[Credit: http://knockoffdecor.com/slatted-sign-with-quote/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KnockOffDecor+%28Knock+Off+Decor%29 ]
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Pickle Jar Repurposed: Date Jar
I love going on dates with the man I married. It is the responsibility of married couples to be intentional about having fun together through the years. This creates an interesting life, shared memories, and playful times that keep a couple close in the midst of the demands and duties that fill most days. So, we schedule time for a date when we plan our week.
Then what? Often tired and not too creative by then about what to do, we are sometimes challenged to think of something to do. So now we have the pickle jar, washed of course. When we find ourselves "in a pickle" to think of a date, we dig in the pickle jar.
The pickle jar contains gift cards and coupons for movies and restaurants that come from various sources. Also, the jar contains many little pieces of paper folded to add an element of surprise. One day I sat down and brainstormed a bunch of activities we enjoy doing together. I typed them up, printed it, and cut them up.
After taking time to fold them and place them in the jar, the guesswork of what to do for a date we'd both enjoy is gone and the fun of surprise is in the making. Some of the suggestions are as easy as taking a walk for a cup of coffee. Yes, we live about six blocks from Starbucks. Some of the suggestions are a bit more adventurous, such as taking the train somewhere and back or going kayaking. But if we don't want to do a date we've selected from the jar due to time constraints, weather challenges, or budget constraints, we just drop it back in the jar for another day, and pick again.
If all else fails, a DVD and popcorn, relaxed on the sofa, works just fine. A lazy date has its place, too. Having fun together keeps a marriage strong.
Then what? Often tired and not too creative by then about what to do, we are sometimes challenged to think of something to do. So now we have the pickle jar, washed of course. When we find ourselves "in a pickle" to think of a date, we dig in the pickle jar.
The pickle jar contains gift cards and coupons for movies and restaurants that come from various sources. Also, the jar contains many little pieces of paper folded to add an element of surprise. One day I sat down and brainstormed a bunch of activities we enjoy doing together. I typed them up, printed it, and cut them up.
After taking time to fold them and place them in the jar, the guesswork of what to do for a date we'd both enjoy is gone and the fun of surprise is in the making. Some of the suggestions are as easy as taking a walk for a cup of coffee. Yes, we live about six blocks from Starbucks. Some of the suggestions are a bit more adventurous, such as taking the train somewhere and back or going kayaking. But if we don't want to do a date we've selected from the jar due to time constraints, weather challenges, or budget constraints, we just drop it back in the jar for another day, and pick again.
If all else fails, a DVD and popcorn, relaxed on the sofa, works just fine. A lazy date has its place, too. Having fun together keeps a marriage strong.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Hot Cocoa Bar
Make any cloudy day into some yummy fun!
Thanks to this creative blog post: http://mrsdesignher.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-entertaining-hot-chocolate-bar.html
Some of the writer's ideas include:
Hot Cocoa Bar How-To’s
- Use fancy mugs. This can be an fun, attractive way to tie in your colors.
- Have a few assortments of flavored hot cocoa. Some favorites that would also act as a perfect base for your guests’ creations would be peppermint, white chocolate, and dark chocolate. Make sure the liquid starts out HOT. The room temperature add-ins will cool the cocoa quickly.
- Finely chop your chunky add-ins so they will melt well.
- Have both liquid and dry options for add-ins.
Hot Cocoa Bar Add-Ins
- Marshmallows (what hot cocoa isn’t complete without this staple?)
- Peppermint sticks
- Flavored syrups
- Flavored whipped cream
- Cinnamon sticks
- Orange twists or rinds
- Chopped up candy bar
- Chocolate chips
- Chocolate truffles
- Caramel squares
- Candied ginger
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Random Celebrations: Eleven Party
I love to mark random moments in life with a memory. That brings joy to living, and often a reminder to stay grateful for the good, since life passes quickly. Yesterday was 11-11-11, so we had to celebrate! We gathered a few friends, shared food and conversation, and cheered at 11:11 on 11-11-11. Some friends who were out-of-town texted me at that exact moment, too. They were unable to be at the party, so that was fun to connect through text. Here are some photo highlights of some of the party fun.
People played UNO Attack - theme game. Friends brought the DVD...
Perfect movie for the theme, but we did not get a chance to view during the party.
I'd moved a digital clock to the mantle to mark the moment. I also stuck some #1 birthday candles in votive holders filled with sand. I lit the candles at the moment of celebration. Got to get creative in these non-holiday celebrations!
And so it goes. We celebrated an event that happens once every one hundred years. We enjoyed good company and tasty food. With friends and food, any day is a good day. Just one more thing. Attire for the 11-11-11 event. What else would one wear?
Pepperoni pizza with cheddar cheese and olives added
to create the face of a clock showing the time of
(of course) 11:11. Yum!
"1" Foods
Other food that resembles a "1" - pretzel sticks, licorice, sour candy straws. Chocolate cupcakes...OK, no "1" shape there, but a party has to have some chocolate. The sprinkles on top looked like little "1s" - use your imagination.People played UNO Attack - theme game. Friends brought the DVD...
Oceans Eleven
Perfect movie for the theme, but we did not get a chance to view during the party.
The time came! 11:11 on 11-11-11!
I'd moved a digital clock to the mantle to mark the moment. I also stuck some #1 birthday candles in votive holders filled with sand. I lit the candles at the moment of celebration. Got to get creative in these non-holiday celebrations!
And so it goes. We celebrated an event that happens once every one hundred years. We enjoyed good company and tasty food. With friends and food, any day is a good day. Just one more thing. Attire for the 11-11-11 event. What else would one wear?
one.org
A great organization!
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