First off, HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!!!! I thought I would share this way cute idea! It's called "the Date Jar!" Other names are "Date Bag" and for us it's the "Date Cup!"I know there are TONS of these idea all over the internet, so feel free to search around for more! We got this list from our Bishop, he gave these ideas to everyone in the ward, and I'm positive everyone benefited from it, if they just tried a few. Darren and I even made up our own and threw them in the cup! I figured this would be a great, not to mention CHEAP, gift for your Sweetheart! One day I will get a Mason Jar and fancy it up, but for now, we love our "Date Cup!" lol. Just one more thing, don't feel like you have to go striclty by what these say, most of the time Darren and I fancy them up or attempt to make the dates cheaper. I hope you guys have fun with these! And if you want, leave a comment of your favorite idea!
Here is the List: Darren and I cut them up with out looking at them so they were ALL a surprise. It was really fun that way! Just sayin!
This
week each day, or at least a few times, hide some little treat for your spouse.
One day they might find a “Big Hunk or a “Sugar Baby” with a little note
attached. Ex. Hershey Kisses might have a note that says “There are more Hugs
and Kisses waiting for you when you get home tonight.” Find fun and new places
to hide them each day. Ex. Lunch Box, Coat Pocket, Sock Drawer, etc. Stretch
your imagination!
This week sleep under the stars. This is sure to be
a romantic night. You can do this in your own backyard. All you need is
sleeping bags, blankets and pillow. A tent for privacy might be nice too. An
air mattress would be a plus. This might be a good evening for Dutch oven
cuisine, toasted marshmallows and warm hot chocolate.
This week issue a Romantic Report Card. Grade each
other A through F in the following categories: Intimacy, Creativity, Gifts,
Communication and Thoughtfulness. Be sure you talk about this one. As you are
honest with each other, this can help you enrich your marriage in many ways.
Keeping the lines of communication open is very important in every marriage.
Clean your spouse’s car and leave a surprise! The
surprise can be a CD they want, they’re favorite candy, a fancy note or one of
their favorite things.
Say it with scent and satin this week. Make your
bedroom extra special for this Friday date night at home. Make your bed with
some silky satin sheets and pillows, or just wash your current sheets with a
delicious new dryer sheet scent. If you want sprinkle your favorite scent or
perfume in between the sheets. When your sweetie enters the room, have the
lighting turned down low, use candles, and have them find your favorite
lingerie or satin pants draped across the pillow.
This week write your spouse a love letter. Buy some
special stationary to make this extra special. Tell them how much they mean to
you. Write about some of the wonderful memories you’ve shared together. Write
about when you first met, your first date, first kiss, your engagement, your
wedding, the birth of your children, anything that will convey your special
loving feelings for them.
This week make a mix tape or CD for your spouse.
Express your love and feelings for your spouse through your selection of songs.
Hide the CD in his car with a mini love note.
Rent an old movie this weekend, or a new release
you haven’t seen, and watch it together with popcorn and your favorite soda on
a mattress you’ve put on the floor. Cuddle under a warm blanket. Enjoy the
movie and each other.
Give your spouse a pedicure. Ped Eggs are a GREAT
investment. Then dip their feet in hot water and use some foot scrub. Dry their
feet with a towel and then give them a foot massage with their favorite lotion.
Clip and file their toe nails, for your wife paint her toes.
Each day this week tell your spouse one specific
thing you love about them. You might keep in mind that compliments given in
front of the children, family or friends have added significance and impact.
Not only is that a powerful way to show love and appreciation from the recipient’s
point of view. This is an excellent example for child parent modeling. The
examples children see in their youthful years while growing up, to a great
extent will carry forward into their own homes and personal relations when they
reach adulthood.
Make three “I love you” calls this week.
Schedule a lunch date one day this week with your
husband. The idea that you are taking time out of your busy day to be with them
will make them feel special
When daily life gets “too much”, when you’re
frazzled, what’s your favorite escape? Where’s your favorite hideout? What’s
your favorite leisure activity? Do you know your partner’s answers to these
questions? This week on your Friday night date, or sometime during the week,
bring these topics up for discussion. Knowing the answers to these questions
can be a great value to the both of you.
This week tape a note to the bathroom mirror that
says, “Good morning, my sweetie, you are looking at the man/ woman I love with
all my heart. You mean the world to me today and every day.”
This week put a message in a helium balloon on
their car at work. Alternatively it could be written on a heavy piece of
construction paper and taped to his steering wheel. This week be generous with
compliments about why you married them and how wonderful they are. Try to give
three compliments or more a day.
This weekend dedicate a song to your husband by
calling a radio station that takes dedications. Make sure they are tuned in and
listening at the time the dedication is aired. This would be a fun surprise.
Save this for a night where there is a full moon.
This week take a walk and make a wish upon a star. You could take a blanket,
find a nice spot, lie back, and enjoy the awesomness of the heavens.
Rent a comedy video this weekend and lighten up! A
good laugh is worth a lot to relieve stress and make us feel more rejuvenated.
Bring your spouse breakfast in bed one day this
week. Most department stores sell a breakfast tray of some sort. This is a great
investment if you don’t already have one, as it can be used over and over
again. Bring them a newspaper or magazine they enjoy reading or turn on the tv
so they can enjoy their favorite morning program.
Tell your spouse you love them every day this week.
Rent a cabin this weekend, or go camping together.
No t.v., no phone, no radio. Talk to each other and get reacquainted.
Buy tickets to a concert, go to the theater or a
symphony, take a carriage ride or any event that you deem special and out of
the ordinary for your usual dates.
For this week’s date go into town for dinner, a
movie, or to shop for something you have been needing for the home or office.
When you are driving, each of you selects a car color. Every time you see your
car color, your spouse has to give you a kiss. Every time they see their car
color you have to give them a kiss. At the end of the game whoever got the most
points, kisses, gets a wish granted. You can decide on the stakes at the
beginning of your trip.
This week write your spouse a thank you note. Make
a list of 25
things you are thankful for and appreciate about them, things you are thankful
they do for you, and the ways they bless your life.
This
week pamper your spouse with a nice warm bath, lots of bubbles too. In addition
to the bubble bath, have the lights turned off and a candle or two lit for
atmosphere. Bring in a portable radio so you can have soft music. Take them by
the hand and lead them into the bathroom. If you both can fit into the tub,
that is even better. If not, you can take turns. Give them a nice soothing
massage when you are done.
This
week write your spouse an original poem, If you don’t feel that creative, buy
them a book of poetry or check one out at the library. Read them some of your
favorite poems that you think they would enjoy.
This
is a fun couple exercise to do over dinner one evening this week. Each of you
writes down your personal definition of these words. Compare your answers and
discuss. LOVE, MARRIAGE, HAPPINESS, INTIMACY, PASSION, COMPROMISE, COUPLE,
MASULINE/ FEMININE.
This
week for your Friday night date night, cook a meal together. You might try a
new recipe you’ve never tried. Set the mood for your spouse by already having
the table nicely spread with a tablecloth, napkins, dishes, silverware, and
don’t forget the candlesticks. Ahead of time buy your spouse a book of one of
their favorite authors and present it to them after your meal is over. Tell
them to relax on the couch while you clear away the dishes.
Save
this one for the week of their birthday. Throw a surprise You Are Special
Party, inviting their friends and co workers. Encourage them to all write
something about why your spouse is so wonderful. Plan a special toast to your
spouse. Yes, they may get embarrassed, but they will love every minute of it.
Save
this one for an occasion when you want to give him a special gift. Instead of
flowers sent to the office, send them a few small gifts they are in need off
with ribbons or bows attached to each and placed in a vase. Or maybe a new CD
or DVD.
Write
a love letter this week. Tell your spouse how much they mean to you. Review
special memories you have shared. Send it through the mail to his office as a
surprise. It’s more romantic that way. Add perfume or cologne and seal it with
a kiss.
Give
your spouse a ten second kiss each day this week when you/ they come home from
work. See the difference this makes.
This
Friday night take a trip to your local library for the evening. It’s fun to be
able to read all of your favorite magazines and not have to subscribe to them
each month. Of course there are a myriad of books to choose from and also a
modest selection of videos and books on tape to check out. This really can be a
fun evening for most and it’s free.
This
week arrange a profusion of candies in the bathroom. Prepare a bubble bath.
Play some nice romantic music. Pour two glasses of sparkling cider to toast
away the cares of the day. Get into the tub and then call your spouse in. A
line such as “honey I forgot my towel, can you bring it to me?” would be a
great way to capture their attention.
Here
is a good idea for those of you who like to dance. Your local library has
instructional dance tapes for ballroom, swing, country and western dance. These
videos can be checked out for a week at a time at no cost. This is fun! Most people love to dance if you can just get them to try it. The
videos are great because just the two of you can learn without an audience to
make them self conscious.
This week give each other an index card. Write down
five things that you would like them to do for you this week and vice versa. Do
them this week.
This week schedule an evening with another couple
or two with whom you both enjoy keeping company. Plan some fun games and good
food. In your planning think of a few compliments you can give to your spouse
in front of your friends. They may act embarrassed, but secretly they will love
it! Remember a compliment has at least twice the impact when it is said in
front of someone else.
Begin each day this week with words “I love you”
whispered to your spouse while you’re still in bed. It will set the tone for
your entire day. End each day this week with the words “Thank you” whispered to
them before you drift off to sleep.
This week send your spouse a no occasion gift. It
would be nice to send it to their work if possible, because giving a gift that
others know about definitely spells romance. Receiving a gift this way often
makes it doubly special.
This week go for a drive with your spouse along
some scenic route you both like. Bring along your favorite CDs and listen as
you drive and catch up on the day’s or week’s happenings.
This week buy or make note cards, one for each day
of the week. You might place one in their sock drawer, one in their clothes
pinned to the inside of a jacket they often wear, one tucked in their lunch
bag, or one tucked in their purse/ briefcase. Use your imagination.
This week send your spouse on a present hunt. Begin
with one on their pillow. The note should include something you like about them
and instructions on how to find the next clue, and so on. End up at your
mailbox and have a present in it. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive. The
thoughtfulness and use of your imagination with this activity will be enough to
show your sweetie how much you love them.
This week compliment your spouse at least twice.
Try to pay close attention to all the things they do for you and take time to
recognize them verbally.
This week you and your spouse make a “wish list” of
twenty or more possible gifts you would enjoy receiving during the next year.
Keep these lists in a safe place filed away for future reference. When there is
a birthday. Anniversary, holiday, etc., you’ll have your handy list to refer
to. No hassle, no guesswork, no fuss.
This week get a babysitter and prepare a five
course dinner. Serve each course in a different room of your home. Choose any
rooms you wish, but dessert MUST be served in the bedroom. Bon appetit !
For your date night this week go out to eat. Make
it fun by eating each course at a different restaurant. Appetizer, main course
and dessert. You can choose to go to nice sit down restaurants or fast food.
Ex. Fries, burgers, shakes. OR Mozzarella Sticks, Pasta, Chocolate Cake. Get
Creative and have fun.
Go out for a romantic breakfast one day this week,
or make a breakfast and eat it together at a park.
This week find a new recipe neither of you have
ever tried. Each of you find a different recipe for the same thing and have a
cook off. Whoever wins gets a wish granted, set the stakes before you taste
each other’s dish.
Go to a local museum or exhibit together. Most
college campuses have free exhibits.
Buy a puzzle and have you and your spouse work on
it until it is finished. The rule is you can only work on it together as a
team, it must be finished within the week AND it has to be a minimum of 500 pieces. If
you have kids, a good investment would be to buy one of those roll up puzzle
mats that easily store puzzles.
For
your date night plan a fondue night. There are several different recipes
including appetizers, main dishes and dessert online. Or you can plan just
dessert in your room. Eating in your lingerie and satin pants is a plus!
This week do some genealogy. Find stories about the
other’s family and share at a designated time this week. This can be time
consume so decide with your partner how many stories you feel you both will
have the time to research. An easy fix would be to call your spouse’s
grandparents and ask them to tell you stories they remember about their
parents/ grandparents.
This week get together with your spouse and write
down your love story. If you want to go the distance there are website that
will publish your story for you. You can even include photos from your
courtship and engagement. Your posterity will thank you for this!
This week go bowling together and if you want out
for pizza!
Plan a date night for your spouse on a budget of
twenty dollars. The rules: You must plan at least five things to do, more is
always better and more challenging. Some of the items on the agenda can be free.
Ex. Dollar movies, Dollar Menus, Walk at the park, Free day at the zoo, etc.
Go to your favorite local restaurant and grab your
food to go and eat it at the park. Do this for a romantic lunch. Don’t forget a
nice big blanket and fresh flowers, either store bought or hand picked, and a
vase. You could bring your laptop and a movie. You will be the envy of the
park.
Grab a game from home, some snacks and a blanket.
Go to a local park and play a few rounds with your sweetie.
Leave your spouse love notes in EVERY room of the
house. Write something you love about them, a quality you’re happy they have
and a memory you have of them in each particular room.
Fix up something or fix up the house JUST to make
your sweetie happy.
Pretend you’re going on a first date. Show up at
your home with flowers and chocolates, ring the doorbell, make sure you’re
looking great and your car is clean, have a fun mix tape for the evening. Be
silly and have fun.
Go to a drive in movie. Make out in the car like a
couple of crazy teenagers.
Plan a meal and eat it under a tree near your
house. Bring blankets and anything else you’d need. Also decorate the tree. Try
streamers or Chinese paper lanterns. Or simply decorate the ground with
candles.
Try to recreate your very first date as best you
can. If you went to dinner and a movie and a walk to the park, try to go to the
same restaurant or one similar. Think about going to new movie or renting the
one you saw on your first date. Walk around the same park if possible if not a
new one.
Once I was asked at a church actiity what my favorite dessert was. I was speechless, which doesn't happen too often! How could I choose which one!? Cupcakes are sure delicious and can be made as cute as can be, cookie dough ice cream is another contender so is brownies, chocolate fudge, raspberry and chocolate cake, cake bites. How could I possibly choose just one!? And then I realized it would be like choosing a favorite child, haha, just NOT possible. With that in mind, I do have at least a TIE for my very favorite Main Dishes! (I'll post the other recipe on another post laster.) I first saw this recipe idea on a blog known as Jamie Cooks It Up! My neighbor, Heather, used to ber her neighbor out in Utah. Heather always said I reminded her of Jamie! (Awesome!) And she got me hooked on her blog. In the first week of discovering her blog I made and devoured 3 AMAZING meals! I honestly think, that everything from her site is gold! I stole the idea of the crispy chicken but used my mother in laws recipe for the alfredo sauce! That way, I knew the hubster would, without a doubt, enjoy it! Plus my MIL is also a great cook, and her recipe has never failed me! You can choose which homemade alfredo sauce to use or even just buy a pre made jar of the stuff! Everything can come together within 25 minutes, especially if you're a great multi-tasker!
Then cut in half vertically. You should now have 4 pieces of chicken per each large chicken breast. (Sometimes I only get 3, it really depends on the shape and how thick it is.) Place the chicken pieces in a ziplock and pound them flat with a mallet.
Dip the chicken in the flour until thoroughly coated and then place in the fridge to rest for about 5 minutes. At this time get about 1/4 inch of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat. Pull the floured chicken out of the fridge, dip in milk, then in the crushed corn flakes and then place the chicken in the hot oil. 
Fry on each side until the chicken and cornflakes are a nice gold color. This takes me about 5 minutes or less! (You could even prepare the chicken early in the day and re-heat it in the oven when dinner is prepared.) (Sometimes I double the crispy chicken and save half of them in the fridge for up to 1 week. On a day later that week we have Fried Chicken and gravy! Super easy, just heat up the chicken in the oven until hot then prepapre a white gravy packet according to directions and serve over the chicken!)
Alfredo Sauce:
I hope ya'll enjoy on of my very favorite recipes!!!! =)
