We just had to get our nails done before Valentine’s Day.  Our big V-day plans include watching scary (kid) movies, eating pizza in our pajamas and doing a random scavenger hunt (my sister put together an anti-valentine’s day together for me this year and we are spending the evening all hanging out together;)

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Our finished products.  Brooke wasn’t too thrilled with me that we went while she was taking a nap and she missed out on getting her nails done.  I will have to take her today.

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We drove up to Sundance for dinner at a fancy (fancy for me = anything more expensive than Cafe Rio) restaurant.  I love Sundance, another place that you have to go if you come to Utah to visit.

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It is quite convenient that two of my favorite people both live less than .2 miles away from me.  It is meant to be that we spend all of our free time together.

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I had been craving a burger all day long.  Even though I went to a fancy restaurant, I just couldn’t turn down a burger.  And those garlic fries.  Wow.  

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The restaurant really won my heart when they brought me out a brownie sundae for my birthday.  They even earned extra ‘brownie points’ (hahaha) because they didn’t put nuts in the brownie…  That is just wrong on so many levels.

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My friend sent this over to me.  Yes and yes.  

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Flashback Friday…  That’s a thing right?   

Brooke from Valentine’s Day last year.   Now to find me this same shirt in my size;)  

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What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

Where would you choose to go for your bday dinner?

Nuts or no nuts in your brownies?

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101 comments

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Happy Valentines Day, Janae! I remember your Vday post from last year… I think it was very encouraging for everyone to read, single or not. Enjoy being surrounded by those you love and those who love you – that’s what matters!

My Valentines Day plans include my boyfriend making dinner for us tonight, and we’ll see what else! And definitely no nuts in brownies :)

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NO NUTS in the brownies. Plans? dinner at home. Nothing big. Going out on Valentine’s is overrated no matter what your relationship status!

I love tapas and small plates- so anywhere that I can order 12 things and try a little bit of each! I hate committing to an entree.

Have an awesome day eating pizza in your jammies and watching movies and getting kiddie snuggles- sounds cozy. <3

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Oh my gosh, I wish I could fly there and join you for your anti-V-day dinner. I’m like the Valentines grouch this year ;) Have a great night and wishing you a happy belated birthday!

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Nuts, please! :)

I don’t have any big plans for v-day, but my hubb is making a big dinner all on his own tonight to “surprise” me! :) I obviously know that he’s making it, but the menu is top secret. Haha! He is not a cook at all, so this should be interesting!

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Stay positive today and love that sweet baby brooker!!!

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I had Thai for my birthday dinner, but when we went out, I picked to go out for breakfast instead…like Leslie Knope.

No Valentine’s day plans over here.

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Changing to pj’s, ordering in from my favorite place, and making each other Valentines.

Have a great day, and remember what an overrrated holiday this is if you get a twinge of something.

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Looks like you had a fab day!
To me valentines day = meh. I don’t care about it much. My husband got us ice cream sandwiches and we’re just hanging out with the kiddos!
Last week was our anniversary, this week v day then next week is my birthday…valentines day is the one we celebrate the least out of the 3 :)

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You can never go wrong with a good old fashioned burger!

Vday Plans – kindergarden party then family time
Bday Dinner – Any place that has good steak or good burgers or good mexican food
Nuts/No Nuts? – I say no nuts

http://runningschlub.blogspot.com/

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What a sweet baby!

We decided to avoid the crowds and went on a date to Costco last night. We got food to make dinner at home tonight. We’ll grab a heart pizza for the kids.

I usually pick sushi for my birthday.

That card is so true!

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Happy Valentines!! Love the nails and the ecard!
Any restaurant with seafood for the birthday!
No nuts!!

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Work is closed again! I’m hanging at hem with my husband and daughter. :-) Lots of ice cream eating to happen later! Enjoy your day!

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I’m with you, no nuts in my brownie!

That burger looks delicious. It’s so tough to pick a place for your birthday when you love every type of food! If I was going casual I’d pick a good taqueria. If I was going more fancy I’d choose some nice seafood place.

I don’t do big valentines day celebrations. I’ll buy chocolates and something small for the kiddos, a box of See’s for my husband, and I will just cook our dinner at home. I’m making a sausage and spinach pasta.

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Totally agree with keeping the nuts far from my brownie. They don’t belong there at all. Brownies should be all fudge. Lots of fudge…

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My Valentines Day plans and Birthday Plans are usually the same. My husband makes me an awesome dinner and we just relax. We’re pretty low key like that. And nuts on a brownie are unforgivable! Period.

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That dessert looks amazing! No nuts for me :)

I’d choose to go to this awesome French restaurant about an hour from my parents’ house, we’ve gone three times and it’s always delicious.

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Glad you had such a great birthday yesterday! Your Anti-Valentines Day tonight sounds like so much fun.

Tonight we are just doing a low key Vday. We are cooking dinner together and drinking a bunch of wine. Restaurants are way too crowded on Vday to actually enjoy it

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Oh I love nuts in brownies! Yum! We plan on ordering food and hanging at home. :)

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I’m glad you made it a great birthday!! I am making burgers for supper tonight and brownie cake pops for dessert :-) I feel the same way about brownies, nuts do not belong in them!!

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I love foundry grill!! I love seafood, so that is usually the type or restaurant I choose for my birthday!

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No V-day plans here. I kinda don’t like this holiday and think it is totally overrated. Hubs and I made an agreement when we got married that we wouldn’t celebrate it.

I change up my birthday dinner each year and try to find a place I have never been.

I don’t eat brownies often, but if I do I would say nuts are okay as long as they are sprinkled on top but not mixed in the batter. Is that weird??

Have a great day eating pizza and hanging out!

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Happy Birthday and AMEN to no nuts in brownies! It just messes up the CHOCOLATE factor. :)

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There’s a time and place for nuts, and brownies are NOT it. Why would I want to be crunching on something when I want to enjoy fudgy deliciousness? Glad to see that you had an awesome birthday, Janae :) My Valentine’s will be low-key, but it will most definitely include lots of chocolate.

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Happy vday janae!! And a happy late birthday!! Have a terrific anti-valentines party :) my vday plans include a romantic dinner at chick fil a with the kids! (Wahoo!) :)

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I love the Foundry Grill and that burger is the best thing ever!!!!! So good! We were actually hoping to go there today but they were booked so we’re changing our plans.

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Oh wow! Look at how much Brooke has grown!!!

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Definitely NO NUTS in brownies OR fudge! We are moving tomorrow but we get our keys today so we are going to head out to dinner then go to our new house and have a glass of wine in the nice open space before all the chaos begins and boxes are everywhere!

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I’m with you, nuts have no place in desserts..especially brownies! What a fun birthday!! Glad you had a good time :) Oh my. Little baby Brooke!! Sooo cute!

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No nuts on my brownies, but they have to be made with dark chocolate.

Valentine’s Day is always comprised of staying home and spending time together.

Hope you enjoy the day with that beautiful little girl of yours.

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Nuts do not belong in brownies or chocolate chip cookies! Never not never!

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My plans include a fun run at a local running store where each person gets a wristband based on relationship status! Hopefully there will be cute single runner guys ;)

I used to always choose Olive Garden for my birthday dinner lol. And although I still love the OG and their salad and breadsticks, this year we went to a fancy tapas restaurant downtown.

Definitely NO nuts! Brownies have always been my favorite dessert, but I hate nuts.

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Somehow I managed to sign up as head room parent for my daughter’s 3rd grade class. That means today I’m in charge of her Valentine’s Party. Note: I’m not creative in the least, so stuff like this really challenges me. Gulp.

I like trying new restaurants, so I’d probably just choose a random place that’s supposed to be good. Adventures for birthdays = fun.

Nuts in brownies if they’re by themselves. No nuts if it’s a brownie and ice cream combo. Nuts are a good source of protein = they make brownies morph into health food. :)

Happy birthday again! Awesome big sister to put that anti-V Day together for you.

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Valentine’s Plans – Cook a special dinner at home, because we’re not braving the crowded restaurants with insane fixed price menus!

Bday Meal – This year it’s going to be at a nice steak restaurant since I will no longer be pregnant and I can have a rare steak, caesar salad, and glass of red wine!

Nuts or no nuts – Doesn’t matter, I just want the brownies to be gooey!

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Oh my goodness, Brooke’s shirt from last year is too precious!
The burger and brownie look delicious! I definitely say NO NUTS in my brownie :)
Hope you have a wonderful day!

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While I wouldn’t be angry, per say, if I found nuts in my brownie, I prefer them without, for sure. Hope you have a great day today Janae!

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I’m going to spend my Valentine’s Day at work, at the rock wall and at home enjoying my favorite quinoa dip, time with my dog and a good book (and maybe a margarita). My boyfriend lives 7 hours away and is spending the day moving (sold his house and now moving to an apartment until we can figure out what’s next for us), so I won’t complain!

I would love to eat my birthday dinner somewhere I could sit outside and not freeze to death (my birthday is in December, and I live in Iowa)!

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Your birthday food was on POINT girl! ;) Yum, yum yum. Prayers for you today! <3

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omg she is soo grown up from last year’s v-day!!
Me and my friends are going snow tubing tonight.. like 60% are single so this is a good way to have single and couples hang out together without it being obv :)

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You are surrounded by such a loving family and friends!! You have an amazing little sidekick, and her outfit from last year was ADORABLE!!! Why can’t we wear leg warmers like that as adults!!! Love it! Enjoy your day!!!

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Taking my daughter for a Valentine’s treat at Sweet Cece’s (Yogurt) before taking her to her Grandparents. Then the husband and I are doing a weekend getaway together and running a Hot Chocolate 5K!

I’ll take brownies any way they come;)

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Definitely no nuts in brownies!!

Tonight my fiance and I are having a low key night of pizza making and wine. I also saw a commercial for a red velvet lava cake sundae at Sonic…this is a MUST! I hope I haven’t built it up too much in my head.

Happy Vday-enjoy spending it will all of the lovely people in your life that you love!

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Happy Valentines to you and Brooke! I’m spending it with the treadmill in the morning, meeting my sis at Starbucks and then going to work after that…no romance over here!

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Valentine’s plans…lunch out with my 2 valentines (yes one is fluffy and has 4 legs) and tonight picking up my race packet for tomorrow’s V-day themed 10K.

For Birthday dinner – probably any Mexican restaurant. Even just Chipotle haha.

I love Brooke’s shirt. So cute.

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My friend wished me a happy valentine’s day and I said, happy barf day back to her. I really don’t know how this day is taken so seriously!!! I’m married and I’m STILL all against it! Love your family & friends ALL year long!!!

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Happy Valentine’s Day! And that cheeseburger and fries looks awesome!
Nuts and extra nuts on the brownie for me :P

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i really love nuts, but i’d prefer a brownie without nuts.

i went out for sushi on my last birthday, so i’ll pick a sushi restaurant :)

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love the runner postcard — so true.

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No Valentine’s plans over here except for work, hitting Target and then reading. We know how to party here in Michigan:-) I would probably pick PF Changs or Bahama Breeze for my birthday, although my parents always override that and we go to Applebees.

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My husband and I are headed to dinner tonight to one of our favorite restaurants here in Barbados, The Cliff. We’re pretty low-key and just have a nice dinner night out each year, simple and sweet. Definitely nuts for me on my sundae=) I hope you have an amazing weekend!
~Bre

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I love common man for my bday dinner..it is so so yummy!!!
I love brownies with it without nuts-honestly it’s just a question of what I am more in the mood for!!
The nails look great!:)

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Your sister/family sounds so sweet! Seems like a perfect Valentine’s Day! I am totally on the same page as you with the brownies; nuts ruin it! Brownies are perfect as is, no need to mess with the formula. Also, Brooke’s shirt is hilarious, I love that! Enjoy your anti-valentine’s day!

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Happy Valentine’s Day girl! You are blessed with so much love from your family, friends, and all of your readers! I hope that you have a great time with your family tonight, and that you know everyone is wishing you the best and sending lots of love your way on this day! :)

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I just got back from my yoga class and your photos of the great food you ate are making me so hungry! I’m not sure what I’m doing today. I was just gonna chill at home, chill out, and read some blogs, but my husband decided to take the day off and I think he wants to take me to downtown Chicago, so I might have a little adventure instead. Have a great day and eat a bunch of candy! :D

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Yum! The picture of the burger, fries, and brownie are making me really hungry. That looks like an awesome time with your friends and family for your birthday. For Valentine’s Day I am hoping my husband, who is in the military, can make it up to where I am so we can be together. The weather has been crazy here in Maryland recently though, so it makes traveling tough. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Brooke, and your family!!! :)

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I might go buy myself a new pair of running shoes as a Valentine’s Day present (the hot pink Brooks Transcends, and I don’t even like pink stuff).

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Also having an anti-valentines day night with my best girlfriends. Wouldn’t have it any other way :)

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We are doing almost the exact same thing today :) Heart shaped pizza, scavenger hunt, and watching Catching Fire.

I would choose my fav burrito place for my bday dinner, Free Birds.

I don’t care whether my brownie has nuts or no nuts :) Fudge on the other hand, must have nuts.

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No big plans for Valentine’s Day. Hopefully I will be eating some good chocolates later.
If I could go anywhere for my birthday dinner it would be to Hola in Marshfield, MA. then to Mike’s for a cannoli. This will not be happening in 2 weeks, because I live in Seattle.
No nuts in the brownie, but nuts on top of the brownie sundae.

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No nuts in Brownies! Never! I do like nuts but in brownies they are all kinds of wrong.

Happy anti-valentines!! You should definitely get that shirt :)

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This looks like a great V day. Mine is being spent with my little man, my favorite Valentine : )
Eating lots of chocolate and hopefully going on a walk after some of the sidewalks clear and maybe a trip to Target to treat myself to something : )

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My Valentine’s Day plans including working my real job before heading to my parents’ business to work for them tonight. After that it’s home to give my girls their Valentine’s from me.

For my birthday I would pick to go to Morning Glory in Ashland, OR for brunch. I really hope to be in OR for my birthday this year!

Nuts! Nuts on everything!!

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I would totally pick Chipotle for my birthday dinner. A little too obsessed with that place ;)

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Nutless brownies for the win. Now, throw in some peppermint patties and it’s a different story. Peppermint patties inside of brownies = pure deliciousness!

No big Valentine’s plans. Probably dinner at a kid-friendly restaurant. Definitely lots of kiddie hugs & kisses!

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Oh man. Now I want a burger. So sweet of your sister to put together the anti-V-Day plans- sounds like a fun day! :) As for brownies, I agree with you- definitely NO nuts.

xo

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Haha, that onesie is awesome! My boyfriend is making me dinner for valentine’s day, but not before I go out for some drinks with my friends! Galentine’s Day has always been a tradition of mine! Celebrate your lady loves!

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No nuts in brownies! EVER! And that burger looks perfect.

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Nuts in your brownies is nuts! My plans are to stay at home and order thai food because yum.

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I get to work this Valentines Day! NO priority time off for single people on V-Day ;) I had a nice date with my running shoes this morning though!

NO nuts in brownies… that is just ridiculous!

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Completely agree! NO Nuts in the brownie. And the brownie must be heated before topping with ice cream.

I am going to go home and make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and spend the evening knitting in front of the tv – alone! I’ll rest up for a weekend spent running and xc skiing with friends.

Single girls unite! :)

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That dessert looks fantastic! I made a healthy dessert this year for dessert #1 on my blog, I am sure I will be eating tons of candy and chocolates throughout the weekend though haha!

Brooks shirt last year is too cute!

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Single… so no plans or Valentine’s… except I might go have a BIG SALAD–like the Seinfield reference. Have you seen that episode?

Mmmmmmmmmm, BIG SALAD.

I do NOT like nuts in my brownies.

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I’m eating a BIG SALAD as I read HRG. Love that episode, and big salads for that matter.

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A big salad is always best when paired with this MN-based recipe for brownies….. Minnesota has the best people and best recipes!

Nancy’s Brownies

1 cup butter
4 squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups white sugar
4 large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup white flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups miniature marshmallows
(1 cup of nuts optional. I didn’t include nuts this time)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 13×9 cake pan and set aside.

Melt butter and chocolate squares carefully in a large saucepan. Set aside to cool slightly, then…

Gradually mix in, with large spoon, whisk or spatula, the white sugar, eggs (one at a time until blended), vanilla, and almond extract. I beat this well by hand until smooth. Gradually fold in flour, just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and optional nuts.

Bake brownies in the prepared 13×9 pan. The original recipe calls for 30 minutes, but I bake about 40-45 minutes, until brownies start to pull away a bit from the sides of the pan, and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool.

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Hi Janae! I haven’t commented before but I was thinking of you yesterday and today and I’m so happy you’re having fun and staying positive. I think Valentine’s is a day to appreciate those who mean something to you. You inspire me every day when I read (I am training for my first half-marathon!), so that means that we are ALL each other’s Valentine’s, right?!

I am having a fun night out tonight with a hotel room downtown-fancy!
I have had Mexican on my birthday every year since I can remember, it’s my favorite so that won’t change anytime soon ;)
And no nuts- ew!

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Happy anti-Valentine’s day. I would totally come celebrate with you if I could!

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Happy Friday, it’ really is just another day! Glad you have great friends and family around you keeping your spirits up! Love the picture of Brooke from last year, my how she’s grown up!

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Your sister is so sweet for putting together such a wonderful day – and after seeing it all I really want a burger now :) Enjoy today!

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Sounds like great Valentine’s Day plans!

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Happy Valentines Day Janae!

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Your night sounds like it will be so fun! Your family is just amazing. Also, I cannot believe brooke has grown that much in a year!!!! Ahhhhhhh!

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I agree- no nuts in brownies.. but chocolate chips in brownies is awesome!

I can’t get over how cute your niece is with the missing teeth.. so adorable. That flashback of Brooke is pretty amazing too.

Enjoy your day- sounds like your sister is taking good care of you:)

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That ecard was made for me!! I have been having serious knee problems for the last year and haven’t been able to run and I am so frustrated because no one can figure out what’s wrong yet. I just want to run! So of course I keep running every few weeks because I just want to run even though I know it’s probably ruining something in my knee, but I’m almost to the point where I just don’t care!

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No plans anymore–woke up with the flu this morning and your injury e-card thing fit so perfectly!!! I’m mostly mad I don’t get to go running, not mad that I’ve been stuck on the couch with a roaring fever and a whole host of other symptoms I’ll keep to myself ;)

Also nuts in brownies are the WORST.

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We are having another couple over for a double dinner movie date night. I hateeee going out with the crowds on valentines day. I’m with you, no nuts in brownies!!

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Nuts in brownies are the worst. Seriously.

Happy Valentines day! I hope you have a good one!

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You have a wonderful sister!

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Mmm, that brownie sundae looks delicious!

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The burger, fries, and brownie all look amazing! If a brownie has nuts in it I will still eat it but prefer them without nuts:)

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Working and homework…haha oh the life of a single college student… :P
I would probably choose to go out for thai food for dinner. Yum!! I like my brownies both ways, but I prefer no nuts so that it’s poor chocolately richness. :D

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THAT brownie!!! Looks so dang yumm!!!

Mmmmm fries. I want some now!

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Staying in for Valentine’s day. The boyfriend bought me flowers and is cooking dinner. Otherwise we’re just relaxing and watching tv.

I would go to my grandma’s house for my bday dinner – doesn’t matter what she cooks, it’s always amazing!

I won’t turn down a brownie if it has nuts in it, but I don’t put them in when I make them.

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Happy Valentine’s Day Janae!! We will all be your valentine :) I had a fabulous dinner with my mommy consisting of pasta, mushroom white sauce, and cookies. Hope you are enjoying your day!

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I call today single awareness day…good for you for getting out and doing something for you

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My Valentine’s plans had been a singles run& after party with the local running store. But the weather forced them to cancel. Whomp whomp. So I got a vegan pizza, opened a bottle of wine, ate too many sweets, and am watching House of Cards. Last year I was at a spa in Texas, 2 weeks after my 5 year relationship ended. I have to say, I wish I was at the spa again!

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I love Valentine’s Day because it’s the perfect time to tell everyone in your life how much you love them. Including your sisterr and that darling little fluff nugget that used to wear those ruffle legwarmers. Good Lord those suckers were cute. Can’t she be that little again? I like her this size, too, but she’s so big now.

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I love your quote about being mad that you can’t run when injured. That is totally me! I have continued to run with a nagging PF in my left foot that is just now going away after 2 years. Brooke looks so cute, wow she has grown so much from last year….guess they do that.

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Happy Valentine’s Day! What a cute photo of Brooke when she was a baby. A timely question -today is my birthday and tonight I’m going out to Thai with my family :)

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oh my gosh! brooke was so tiny. adorable!

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No nuts in brownies!! And I am going to the Loveless Cafe in Nashville, TN for my birthday! It used to be a motel and cafe, but now is just a restaurant and shops………famous for its breakfast (served all day, with biscuits to die for and homemade preserves with only 2 ingredients: fruit and sugar)………lots of country musicians and celebs have eaten there and signed photos of themselves which are hanging on the wall! And it has wonderful pie………..especially the GooGoo cluster pie made with the candy!

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Oh my goodness that is a super cute picture of Brooke from last year! All of your food looks amazing and now I feel the craving for a burger. :D

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uh need that shirt, too! single girls unite.
no no no nuts!

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