Date Night {IN}--NYSDM--Back to the Future

For this addition of Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie, go on a trip Back to the Future.  Eat dinner, rummage through the past, make plans for the future, and snuggle in for a little space travel with Doc!

Source

 What you'll need:

• Back to the Future (any or all)
• Movie time snacks: soda, popcorn, M&Ms, Hot Tamales
• Favorite foods from your childhood (pizza, hot dogs, etc.)
• Paper and pencils
• Photo albulms
• Blankets/pillows
• Dress in 80s outfits if you really want to make it fun and thematic!

Before your date, call your mother-in-law and find out what foods your husband loved as a kid (if you don't know already).  Make those special delicacies for dinner (can you say Mac-n-cheese?).

Source

Now, break out old photos.  Share pictures and memories.  Laugh at his crazy antics and your big teeth; his mom's whacked out hairdo and your mom's questionable fashion sense.

You can learn to make this here

Next, each of you get out a piece of paper and write down 20 things that your spouse probably doesn't know about your past (even if you've been married for fifteen  years).  How about that time you peed your pants?

Free from here

After that, flip the paper over and make a list of 5 things you'd like to accomplish together in the next year.

And now the grand finale!  Get your snacks and drinks and get your 80s movie groove on!

You can buy this gift basket here!

Far out!

Things I Love: Spring Wreath {the wreath obsession continues}

Okay, I found a blog called Paisley and Polka Dots and all I can say is, you can't go wrong with a blog named that!

I did some serious digging and found a tutorial to make this:

Source Paisley and Polka Dots

"Is that the cutest spring wreath ever?"  you ask?

"Why yes, yes it is." I reply.

Want to make it?  You CAN!

I'm not going to lie, this craft takes some time but it's so cute it's worth it.  Plus, you can pull fabric flowers off the wreath as needed to give a simple shirt an quick re-fab.

Want to know how to make fabric flowers?  Click here.

Want directions to make this cutey patootey wreath?  Here you go!

Source Paisley and Polka Dots

What I Think About--Being Alone

You'd probably never guess this but I'm an introvert.

People are always surprised when I identify with this group because I'm so quirky and outgoing.

So often introverts are painted with brush strokes that leave them nailed to the wall as people too afraid to talk, even if they wanted to.

Obviously that is not me.

I love people.  I love to be around people. But being around people comes at a huge cost for me--namely that it is draining (in a good way, but still).

Sometimes I want to run away from it all.  I don't want another hug or phone call.  I want to log off Facebook and turn off the phone.

I.       Want.      To.        Be.       Alone.

Alone-alone.

Not alone with my family but alone with me.

Because I learned a long time ago that when I don't have serious alone time, I get edgy(ier).  I stop being able to do the things I really like to do, like write, because my focus is all off.  I start to pull away from the ones I love--I can't give them the best of me when I feel like I've lost the best of me.

It's be a long time since I've really been alone.  I mean, I always dive into my hot shower and stay put for a half hour just to recollect myself but I feel like  I need something more.

Like a whole day where I'm not connected to social networks.  A whole day where time is NOT of the essence.  A day where I can sleep in (or not), watch cheesey movies (or not), listen to my music or sit in silence.  A day to stop, stand still, listen, and refresh.

I need to be alone.

Because when I've been alone, I really look forward to seeing the people I miss.  I'm filled to the brim with energy and I'm ready to re-connect.

What I Think is that I need a peace retreat where I can be alone.

How about you?

Days of Play: Sweet Easter Eggs You Can Eat

I generally post my intentional play/family time activities on Saturdays.  However, I've had a couple of e-mails that I post good ideas but I don't give enough planning time.  Ergo, I will now post family days of play ideas on Tuesdays so you can have a few days to plan for some weekend quality time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know what's better than Rice Krispies?

Making egg shaped Rice Krispies, decorating them, and then eating said eggs all in the name of quality family time!

Don't you just love me?

If you are game to make these:

Source

Go to the Rice Krispies official website (here) for the recipe.

Another option:
Make a batch of krispie treats as directed on the box.  When krispies are cool, cut out egg-shaped treats using an egg-shaped cookie cutter.  Use frosting, pastel m&ms, and sprinkles to jazz up your eggs!

Fun you can eat.  Mmmm!

Daniel Fast Menu {Week 2}

To read more about the Daniel Fast, click here.  To see Menu 1, click here. 

So here's what we ate on our second week of the Daniel Fast:

Monday
Breakfast: Oatbran with apples, raisins, and cinnamon
Snack: apple
Lunch: hummus wraps on homemade wheat tortillas, and veggies
Snack: ants on a log
Dinner: grilled Garlic and herb portabella mushrooms in balsamic reduction sauce, sweet potato fries

Balsamic Reduction Sauce:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 c. vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

Put everything in a sauce pan.  Heat and whisk.  Boil until slightly reduced.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Triple berry smoothie with silken tofu (add half package for extra protein)
Snack: banana
Lunch: black bean dip, corn chips, carrots
Snack: green pepper strips
Dinner: flatbread pizza and salad with oil and vinegar

Wednesday
Breakfast: Shredded wheat with soy milk and bananas
Snack: rice cake and apple butter
Lunch: flatbread, garlic and roasted red pepper hummus, veggies
Snack: corn chips
Dinner: Butternut squash pasta (omit half-n-half) and salad

Thursday
Breakfast: Oat bran with bananas
Snack: apple sauce
Lunch: Black bean and veggie wraps
Dinner: Taco Soup with corn chips

Friday
Breakfast: Snickerdoodle smoothie
Snack: peanut butter and banana rice cake
Lunch: flatbread, lemon and rosemary hummus, veggies
Snack: apple
Dinner: Bean and rice burritos (use with homemade whole wheat tortillas) with homemade pico de gallo

Saturday
Breakfast: Oatbran with strawberries and bananas
Snack: carrots and hummus
Lunch: Peanut butter and banana rice cakes
Snack: orange
Dinner: Tomato spinach-basil soup with artichoke dip and flatbread
(For soup, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and either omit milk OR use soy milk)

Sunday
Breakfast: Shredded wheat with soy milk and bananas
Snack: ants on a log
Lunch: black and white chili
Snack: apple
Dinner: Sneaky Spaghetti and salad

I'm also linking up with Skinny Sunday at Frontier Kitchen and sharing my workout routine.  Please know that I'm doing this fast for spiritual results--not physical.  However, I must say that I have an incredible amount of energy and my skin looks great!

Monday/Thursday--30 minutes on Elliptical, Elise Gulan's Straight to the core, 20 push-ups
Tuesday/Friday--P90X Cardio
Wednesday--work, class, life group .... I think I'll just rest ;)
Saturday--P90X arms
Sunday--P90X ab ripper