#Thursday13 - Favorite #Couple-time Ideas

Flyboy & I celebrated our 29nd anniversary on Monday. We aren't "empty nesters" yet and we had to plan an evening around our 15 yr old's football practice. However, Flyboy made a couple of  "to die for" steaks on the grill, broiled lobster tails while I whipped up some yummy butter beans. Sharing a meal and wine while listening to OUR music was a delightful treat.

Anyways... this week's TT is some of my favorite things to do with my honey. 

 

1. Go junkin'. We love to drive around and find garage sales. The best treasures are found at barn sales. 

2. Go for a walk. We live in the woods and take the dog with us. We walk on the road or in the back, it's nice to enjoy the peacefulness of nature.


3. Exploring farmers markets.

4.  Visiting Traverse City or any small, quaint town in Norther Michigan.

Visiting North Peak Brewing Co.
Traverse City, MI

5. Visiting local wineries, breweries and distilleries.

6. Cooking outside. Grilling. We work together to create the best marinade or try out new recipes. Cooking over the bonfire. Sipping wine while sitting near the bonfire.

7. We love cooking anything together in the kitchen. Sometimes it turns into a family event. I'm proud to say my boys enjoy cooking almost as much as they like to eat.

In the kitchen - aprons on!

8. Visiting neighbors. In our neighborhood it's common for neighbors to grab some drinks and head to each other's homes.

9.  Heading to Frankenmuth for a mini adventure; wandering through the quaint shops.

10. Snuggling on the couch reading while he watches the Tigers or Lions play.

11. Sitting in the bleachers with our friends watching our son play football or baseball. (Yeah, we still have one at home.)

12. Cuddling on the couch watching a funny movie.

13. Well.... yeah... of course THAT!  But I didn't want to brag or make anyone jealous.

They are not listed in any particular order. I would say top couple-time things to do are cooking together and exploring quaint towns. (And of course, #13.)

What do you like to do with your honey?

Visit more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE

Traditional Anniversary Gift Guide

 

In 1922, Emily Post, the queen of proper etiquette, wrote that only eight anniversaries required traditional gifts. However, records from the mid-1800s show the anniversary gift list with the first fifteen years and every five years after that from the 20th to the 60th, and the 75th. Today, the most commonly followed gift list is the traditional anniversary gift list, approved by Mrs. Emily Post.

	Traditional Anniversary Gifts
1st	Paper
2nd	Cotton
3rd	Leather
4th	Fruit or Flowers
5th	Wood
6th	Candy or Iron
7th	Wool or Copper
8th	Bronze or Pottery
9th	Pottery or Willow
10th	Tin or Aluminum
11th	Steel
12th	Silk or Linen
13th	Lace
14th	Ivory
15th	Crystal
20th	China
25th	Silver
30th	Pearl
35th	Coral
40th	Ruby
45th	Sapphire
50th	Gold
55th	Emerald
60th	Diamond

I enjoy this list rather than the modern, gemstone, or flower lists. I like to be creative with gifts for my honey. While anniversary gift-giving has become a somewhat mandatory practice, it doesn't mean that you have to follow the gift lists. While anniversary gift lists are helpful for sparking ideas, it's more important to give a gift that expresses your love for your partner and comes from the heart.

EMILY POST AND ANNIVERSARY GIFTS GUIDE

Biography Available on AMAZON

Romance In the Kitchen

 Gram always said, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I'd say it's the same with some women too. Flyboy and I are foodies. We love to eat and we love to cook, especially together!

We prepared a special dinner for our anniversary.

According to studies, "when a couple cook together they have a tendency to stay together". Cooking together creates feelings of happiness and contentment as well as a relaxed atmosphere.

Flyboy is all about presentation.
Somebody watches too many cooking shows.

* Builds Cooperation

* Improves Communication

* Talk out issues

* Share Memories

* Laugh

* Staying at home takes the pressure off your wallet

* Have FUN being together

Sipping on drinks, XM Radio playing...we always have fun!

An article from the Casual Gourmet by the Culinary Institute of Virginia talks about why couples who cook together, stay together. CLICK HERE