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Unusual Valentine's Day Traditions, Valentine's Day and Beer, Valentine's Day Beer Contest, writers, writing
Valentine’s Day is upon us. How do I know that? While I was making dinner last night, a bell pepper told me. Who knew oracles come in the form of vegetables.
Be still my bell pepper heart.
Many traditions and symbols are associated with Valentine’s Day . . . a naked flying baby who is armed to the teeth, giving tacky heart-shaped boxes filled with inedible chocolates that are more lard than cocoa, and gifts of red roses that cost more on Valentine’s Day than what it takes to run a developing country.
Here at the Coyle house we have a long-standing Valentine’s Day tradition, and well folks; it is that time of year again.
For the third year running (perhaps three years doesn’t exactly qualify for long-standing status . . . but my blog, my rules), my husband sends each of our girls a bag of See’s chocolate hearts, cold hard cash, and issues a challenge.
In years past, the challenge read thusly:
“Take some of this money and buy a cool beer. Submit a photograph of you drinking said beer. Entries are due Valentine’s Day. No sooner. No later. Mom’s blog readers will determine the winner because they know a good beer when they see one.”
This year, because my husband is a man of few words, the challenge was this:
Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day better than a cutthroat competition.
I will humbly submit the entries for your vote in a few days.
This Valentine’s Day Beer Challenge is soon to go viral. Click on the links below to my previous brilliant posts and you will learn how to impress your friends by starting it in your community. If I do say so myself, I’m not the brilliant one . . . the competitors are.
Valentine’s Beer Photo Contest
Maybe I Should Write a Beer Blog
One final thought. What is up with the See’s Candy uniforms? I couldn’t work at See’s because I don’t look good in a nurse uniform and bow tie.
Robin, all ready for work!
Robin Coyle 
Love this contest, as I am all about beer. Oh yeah. I’m all about Valentine’s, too. Almost forgot.
Well, then. I shall pour you a beer and send you a Valentine!
Goodness that came around quickly. I remember reading about your family competition last year. What fun. Your girls were so inventive last time and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with this year. I don’t think our girls would go for a beer tasting competition, so maybe we should start something to do with food.
A food competition is an excellent idea! Perhaps something to do with chocolate desserts. And yes, where did that year go?
I’m always up for chocolate!
I remember this from last year. It’s such a great family tradition. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries!
Great family tradition, or a father encouraging his daughters to drink. One could argue it either way.
A great tradition, no matter how old it is 😉 Hubs and I usually avoid restaurants on Valentines because 1) they’re crowded as hell, so 2) the waitstaff are totally frazzled, and 3) so is the kitchen staff and the food isn’t up to par. We’ll go out the next weekend. As for the beer, we started brewing our own last year, and that’s been both fun and tasty!
My husband and the girls brew their own beer as well and really enjoy it. My garage looks a bit like Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory. I am the assistant, Igor, hunchback and all!
Your tradition definitely beats all other Valentine traditions! Personally I do not care for the roses – give me See’s (their chocolate is still good despite the uniform!) or Lindt any day instead!
This Valentine’s my fiancé and I watched a zombie movie together. Very romantic, if you ask me. 🙂
You are such a romantic fool. Zombie movies are an aphrodisiac and set the scene for amour. Or blood and guts, but whatever.
I have to second you on the Valentine chocolates than taste more like lard than cocoa. 99% of them are just gross. Thank goodness for Lindt! And you’re right. That See’s uniform looks right out of a hospital from the 1940s.
I am put in mind of nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest when I see the See’s Candy uniform.
Haha, that’s it!
That’s a great tradition. Obviously invented by a man with no sons 😉
But they can drink beer like one of the guys!
Their father must be so proud 😀
Oh, he is.
😀
My husband woke up with a blasted cold this morning, so we will be having a low key Valentine’s Day. It will most likely include pizza and wine with our son at a local haunt. My husband may have beer. The place has gluten-free pizza, but alas!, they serve no gluten-free beer.
If anyone out there is in the market for a decent gluten-free beer, I cannot recommend ones made in the U.S. The Belgian monks have it covered. Green’s Double Dark, Amber Ale, or Triple Blonde (in order of preference) fit the bill nicely.
Can’t wait to see who wins! Cheers!
My husband and girls are big fans of Belgian beer. I’ll ask them if they have tried the ones you suggest. Hey, maybe you should enter the contest!
Hope your husband feels better soon and that you and your son don’t come down the with Valentine’s crud.
Me, too! Tempted to enter, but I thought only daughters were qualified to enter. 😀
I’ll make an exception when it comes to you.
I thought this competition was fantastic when I first heard about it last year. I am eager to see what your ingenious kids will come up with.
As for me, my most exciting drinking adventure was wine on the porch. I regret nothing.
With all those squirrels and cats in your backyard, I’d say that is pretty exciting. People reading this comment who missed your Freshly Pressed post have no idea what I am talking about. 🙂
Perhaps ignorance is bliss in this case. My FP post prompted a wee bit of wrath from one passionate cat lover. I believe “monster” was the term she used to describe me.
Well, she was terribly misguided. You are the farthest thing from a monster. Or is the proper word furthest? I can never keep those two straight.
I remember this from last year, Robin. Looking forward to the results! 😉
You should hear the girls good-naturedly trash-talking each other. It is a crack-up.
What a fun tradition! I look forward to seeing the photos. Happy Valentine’s Day 💗
Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well. One photo has come in so far!
See’s Candies. That’s what my marriage lacked. Fortunately, I can buy them here. Oh, how I love those chocolates. The best!
See’s is the best chocolate. I received a box of See’s Victoria Toffee this morning. My all time favorite!
Can’t wait to vote! And if one of them drinks Colt 45 they have my vote!
I don’t think any of them are Colt 45 drinkers. They are more into craft beers. They may change that up if they read your comment to ice at least one vote!
and who says make Colt is not a craft–ha ha
I love that idea.. that is a nice family tradition! 🙂
Not a traditional tradition, but it is one that will stick for a long time around here.
Oh yes, I remember your beer thing from last year, what fun! In the UK, Valentine’s Day is really just a couples thing, for now. Do you think See’s actually paid somebody to design those uniforms, or was it some kind of joke that went horribly wrong?
Whoever designed those uniforms should be fired. However, they are probably long gone. I bet they died of humiliation. Or stoning by See’s Candy sales ladies.
Great idea! Love this post, and your husband’s idea – what a wonderful tradition to begin! Can’t go wrong with beer and chocolate, ever.
See’s and their uniforms? Funky and old-fashioned, is my guess. But my mouth waters whenever I see the uniform. 🙂
I love that you get a free sample just for walking into See’s Candy. And, have you noticed that there are ALWAYS people in there stocking up on chocolate? Usually women.
Um, I think you and I are MUCH too famliar with the See’s routine! I also know to go before 2:30, when moms and their children take over the place. 🙂
I always knew you were a smart woman.
Oh my gosh…I am so looking forward to Valentine’s Day! Your girls got me hooked!
One photo has been submitted so far. Three to go! Stayed tuned for your chance to vote. It is just like American Idol.
You cinch that nurse uniform at the waist, hike up the hemline, add some fishnets and stilettos and you’re guaranteed a happy Valentine’s day.
Now, why didn’t I think of that? Sexy See’s Candy lady. I’ll greet my husband at the door tonight dressed like that. There will be fireworks at the Coyle house tonight!
Chocolate is good to have for those few days I might crave it. Valentine’s day I’m having dinner with a couple of married ladies (sans husbands). Feels wrong somehow. They should have a good time. Should it be with little old me? 😀
I think it would be delightful to spend Valentine’s Day with you, Tess!
That’s cause I AM delightful company. How did you know?
Have a good one yourself, Robin.
I have a very keen eye when it comes to such things.
Oh, I remember you posting about this last year 🙂 Can’t wait . . . Happy Valentine’s Day! Hubs and I are going to a new brewery in town to celebrate with Sex on the Peach microbrew and there will be chocolates too and live music!!
Can we come along? No? I guess you are right. It would ruin the magic moment of Sex on the Peach between you and your husband. (Gotta love that name.)
Darn – even the veggies are hinting.
Hey – that See’s lady – so that’s where my teenage year’s giant blue hair bow went. Better there than on the back of my head (visions of the Flying Nun…)
Happy challenge day!
When did we wear those giant hair bows? The 80s? I think so. I have many silly pictures of me with a small sail on the back of my head.
a whole army of Minnie Mouses…I had 4 or 5 in different colors (shiver). Actually those were from the 60’s…tried to keep my daughter from the same mistake around the 80’s…of course moms don’t know anything…those pictures never go away!
You are right! The 60s and the 80s. I wonder if they will make a comeback. Heck, platform shoes and bell-bottoms did. What is next? Poodle skirts?
Bet they wouldn’t be the heavy felt full-circle knee length ones matched with 3-4 scratchy net petticoats underneath…sitting was an art.
No . . . they will be mini-skirts and somehow Miley Cyrus sexual. Ugh.
What a great Dad and a cool idea. My Dad would send me roses. I miss that. I’m not big on Valentine’s Day but like Carrie, I’d never turn down chocolate. Like dark truffle Godiva chocolate.
Coming right up . . . chocolate and roses are on their way!
Hey, I understand from Unfettered BS that you are reading the Tropper book too. Have you finished it? I’m anxious to hear what you think.
I’m reading right now and living it so far, Robin. I love a dry,sarcastic wit voice and Tropper’s certainly has that.
I love dry wit and sarcasm too. See most, if not all, of my blog posts. I had some issues with the book, but for the most part, enjoyed it. Let us know when you have finished it and we can have a book group discussion.
Will do. Thanks Robin.
Love that your husband does this. My husband and I stopped celebrating Valentine’s Day. Makes life that much easier. (Though I certainly won’t turn down a chocolate treat if he brings one home…)
I’m with you on the uniforms. Far too sexy for me. 😉
Yeah, but you claim to have the shoes to go with the outfit.
I think you should surprise your husband at the door on Valentine’s Day wearing a See’s uniform. Romance will be in the air!
Or dust bunnies from my husband spinning on his heels and bolting out the door.
Bolting out the door to return to the store because he forgot to buy his ravishing See’s Candy lady roses and champagne.
Always the glass half-full you are… 😉
I think you should give it a try and report back. Bring chocolate when you do.
If there’s any left, which is CERTAINLY glass half-full thinking.