in which i ramble on and on... and on.

I know, it's Thursday and I'm supposed to post some lengthy discussion with myself over an issue that's hot on my mind. I WAS planning on a Valentine's Day bashing (and am still planning a snark for tomorrow, based on all years passed), but since I'm now back together with the boyfran, you get no hypercritical Amanda - you only get to read about what my plans are (AND HELP ME MAKE THEM BETTER).

Joe and I, initially (ok, on Monday) had planned to go to Skaneateles for a nice dinner on the lake. That was quickly cast aside when we realized that such a feat would set us back $200 - for dinner alone. And we'd probably end up with something straight off of Top Chef (you know, with "osso bucco" and "aioli" and other words that nobody knows the meaning of). Talk quickly changed to nice city restaurants - we checked out Pascale's Wine Bar, Gentile's, etc... but no dice. More creme fraiche. We decided on Pastabilities (yummm hot tomato oil and stretch bread!) and I was supposed to call and make reservations yesterday... but they're all booked. And have been for a month.

Cue freaking out.

So I tried Pascale's. And Lemongrass. And Delmonicos. And Francescas. And they're all booked. I'm pretty sure if I tried calling Olive Garden they would have laughed in my face too. Apparently everyone is so set in their relationships that they can make V-day reservations months in advance (slap in the face, thanks). So, instead of stooping to the likes of McD's and Taco Bell, Joe and I have decided to make our own V-day dinner.

Cost effective, tasty and super romantic.

(Because nothing says romantic like a plastic beer pong table, folding chairs and whatever candles we can find lying around.)

FWIW, I think this is an excellent idea. We're both strapped for cash and don't want to go somewhere and be disappointed with the food. We also have plans for later that night (Vote for Pete is playing at Pizza Man Pub) and would prefer not to be tied down with time either. But now we have to figure out what to make....

The discussion for main entrees yielded no real winners. Joe and I make dinner all the time - and it's mostly things other people would consider more "luxury" food (in a very loose, "I can't figure out another fitting term," sort of way). We make a lot of Thai food, a lot of Indian stuff, nice soups, homemade pasta sauce... you name it, we've probably made it. I know Joe is thinking that something seafood-y would be perfect - but not for me, NOT FOR ME AT ALL. I said something Italian, but meh... I want eggplant parmesan and I cannot find eggplant ANYWHERE this time of year (and not to mention that I've been eating a lot of noodles lately). And then Joe said "I know! A ROAST!"

(Because again, nothing says romantic like a bunch of vegetables and a whole chicken tossed in a baking dish for an hour.)

I do love roasts though. I freaking LOVE beer can chicken and roasted carrots and red potatos. But it's such a "hearty American" dish to make. And I want something a little more playful and light, especially since I'll be drinking heavily afterwards. So I'm thinking (and I just thought of this RIGHT NOW... literally 30 seconds ago), that we should make something Spanish. Like, a nice vegetable paella for a main course, maybe some tapas to start.

MMMMM TAPAS.

But then if we make something Spanish, we need a Spanish-y dessert, right? AND I HATE FLAN. With a very big passion. Flan, to me, is like eggs mixed with mayonnaise mixed with phlegm. I suppose I could do a bread pudding, but I'm 83% sure (o I see wat u did thar) that Joe hates soggy breaded things. I wanted to make a nice raspberry cheesecake and chocolate-covered cherries... how can I make them Spanish?

(Put sombreros on them?)

And cocktails. Ohhhh cocktails. Certainly I'd be happy with my cherry concoction (and we have all the supplies to make them... except the actual marashino cherries, which are super necessary) but once again, it's not fitting with the whole "atmosphere." I really, REALLY want to make Mionetinis - equal parts prosecco, vodka, St. Germains; half parts lemon juice and pineapple juice, raw sugar rim - but the chances of me finding elderflower liqueur anywhere in this city and surrounding areas is highly unlikely. But I will try. I will labor on in my fruitless endeavor to find the ever-elusive elderflower... even if it means I have to stoop to walking into high-end bars (Al's Wine and Whisky, Ambrosia, etc.) and begging a bottle off of them (and offering to pay $50).

So that's the food thing. But am I supposed to get Joe a present?

(Or is he supposed to get some for me!)

I don't remember what I got for past boyfriends... I mean, this will only be my third V-day that I'm NOT a (shameless) spinster. It was too early in my relationship with Mike for us to get eachother anything (other than a picture of us in a homemade frame... shut up, I was a cheap high schooler) and I've blocked out the seven months that I dated Matt (though I'm pretty sure I got him a sweater). I'm pretty broke and would like to go the sentimental route, but I just don't know how because my creativity flounders when I'm a little bit under the weather...

(And oh, I know, nothing says romantic like a sniffling, chapped-nose girl handing her boyfriend a red construction paper heart with a picture of us on Halloween on the front...)