Thursday Thirteen - 13 Fun & Romantic Winter Activities

1. Play in the snow.  Ski, snowboard, have a snowball fight or simply go for a walk.

2. Dinner and a movie.  Order take-out and enjoy an evening under the covers with your honey in the comfort of your own couch.

3. Ice skating.  A playful activity and a chance to be silly.  Enjoy warming up in a local coffee shop afterwards.

4. Dinner by the fire.  Make a meal together. Spread a blanket in front of the fireplace and enjoy your meal "picnic style".

5. Go for a drive.  Pick a destination such as a little restaurant or a bed and breakfast.

6. Listen to an audio book while snuggled in bed.

7.  Play a board game or put together a puzzle.    Keep it romantic by adding wine, candles and music.  If you want to spice things up, purchase a sexy board game to play.

8.  Have an indoor picnic.  Use blankets, pillows, picnic ware and favorite finger foods.

9. Take a bath together.  Stop at your local bath and body shop to pick up bubble bath or some spa items.

10. Have a massage night.  Give each other sensual massages.

11.  Go on a moonlight snowshoe tour.  Check with your local ski resort to see if they offer this romantic event.

12.  Have a soup night.  Make a loaf of French bread and enjoy some wine with a warm winter soup that's been cooking in the Crockpot all day.  Don't turn on the TV but simply enjoy each other.

13.  Enjoy a snow day.  Spend the day in bed.

Thursday 13 - Holiday Hoties

 

This post doesn't need explaining.

 But you might need a napkin to wipe away the drool.

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

6.

This is for my favorite fan, Gerry, who reminds me to be fair.

7.

 

8.

 

9, 10, 11, and 12 

 

13.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Thursday 13 - SEX AND STATISTICS

 

1. The typical person spends about 600 hours having sex between the ages of 20 and 70.

2. Americans spend twice as much money on pornography than they do on cookies. (Unless you eat Oreos.)

3. A survey in Cosmopolitan magazine said that foreplay usually last 14 to 17 minutes for the average married couple, and that the man typically reaches orgasm after six minutes of copulation. (Imagine the lab testing room for this study.)

4. According to the Earthsave Foundation, the sperm count of the average American male is down 30 percent from 30 years ago.

5. According to Runner's World magazine, two out of three runners say that they fantasize about sex while running. On the other hand, one out of 11 fantasizes about running while having sex.

6. On average, it takes two tablespoons of blood to get a man's penis erect. (Who measures?)

7. According to one theory, people who chew a lot of ice have a high sex drive.

8. According to Archives of General Medicine, coffee drinkers have sex more frequently and enjoy it more than non-coffee drinkers.

9. Master's and Johnson's stages of the sexual response cycle are excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. (Real romantic terms we got here.)

10. The average time that a man lasts after penetration is two minutes. (The men in our romance novels are above average.)

11. According to the Hite Report, candles are the artificial device used more frequently by women when masturbating. (Ok... that is just weird.)

12. According to Kinsey Report (1953), 15 percent of the female population was capable of multiple orgasms. (There is help for that.)

13. According to Susan Lark, MD, director of the PMS Self-Help Center in Los Altos, Calif., having sex with orgasm relieves menstrual cramps because the vigorous muscle action moves blood and other fluids away from congested organs. (I can vouch for this one. It really works!!!)


 

 

Thursday 13 - Tips for Autumn Romance

Fall is a beautiful time of year here in Michigan. I love the incredible palate of colorful trees and shrubbery. Nature’s pure fragrance of leaves and earth as well as the temptations of pumpkin pie, baked apples, and hot mulled cider create a wonderful setting. This time of year is also the time to pull out the winter woolies and time for some old fashion cuddling. It is a time for Autumn Romance.

Here are a few tips to help you leap into romance!

1.       Get football fever. As many of you know, I am a Football Mom to three boys and spend countless hours at their games.  Being at a game snuggled up to my honey under a stadium blanket while sharing hot cocoa helps us capture a bit of romance.  When I look around during the game, I see we are not the only couple using the opportunity.

2.       Plan a special morning. Romance isn’t just for nighttime. Make a special breakfast. Pack it into a picnic basket and eat outside or visit your local cider mill and enjoy some cider and doughnuts.

3.       Enjoy the patio at night. Or build a bonfire for two. Curl up together under a blanket and sip a cup of hot apple cider.

4.       Rake leaves. This is something the whole family can do. Rake a pile of leaves and yes…. Jump in!  It’s not just for kids.  Let your hair down and play!  Laughing is great foreplay.

5.       Hit the trails. Go for a walk holding hands or a nice bike ride. Stop periodically to enjoy the view. This is a great way to stay in shape and relieve tension as well as giving you a chance to talk.  However, if you come to a hill… I dare you to roll down it!

6.       Go camping. Try it in your own backyard.  Cook outside on a grill or over a bonfire.  Enjoy the fresh air and each other.

7.       Visit a carnival, county fair or craft show. Wander around holding hands and nibbling on Elephant Ears.

8.       Have a fireside picnic. Slip into something sexy. Pour your favorite wine and play your favorite love songs.

9.       Go on a hayride. Many apple orchards offer hay rides through November. Night time hay rides are very romantic. Enjoy a scenic tour while sitting close to each other and holding hands like a couple of teenagers. 

10.   Visit a local vineyard.  Many offer tours through December. Take advantage of their sampling room and select a bottle to take home.

11.   Take a train ride.  In Michigan we have the Snow Train that runs only during the winter. However, many areas offer special color tours and dinners. Check with your local railroads for more information.

12.   Go apple picking. Whether it’s at an orchard or your own backyard, pick some apples together then head into the kitchen for some fun. Make an apple pie and crack open some whipped cream. Just make sure to leave enough whipped cream to have on the pie! *wink, wink*

13.   Go for a stroll in a park. Take time to let your inner child out. Play hopscotch or push each other on the swings.

CLICK for more Thursday 13 fun.

 

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Halloween Treats (for Adults)

While purchasing candy for all the ghost and goblins I expect to visit me on Halloween Night, I thought how fun if Adults had their own version of the spooky night. 

Here is a list of treats I'd hand out.

1.       Edible underwear

2.       Chocolate lotion

3.       Gummy Boobs

4.       Whipping Cream

5.       Candy pouch

6.       Vanilla Ice Cream Bondage Kit

7.       Candy Nipple Tassels

8.       Candy Love Ring

9.       Candy Cuffs

10.   The Adult Version of Pop Rocks

11.   Licorice vines – long enough for tying

12.   For my special gal pals, I'd give a kit to make a milk chocolate copy of your honey’s penis. 

13.   More Whipping Cream

 

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Thursday 13 - Date Night Ideas

 Fall is a busy time of the year, especially if you have kids. Unfortunately couples have to schedule time together. I asked the gal in my coffee club what they like to do with their honey when they have a Date Night. Here's some of their ideas. 

1. Go to a movie. The movie theater is a great opportunity to relax, hold hands, and unwind.

2. Go out to eat, sit and talk. Catch up with each other without any interruptions.

3. Have a picnic at a lake or in a park under the moonlight. Bring along an extra blanket to add a little romance.

4. Go for a walk in a different neighborhood.  My honey & I used to enjoy walking in a ritzy area of town and pick out our dream homes and cars.

5. Go to the mall, grab a cup of coffee and window shop.

6. Holding hands while walking in the park.

7. Visit a coffee shop you've never been to.

8. Attend a poetry reading or a special event at a local bookstore.

9. Cuddle in the back of a truck on a back road under a starry sky.

10. Laying by the fireplace with romantic music and candlelight.

11. Go out dancing.

12. Have a candlelight dinner, and dance in your own living room. 

13. Sit on the porch sipping wine, sharing a snack and talking.

 

Thursday 13 - Fall Recipies

This is the first week all three boys are playing football. I'm getting bleacher butt on Wed, Fri, and Sat. My Coffee Club gal pals gave me some yummy fall recipes. Some of them are for the CrockPot, an item every football mom relies on. 

1. Touchdown Cupcakes

2. Pumpkin Bread

3. Baked Apples

4.Three-colored Poached Pears

5. Apple Crisp

6. Roast in the Crock Pot

7. Sloppy Joes

8. Baked Mac n Cheese

9. Baked Acorn Squash

10. Turkey Soup

11. B-B-Q sandwiches

12. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

13. Beef Stroganoff

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Confidence Quotes

When I was growing up my two best friends were smart, athletic and confident.    I was small, an average student, shy, and far from being athletic.  I would become rather blue and my confidence would fall.  My dad would quote Max L. Forman " Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level."

I think confidence is very important at any age and nothing is more sexy than a confident woman!

  Here's a few of my favorite quotes that pick me up when I'm feeling down.

1. Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

2. It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.  ~Sally Field

3. It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.  ~Author Unknown

4. We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.  ~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive

5. It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.  ~W.C. Fields

6. If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.  ~Vincent Van Gogh

7. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.  ~Veronica A. Shoffstall, "After a While," 1971

8. People are like stained-glass windows.  They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.  ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

9. I am not a has-been.  I am a will be.  ~Lauren Bacall

10. Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.  ~Peter T. Mcintyre

11. Never dull your shine for somebody else.  ~Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model, "The Girl Who Is Afraid of Heights," original airdate 17 October 2007

12. Oliver Wendell Holmes once attended a meeting in which he was the shortest man present.  "Dr. Holmes," quipped a friend, "I should think you'd feel rather small among us big fellows."  "I do," retorted Holmes, "I feel like a dime among a lot of pennies."  ~Author Unknown

13. You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss

 

Thursday 13 - Things to do during football practice

I'm a football mom with three football players - an 8 year old youth player, an 8th grader and a senior who plays on a championship team. This week is conditioning but next week starts the heavy duty 2-A-Days. Son #1 drives himself but a bunch of mom's will attend these "awful but necessary" practices. We use this time to offer water, Gatorade and fruity ice pops to the boys as well as plan the team meals, spirit stuff we do in the locker room and simply gossip.

As an author, I sometimes use football practice an a quiet opportunity to edit. My friends often offer to read for me, especially the juicy scenes.  Here's a list for mom's every where of things to do while they are stuck at the field waiting for their boys.

1. Read.  (My personal favorite.)
2. Form a book club with other parents.
3. Make a grocery list.
4. Knit.
5. Hit the track and walk.
6. Take photos. (My second fav.)
7. Use to the time to have an uninterrupted phone conversation.
8. Give yourself a manicure.

Okay, now let's list a few "sexy" ideas.

9. Write a love letter to your honey.
10. Grab some lingerie catalogs and place an order.
11. Plan a romantic dinner for two.
12. Sext with your honey if he isn't with you.  If he is with you but out on the field watching, it might be rather fun.  LOL
13. Make a list of things you would like to try in the bedroom but been afraid to ask. I'm sure your honey will enjoy this "honey-do list".

Hubby with our #1.
GO RAMS!

 

Thursday 13 - Date Ideas

I write for the 1 Night Stand series from Decadent Publishing. The characters don't have to worry too much about their first date, just the fact it's a blind date and sex is guaranteed. But let's hit reality for a moment. 

First dates can be incredibly tricky and nerve-wracking. It is therefore very important to establish in your own mind what you expect from the date beforehand. If possible, arrange to meet in a public place that you are familiar with, and do not forget to take your cell-phone, or a "back up plan" with a friend in case of an emergency.

If the first date goes well and you're onto the second and third dates the important thing to remember is to have fun and do not expect too much. After all, what is a first few dates are a fun way to get to know one another, and to explore the possibilities of developing a strong and lasting relationship?

Here are thirteen ideas for those dates in the beginning of a relationship.

 

 

1. Go out for dinner then a movie. Having dinner together lets you get to know them better while watching the movie together provides the perfect atmosphere to just get used to them without having to talk too much.

2. Go out to eat, sit and talk and give a small kiss goodnight.

3. Have a picnic at a lake under the moonlight.

4. Walk along the beach or in a park at night.  My honey & I used to enjoy walking in a ritzy area and pick out our dream homes and cars.

5. Have dinner, watch a movie and end the night by playing video games at a local arcade together.

6. Holding hands while walking in the park, getting to know each other.

7. Go out to eat, watch a movie, have a moonlight walk on the beach or through a park ending the evening with the perfect kiss.

8. Go out to dinner then spend time together at a coffee shop getting to know each other.

9. Getting to know each other in the back of a truck on a back road under a starry sky.

10. Laying by the fireplace with romantic music and candlelight getting to know each other.

11. Go out dancing together.

12. Visit an amusement park or county fair.

13. Sit on the porch sipping wine, sharing a snack and talking.

Thursday 13 - Favorite Highlights of RAGT

Lori Foster's Reader & Author Event is something I look forward to every year. It's a 5 hour drive and soooo worth it! The event started on Thursday night but I missed the activities because I arrived late. Here are a few of my favorite highlights of the weekend.

1. Having Gretchen Roberts as my roommate again. We have so much fun when we are together. Gretchen is a YA/New Adult author with a new book being released this year.

2. The Plotting Class hosted by Monette Michaels from Liquid Silver Books. I use outlines for my novels an write novelettes by the seat of my pants so I was looking for something in between to use. Found it!!! I also attended her Dialogue Class, I found informative and reinforced many points my editor makes with her red ink.

3. Meeting and hanging with Tigris Eden, Virna DePaul, Ty Langston and Cathy Perkins.

4. Pen the Perfect Hero Challenge. With my author and reader partners, I had fun creating Rourke. He was an ex-military, commitment phobic alpha male who owned his own international security firm and bakes cupcakes late at night.  LOL

5. Had fun lounging with fellow Decadent Publishing author, Virginia Nelson. She is so witty and the best person to have on a team playing Romance Pictionary!

6. I won a copy of  Luscious by Amanda Usen for asking a question at The Drollery's Q&A The Art of the Dirty Flirt. Amanda was the moderator and personalized by book.  Squeee! (Yes, authors are fans too.)

7. I met many wonderful ladies during my book signing event. Since my books are electronic, I handed out signed postcards & bookmarks.

8. Meeting my editors Valerie Mann and Kate Richards. I managed to glue myself to them most of the weekend. They are amazing gals!!!

9. Meeting Deserri Holt was a highlight for this fangirl. She is soooo cute. She had a laugh when I told her my hubby's reaction to her latest book, Flyover. (He's a pilot.)

10. The chocolate cheesecake was orgasmic.

11. The author I supposed to do a Q&A with went home sick, so I had to fill 1 1/2 hours. No problem!  I guess I talk too much.

12. Congrats to Gail Burns for winning the Crow Magic tote bag, Crow magic beaded bookmark and bracelet. We had a lot of fun over the weekend chatting.

13. Perhaps the best part was seeing friends I've made through Lori Foster. Gretchen Roberts, Paige Tyler, Maddy Barone, Joy from Joyfully Reviewed and so many others. I am looking forward to next year!

Thrusday Thirteen - 13 Ways to Use Whipping Cream

 

Okay… I’m writing this due to demand. Come on folks, give me a break. This list was hard to put together. After a couple ideas and a few cans, I kept getting too distracted to continue. Sheesh!

 

1.       Of course… top off some yummy chocolate pudding, or hot apple pie, or ice cream. Wait a minute. Come on now… let’s add some spice to it!

2.       Dip strawberries into it and feed them to your special someone. Swirl the whipping cream upon the lips and lick off together.

3. Make a whipping cream bikini or matching whipping cream undies and lick them off each other.

Ali Larter's famous whipped cream bikini scene

4.       Place cut up banana pieces, strawberries, pop rocks candy onto naked belly (or any body part of your choosing) add chocolate syrup then top with whipping cream. Allow your dear honey bunny to lick it off. If you’re daring, try this and add a scoop of ice cream. Wowza!

5.       “Hershey's syrup, whipped cream, and a Catwoman mask.” – Men’s Health magazine. Okay…? Sorry, I can’t do the Catwoman mask thing.

 

6. Now this old album cover gives me a few ideas I simply can’t express in words.

What’s an album? If you don’t know… you shouldn’t be reading this post.

 

7.       Oh, you need the obvious idea? Then simply cover your partner’s hottest spots. You have to lick the cream away to get to the “goodies”. Duh.

8.       Need a little warmth while you play with all this whipping cream? Try this recipe:  1 cup heavy cream, whipped, add 1 ounce orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier, and whip together. Ladies - let your honey put this mixture wherever you might want him to pay a lot of attention to, cut he’ll probably be there awhile.

9.       Add some strawberry syrup to the whipping cream then put it in the freeze for a bit before placing dollops onto nipples. The flavor and the cold enhances the … uh… pleasure.

10.   Run a line of whipping cream along the backbone of your partner then slowly… I mean slowly lick it off. Don’t ever rush licking. A burp or gas of any kind can be rather embarrassing in a moment of passion. 

11.   Whipping cream, blindfold, handcuffs, and pineapple flavored edible warming oil. Need I say more?

12.   Arm yourselves with cans of whipping cream; be sure to be naked, commence whipping cream war. Note: shower afterwards may be just as much fun as the war.

13.    “Have your guy lie back comfortably on the bed; spray whipped cream from his naval to his upper thighs. Begin slowly licking it off the body areas above and below his package. After each lick, kiss his mouth with your lips covered in whipped cream, bring your mouth back below his belt. Slowly lick all the whipped cream off his body — except the cream directly covering his penis and testicles. Not until he’s aching should you finally indulge there.” – Cosmopolitan magazine. (Recommended by Laura Berman, PhD, sex therapist and creator of the DVD series Dr. Berman Can Help)

 

OHHHHHH…. HONEY….. I HAVE WHIPPING CREAM……

 

Thursday 13 - Ways to Feel Sexy

Real sexiness is all about confidence and how you feel about yourself. It doesn't matter what your body shape is or the size of your dress. Sexy is a feeling from the inside and you can bring it out in simple ways.

 

1.      Wear lingerie that flatters you. Visit your local intimate apparel shop where they can measure your and find styles suitable. Lover’s Lane is great at helping you find that super sexy lingerie to hide scars or other unfavorable body spots.

2.      Wear silk panties under your jeans. Nobody knows they are there, but you do!  And it feels soooo niiiiice!

3.      Do your makeup and hair. Don’t look like a streetwalker or a runway model. Find something to flatter your face shape and eyes.

4.      Work out. Even a 20 min walk each day will  make you healthier and give you better posture. When you hold your head up your aura fills with confidence.

5.      Make note of items in your wardrobe that make you feel sexy. A white blouse? A pair of boots? Feel free to wear them often.

6.      Accept compliments regarding your looks and abilities.

7.      Learn more about pleasing your partner. Simply ASK.

8.      Be the dominant one in your next love-making session.

9.      Plan at least one sensual experience a week for your love. Work with the fives senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. Pick one and focus on it.

10.  Take a shower or a bubble bath with your honey.  Soaping each other up can be an erotic exploration. 

11.  If you're unsure about how to do something, become knowledgeable about it. Don’t be afraid to check out books or surf the Internet. Confidence is an incredible aphrodisiac.

12.  Allow yourself to feel sexy. Is there something that is hanging on to you, preventing you from relaxing about sex?

13.  Most importantly, don't worry about your appearance. Everyone has flaws; just no one else cares about them as much as you do.

 

Thank you DOVE for he outstanding campaign.