Valentine’s Day | Nifty Thrifty Nest

What did your sweet heart get you for Valentine’s Day?

I guess my husband and I are just too practical for our own good. We like to give each other frugal gifts and if we do spend money it’s usually on things we need.

For example, my husband gave me a really nice hot rock massage. It was very relaxing and totally unexpected. Price? $0

He also gave me new socks. Price? $12.99 (He said I don’t have to darn my socks and that we could afford to buy new ones. He said I was being silly, but that’s why he loves me. I have to admit. Nothing feels better than new socks. I’ll keep the darned socks for those days out in the garden.)

Next he replaced my wiper blades on my car. How romantic….That’s right girls. No diamonds. I got new wiper blades. I love my husband. Price? $7.99×2 (I love having a handy man around the house. Before we got married I made sure he’s hands didn’t look better than mine. I wanted a man that could do stuff around the house and wasn’t afraid to get some dirt under his finger nails.)

Finally, he got me flowers. Price? $9.99 (This was unusual because he typically buys me live plants instead. It’s been a harsh winter and I’m not sure if we are done with the snow and ice. We live in the south, but it’s been pretty cold even for us.)

To top it off…He cooked a really nice dinner. Like really nice seafood dinner and we almost never buy seafood. Price? $20.00

Valentine’s day grand total: $58.96

Not bad. How was your Valentine’s Day??

Sorry I haven’t written in a few days. This winter weather has been crazy.

So I finally got up the courage to bake a bake for my darling husband from scratch. I put on my apron and got to work. It doesn’t look professional by any stretch, but it sure is tasty. Hope he enjoys such a wonderful treat 🙂

Here’s the recipe. I got from Reader’s Digest: Homemade…

Basic Cake Mix:
8 c. All purpose flour
6 c. Sugar
1/4 c. Baking powder
1.5 tsp. salt
2 and 1/4 c. Veg shortening

1. Shift together flour, sugar, powder, and salt into bowl. Stir until blended.
2. Add shortening and blend until resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Please in container in cabinet or fridge for 10-12 weeks.

Chocolate Cake:
3 and 1/3 c. Basic cake mix
9 tbsp. Cocoa powder
1 c. Milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tbsp. butter, melted

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees. Grease and flour two cake pans.
2. Comb cake mix and cocoa. Add milk. Beat batter 2 min. Add eggs and butter. Beat another 2 min.
3. Pour into pans and bake 25 mins.
4. Let cool and frost.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
1/3 c. Butter, softened
2 c. Powdered sugar
1/4 c. Cream
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. Cocoa powder

1. Whip butter until creamy.
2. Still whipping, add sugar and cream. Finally, add vanilla and chocolate.