Art Night

Put the kids to bed a little early tonight and have a paint party at home. Creating something together can be a fun way to spend time together. Decide whether or not you want to paint on the same canvas or have separate ones. Create something that you can hang in your home. Here are the supplies you need to create a paint party at home:

1.       Paint- you can get acrylic paints at your local craft store or even grocery store. If you plan on hanging it in your room or somewhere else in your home you could match the colors to that rooms color scheme.

2.       Canvas- get a larger one if painting together or two smaller ones if you want to paint separately.

3.       Paint mixing containers- paper plates, old bowls etc. Anything you have laying around that you can mix your paint in.

4.       Brushes- pick up an inexpensive variety pack to give you some more options.

5.       Water-fill up some bowls with water to help clean your brushes.

6.       Newspapers-for an easy cleanup

For a treat to go along with this date pick up a fun drink you like and make a fruit platter with some dip. Cut up some apples, grapes, strawberries, pineapple and banana. I like this recipe from the blog Celebrating Sweets.

Healthier Chocolate Fruit Dip

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces light/reduced fat cream cheese at room temperature

2/3 cup vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

4 tablespoons powdered sugar or more to taste

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Fresh fruit and/or pretzels for dipping

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add yogurt, cocoa powder and powdered sugar and beat until combined. Taste and add more powdered sugar or more cocoa powder, if desired. Stir in chocolate chips, reserving a few to sprinkle on the top of the dip right before serving. Refrigerate or serve immediately.

Enjoy spending time doing something creative together. Spend time talking while you paint. Hang up your painting so you can remember your date night together. 

Salsa Date Night at Home

This week’s great date at home is a salsa dance party. It is an easy and creative date to put together. First off research some at home YouTube tutorials. I like this channel myself.  YouTube even allows you to create a playlist of specific videos which will help make your dance lesson easier. Create a playlist of 3 to 4 videos that you think you and your spouse will enjoy.

Make some refreshments for your date. Make some chips and salsa with homemade Queso. Spend the evening dancing check to check with your spouse. Enjoy being in each other’s arms, and learn something new. Eat some yummy refreshments and spend time connecting with each other.

Here is a recipe that I like to use:

• 1/2 a yellow onion, diced
• 1 poblano pepper, deseeded & diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded & diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour 
• 1-1 1/2 cups of half & half (adjust according to desired thickness)
• 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated*
• 4 ounces of pepper jack cheese, finely grated
• 4 ounces of cream cheese, cubed
• 1 (4 oz) can of chopped green chiles, undrained
• 7 ounces (1/2 a can) of fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained OR fresh tomatoes diced
• Juice from 1/2 a lime
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• Sea salt, to taste
• Cayenne pepper, to taste
• *Note: I urge you to buy block cheese and grate it by hand, as pre-shredded cheese is covered in anti-caking ingredients that can cause it to clump instead of melting into a smooth dip.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prep the ingredients first so you're not distracted while making the cheese dip: peel and dice the onion, dice the poblano and jalapeno pepper (after removing the stem and seeds), peel & mince the garlic, shred both the cheeses, cube the cream cheese, measure out the butter, flour (or preferred thickener), and half & half, and drain and measure out the tomatoes. Set the sea salt, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, lime, and chopped green chiles to the side to add last.
2. Add the cooking oil to a skillet set over medium heat. Follow this with the diced onion, jalapeno, and poblano. Sprinkle the veggies with a little sea salt (to taste) and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then turn off the heat and set aside.
3. Add the butter to a saucepan set over medium-low heat and let it melt. Slowly sprinkle in the flour a bit at a time, stirring constantly, then let the butter/flour (roux) mixture cook for about 5 minutes, or until it's lightly browned. Slowly pour in the half & half, stirring constantly (and well) to prevent clumps.
4. Bring the mixture up to a slight simmer (you will see bubbles form around the edge of the milk), reduce the heat to LOW, then slowly add the shredded cheese about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring constantly to prevent clumps or the cheese from separating. The KEY to success here is to let each portion of cheese melt fully before adding the next amount.
5. Once all the shredded cheese is fully incorporated and smooth, add the cream cheese in chunks and stir until fully dissolved. Gently fold in the cooked onion, peppers, garlic, diced green chiles (undrained), tomatoes (drained), cumin powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Taste the mixture and add sea salt to taste, as well as more spices, if you feel necessary. Remove from heat and serve immediately with chips or your favorite dipping foods.

Recipe Source

Scary Movie Date Night

Source: lmtless.com

This weeks at home date idea is sure to get your heart racing! While it is fun to watch scary movies closer to Halloween, shake things up and do this date in the middle of summer. Pop some popcorn and get some movie theater like candy. Both Dollar Tree and Walmart have boxed candy for a $1. Grab some soda too if you like it. Light some candles in the living room, and wait until dark to watch your scary movie. There are plenty of scary movies outside of slasher films if that is what you prefer. Here is a list of some that are a little more tame: 

 

When a Stranger Calls

 The Others

Insidious

The Sixth Sense

The Village

The Skeleton Key

The House at the End of The Street

The Messengers

Here is the link to another list for great PG-13 Scary Movies. 

So cuddle up and enjoy the jumps, chills, and screams tonight with your scary movie night!

Lets Be Kids Date Night

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This is a new twist to a at home date night. This week’s date night is all about being a kid. This is a great Saturday morning date. Preparation for this date is easy and it doesn’t cost much. First pick out a favorite sugary cold cereal you used to love as a kid, pick out one for your spouse as well. Pick up a fun children’s board game that you enjoy, there are many available like trouble, candy land, chutes and ladders and connect 4. Uno is also a great option. If you have some Lego's laying around get those out too, or any other kind of building toy.

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Wake up early and make yourself and your spouse some yummy kid cereal. Then watch some Saturday morning cartoons together, or find some of your favorite kids shows from your past on YouTube or other streaming services. Saturday morning cartoons was a favorite pastime of my husband.  Then play the board game you choose. Another fun activity would be to give yourself a 30 second time limit to build something fun and unique out of your Lego's. Or even spend time building a masterpiece together. While you are building spend time talking about your childhood. Talk about things you loved as a kid. If you have children talk about what you want their childhood to be like. Being intentional about your conversation during date night helps build intimacy and closeness with your partner. 

Pizza Party

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At Home Date Night: Pizza Party

This weeks at home date night idea is a pizza party at your house. Make your own pizza dough beforehand or buy pre-made pizza dough. My local grocery store has it near the deli for less than $4. Buy all kinds of different toppings like mushrooms, peppers, sausage, pepperoni, different cheeses, etc. Pick up a salad and some drinks if you choose. Turn on some romantic music and make pizzas for your date. Or switch it up and make pizzas for each other. Spend time talking and doing something together. Pair the pizza party with a fun movie of your husband’s choice.

While your pizzas are cooking play this version of the newlywed game. The newlywed game judges how well you know your spouse. Here are some question ideas:

Name your spouse’s favorite movie.

Name your spouse’s favorite candy bar.

Name your spouse’s favorite restaurant.

Name your spouse’s favorite food.

What would be a romantic date to your spouse?

What does your spouse like to do when they don’t have to do anything?

Where was your first kiss?

What is your spouse’s favorite memory of you together?

What was your spouse’s first job?

What chore would your spouse like you to do more?

When did your spouse realize that they were in love with you? 

Game Night for Two

Picture Source: BYU

'[This next great date night at home is a game night for two. This is an easy to prep date night that is a lot of fun. First off gather the games in your house, or the store or even a thrift store. We find great games at our local thrift store for $3! Here is a list of fun two player games:

Uno

Picture Source: Gamasutra

Chess

Checkers

Battleship

Yahtzee

Clue

Risk

Life

Monopoly

Ticket to Ride

Trivial Pursuit

Twister

Backgammon

Connect 4

Poker

Scrabble

If you have a gamer in your home it may be fun to play some video games together, or incorporate at least one in your game night. Make some kind of scoresheet if you want to keep score, where the winner gets breakfast in bed, or some other fun prize. Then make this yummy skillet cookie for a treat. It is so simple! Get your favorite cookie dough from the store, put it into a seasoned cast iron skillet and bake for 15-20 min at 375. Top with ice cream or whipped cream if desired. Have fun eating your yummy treat and beating each other at different board games.

Picture Source: stayinnight

Relationship Tip: Even though you are at home choose to not let your home interfere. This is your special time, put the kids to bed or find some way to not be distracted by anyone during your date time. 

Spa Night at Home

Picture from youtube.com

 Take a break from your hectic schedules together with this spa date night. Relaxation and rejuvenation requires only a little bit of prep with some relaxing tunes, a few recipes and some candles.

Start off by gathering the refreshments. One nice thing to make is infused water. Simply get a water pitcher and fill it with sliced cucumbers. You can add grapefruit, lemon or any other fruits. Let it sit for a few hours and you have a nice refreshing pitcher of water. Get some dark chocolate and make up a little veggie and fruit tray. Light healthy snacks are a fun treat that go well with this date.

Next we want to create an ambiance. Try to find all the candles in your house and place them in your bathroom or kitchen, wherever you want to have your spa night. I like to put little tea lights in mason jars. The candles create soft lighting, or put up twinkle lights if you don’t like to use candles.  Clean your bathroom and put out some fresh towels.

Finally we will make our spa treatments. Make simple scrub using honey and brown sugar. Mix 2 cups brown sugar, ½ cup olive oil and ¼ cup honey together in a small bowl or Mason jar. Apply this scrub to lips, hands, elbows or even feet. Get some Epsom salt to add to a foot bath. Have some soap ready for a bubble bath, if you choose. 

Find a relaxing internet radio channel or create a playlist. Search for key words like meditation, yoga etc. to find calm, relaxing, spa like music. Begin the date by playing your music and give each other foot massages. Fill up a bathtub or a foot bath with warm water and Epsom salt. Soak your feet while enjoying the refreshments. Take a nice sip of that infused water. Talk about your day and relax and unwind together. Use the brown sugar scrub on your hands and or your feet. Be sure to apply lotion afterwards.

Relationship Tip: Take time regularly to relax and rejuvenate together. Talk about what each of you finds relaxing, and make plans to incorporate them into your schedule.