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At Home Date Night On a Budget

When my husband and I were newly married, we received some wonderful advice from a great Christian couple.

They told us that they’d been having a weekly date night for 20+ years of marriage. As newlyweds, we decided to be intentional about a weekly date night.

After we became parents, my mom was more than happy to babysit for a couple of hours each Friday night so we could continue the tradition. 

So, for our first 7+ years of marriage, we have had a date night every single week!

Then, we moved away from my hometown. We’re now 2 hours from one set of grandparents, nearly 6 from the other. No more easy babysitter!  Couple that with a tight budget, and we knew we needed to get creative!

This is why I invented the no-prep, at-home, low-cost date – that I affectionately call the “Dessert Date”.  Thinking it was a great idea, I wanted to share it with you!

Everything for this date can be done within about 5-10 minutes. 

I thought it would be fun to make this a surprise for my hubby. So, I waited until the boys were in bed and hubby was in the shower, and then got to work.

The first thing I did was to lay out some nice clothes for him on the bed, with a handwritten note saying, “Put these on, and meet me in the kitchen.” Next, I put on some nice clothes myself and dusted on some make up.

I found the champagne glasses from our wedding, along with a couple of napkins, and a copy of the invitation from that day. If you don’t have glasses from your wedding, substitute what you do have.

You could also use a nice quote about love or marriage printed out, instead of your invitation. We don’t drink alchohol, so I bought some sparkling grape juice to go in the glasses.

I prepared my super quick, super yummy strawberry cream desserts.

Finally, I found the mix of love songs that played during our wedding reception. 

Honestly, because of the effort put into it,  this felt much more like a “real” date, than some of our out-to-eat, followed by a stop at Walmart “dates.” 

We had a lovely time staring into each others eyes like newlyweds.

The entire prep for this date happened during the short time that my hubby was in the shower, making it a very low-stress date. It was also very inexpensive – around $5 or so. And between the fancy plated desserts, the champagne glasses, candle light, and all of our wedding reminders, it was very romantic.

We both remember it fondly as one of our favorite dates ever — going out included.

If you’re needing some alone time with your husband, but don’t have the resources or babysitter for a night out, I would encourage you to get creative!  

You can make great memories right where you are.

What’s your favorite date night?

5 Ways to Get Ready for the Holidays with Your Hubby

Decorating and planning for the holidays has traditionally been a domestic role left to women. Thankfully, gender roles have come a long way in the past couple of decades. As a matter of fact, the holidays are the perfect time to reconnect and have fun with your hubby as you prepare for the festivities. If this sounds like something your marriage needs, take a look at these five activities you can enjoy with your hubby to get ready for the holidays.

Decorate the House Inside and Out

Nothing puts you more in the holiday spirit than decorating the house. The decorations are a constant reminder of the season. You can’t help but think about it every time you walk by your Christmas tree, in all its glory, or any of the other decorations that are spread throughout your house.

When it comes time to decorate this holiday season, get your husband involved. Don’t banish him outdoors to put up the lights — instead, spend time putting up the tree together. You’ll have a lot of fun reminiscing about past holiday seasons and what you can do to make this year just as great.

Plan a Holiday Party or Event

The holidays are the perfect time to get together with family and friends. This is another place you can use your husband and have fun together as a couple. Even if he’s not too interested in the details, such as invitations and meal ideas, he may still have some really good ideas about when to have the party and what entertainment to plan. Spend a date night deciding what you’re going to do and how you can make it the best party or event ever.

Here are some holiday party ideas to get you started:

• Get family and friends to participate in a progressive dinner.
• Have everyone bring a white elephant gift and have fun with the exchanges.
• Go Christmas caroling or host a holiday karaoke night.
• Decorate cookies and other baked goods for neighbors and friends.
• Do a service project for less fortunate families in your community.
• Watch a classic holiday movie with signature cocktails.

Do Some Charity Work as a Couple

Every community has a need for volunteers, whether it means serving food to the homeless, participating in a “Sub for Santa” project, or just spreading the holiday spirit around your neighborhood. This is an excellent holiday activity to do with your husband, and even with the rest of your family. You have the opportunity to give back to your community, help make the lives of others better, and share the experience together. There are dozens of national and local charities you can get involved in that are either year round or specific to the holiday season. Find one close to your family’s heart and spend the day with your husband giving back. 

Make Gifts for Family and Friends

No list on planning for the holidays would be complete without a post about holiday DIY. A great way to spend time with your hubby is to make gifts for the holidays. Plus, it’ll save you money on your holiday budget. Even if your husband isn’t particularly interested in crafts, there are ways to get him involved that may be more in his wheel house, such as painting, building, designing, or anything else you think he might like. You might be surprised how much fun you have together, and having him complete some of the more difficult tasks is certainly a healthy ego boost.

Here are some easy gift ideas you can make as a couple:

• Baked goods (ex: peppermint bark, hot coco kit including hot chocolate mix and marshmallows in a mason jar with a mini Bailey’s bottle tied on, homemade doggy treats, or mini pies)
• Spruced up spirits (take a wine or champagne bottle, cover in adhesive then roll in glitter)
• Custom ornaments (buy glass ornaments and fill with paint and roll around, or fill with glitter or pom poms)
• Instagram picture tile coasters (buy bath tiles and use Mod Podge to adhere favorite photos)
• Monogrammed wreaths (buy large wooden letters and wrap them in twine, or hot glue ornaments on)
• Custom mugs (use Sharpies to decorate mugs then bake them in the oven)

Build a List and Go Shopping

Unfortunately, most people don’t have time to make all the gifts they need for the holidays. Even more unfortunately, it is a necessity for almost everyone to brave the masses and do your gift shopping. To make it more bearable and get some quality time, you can make a shopping list with your hubby so that nobody gets forgotten. Be sure to include alternate gift ideas along with your list just in case you have trouble finding a particular item. Then get in the car and get the shopping done. You can divide and conquer or rely on each other to find great holiday deals and stretch your pennies to the max. Make a day out of hitting the malls, grab coffee and lunch together to break up the crazy crowds and catch up on any other holiday planning you may have. 

Don’t let the busy holiday season be a strain on your relationship. There are plenty of things you can do together as a couple to make the holidays memorable and your relationship stronger than ever.

What are your favorite things to do during the holidays and how do you get your husband involved? 

 

9 Date Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

Coming up with fresh date ideas when you’re married can be tough.  Having to be mindful of a budget can make it even tougher.

But there are a number of things you and your hubby can do together that are fun, exciting and won’t break the bank. All you need is a little ingenuity and an open mind.  

Volunteer

Giving back to the community isn’t only fulfilling (both for yourself and others), but it’s a great way to meet and talk to people from different backgrounds who will stimulate your senses and satisfy your entertainment needs.

It’s a great opportunity for you and your husband to spend some time together, while sharing an amazing experience and giving back to your community. It also offers the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about others.

Also, concerts, festivals and other types of events are always looking for volunteers. If you’re into the music scene, this is the perfect solution to getting to hear your favorite tunes while not having to pay for it.

If you don’t quite know where to volunteer or how to get started, try resources like Volunteer Match to find an organization near you.

Play a Game

Ok, this idea may seem a little stale, but you will really be surprised by the number of laughs you and your man will share.  It’s the perfect excuse to order a pizza, grab some cheap beer or wine, and break out a game like Scattergories or Life. It can be played as many or as few times as you’re interested in, and the results can be quite hilarious. They also aren’t so competitive that you’ll end up bitter at each other (cough, cough, Monopoly).  

Plant a Garden

Growing your own garden isn’t just entertaining, it’s good for the environment and helps you save money, not to mention spruces up your home’s exterior. If you’re a couple that likes being outdoors and active, this is a great way to spend the day together and be productive. Head to your local nursery and pick out a variety of plants and flowers to plant in the ground or for a lesser commitment, in big, beautiful pots.

All-Out Movie Night

For a relaxing and indulgent Friday night after a hectic week, plan a movie night… but not just your regular DVD and microwave popcorn movie night. Get a cheap bottle of wine, make some caramel popcorn, bring bed pillows out to the living room, light some candles and put on your favorite pajamas.

Rather than having to go out to rent a movie or watch one you’ve seen a hundred times, utilize the movies offered by your cable provider, like Direct-Ticket. Movies are brand new, well-priced and involve no extra effort to watch. These little details can make a standard movie night into a romantic and relaxing night in.

Flea Market Finds

If your man is game, get up early on a weekend, grab a cup of coffee and head out to your local flea market. The opportunity to find something unique and affordable for your home is something you both will love. Turn it into a contest to see who can find and repurpose the best piece; channel your inner HGTV hosts and see what your imagination is capable of.

Drinks & Dessert

Don’t you hate when you go to a restaurant and at the end of the night they give you the dessert menu and you’re either too full or too money conscious to order one of the decadent treats? Make that a date! Eat a light meal at home, then head out to your favorite restaurant to enjoy a glass of wine and share a fantastic dessert.

Baby/Pet Sitting

Have friends with kids or a dog, but you don’t? Do them a favor and offer to take their kid(s) (either fur or human!) for a few hours on a weekend. Take the kids to a museum, park, or aquarium, or take a hike with their pooch. It’ll give you and your husband a chance to get a glimpse into life with children, while giving your friends a much needed break.

Cook-Off

Do you and your husband have a favorite food show? Try recreating it together, and inviting a friend or two over to be the judge. Make a spending and time limit for both and get to cookin’! You’ll end up with two fabulous meals (great for leftovers!) and the chance to spend time together. If you’re not feeling competitive, assign one of you to the main course and the other to sides and appetizers and collaborate for an awesome meal.

Coupons

Want to do a traditional dinner date, but are afraid of the bill? Check sites like Groupon and Living Social to find deals on restaurants in your area. Many have deals that offer discounts on your entire meal, free appetizers, or coupons that give you double the money (Pay $15, get a $30 gift card). It will also encourage you to try new spots.

 

Free Date Night Idea: The Today Show Date

My personal date-night challenge was this: come up with either a cheap or free date night idea. Preferably something free, fun, and that parents with small children could do easily – no baby sitter needed.

I started thinking about what my favorite things to do with my hubby are. Number one on my list is talking and cuddling. Any variation of talking and cuddling will *always* make me happy.

I had the idea for this blog post and then was thrilled to see a conversation on the Happy Wives Club Facebook page where HWC members repeatedly agreed that “talking and cuddling” is where it’s at as far as our favorite bonding activity with our hubbies.

So here it is, super simple and I discovered it totally by accident. We had recorded the Today Show and when I turned it on the big headline was that the government was monitoring our cell phone usage. Remember the day, when that story broke?

Well as it turns out, my husband had very strong feelings about it, as he is in IT, and understands the nuts and bolts of *how* the monitoring would work. I had very strong opinions too and asked him a ton of questions.

I found out things I didn’t know about him, just by asking him a question from the news story on the Today Show.

Then I realized he is my favorite person. I want to know what he thinks about everything. So I asked him to stay and watch the show with me and if we could pause on different segments and discuss. He is used to my zany suggestions and said yes.

We laughed, we debated, and we watched Martha Stewart using Match.com to find a date. We found that both gripping and hilarious at the same time. We talked about how having cameras following you around is probably not conducive to opening up your soul.

I could not get over how much Natalie Morales and Savannah Guthrie look alike. My hubby laughed, highly amused at my observations.

In the end we fast forwarded through some segments (latest and greatest makeup on sale) and had long, thoughtful discussions about others (what is our expectation of privacy in this digital-shareable world?) and overall had a great time.

This is so easy to do, I had to share.

Record the show. Watch together. Discuss. (If you have little kids, you can totally do this once they are asleep at night.)

Disclaimer: I am not associated with the Today Show in any way, other than watching it. I took the pictures on my camera at home and I hope the team at the Today Show thinks this is a really GREAT idea! – Maggie

Let the Road Take You Away

When was the last time you just hopped in your vehicle and let the road take you away?

Spending time with your husband doesn’t have to be complicated – the experience doesn’t have to be planned.  Sometimes the unexpected creates the most memories.

Last Sunday we just took off in our truck – Robert and me. We came out from our neighborhood and turned left. That’s all we planned. Turning left. It was a beautiful, yet hot, North Carolina afternoon, and after a busy week we needed to escape. (Ever feel the need to escape? Yup. I thought so.) Because of commitments on Monday morning, our escape could only be for a few hours, but that didn’t stop us.

North Carolina back-roads are usually pretty smooth, so we meandered down first one road to another and then the next. No map. No GPS. At each crossroads Robert would ask me – “Left, right or straight?” It became a game. 

We saw fields of fairly tall corn, tobacco plants shooting up and fresh cut hay. Because it was Sunday the combines were still and silent in the fields, waiting for Monday. Those who were out walking, or working in their yards alongside the road would lift a hand in greeting. We, of course, waved back. The clouds moved and shifted in the sky with the sun often peeking out. First through one small town, and then another. Wonderful names like Spring Hope, and Murray’s Millpond, Turkey Creek, and Peachtree Hills.

Then we came to Justice.

How many people search for justice and never find it?  Well, we did.  Right down the road. In North Carolina. Who knew?

What’s waiting for you just down the road?

This weekend, or next, take a few hours and be wanderers…  explore. If you have kids, you may have to plan a drop off at a friends (or grandmas). Being alone with your spouse is key – it’s gotta be just the two of you! 

Here are three things to keep in mind for your afternoon (or morning or evening) escape:

1. Don’t Plan - the fun is in the discovery! Create your own game for deciding which way to turn or when to stay straight.
2. Keep a Camera Handy – because you’re going to want to remember your adventure!
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Turn Around – you’re going to see things that will catch your imagination, so be ready and open to turning around, or going down a lane or stopping for an ice cream.

Remember, there’s no agenda – you don’t have to be anywhere. You’re just wandering.

When was the last time you escaped on an adventure?

Another First Date

Can you still remember the first date or outing that you and your husband shared? The excitement, the butterflies, nervousness and maybe even a bit of awkwardness.

This fun little date night idea will help you reminisce on those old memories. All you have to do is think about your first date and try to recreate it. Eat at the same restaurant, visit the same places, or watch the same movie (at home). You could even try to wear similar clothing or take photos in the same places that you did so many years ago. 

Recreating the first date can be a super fun and romantic way to celebrate anniversary milestones, or just to revisit old memories together! It’s the perfect time to think about how far your relationship has come, since that first butterfly-filled evening together.

My husband and I did this on the 2 year anniversary of the day we met. We first talked inside a Starbucks, so we went back, 2 years later, sat in the same spot, and talked about how much had changed in just 2 short years.

This time we were married, and even had our newborn son with us! It was a bit surreal as we realized that just 2 years earlier we had sat there, getting to know each other, talking about our dreams. We had no idea that we would one day be there again, together, married for almost 2 years (for those doing the math, yes, we got married 35 days after we met), with our son next to us, and endless love between us.

On that first unofficial date that started it all, we never would have guessed that we would end up happy and in love, but we did.

Recreating special moments is such a romantic way to reminisce and it is a beautiful way to build new memories together. 

Where did you and your husband share your first date? How can you re-create that day?

The Power of Touch

I am assuming that almost everyone is aware of the power of touch. Coming from my education background I always find these topics of interest. I read an article recently by Psychology Today that grabbed my attention.

In the article Dr. Herbenick talks about her desire to be touched.  She mentions benefits for our husbands sexual satisfaction by the power of touch.  To my surprise it was not a sexual touch, but instead cuddling, caressing, and being together.

This article made me think back to my husband and my favorite times together.

Here is the date night that walk down memory lane conjured up.  It’s a date my husband and I did without any planning involved.  At that moment we had no children at home, so for those with kids this may require some planning.

We did this when we were feeling disconnected because of schedules and such. When we do not have quality time together, it generally shows in our communication.

To start off the date night, the first thing we do is to get comfortable. For me I’m usually in a tank and shorts. And ladies… no bra! I have not met one women who is comfortable in those blasted things.

This date can take place on your porch, couch, wherever you are comfortable, yet can be touching… but my favorite place is our bed.

(I’m blushing… geeze)

There are a couple of reasons.

1. CUDDLE TIME! – It is so much easier to cuddle and have skin-on-skin contact.

2. It’s a presence and environment of rest.

We start by talking about things we have miscommunicated over the last day-week-month. We talk things out while holding hands, hugging, and caressing. Even when we discuss things that may have upset us, because we are cuddling and touching our defenses are down. It becomes much easier to get out what we are feeling and solve any conflicts.

We talk about our dreams and plans. I think this is important. We get so busy with life we forget all those dreams and plans we have. Reconnect through those.

We also talk about funny stories, or things we have been through, that we can now laugh about.

There are a few rules to this:

#1. NO electronics… put them away. Your spouse needs to feel you are listening to him. 

#2. No Sex – I know that could possibly (or probably) will lead to this… but hold off. Trust me after having a connection and talking things out you will feel incredibly close.

#3. No time limit- If you have children this might be a challenge, or if you are really busy. But set a couple hours aside for just you and your spouse.

I love the benefits of this date! Communication, touch, and quality time with the one you love. Try it and let me know if it helped you connect! I know it has for my hubby and I!

Staying Hopeful, Aunt LaLa

 

 

Virtual Vacation – How to Have a Romantic Vacation When You Can’t “Get Away”

I came up with this date night idea last year when we found out we wouldn’t be able to go on any trips that summer.

My husband got off work one night, and I invited him to go on a virtual vacation with me. He was definitely skeptical at first, but he ended up loving it! He still talks about how much fun it was over a year later! 

Wondering how to go on a Virtual Vacay? It’s simple! All you need is a computer, or another way to go online, and a bit of creativity!

This is how it works: You and your spouse pick out your dream vacation spot. The place you would go if money and time were not an issue.

Then, get to work searching online for sightseeing tours, fancy restaurants, hiking activities or anything else you would want to do while on vacation.

Plan out your ideal trip, and share photos with one another of the types of things you’d be seeing if you were on the trip together. Google Images works great for this.

My husband and I had a fun time competing with each other to find the prettiest view and the biggest animals! 

This is a great way to “see the world” without worrying about job commitments, childcare, or finances! Since you won’t really be going on the trip, you are free to get as extravagant as possible with the planning, and have fun exploring travel options that might not normally be available to you. 

You can write out your plans and tuck them away as a “someday” trip, or just keep them in a binder and record all your virtual travels together in one place. 

This is one of our favorite date nights, and one of the easiest to do together! 

If you are unable to take a trip this year, or just want to have some extra fun planning a virtual romantic getaway, then this is the perfect date for you! 

The freedom is exhilarating, there are no restrictions based on strength, fears, money or time. Just fun, imagination, and a whole lot of romance!

Happy Dating!!!  

P.S. If you are looking for ideas, you can read all about our first Virtual Vacation here! 

Date Night for Parents: The Faux Date

Children are wonderful but they can certainly increase stress on your marriage, if allowed.  As women, we often neglect taking time for ourselves which seems to increase after having kids.  And what about our marriage?

Who has time for a date night when there are small children running around?

I know it’s harder to break away when they are young, but it can be done at least once in awhile.  My first child didn’t like taking a bottle which made it difficult to get out alone for more than an hour or two.  Now we have two kids under three years old, so we like to make the most of our infrequent date nights.  

Get ready because I am about to share my favorite date night idea with you.

The Faux Date Night

Step 1: Secure a baby-sitter (preferably at someone else’s house).

Step 2: Drop your kids off.

Step 3: Grab a quick dinner.

Step 4: Go home and get busy!

The first time we went on a faux date it was unplanned.  We dropped our daughter off at Gramma’s house with plans for dinner and a movie.  However, we didn’t care for the selection and didn’t want to spend $8+ per ticket for something we weren’t excited to watch.  We ended up renting a movie and headed home.

Home? Yes, a nice quiet, empty home.  

So, we took advantage of that by spending the rest of our date in the bedroom. I’m not going to lie, having kids (babies especially) can make it tricky to have uninterrupted sex.  This is why the faux date is one of my favorite date night ideas!

You may be wondering why anyone would lie about there plans.  Well, when you ask grandparents to baby-sit at their house, they are naturally curious about your plans.  If you are comfortable telling them straight out, that’s great!  You can also tell them you’re going on a date night without telling them the exact place.  Personally, I tell them we’re going to the movies.

I like to say we’re going to see a movie we’ve already seen before or heard enough about that we can share a brief synopsis if asked.  Oh, and definitely go to the movies sometimes too.  Just make sure your husband knows ahead of time if it’s a real movie date or a faux movie date!

QUESTION: Have you ever fibbed about your evening plans to your sitter?

Baby, Let’s Dance!

“Let’s take a dancing lesson with lots of strangers, and then we’ll practice our  brandy-new skills at the dance afterwards!”

Surprisingly, my suggestion for the evening wasn’t met with the same enthusiasm with which it was delivered.

I suspect some of my fellow vacationers imagined that we’d make fools of ourselves and be asked to leave the event faster than Fred Astaire could say “Would you like to dance?”

While searching for an impromptu date night idea, I had found a website for the Knoxville Swingdance Association.

Their message for beginners was welcoming and low-key:

No special shoes required

Dress comfortably

Most important of all HAVE FUN

They certainly were speaking our language!

Throwing caution to the wind, we headed to the Laurel Theater.

Friendly club members greeted us at the door, and we paid our two dollar entry fee.

We continued into the large, empty, dance space and nodded to the few college-age couples milling about.

In a matter of minutes, the room filled with smiling folks of different ages and abilities.

The students on the stage cued up the vintage music on their CD player, and our jean-clad instructors stepped to the middle of the floor.

They deftly demonstrated a couple of steps, and we attempted to follow.

As you can imagine, there was much laughter as we tried to keep time and keep from stepping all over each other’s feet.

Then, our teachers switched things up by having us move to the perimeter of the room.

Every minute or two they’d call on us to stop dancing and ask the women to move to partner up with the man to her right.

We’d do a few more steps, share a few more laughs and apologies, and the ladies would shift places again.

Thankfully, every man was a gentleman, and everyone was a good sport.

When the lesson was done, but before the free dance started, the instructors cleared the floor.

They then enthusiastically whirled, twirled, and rock-stepped into their high-spirited rendition of West Coast Swing.

A few moments after they began, one of the dj’s called out, “Snowball!”

The dancers broke apart, came to the fringes of the circle, and grabbed a partner.

This scenario repeated itself every few seconds until everyone was out on the floor doing the best they knew how.

There were moments of mild embarrassment and utter terror—I have to lead a stranger in dance steps I just learned?!—and frustration at the learning curve.

However, we deemed the evening a rousing success.

I highly recommend a “Let’s Dance!” date night, not only for getting your bodies and minds moving, but also for stepping out of your comfort zone!

Date Night on a Dime: 10 Ways to Have Date Night on the Cheap!

Finances can often be a huge hindrance for couples wanting to have a consistent date night. The desire may be there, but that doesn’t mean it is always do-able financially!

I don’t work outside of the home, and we have 2 young kids, so my husband and I have definitely learned to get creative when it comes to making date night work for us! Today, I’m sharing some of our secrets!!!

Here are my top 10 ways to have date night on the cheap!

1. Share an entree 
2. Skip the sodas/alcohol & order water
3. Dress up like you are going to a 5 star restaurant, but eat at a local deli instead
4. Stay home and play some board games 
5. Go on a romantic nature walk 
6. Add “date night” into your monthly budget
7. Save a few dollars each week until you have enough for a fancy dinner date
8. Swap free babysitting and date night weekends with another couple
9. Have dinner out but rent a movie instead of going to a theatre
10. Go to a movie earlier in the day to get cheaper tickets

*Bonus tip* – If finding a babysitter is an issue, try ordering take out and having a date night at home after the kids are in bed. You could dress up, dim the lights and have a romantic candle lit dinner in your own dining room!

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

Did you ever see the movie Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts?

There was a line spoken that was so powerful I stopped to write it down mid-movie.

While enjoying a meal with friends in Italy, Robert’s fellow dinner guest commented Americans didn’t know L’arte di non fare niente. 

Loosely translated, he meant we did not understand nor practice the art of doing nothing. Although he didn’t say it, I imagine he also believed we were negligent in the related area of dolce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing.  

What could he have possibly meant?

The core of his message for marriages can be found in these words:

Spontaneity.

Refreshment.

Delight in doing something for no reason beyond the joy derived from the activity.

But not in these:

Surfing the internet.

Texting on your cell phone.

Watching mindless television.

It’s about your intentions, the flutter of excitement, the shedding of concerns, and the smile that lightens your heart and lights up your face when you take that spur-of-the-moment step hand-in-hand with your spouse.

Last year my husband and I had “separated” because he was away on a work assignment.

I wrote this following a weekend visit:

We have our share of challenges, stumbling blocks, and too many to-do’s, and all those nasty goblins had us climbing our four small walls. 

When we stopped to take stock, we knew we needed to change our point of view to change our day.

That’s when we heard the Atlantic Ocean calling with weather more suited to mid-summer than early spring. 

While we weren’t familiar with the sweetness of doing nothing, we headed to the coast to do just that:

Reveling in temperatures normally reserved for July, we settled into our comfy chairs and closed our eyes. We dozed off to the whooshing heartbeat of the waves as the soft breeze brushed the unseasonably warm sun from our faces.

When we awoke, we strolled, holding hands now and again, along the length of the beach, more than a mile each way from jetty to stone jetty, dropping our cares along the way like so many pebbles in the sand.

Ahhh.

L’arte di non fare niente and dolce far niente!

Create your own list of joy-full activities so you will be prepared for spontaneity when opportunity knocks.

For example, take a walk, play some cards, go bowling, or grab your kayak paddles.

I imagine you’ll find the sweetness of doing nothing is even tastier and more satisfying than a yummy Italian gelato on a hot summer’s day!

Question: What fun activities are on your list? 

May you find happiness wherever you are! Kim @ Too Darn Happy

Free Date Idea: Take a Fantasy Tour Around the Globe

Happy anniversary!  Can you believe it’s been a full year since the Happy Wives Club book was released on January 7, 2014.  Where did the time go?

Since it is, technically, it’s birthday or anniversary, or whatever celebratory thing you want to call it, how about we create a brand new -and scrumptiously unique- date idea?

Free date ideas are the best kind in my book. With at least 52 potential weekly date nights in a year, you can never have too many ideas to choose from. And if your hubby is like mine and loves variety, it’s a great idea to have a few plans in your back pocket and ready to go.

Today we are combining food, travel, TV, *and* using a little inspiration from the Happy Wives Club book– what’s not to love?

One of my favorite parts of the Happy Wives Club book was feeling like I was seeing, smelling and tasting all the places Fawn went to interview happy couples and learn their secrets to happy marriages.

When I was thinking about a FUN and FREE date night idea, I remembered how much fun The Hubs and I have watching House Hunters International and fantasizing about whether or not we would ever live anywhere but home.

Soooo I thought it would be even more fun to go on a fantasy vacation, inspired by the fabulous locales in the Happy Wives Club Book and approved by the hubby!

What you will need:

1. Laptop or Tablet – to cue up the Travel Channel’s website.

I suggest taking all the links below and opening them in new tabs, that way they are cued up and ready to go so you have the mechanics out of the way and can snuggle and discuss as you go along the tour.

2. Some yummy food – check out great snack ideas inspired by the book (see links to fabulous recipes at the end of every country I’ve listed below.)

3. A little conversation – one of my favorite things to do with the hubby is PAUSE THE TV and DISCUSS. Would we want to go there? What do we want to see? Is it a “must-go-before-we-die-place?” or a “would-be-nice-but-eh-place?”

Ready for the World Tour? (You don’t even need a passport! Score.)

Cape Town, South Africa –

This one is on my own bucket list. I loved this video because I must admit, I was curious to see the South African version of McDonald’s. It does not disappoint.

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/mcfeasting-in-south-africa

The recipes from this fabulous part of the world:

http://www.food.com/recipes/south-african

And who could forget about the red cappuccino’s Fawn raved about, and are only served as espresso’s in South Africa? Well, this may not be identical but I think we found a way to enjoy the taste without needing to take the flight:

http://capepointpress.com/rooibos-cappuccino-latte/ 

Perth, Australia

When I was a kid Olivia Newton John was one of my idols (thank you, Grease! And yes, it’s still the word.) So Australia has been magical and beautiful since I was 13. When Oprah went during her final season, I fell in love with it all over again.

When I was looking for the most viewed videos on Australia it turned out to be a review of their Superman roller coaster.

That reminded me of one of the things I just love about travel – the way you can plan a thousand details and yet a place will surprise you and the last thing you thought you would ever do there turns out to be your favorite part.

So, here is the link to Superman Down Under -

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/superman-flies-down-under

And a little dive into the Great Barrier Reef –

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/dive-into-the-great-barrier-reef-11550

And a little 5 Star Spa Day to relax after all that exploring!

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/lilianfels-spa-and-resort

And we can’t forget some great local recipes from down under (or what the locals call “Oz”) -

http://www.abc.net.au/perth/recipes/ 

Mauritius –

Since we are half way around the world already, let’s just hop over to Mauritius for some “Street Eats” and snacks.

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/mauritian-mash-up

Don’t forget to try out some of the fabulous Creole food from Mauritius -

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/cuisine/mauritian

Or you can do what Fawn did when dining with a French couple married more than half a century, enjoy some fabulous (and buttery) French cuisine -

http://www.foodandwine.com/french-recipes

Europe – Rome & London

Let’s wrap up our world tour with some Gladiator school in Rome –

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/gladiator-school-in-rome-11153

a mini tour of Rome neighborhoods -

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/romes-neighborhoods-11156

a look around London -

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/taking-a-look-around-london

and finally, the food!

While in Rome…eat as the Romans do: http://www.aboutroma.com/rome-cuisine.html

While in London, authentic fish and chips are a must: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/english-style-fish-and-chips-recipe.html

Winnipeg, Canada–

According to Fawn, those living in Winnipeg will be the first to tell you there’s not a whole lot to do there other than The Forks.  But what they do have and are so proud to share (aside from a beautiful culture and love for family and mastering the art of simplicity): Poutine.  It’s so popular, Canadians even tried to make it their official national food.

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Classic-Gravy-Fries

These are just a few of the 12 countries Fawn visited during her research for the Happy Wives Club book, there’s so much fun to see and learn about.

After this date night, always remember that it doesn’t take a lot of money to travel the world – just an Internet connection and a little creativity.

Where do you and your spouse want to travel next? Please share in the comments.

We’re SO close to our goal! JOIN THE 1,000,000 MEMBER CHALLENGE: If you haven’t already done it, what are you waiting for? Join the club! It takes only a few seconds and, of course, is free.

 

THE NEW YORK TIMES® BEST-SELLING BOOK: It’s been described as, “Like Eat, Pray, Love but not down on marriage.” Make sure to check out the Happy Wives Club book.  I had the great honor of traveling to 12 countries on 6 continents, interviewing couples happily married 25 years or more, with 1 mission only: to find out what makes marriages happy…and keeps them that way.  It’s a marriage book like none other.  Guaranteed.

DATE NIGHT IDEAS