Surprise Kiss

Archive for the ‘Date Night’ Category

I wrote this blog in December 2010 and thought it was a good date to be reminded about. I know we will be doing this again this year because I am embarrassed to say we have not gotten one gift yet.

Have you taken my advice and turn your Christmas shopping into a date? We did. We wrote our list on Friday and checked it twice. And even though Larry worked on Saturday in the morning when he came home at noon we hopped into the car and went to San Luis Obispo and shopped till we dropped.

We went out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Big Sky Cafe. We had a cup of soup and split a Cuban pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. Yum! With list in hand off we went to the various stores to get everything we needed. We were even able to find the cutest pair of cowboy boots for our 2 ½ year old great-grandson. About half way through our list we stop at one of the local coffee houses, Linnaea’s Cafe, and had a cup of Mexican hot chocolate with whip cream on top. We sat at their small bar overlooking the street with the window open watching people walk by. We relaxed and talked about what we had bought and still needed to get.

Then it was back to shopping and completing our list. We got home around 6:00 PM and ate leftovers, a chicken dish I had made on Thursday night. Later that night we relaxed on the couch with a glass of wine and a candle lit. It was a nice way to end the day after Christmas shopping. We only have one gift left to get and plan on getting it this week.

We turned something that can be stressful into something enjoyable while accomplishing so much. We came to an agreement ahead of time about what we wanted to buy and how much to spend then we went together and turned it into an enjoyable day. When you do simple things like Christmas shopping together you get a sense of connection most couples don’t have. We turned a mundane task by eating out at a special restaurant and taking time for a break and having a warm drink together. Even simple things don’t have to be boring.

Hope you decide to follow my suggestion for your date with each other this weekend.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo> Read the rest of this entry »

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Does your sweetheart like to watch the chef Guy Fieri on TV and is he a fan of Diner, Drive-Ins & Dives? How would you like to surprise him/her by taking them to one of the places that has been featured on the show?

Well I found a website that has a list of restaurants in each state that Guy has traveled to across the United States.

You can check it out at:

Flavortown USA

This website also sells Guy’s cookbooks and videos, a great Christmas gift for your Guy Fieri fan.

Throw on your jeans, grab your sweetheart, hop in the car and head down the road to one of the places Guy Fieri has been to on TV. You can both become a TV critic and see if the place is as good as Guy said it is.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Did you know it is “Stay at Home because you are Well Day” today? It is considered a good day to take off work and call in that you are “Well Today”. Now I don’t recommend you do this because there is a good chance you could lose your job but it is a great day to celebrate when you are home with your sweetie pie.

With the holidays in full swing all you may want to do is take the evening off when you both get home from work and enjoy some quite time together.  Pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate or pour a glass of wine or beer and put on your pajamas, cuddle up and sit back after the kids are in bed and enjoy a movie together.

The Hallmark station has some cute Christmas movies right now that you might enjoy. They are simple, no brainers and you know the outcome but there is no stress just a cute movie that you can relax by.

So enjoy your “Stay at Home because you are Well Day”. Sometimes that is all you and your sweetheart need to distress.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Can you believe we are in November and Christmas is around the corner? Cooking, shopping, wrapping and parties are in our future. Why not get ahead with your Christmas shopping and purchase some unique gifts for special family members and friends?

Right now there are lots of craft fairs going on and this would make a great date for you and your sweetie pie on Saturday. You can find out where the craft fairs are being held in your area through the newspaper and online. On Friday evening after the kids are fast asleep get a pad of paper, a glass of wine and sit down with your husband and make a list of everyone you will need to purchase a gift for.

To help you get in the mood, put a Christmas CD in the CD player, Rod Stewart has a new one out you might want to pick up and listen to.

On Saturday morning with list in hand and a plan on where you are going head out to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list. You may even find a thing or two for your home that you didn’t know you couldn’t live without. After you both have shopped till you dropped go to your favorite lunch place and have a relaxing lunch together.

A unique date with your sweetheart, some of your Christmas shopping done and the benefit of a less stressful holiday is in the future for the both of you. More time to enjoy the festive holidays with your whole family.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive one of those new small highbred cars that are easy on your wallet? This weekend grab your sweetheart and head to your nearest rental car service and see what they have to offer. Rent a Prius, Smart Car or Volkswagen Bug and take a Sunday afternoon drive together.

Head out to the country and enjoy the beautiful scenery in your little love bug. Bring a picnic blanket so you can have a romantic picnic with some cheese, a little meat and fruit. My favorite is sharp cheddar cheese and a crisp apple. YUM! (Forget the meat)

Late in the afternoon, stop at an apple farm to quench your thirst by enjoying a cold cup of fresh apple juice and bring home fresh apples to have for desert, a good healthy treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Quite time together enjoying a picturesque Sunday drive in the country while trying out a car you have been wondering about. A fun date that is a little bit different.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Last weekend Larry & I needed to spend a little quiet together. So we decided to go out to a new wine bar in San Luis Obispo and enjoy a glass wine along with a cheese and fruit platter. It was a very well decorated and hip place, very modern with wine bottles cut in half and a candle inside each bottle. The one thing they were missing was live music or some good soulful jazz playing in the background.

We enjoyed our small cheese platter and glass of local wine but we walked away with $40 less in our pocket. We could have enjoyed the same evening if we had stayed home and replicated the menu for a whole lot less.

Not much money and no time to go out? Once the children are in bed lay out a platter of delicious cheeses and pour a glass of wine, turn on your favorite tunes and have an evening that is a little bit different from the rest.

Here are some suggestions:

• Small Wedge of Brie
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Blue Cheese
• Grapes
• Dried Fruit
• Almonds
• French baguette or Water Crackers

Spending a little quiet time together, not much money spent and lots of relaxation is something very pleasurable. Ah…..just what Surprise Kiss ordered for the two of you.

Don’t forget to check back next Friday, 10/26/12, to see the suggestion I have for you to have a romantic Halloween with your sweetheart.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

On Wednesday I said life can get too serious with all the responsibilities of work, kids, house work, bills, etc. You and your sweetheart need to find time to have fun together.

Here are some suggestions on how to bring out the child in your relationship:

1. Play Miniature Golf
2. Ride Go Carts
3. Go Out for a Burger, Fries & a Malt
4. Go Bowling
5. Bicycle Ride
6. Swing on the Swings at the Park
7. Play Basket Ball
8. Play Tic Tac Toe (see below)

We all remember playing Tic Tac Toe when we were kids but have you ever thought of kicking it up a notch? Pour your drink of choice and have fun together.

Sexy Tic Tac Toe

Play this simple game the same way you would play Strip Poker. Whoever loses will have to remove one item of clothing. You keep playing until one of you has nothing on and then that person gets to slowly finish undressing the other. Need I say more?

It doesn’t matter if you lose or win both of you will end up having a “Hot Night” tonight.

You’ve got to play a little and laugh a little to keep the inner child in your relationship alive.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Has work and the kids got you and your sweetheart stressed out to the max? Do you both want to run away?

Then grab your sweetheart and go for a relaxing starlight drive. Turn up the music and head out to an open area where you can have a romantic evening picnic in your car.

Gaze at the stars, steal a kiss or two maybe more if privacy allows. Enjoy your quite time together and reconnect in a way you can’t when you go out to dinner at your local restaurant.

Want to feel even more connected and relaxed once you get home? Then hand your sweetheart a note that says:

“Starlight, star bright let’s make love tonight!”

Ah……what a nice way to end your starlight drive……

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

The weekend is here and you are wondering what to do with your sweetheart. Check and see if there are any fall festivals happening in your area. These are usually free to attend and lots of fun.

The only cost during your date will be a lunch or dinner and perhaps a purchase of a craft item for your home that will bring back memories you had with your sweetheart while strolling the festival hand-in-hand.

Here on the Central Coast I was able to find 2 festivals going on this weekend and I am having a hard time deciding on which on we will attend.

Village in Arroyo Grande, CA

Harvest Festival, 75th Anniversary

Friday, Sept 28 through Saturday, Sept 29th

Friday, at 4 PM, kicks off with the annual Rotary Fish Fry, games, arts & crafts, entertainment and free movie night. On Saturday morning there is a parade and then after more entertainment, games, contests, food, crafts and country displays.

http://www.agharvestfestival.com/

Los Alamos, CA

Los Alamos Old Days

Friday, Sept 28th through Sunday, Sept. 30th

Friday, at 6 PM, start off with a Chili Party; enjoy corn bread, salad with all the fixings. There is a no host bar and music & dancing from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. On Saturday there is a classic car show, peddlers fair, quilt show and much more. Check out their website.

http://www.losalamosvalley.org/events.html

So get on the internet or read your local newspaper to find out what is going on in your area. Enjoy the beautiful crisp fall air while strolling with your sweetie pie while attending your local fall festival.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

Do you and your sweetheart enjoy tasting and drinking different types of beers? Since microbreweries are popular in the United States you shouldn’t have any problems finding a brewery near you.

Here are three great date ideas for you and your sweetheart to do together:

1. Take a tour at a brewery, most are free and some might include free samples or tastings at a minimal price at the end of the tour.

2. See if there are classes in your area on how to brew your own beer. Great hobby to do together.

3. Attend a Beer Tasting Dinner – Each course is paired with a different beer.

Become beer connoisseurs together. Find out what is being offered in your area and take advantage of doing something a little different to keep you both connected.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2012, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.