Simple Romance

Flyboy and I joined another couple one night. We met at the Prost Wine and Charcuterie Bar in Frankenmuth. (You msy have heard of the quaint little German town in Michigan. If you're into music, it is the home of Greta VanFleet,)

My gal pal told me of another time she and her hubby visited the bar.

It was a workday for both. By chance, their morning meetings finished early thus giving them the rest of the day off to spend together. Since they were in Frankenmuth,  they decided to stop at Prost for a bite. Being a cool but sunny day, they chose to sit on the patio near the gas fire. Sipping wine, nibbling on a selection of meats and cheeses while enjoying quiet conversation turned a quick stop into an afternoon of calm joy. 

Their busy lives were put on hold for a time so they could simply be. They talked, laughed and shared dreams. With only the two of them on the patio, they could've been anywhere in the world. They may have been in a beer garden in Germany or an outdoor resturant in France, they only saw each other. People strolling past the garden were oblivious to the love in the air...or perhaps they felt it too.

No matter how busy, be sure grab those little romantic interludes when you can.

Tasty Tuesday - Cook up Some Fun

Break up the work week with a romantic meal. Don't have time? You have to eat, right? 

Grab a bottle of wine and push your honey into the kitchen. Be a little silly and wear matching aprons. Then get cooking. Get a little messy. Have fun.

Working together while cooking fosters a sense of togetherness, reinforces the idea of the two of you being a team. 

Share a bit of wine while cutting veggies and talking about the day or whatever. Maybe share three things you like about each other. Be sure to add sexy glances and sweet touches.

If kids are underfoot, keep things PG-13. However, it is healthy for children to see their parents working together and flirting with each other. Feel free to include them or shoe them out of the kitchen with the idea of you preparing the meal and they can set the table.

The collaborative effort will result in a delectable meal and perhaps a little foreplay.

Wintery Naughty Game Night

 The wind is icy, the snow is blowing, or it's simply a yucky night and going out isn't in the cards. What to do? Have an indoor Date Night.

One of the finest kinds of dates is one when you both put down your phones and enjoy some tech-free time apart. A simple way to do this is with a couple's game night. You'll be surprised by how much you enjoy each other's company with just a deck of cards or a pile of board games, whether you want to keep it private or have a number of people around.

If it's just the two of you, play a sexy game. Keep a bedroom board game or a deck of naughty cards on hand. Check out stores such as Lover's Lane for some fun couple games.

#Thursday13 - Fun Stay In Ideas

 Covid restrictions, winter weather, restaurants & theaters closed...whatever may have you staying in rather than going out can lead to more romance. 

Find fun ways to make staying in more fun than going out. 

Here are a few ideas.

1. Throwback Date. Pull out old photo albums from when you were first together. Enjoy pix from when you were dating or first married. (If you still have kids at home, they love looking at the old photos and laughing at your stylish hair and clothes.)

2. Make homemade ice-cream. We received an ice cream maker as a wedding gift and have replaced it a few times. Ice cream makers don't create much, but it's a perfect amount for two. Enjoy the sweet treat and maybe save some whipped topping for later.

3. Take a virtual tour. Many museums offer virtual tours.  Travel & Leisure put together a list of 12 museums around the world offering amazing tours. CLICK HERE

4. Get a little silly and play a childhood favorite card game. How long has it been since you played Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Uno? Reminisce and share stories from when you were kids.

5. Watch The Princess Bride. I heard your eyeroll. Trust me, it'll be fun.

6. Create a fantasy music festival. Imagine if you could pick and choose who would perform and what song they'd sing. Sit down and create a playlist together. 

7. Pretend the electricity goes out. Turn everything off for the evening (except for heat if you're in the north) Build a fire in the fireplace, make smores. (FYI you can make smores on your gas stove). Build a fort with pillows and blankets. Savor the candlelight.

8. Continuing the them of "No electricity", shower or take a bath together with the lights out. Have plenty of candles handy. (Battery operated flicking candles are great too!)

9. Build a bonfire. This might be outside, but it's still in your yard. Even in snow covered north, we'll snuggle next to a fire - under blankets with coats, mittens and hat of course. 

10. Have a spa night. Give each other massages. A simple massage can relieve headaches, minor pain as well as help you connect intimately with each other. Do facials. (My sons do them with their ladies.) Put on your robes and relax to soothing sounds with cucumber slices on your eyes.

11. Spend time together in the kitchen. Try something new or prepare your favorite comfort food. Try a home delivery meal kit.

12. Make a "To-Done" list. Think of all the things you have done together since you met. 

13. Last but not least...have some "sexy time". Shop online together for something sexy. Play a sexy game. Do something different or have sex in an unusual spot in your house.

Check out more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE

Chase Away Winter Blues

Life during covid is moving in slow motion. 

Being stuck inside on gray days can be depressing. But there is a bright side

Lack of sun affects several of us by placing an emotional grey cloud over us.  Now with the separation from family and friends, the grey clouds gather. For the single person, loneliness and fatigue may set in; for couples, the romance may become stagnant.   

It's time to turn the season around, make your own fun, add some romance into your life. The beauty of winter and the long nights may offer many opportunities for romance.

Instead of avoiding the cold, get outside.  Grab whoever you can and drag them with you. Act like a teenager again.  Go skiing, sledding, ice skating, or simply have a snowball fight. Build a snowman. Afterwards, slip indoors for cup of hot cocoa (add a shot of Peppermint or my favorite Michigan Cherry Schnapps) and watch a movie.

On a sunny weekend afternoon if the weather is too cold for your taste, select an audio book and hop in the car for a scenic drive.  Plot your destination to be a quaint little town where you can visit a couple local businesses or simply enjoy the drive.

For a bit of fun after a busy day, pull that special someone into the kitchen and heat things up.  Pick out a recipe together and spend the evening preparing dinner.  When the meal is ready, enjoy it next to a warm fire or by candlelight.  Spread a blanket on the floor and  have a picnic. Turn the evening in to a weekly or monthly tradition and maybe even build your own "couple's cookbook" to share with friends.

Another way to spend an week day evening is playing a board game.  If Monopoly isn't your thing and you want to steam things up a bit, pick up a fun sexy board game.  Check out Lover's Lane, Amazon or Adam & Eve for several fun ideas. Visit their websites together and anxiously await your delivery.

Warm up on a chilly night in an extravagant array of bubbles. If you're a single person, treat yourself to a bit of romance in the tub.  If you're not one for bubbles, try bath salts, bath bombs or a bath soak.  Bath soaks are usually a blend of ingredients you add to your bath water to create a desired effect, such as a sore muscle soak, stress-easing soak or relaxation soak. Most bath and body and drug stores carry bath soak products. Check out online as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, light some candles, grab a steamy romance novel to read or your favorite BOB. 

For couples, a languishing dip in a steamy tub for two is enough to inspire romance for even the stodgiest of lovers. If you're worried about interruptions, arrange your water play encounter at a time when you can be together alone. A great way to do this and create the perfect memorable night is staying at hotel with a spa or Jacuzzi tub in your room.  Give each other the ultimate bath and spa experience with a little basket filled with spa items from you local bath and body shop.  Don't let the romance stop after the bath. Give each other a light, lotion-laden massage.

#Thursday13 - Holiday Date Night Ideas

Christmas doesn’t have to just be for kids, but it can also be a time to relight that fire with your honey. This year makes getting together with friends and family difficult. There won't be the big holiday parties to attend. However, this simply means more QUALITY time with your honey.

Here are a few ideas to add some romance to your holiday.

1. Take a walk in the park
2. Go ice skating
3. Sip hot chocolate (or something a little stronger) by the fire
4. Rent a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway
5. Share a dessert by candlelight
6. Cook a meal together
7. Have a leisurely breakfast in bed
8. Spend the evening "at the theatre". Get dressed up and pop in a drama or theatrical video. 
9. Take a drive to "nowhere in particular" and stop whenever inspired to enjoy the scenery
10. Park in a secluded spot (be sure to have lots of blankets) and gaze at the stars.

11. Watch a Christmas themed movie together. Enjoy popcorn and warm spiced cider.

12. Order take-out from a restaurant you've never been to.

13. Go to a local tree farm. Cut down a fresh tree. If you use an artificial tree, see if you can collect fresh greens and make an outdoor arrangement for your porch

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