Archive for July, 2011

Looking for something free to do for date night?  Since we are in the middle of summer check your local newspaper or online and find out what is being offered in your community or a city near by. On the central coast many of the towns we live near will have free concerts or movies in the park.

We did our research and found out Solvang has movie night in the park every other Friday during the summer. Tonight they will be playing “The Karate Kid” and serving fresh popcorn and hot chocolate. Since it is only ½ hour from where we live Larry and I decided it would be fun to cuddle up under the stars and watch the movie. We will bring our blanket and lawn chairs, along with our own homemade popcorn and a thermos of hot chocolate with a little peppermint schnapps in it. What a nice way to stay warm and cozy next to each other while enjoying the movie.

Who says you can’t have a date night without spending money. All you need to do is plan ahead and do a little research by either reading the newspaper or going online. Date nights don’t always have to be expensive or fancy to have fun. Sometimes the simplest dates are the most memorable.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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A few weeks ago I wrote about the importance of kissing to help keep the passion in your relationship. I suggested that you purchase the book, “The Ten Second Kiss”, by Ellen Kreidman. As you know kissing is an important part of connecting you as a couple but did you know kissing is good for your health too?

If you want to enhance your immune system and keep your blood pressure down then kiss for 30 minutes with your sweetheart and you will both not only be boosting you passion but your health. It helps your body to have fewer allergy symptoms. Kissing brings on the powerful calming hormone, oxytocin, which helps to alleviate your stress and your body to fight any allergies you might have.

Grab your sweetheart and start kissing each other for 30 minutes. Don’t worry if you start laughing together because you will get the same results.  Laughing & kissing together can do your body and relationship good.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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You can live your dream of a romantic weekend getaway with your sweetheart if you save $5 a week.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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When the county fair is in town do you and your sweetheart make it a point to have a date night there or do you think it is just to bring the kids to? Planning a date at the fair is so much fun to do since it only comes to town once a year. So grab your sweetheart and head out the door and head straight to your local county fair for date night.

It is county fair time where we live. We just had the Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria and now the Mid-State Fair is in Paso Robles which is in San Luis Obispo County. With it only being an hour away from where we live we are planning to make an evening drive to enjoy all the fair has to offer.

My first date with Larry was at the fair. It was small in comparison to the Mid-State Fair but we had fun. I had just turned 16 and he was 17. I remember going on the Ferris wheel and the rollercoaster, laughing and having so much fun with him, so fair time is something special for us.

Generally when you think of the fair you think of the fun children can have but there is lots to do for adults too. In the evenings there is always live entertainment both the headliners which has a fee and the free entertainment.  Of course it is always fun to go through the buildings and see all the vendors selling their wares. And then walking through the animal barns and talking to the kids about their animals is always interesting.

The food is always fun to taste, this year they have the normal corn dogs but there is a new twist to their offerings. Have you tried the fried corn chocolate on a stick? Neither have we so I want to make a stop there and see if I can talk Larry into sharing one with me, since I love chocolate.

Lastly, we can’t forget the rides. Go on the Ferris wheel or the rollercoaster with your sweetheart and when you get to the top kiss each other as you start to go down. What a rush that will be and sparks will be flying!

You don’t have to spend a lot of money just enjoy the free things the fair has to offer. Even the headliners don’t have to cost a penny if you sit outside of the main venue and listen to the live music. Grab a drink and find a spot to sit with your sweetheart while listening to your favorite singer live.

Plan an adult night to enjoy each other and all the fair has to offer. It will bring out the kid in your marriage and help you both to see how much fun you have together.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Are you looking for some extra money you can add to your romantic weekend away besides the $5 a week you are already putting aside? Well today I am including 2 websites you may not be aware of that can help you find some extra cash.

1. Learn Vest – This website helps find ways to cut cost and living expenses so you have more money to pay off bills.

2. Bill Shrink – This website helps you to compare the companies you currently are using to money-saving alternatives.

Taking the time to use these websites can help you find the extra money to pay off your bills and put aside for an extra special romantic weekend away with your sweetheart.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Keep saving your $5 a week so you can get those sparks flying all night long on your anniversary getaway.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Do you want to redo your bedroom but don’t know where to start? Friday night is a great time to sit down with your sweetheart and discuss how you both want your bedroom to look. Talk about the hotels you have stayed at and why you liked them. Was there a special hotel you remember particularly? Did you like how the room was decorated? This is a great stepping stone on how to decorate your room.

Look up the hotel on the internet and see if they have a picture of the room you both liked. Determine the color that was in the room, type of furniture and bedding they used and pictures hung on the wall. Write it all down and decide on a game plan on how you are going to get the same look but within your budget.  If the hotel’s room is beige but you prefer a different color use the color you prefer. It doesn’t have to match exactly. You are going after the feel and look of the room not the color.

If you don’t agree on how the room should look try to find a compromise together. Men, just a reminder, you want to keep your woman happy when it comes to the master bedroom. An unhappy woman in the bedroom makes for a less romantic woman. If she wants the bedroom to look feminine this is one room you will need to let go and let her do it her way. Trust me; it will help her feel sexier.

Saturday plan your date around looking for some of the items you will need to transform your bedroom into the serene room of your dreams. The first item you will want to get is the paint. Before you head out the door calculate how much paint you will need to get. Buy the paint and then go to a bedding store and see if they have similar bedding in the color you want.  If you have the money purchase the bedding also. Otherwise, wait until next payday and then purchase the bedding.

After shopping go to your local ice cream shop and share an ice cream sundae and plan on when you will be painting your bedroom and adding the touches you need. Don’t expect to complete the room in one weekend. When we are redoing a room it usually takes us several months to complete the look. We like to pay cash for the items we want to get so each payday we purchase an item we need for the room and before we know it the room is done. It may take us several months but we aren’t putting a strain on our credit cards or our budget.

FYI, you won’t find everything all at once but it is fun to go on an outing with your sweetheart looking for a specific item. Just another way to stay connected and feeling like you are a team in your marriage.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Do you have a special anniversary coming up and you want to go someplace special but don’t know where to start looking for a romantic getaway? Well you may want to pick up the latest Travel and Leisure Magazine annual Worlds Best Awards 2011.

Here is a quick over view from the Today Show of some of the places featured in the Magazine:

Worlds Best Award 2011

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Did you find a destination or perhaps one of the hotels featured on the Today Show? Since Larry & I would like to go to Boston, Massachusetts the Eliot is the place I would like to stay.

Do your research and find that special place you both want to go to and you will have the perfect getaway for romance.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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Love on a two-way street comes naturally. Saving $5 a week for a romantic weekend anniversary has to be learned but can become a natural habit if done consistently.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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It is hot outside and you want to go on a date with your sweetheart. You want your date to be outdoors but you want to stay cool. Are you tired of being stuck inside your air-conditioned home? Then plan a “Down by the River Date”.

Pack a picnic lunch, grab a blanket and head toward the cool running water of a river near by. Find a special spot that is very quite, private and with lots of shade trees.

Romantic River Picnic for 2

  • Ice Cold Lemonade or Wine – A bottle of iced Chardonnay would be nice
  • Feta & Grilled Chicken Sandwich – See recipe below
  • Pasta Salad – Your favorite
  • Brownies – Homemade or purchased

Lay out your picnic under a tree near the river and sit back and enjoy your feast listening to the water rushing by. After lunch, kick off your sandals and play in the water until you are soaked. Better yet, if you are in a very private area, take off your clothes and enjoy the feeling of the cool water against your nude bodies and each other.

Feta & Grilled Chicken

  • Grill a piece of Chicken
  • Feta Cheese
  • 2 Slice Tomato
  • 2 Slices Red Onion
  • Italian Dressing
  • 2 Focaccia Bread Sliced in Half

Thinly slice the grilled chicken. Sprinkle Italian dressing on the bottom and top half of the Focaccia bread, layer the sliced chicken, sprinkle feta cheese, add the sliced tomato and sliced red onion all on the bottom of half of your bread and then cover with the top slice. YUM!

Enjoy your private time together, eating, drinking and playing in the river together. This should bring out the kid in each of you. Just one more romantic memory to add to your list….this is what a good marriage is made of.

Keep those sparks flying!
JoJo

© 2011, Surprise Kiss. All rights reserved.

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