I am continually amazed at how the simplest of foods -- and condiments -- are the best. Little need to complicate things. I love pepper, too. But there is a big difference between bargain varieties and the minimal effort it takes to grind your own peppercorns. Worth every bit of it. (My new favorite condiment is sriracha sauce. Some day I'll wax eloquent about it.)

All wonderful ideas . . . Mr. Rosemary and I also gave up going out for dinner on Valentine's Day a log time ago. Sometimes we go out for lunch, infinitely less crowded and while it seems the atmosphere is gearing up for the "Big show" we still have a more relaxed, and therefore romantic, time. (I'm still deciding what to make for a mini-feast at home after an afternoon out, but I'll come up with it.)