be about! The delicious looking tart doesn’t hurt either!
Melinda says
Oh, your husband is a good boy! I love reading real stories where people love the other person. People really should appreciate what they have!
I have to buy my own flowers. Ian says he doesn’t ‘get’ flowers. So I let him know when he has bought me flowers. I don’t get computer cable stuff, so he can buy his own cable, to his hearts content, with my blessings.
We both like this arrangement we have!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I heart your blog.
Steph says
Your snickerdoodle recipes are making me want to bake with cinnamon! The tart looks so good!
Jade says
This is a wonderful post and I have to agree. My husband does alot of the same things all year long just to provide for me. The tart looks wonderful. I have never made one but will have to try this recipe very soon! I love your blog.
Culinarywannabe says
That is just the sweetest post. You are a lucky girl, and he is a lucky guy for having someone who can appreciate romanticism in everyday gestures. Anyone can recognize the grand – good for you for valuing those that actually matter! Happy Valentines!
Terry says
I love your post about your Husband….he sounds wonderful. I too have a wonderful husband that would give me whatever I want….lucky for him, I don’t really need much.
I would much rather have Valentines many times during the year instead of one day because he feels obligated.
Sugar Duchess says
What a great tribute to an awesome husband. My husband is also kind and considerate, and it makes life sweet. And what a delicious tart! Yum!
ingrid says
My honey doesn’t do romance either. Guess he got what he wanted, ha,ha! BUT like you mentioned he does so much more each & everyday and let me tell you I’m not easy to live with. I’m pretty certain he’s going to heaven! I hope to straighten up enough to see him there! 🙂
MMMMM, another snickerdoodle creation! Yay, me & the kids & everyone who know us! I’ve actually made your snickerdoodle cake & it was fabulous! I’ve heard that you have snickerdoodle muffins that I will need to try as well. I finally got to the grocery store & bought some more mascarpone cheese for your blondies. Guess I’ll need to go back for some more!
~ingrid
Btw, the seafood gratin sounds good too.
Muneeba says
I always poke a little fun of my hubbs on my blog, but the honest truth is that I lucked out with the guy! It really struck home with me when you told us abt how your hubby works full-time so that you can work part-time and do the things you love .. mine too! And bought those wireless headphones a year ago just for me – I didn’t even have to suggest it. I wuv him. Hez a keeper, fer sure 🙂
Psychgrad says
That’s the type of Valentine’s Day recognition I like to see. It’s not what someone does one over-marketed day of the year, it’s over the course of 365 days. Your hubby sounds like a good guy.
snooky doodle says
wow you surely appreciate small things. Well I do it too . my boyfriend isn’t the romantic type either. this year I told him not to buy cards or roses. (Just no to be disappointed when I don’t get them) but I still love hime cause he does alot of things for me. These tarts looks awesome I love snickerdoodles 🙂 great recipe 🙂 Happy Valentine’s day.
Cheryl says
Finally someone that sums up why we don’t celebrate V-day. We do wonderful things for each other every day. Beautiful post.
lisa from dandysugar says
I really love this post. Sometimes the everyday things are easily dismissed because our lives become so busy. This is a lovely reminder of what Valentine’s Day truly means.
Delicious looking tarts, by the way!
Erin says
Your husband sounds like a wonderful man! We are like that about Valentine’s Day too- we just do candy and a card. We show each other love the rest of the year by little things similar to what you talked about.
Your tarts look wonderful! I love what you’ve been doing with Snickerdoodles lately!
Reeni says
What a sweet hubby! And what sweet tarts!! They are so decadent and delicious!! YUM!
Manggy says
Aw Pea, you are making me all verklempt here! Sooo sweet! (And I’m not talking bout no tarts, heh) Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your husband.
But about the tarts though, can you believe I’ve never even tasted the object of your obsession? I need to remedy that stat! These look delicious!
thereddeer says
Awww that was such a sweet post – just lovely. It makes me really appreciate my husband.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
What a beautiful love letter to your husband! You are so right — the sum of the little things is what’s important.
elly says
This post is so sweet and I totally agree with it. Why have a special day to show someone you love them when you can (should) do it every day? I have been thinking of snickerdoodles since I saw your blondies and now after this I think I need to make something snickerdoodle-inspired, too. Mmm.
the projectivist says
wow that tart looks good!
at first i thought it must be a custard tart, which i am partial to. but for the sake of science, i’d be willing to try your Snickerdoodle tart.
please wrap and send me those tarts, along with your husband, in time for valentine’s day!
Kevin says
Cream cheese snickerdoodle tarts sound so good!
Monica H says
I hate when people say “Happy VD” because I automatically think of Venereal disease, which is neither happy or romantic 🙂
So Happy valentine’s Day to you!
cheffresco says
Yum! So pretty too!
Caitlin says
It’s funny that people call the things he does for you the “little things.” Those seem like pretty big ones, and I’m sure you reciprocate 🙂 I wish my boyfriend would do the flower or blue box thing…
Monica H says
Peabody,
I was planning on making a Red velvet cake this weekend…and since your husband is a lover of all things RV, can you please recommend a really good recipe. Perhaps your husband’s favorite.
I know you’ve blogged about a few recipes, but I’m looking for the best one you got. Any recommendations?
Thanks,
Monica
stillhopeful[dot]monica[at]yahoo[dot]com
nina says
I understand your post fully and am so blessed to say the same! Ophra always…love is in the small details…looks like your hubby figured that one out long ago!!!
Alisa - Frugal Foodie says
That is so wonderfully sweet and so true. It is great to receive Valentine’s every day 🙂
Elle says
Your husband is a lucky man! And he is lucky that you appreciate the ‘little’ Valentines of daily togetherness. The snickerdoodle tart is just wonderful…especially if you love snickerdoodles.
Lindsay says
Oooh…I love the blue box too! 🙂
bakingblonde says
I wish I liked Snickerdoodles. Those do look good so I may have to give them a shot to see what I think. Your pics alone make me drool
Kara says
Thanks for the beautiful post! It is so true that we need to be thankful for the little things that our spouse does for us.
My hubbie does bring me flowers for Valentine’s Day, and it is great. But I am so much more grateful for all the other things he does-like unloading the dishwasher. Every day. Because he knows it is my least favorite chore. That’s true love!
CookiePie says
Great post! Those are the best kinds of Valentine’s. My hubby and I are the same way — I’d rather be schmoopy and romantic on a random Thursday than on the day you’re Supposed To. More power to you and your true love! And YUM on that tart 🙂
Lynn says
I think it’s wonderful how much you appreciate your awesome husband. He is definitely a keeper!
Kate says
I’m definitely the guy in our relationship. Thatboy is the one that appreciates romantic gestures, while I’m the cynical/practical/realistic one. I’m the one who buys him chocolate for Valentine’s Day since I’m the one who doesn’t keep chocolate in the house!
Katie says
I was in love with your Snickerdoodle Blondies but I’m in lust with these. They look so good.
Mrs. L says
We thought about getting that pizza too! Except I think we are headed to a Sprinkles Cupcake place in the afternoon and that will probably blow our calorie budget for the day 🙂
Maria says
Great post! Snickerdoodles are my favorite! I bet these tarts are incredible!
This is my first V-day as wife!! I kidnapped my husband for the weekend. We are at a cabin in the mountains. It should be nice and relaxing!!
Katie says
Looks lovely. Hope you have a wonderful Valentines day
Cakelaw says
Your husband sounds very sweet – who needs flowers and chocolates once a year when he does such thoughtful things all the time.
Lisa says
Gracie.. recently I received a gift of snickerdoodles and they were fabulous. Snickerdoodles have always been one of my favorite cookies EVER. Also recently, I bought a boatload of mascarpone for tiramisu and realized I bought too much, so today I was going to search for some recipes using mascarpone.
Were you reading my mind?? 😀
Love and Happy Valentines Day, my Gracie!
xoxoxxoxoxoxoxo
MyKitchenInHalfCups says
Oh Pea, I do believe this is a really lovely tart.
You are on the mark. Everyday . . . so much better.
VeggieGirl says
Cute story 🙂
Love the snickerdoodle tart!!
Happy V-Day, Peabody!!!!
bmk says
What a wonderful post! We sometimes take all those things for granted. Thanks for the reminder! Hope you enjoy your valentine’s day!
Rachel@fairycakeheaven says
Such a nice post. I feel the same and expect and want only a card, which I got with the perfect single sentence that means so much to me! Nothing like getting valentines every day either, it makes the world a litte bit nicer!
Kelly-Jane says
Your hubby sounds like a lovely man 🙂 Have a great day!
TP says
(smile)Thanks for sharing your real life real world daily valentine gift(s) with us. A reminder that I should appreciate my not-romantic half too. Happy Valentine’s!
Judith says
There are so many ways to be romantic, aren’t there? For me, a Valentine is just leaving me alone all week. Yeah, that sounds horribly unromantic, but if someone can let me get my huge amounts of work done and not make me feel guilty about it, then that means that there can be a truly romantic date on the weekend, where I can concentrate on the woman I’m with instead of stressing out.
grace says
again with the snickerdoodle stuff! it appears to be another keeper, and so does your hubby. 🙂
clumbsycookie says
So nice what you said about your husband! And I don’t know if you made those little tarts for him but he sure deserves them!
Abby says
You are loved!
Beautiful tarts.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
zurin says
what a lovely post and what a wonderful husband and what a very pretty tart…u have everything..n I think I do too! thanks for the lovely read!
Hannah says
What a brilliant idea… Cinnamon sugar really can go on just about any dessert and make it 10x better!
Deborah says
Those are the best kinds of Valentines!!
Aparna says
I know it was half a month back, but I’m just reading this now.:)
And I agree every bit with you. Though in our house, its my husband who complains that I don’t have a romantic bone in my body!
We don’t celebrate Valentine’s really, but then we have a whole year of it so why celebrate just one day? 😀