Inexpensive Date Night: Gaze at the Stars

image courtesy of astroviewer.com

I grew up in LA where I was lucky if more than a handful of stars peered through the oversaturated smoggy sky.  And still I was so mesmerized and curious by the celestial sphere.  I took every chance to look through a telescope or venture over to the Griffith Park Observatory (one of my favorite places!). I made sure to take astronomy classes in college and memorized many of the constellations that make up the great night sky.  I even got a telescope for my birthday a few years back.  Now that I live in Austin, I find myself wandering outside every so often in awe at the many lights that sparkle down on me.

So for my next date night, here is what I am thinking:
Late night picnic in our backyard...maybe dessert and drinks, a big blanket, some mosquito, bug repellant.  I can dust of the telescope or even just print out the current night sky map (for your city sky check out here.) and we can hang out, talk, and gaze at the stars.  Let's hope for a clear night!

Inexpensive Date Night Ideas: The Pool Hang / Homemade Hot Tub

It has been so hot this summer that any excuse to go to the pool is a good one...especially late night after the kids are to bed.  Which tends to be my favorite time for a dip in the pool cus I can just relax with my guy and let the whole day roll away, if even just for 30 minutes.

Today I was doing a little research for inexpensive date ideas and came across the Homemade Hot Tub Under Moonlight date night.  I couldn't help but fall apart laughing.  The idea requires an inflatable pool (no real hot tubs allowed) and a hose to tap into the water heater.  Moonlight and mango smoothies were also suggested.

You have to check this out: The Homemade Hot Tub.

Please let me know if anyone of you ACTUALLY do this...and make sure to get pictures!

Disclaimer: I am sure that this could be dangerous, so proceed at your own discretion!

A Dear Lizzy Date Night

One of my favorite bloggers, Liz Kartchner, periodically writes about date nights with her husband Collin.  Every time their adventures make me double over in laughter, and it reminds me about the importance of going out and being silly with your mate.   

My favorite date night idea Liz has written about was the impromptu self-timer photo shoot at the grocery store.  I guess I am a sucker for pictures.  Check it out though because she gives detailed instructions on how to get the multi level aisle 4 picture.  She has also posted two more date nights : One where they went pottery painting - & specifically painted an aye caramba ice cream bowl, and the other a Night Out on the Town, specifically at Rooftop Concert with her main squeeze and littlest wee in tow.  All are great ideas to get you thinking about how you and your (wo)man can spend your next date night.  

Check out www.elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com too!

Our Date Night: The Tree of Life

Wow, time has flown by this past week.  I can't believe my last post was on Wednesday (oops, sorry!) I am proud to say however, Ramy and I did get a chance to slow down for a bit on Friday night when we saw The Tree of Life.  And let me tell ya, it was definitely a slow way down kinda movie.  

It was my turn to plan, and with the crazy kinda week I had, I didn't have anything really planned for date night... I know, I know... I should follow my own advice, but when I thought about what I wanted to do, I just wanted to sit down for a couple hours without the kids crying, whining or pulling at me.  I mentioned movie night to Ramy, and he was right onboard and quickly mentioned how he wanted to see The Tree of Life.  Without knowing too much about it (except that it was filmed in and around Austin) I agreed. 

After the fast paced week we were in the middle of, it was a big transition to go from the craze of the day to this exceptionally slow (in a watching grass grow kinda way) movie.  We kept uncomfortably shifting back and forth in our seats, exchanged what in the world are we watching glances, and continually filled up on caffeine.  By the end of it we didn't quite know what to do with ourselves. We stood up quietly along with the rest of the audience and without a word from any of us ushered our way out the building to our cars pondering what we just had witnessed.  BUT since then, Ramy and I haven't been able to stop talking about it.  There are so many layers to unravel and examine; This movie is truly an artistic masterpiece.  And now we can't wait to see it again.  HA!  

What did you do for date night this week?

"Patience is Where Love Meets Wisdom"

I love this quote from The Love Dare.  It appears in the very first day's challenge which ultimately says for today if you don't have something nice to say don't say it at all.  Easy enough until you put it into practice. Even on the days that I don't feel like I necessarily need to be prescribed The Love Dare, it is tough.  Why is it that we treat the ones closest to us the way we do?... I should restate that...why is it that *I* treat the ones closest to *me* the way *I* do?  It feels crazy when my answer is because I love them.

I recommend The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick to anyone who feels like they are walking down the path in a crazy cycle with their spouse.  It is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love... It's kinda like a manual people! ... a great tool to help you out of that funk.

And some days its just great to get out as a reminder to hold your tongue and heed your words and make a conscience choice to JUST LOVE!

The Mini Date

Okay, so we all get busy... sometimes too busy for each other.  One week will be so hectic, you will decide to skip date night and then before you know it a month will go by without time out together. 

And sometimes this is just unavoidable.  

Q: So what do you do when you can't get a full evening out of the house...

A: Find time for a mini date!

Here are a few {mini} date ideas:

- Take a walk 

- Hold hands while you are out

- Take pictures in a photo booth (do this every time you come across one!)

- Hold your breath together when driving through a tunnel

- Feed the ducks

- Play a short game of frisbee

- Get up early to watch the sunrise or take a moment to watch the sunset

- Hold a kiss for one elevator ride (might be best to make sure the elevator is empty)

- Go out for some Gourmet Express (otherwise known as the Drive Thru restaurant)

- Pick out dessert at a bakery while you are out earlier in the day and enjoy 15 minutes after dinner to have dessert just the two of you. 

- Count how many times you can kiss in passing after you get home from work etc.

- Find a fountain and take turns making wishes

- Schedule a time to meet for ice cream.  Enjoy the 10 minutes together and then head back out on your separate ways.

- Take a 20 minute swim break together

What mini date ideas do you have?

Date Night Idea: Go to the Farmers Market

As a couple that really, REALLY enjoys food, this date is definitely in Ramy and my top 10 favorite dates.  The basic premises is to go to the market together... Just the two of you, with intentions of buying the ingredients for your next meal (don't worry about stocking up for the next week...that is not what this date is all about.)  

Be inspired by what is in season and what looks fresh. And think in courses... grab something to snack on while you are cooking.  (We often get some fresh bread and great olive oil and vinegar...maybe some olives.) Do a little something for an appetizer and then splurg on your main entree... Go for it... buy that piece of steak or lobster you want... it would cost 3x price if you ordered it a restaurant!  And don't forget dessert. (Perhaps some fresh fruit or pastries at from the bakery)  

Now make dinner together and enjoy one another in the kitchen!