Ice Cream Cupcakes

Looking for something sweet?

Haagen Daz sells these babies for little over $3.

So if your looking for something small to do together,

go get some ice cream for two.

(cupcake papers are made from solid chocolate!)

P.S. The Haagen Daz on the Ave is the only one with

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice Cream in the region.

Apparently they don't even sell it in stores anymore.

Rock climbing

Cheap dates

Sat Sports, facility tours including new Mountaineers building, climbing wall, learn to sail or kayak, work parties, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-684-8020 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

Check out the images on flickr

A bicycle built for two

Tandem 101 Workshop

PLAN AHEAD Beginners class to learn how to ride a tandem bicycle, 10 a.m. May 2, Cascade Bicycle Club office, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 30, Seattle; $25 (425-275-3425 orwww.EvergreenTandemClub.org).

Sweet Treat

These brownies are making my mouth water.  These brownies are super easy to make but I hear that the fudgier the brownie, the easier they are to cut out.

Click here for heart brownie instructions.

This makes me smile inside.

Forgot to make a reservation?

Forget to make a dinner reservation?  Or maybe you haven't planned a Valentine's day date yet ??(remember you only have 2 days!!)  A lot of restaurants are already completely full so what are you going to do?  Call the restaurant of your choice and ask if they could make a meal for  pick-up.  Then eat it outside in front of an amazing view (you might need to bundle up)  or if it's just too cold where you live, maybe just in the front seat of your car.  Or you could eat it at your own kitchen table (just make sure your kids are gone and you don't turn on the TV and you light lots and lots of candles).

Picture from A Perfect Favor

Ahhhhhhh!

Assuming your sweetheart has a desk or a nightstand, a current framed photo of the two of you would be a thoughtful Valentine's gift.  Seriously when is the last time you actually printed one of those things out (probably not since your wedding!).  You can upload a photo right to Walgreens or Bartells and they will even print it out FOR YOU!  I'm going to bet that you can even buy a frame at the store when you pick up the print.  For a personal touch add a sweet message on the picture with a permenant marker.  This is a VERY thoughtful gift that takes almost no thought- perfect for the Valentine challenged husband or the average busy juggling a couple kids wife.

Recycled Post

Valentine's day is just around the corner. To the husbands who eye the teddy bear at the gas station, please don't do it. This is a shout out to post all of your Valentine ideas!  

*Breakfast in bed or at a restaurant 

*Gift certificate for a massage or manicure 

*Make a candlelit dinner (a great store for gourmet ready made dinners is Pasta & Co at University Village and on top of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, and in Bellevue and Redmond, Washington.)

*Rent an old romantic movie (ie. Pillowtalk- any other suggestions?) 

*Re-create your first date 

**Create a CD of all your favorite love songs (Jules)

Making memories

I to this day have never been in a photobooth with a boy .  .  . a couple of bestfriends but never a boy.  Bro - isn't it about time we did this?  Click on this link to find an old photobooth near you.

Photo found on Thethinkingblog

Shoot the Messenger

I came across the wonderful Valentine idea on O Happy Day's blog.  The short of it is this:

"the idea : !shoot the messenger!

/perhaps you would smile if you found out that someone baked a cake for you and then smashed it in their face ...in your honor. thats how this whole thing got started:)

if you have someone that you would like to send a special valentine to, just send me their name and an optional short+sweet message, and Ill be your messenger. 

//the essence of these valentines is gestural. its about ACTION ACTION ! each valentine is a shiny and new idea that will be done in your valentines name, and your valentines name only, and documented throughout the process. i then print it, wrap it all up in a red envelope,  and send to off you!"

Click here for the website for info and more pictures.

OR .  .  . you could make one yourself!

Getting my Jones

One of these could fulfill all of your cupcake fantasies!  While I was in Portland, I was determined to find at least one new cupcake place.  Mission completed.  Cupcake Jones.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you, these are the BEST most scrumptious, moist cupcakes i've ever had (INCLUDING the ones I make myself).    This company mainly buys local ingredients and is committed to being environmentally friendly.  The best part is that they don't use shortening in their frosting, a BIG pet peeve of mine, so these cupcakes taste homemade and delicious.  Don't you want one .  .  . right now!?!?!?!  Here is their website.

A taste of Peru in Portland

In search of a romantic restaurant and one that served Ceviche (lime soaked fish), my husband found this gem in Portland.  

Andina Restaurant

It certainly fit the bill, it was very romantic and the food was superb!!!  I had to stop myself from licking the plate.  The food was like nothing I've every tasted but in a good way.  It was set you back a pretty penny at $22-$25 a plate  but for a special occasion I would highly recommend it.
To visit their website click here.

Recycled date

Bed Bath & Beyond is a great place for a date and let me tell you why:

1. There are fun doodads to look at like the As Seen on TV Ear Lift, As Seen on TV Hercules Hook, and LumaTweeze Professional Lighted Tweezers.

2. You can sit and have an intimate conversation while receiving full body massages from their display massage chairs.

3. For dessert, they conveniently have oodles of candy in the front by the registers.

4. And best of all you can buy that new shower curtain you've been doing without for almost a year!

Test Drive

I have always wanted to go on a test drive date. Now that my husband is looking online for a new vehicle (we can't actually afford one but he says he's just doing "research" ), I think I will spring this idea on him. . . . and best of all it's FREE, unless you actually buy a car then its one of the most expensive dates you'll EVER go on!!! :)

Holiday Date

Christmas is the perfect time to snuggle, sip hot chocolate and hold mittened hands. Gilman's Village is an adorable specialty mall in Issaquah (35 minutes from Seattle) with about 40 unique boutiques that are fun to poke around in. Including a toy shop from other countries, art galleries of local artists and a yummy YUMMY bakery!! During Christmas time they decorate with lights and have carolers (see Schedule). Click here for directions.

The Doghouse

Anyone who has a husband that will be buying them a gift...ever...needs to watch this video. It will have you laughing SO hard...and make you appreciate your husband...hopefully!

The Doghouse

;)

Burn the Floor

This is a blatant and unapologetic plea to my husband:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! This is possibly the best show in the entire world!!! (in my opinion, obviously)

Burn The Floor

Jan 24, 2009 (Sat)

Tacoma Dome Arena

A sexy sophisticated dance extravaganza combining the sensual and physical chemistry of Ballroom and Latin dancing with a 21st Century edge that has international critics and audiences swooning!

Tickets

Buy Tickets

Tickets on sale now!

$64.50 - $29.50

Groups 12+ call (253) 593-7617

More info website

Burn The Floor Website

Also is playing in San Francisco & Vancouver, Cananda . . . Oh and Germany.

Date-a-rama!

I taught a workshop last night to the older youth about the importance of group dates. While we don't have to group date anymore (unless we want to) I did some research and Shauna helped me come up with a pretty snazzy list. I think you all should pick some of these dates to do!

The best dates are planned yet casual, inexpensive yet fun. Be creative!

Artsy Dates

- First Thursday Free Museums (Seattle Art Museum, EMP, Science Fiction Museum, The Burke Museum, Museum of History and Industry, Museum of Flight and Seattle Asian Art Museum) - First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square (Similar gallery walks happen in Kirkland, Ballard, Fremont and Capitol Hill) – Frye Art Museum (always free) - Free Shakespeare, concerts & movies at Seattle Parks (summer) - Seattle Sculpture Park - Hear the Compline Choir perform every Sunday at 9:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E

Seattleite Dates

- Pike's Place Market (goes well with a picture treasure hunt) - Mix-it-up Ice cream on the Ave - Take a tour of Theo Chocolate factory - Folklife Festival, Bite of Seattle, SeaFair - Laser show at the Seattle Science Center - Ferry ride to Bremerton or Bainbridge - Woodland Park Zoo, Aquarium, Pacific Science Center - $5 to go up the Columbia Tower Observation Deck - Feed the Ducks or ride bikes at Greenlake - Watch ships pass through the canal and salmon swim through the "fish ladder" at the Chittenden Locks - Fremont Troll (N 36th St, Seattle, WA)

Sporty Dates

- Cross-country skiing or tubing - River rafting on the Skagit - Miniature golf at Interbay - Canoeing at the UW Arboretum - Driving range at UW - Rollerskating/Iceskating at Highland Ice Arena in Shoreline - Ice Skating at the Seattle Center (winter) - Cheap bowling/pool/DDR at the UW Hub even for non-UW students - Go for a swim at Matthews Beach, Madison Park & Madrona Beach - Kickball, capture the flag or fly kites at any Seattle Park - Hike at Snoqualmie Falls - Batting cages - Rollerblading/biking/or fire pit at Alki Beach -

Just for Fun Dates

- $5 swing or salsa dancing with free lesson ($7 on weekends) at Century Ballroom - Board game, puzzle challenge or charades night - Organize a potluck dinner, and assign people to bring certain dishes or ingredients – Surprise sidewalk chalk someone's driveway (nice things only!) - Wii, DDR, Rock Band or Guitar Hero night at someone's house - Cheap Eats: Dicks & Ivars – $3 movies at Crest Theatre in Shoreline - The Fair (get tickets from school) - A service date (rake a neighbor's leaves, wash windows etc) - Have a contest to find the best/funniest book at a used book store (Twice Sold Tales 905 E John St usually has a $1 rack in front) - Creative Story (write/say one or two lines of a story, the next person continues with another line or two) - St a dollar limit and go to a thrift shop. Then go somewhere wearing the outfits you bought. - Dessert contest (making or eating) - Homemade pizza party - Progressive Dinner - Go berry picking -

Holiday Dates

- Gilman's Village in Issaquah - Snoqualmie Santa Train - Visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze - Christmas lights and hot cocoa - Candycane lane in Ravenna – Bellevue Square's Snowflake Lane

For more ideas, check the newspaperor Internet for free or discounted tickets. Or check out some Seattle events websites for current activities, concerts, festivals and holiday activities!

Keeping the honeymoon alive

i originally posted this on my blog and shauna asked me to post it here as well:

we have several old men couriers who come by work once a week or so from the hospital. they are always cheery with a twinkle in their eye and they have grandpa-y type things to say like, "show me that smile!"

today the courier handed me the envelope and i told him to stay dry... expecting him to quickly be on his way. but he was still standing there.

how long have you been married? he asked.

two years next month, i said.

we're going on 54, he said. may i give you a bit of advice? make sure you do the little things that make him know you still love him. he told me about how he serves his wife by feeding her latte habit. on the days he is a courier he calls her from his last stop and asks her if she'd like a latte. her response, "i've been waiting for you to call all day!" he said he cleans up and does chores for her. when i asked how she shows love to him he said by forgiving him when he forgets birthdays. she also knocks him on the nose to demand smooches.

it was a brief conversation. it lasted but a few minutes and for whatever reason he shared part of himself with me. it does come back to the little things - like surprise chapsticks because i seem to lose mine. critters in the mail. a weekend getaway to a town posing as bavaria. making me fantastic naked pasta when i don't want to think about cooking.

i should probably start smacking him on the nose to redeem my smooches!

Quick & Easy Romance

I was recently blessed with an adorable baby boy. Needless to say, diaper changing and sore nipples have taken precedence to thoughts of romance, let alone going on a date. My darling husband bless his heart (I think desperate for some one on one time) surprised me with a sweet and simple gesture. He picked up some scrumptious chocolate hazelnut gelato, lit some candles and we enjoyed a solid uninterrupted 5 minutes reconnecting over the kitchen table. . . . perfection!