We may not celebrate Valentine's Day. After all, Tu B'Av is the Jewish festival of love; but who wants to wait until summertime — August to be exact — to celebrate the people who are dear to us?
Actually, I could. I'm not really a romantic, and Mr P and I don't usually celebrate Valentine's Day. We've always agreed it's for mugs who choose to sit in crowded restaurants with overpriced bouquets and other unnecessary expenses.
But this year, he's making noises about having bought me a gift. Seriously?
I've no idea what to buy him. Whisky maybe? He loves a dram. Or chocolate? My husband has long been in the habit of cracking a square off a bar of dark chocolate with his afternoon coffee. (He says it's good for his health...)
With the clock ticking, I've been looking online and have a few ideas up my sleeve:
1. Bake something like my rose and pistachio heart shortbread (pictured at the top of the page). They are easy and delicious. I could wrap them in a see-through gift bag tied with curly ribbons. Or a batch of my salted caramel fudge (above) cut into cute little hearts. Also a winner and super simple.
2. Order a kosher chocolate treat, champagne or bottle of Moscato from Sabeny, who have a range of Valentine's goodies on offer this year. Great for the last-minute merchants like me as (I'm reliably informed) if you order until 11.30am Monday February 13 and the goodies will be with your sweetheart on time.
3. Treat him to one of Honey & Co's beautiful, limited edition cardamom cream and raspberry babkas. The Honeys kindly sent me one to test and I can personally vouch for its deliciousness and beauty - in its own tin, showered with rose petals.
4. Or finally, the gift that will go straight to his heart - a bottle of DS Tayman's finest. As a regular whisky man, he'll be all smiles receiving this (KLBD heschered) special single malt — who wouldn't be?
If I get my act together he may even receive a card. Wonder what he has bought me...?