Taste the Rainbow

Check me out over here! Love the Dating Divas

remember how sometimes I come up with pretty fun dates? Well, one of them is about Family History. Now don't go rolling your eyes... not yet anyhow. Go over to the Dating Divas and check it out.

and while you are there, don't forget to look around a bit and even subscribe to the site. 

reader submission: DIY Notebook Style Love

Remember sweet Sarah and her love story? Well... check out this great idea she is nice enough to share with us!

Just a thought for the day!

            From sharing my story, you must already know what a hopeless romantic I really am! If there was ever a person to be more wrapped up in the beauty of falling in love it is me for sure. I love the excitement and passion. I am a fairy tale person seeking a fairy tale life. So it should come to no surprise that one of my all time favorite movies is none other than the infamous Notebook.

I love the simplicity of it. A couple falls in love, all kinds of adversity in the middle, and then ends up together happily ever after right? Not quite, the wife suffers from dementia and can’t remember who she is, who he is, how they fell in love, or anything from their life together. How heartbreaking!!! He doesn’t quit on her though. He wrote a notebook, compiled the story of their love and he reads it to her daily hoping that she will come back to him.

            So me of course the fairy tale kind of person that I am, decided to make my own notebook with my prince charming. It is amazing how much of the sweet romantic little moments that you will forget as the years pass by. Steve and I have been married for four years and I treasure our notebook.

First pick out a notebook to use; make sure it’s not too girly or feminine or your significant other won’t be caught dead with it. You want to make sure it is good quality, because trust me you are going to use it A LOT!

Make memories together! Especially by following the date ideas that Makana posts, lol just thought I get a plug in there for her fierce blog!! 

Write it down before you forget! It is amazing how much of the little stuff you really don’t remember. Now when I say write it down, it’s important that both of you are doing the writing. It should include how you felt and all the little details that might not seem important at the time.

Read the memories! Sometimes we forget why or how we fell in love. If I’m having a bad day or we get into an argument, it is nice to be able to pull out our notebook and read our love story. I think everybody needs reminding of why they fell in love. What a great example the movie the Notebook has been to me!! 

Muah! 'Til next time!

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Thank you Sarah! That is such a great idea! 

reader submission: 12 month date basket idea

Yep... six, 6, months. That's all. Until Christmas that is. And actually, that sounds like a far way off. But I think we know all too well that it will creep up on us all I was sent this link though and thought... what a great idea! Thank you Bonnie for sending it. And now YOU get see how creative this is too!

This was created by the ever-talented and lovely Shannon Brown of Life in General

She created 12 months of dates... already pre-paid too! 

They are places or things that they have never done before. 

Seriously folks... this is SO creative! Go and check it out

Date idea: The Circus is in town

Did you know that the circus is in town? Even if it is not, you can still have some fun! 

I went to World Market and got some Old Fashioned Candy and drinks (thank you coupon)

up close pict:

just to get into the right mood. 

Then I pulled up the web site and turned the volume up

up close pict:

that music really can get annoying but it is circus music afterall! 

Then I gave him our tickets that I got 50% off at Gold Star.

And off the enjoy the circus! 

Alternative: If you didn't want to go to the circus, you could always create your own once everyone is in bed. And if THAT statement alone makes you blush, then don't click here. 

Golf Date

We have been wanting to go golfing again for a while and in Houston NOW is the perfect weather!

So we took the baby and headed out for a night at the driving range!

(if this is going to be just you and your lover you could use "FORE" more often and make this a little more catered to AFTER you are done plying golf. IE: FOREplay etc)

We headed over to Mulligans and really just had a great time taking aims on the driving range with our friends A&M. If you haven't been yet you should just print off that little invite and head on over. 

you can thank me later ladies :) tee hee

teaching the toddler to play

You could finish up the evening watching "The Greatest Game Ever Played" or the golf tournament right now and eating something like this.

Wouldn't that just be so yummy? You can read the how-to's over at Chickabug and get other great ideas from the Ladies over Howdoesshe

Its Rodeo Time!

Although the Rodeo here has come and gone, in some parts of the country they are right in the middle of it!

I first saw this slogan plastered attractively to a brown fitted womens tee. "TEXAS IS FOR LOVERS". That tee was being worn by my friend S. And I knew I loved it. I mean, I know people that live in Texas have this absurd pride in their state. I am sure you have met them. They are the "texas-loving, flag-carrying, gun-owning" folks.

Apparently I am too. Because I love it here. I love the heat, humidity and the (drumroll please.....)

Houston RODEO! YEE HAW! I know. You are jealous. Its ok. You can come visit. And sleep on my couch.

Alrighty folks, hang in there, I DO have a point. Well, I think I have a point. Similar to how I feel about making dinner some days. If I rumage long enough I am sure to find something good.

Ok. Admit it. That was worth waiting for while I rummage around. 

The other thing is, like making dinner, sometimes things just do not go as planned. For instance: making taco's only to realize there is no cheese to be found. Taco's sans cheese=gross. 

For instance: Western Date Planned for Friday+sick-as-dog-toddler=NO DATE! (notice the gross picture)

Bummer for her. Bummer for me. Bummer all around. But I did put effort into this so now you get to benefit from my cheese-less taco's. I will just pretend we went and pretend that the taco's were yummy.

I stashed the wanted poster under his windshield in the morning so he saw it when we was headed to work. When he came home we made these matching bandanna's. The toddler helped. Then we headed to the Houston Rodeo! 

I had a made an all country only cd for the ride down. We had a great time seeing all the animals and watching the cowboys ride the bulls. We even showed off our country dancing skills acquired in Provo, UT! We loved the deep-fried Fat and the chocolate covered hot dogs. (well, I am sure it would have been fun). 

Disclaimer: I have been to the Rodeo each year we have lived in Houston and I love it. So, that is 2 for me, 0 for the hubbs. I am making him go with friends while I stay with the sick-as-a-dog-toddler. Me+sewing machine+mostly sleeping toddler=heaven!

 If you don't have a rodeo near by, you can have your own. Check out Love-Actually Wild Wild West post

Australian date

Come on in! Have a seat! Can I get you some lemonade? How about some TIM TAMS? Or Milo? Or whatever else you drink in the land down undah' 'cause  I know you want to go there. Or go back. And here is your chance. You are welcome.

It started with this little invite the night before. Don't fret my friends. I made it cute with leftover scrap paper

How are we traveling in style to Australia (well our TX version)

in my car. But did you catch that I AM DRIVING. Its kinda a big deal bc boys generally drive in my relationship. 

Our first stop was the zoo. Since down undah' there are loads of animals I thought we would go on a scavenger hunt for all sorts of animals. I found animals from Australia that would also be at our zoo. I laminated the paper and each person had a dry erase marker to check off what animals they saw. 

(If you wanted this to be really cheap you could find animals at the library or bookstore)

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{and here is where I 'ess-plain that I have managed to loose the scavenger chart in just 4 days so you will have to use your imagine chit-lins. Losing things, well, that happens quite a lot around me. Marbles???? }

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yes, the monkey is in fact mooning me

two little cave men

Momma giraffe and new baby giraffe. 

And this is what inspired the date.... a high school fundraiser. 

Im sorta a big sucker for kids selling things. 

We had never been to Outback before as a couple so it was a FIRST! 

I heart firsts. 

And since this was to the zoo it was really kid-friendly so we brought along our favorite kid. 

(yours truly is on the right. The other right. The one WITHOUT heart-shaped glasses)

But we were not quite done so after stuffing ourselves like true Australians 

(I have no research to base that on btw)

We played a game that I KNOW is played in Australian because it involves Tim Tams and one of

my best friends is Australian and she told me about it so it must be true... 

(that was a really long sentence to say in one breath)

You have to eat as many as possible without using your hands. 

for the record... its hard. So back off!

Photo Collage date

But this isn't your ordinary photo college! Thank you Erica for this super-smart idea. 

Isn't nice having creative people in your life?!

This date requires just 2 things. A camera for each person/couple and a word. 

Go around looking at all the things around you and try to see what letter you can make. 

like this:

can you tell which letters they are yet? Each row in one letter compiled from nature or around the park

Can you find all the letter to make your name? 

Butterfly Date

Hiya folks. 

I am curious as to what you like to do for your dates. 

that is called a Corpse Flower. 

Know why? Well doya?

It stinks like a rotten body... a corpse. Hence the lovely name. 

That is what I did for a date in Jan. 

We went and saw (smelled) a flower that made me want to throwup. 

 They only bloom once in a bazillion years or something like that. 

So you probably won't get to do that BUT you can go to the Butterfly Center in Houston. 

That was where good 'ole Lois was during her life. (Lois=stinky flower)

And today and tomorrow you can got for half price but you have to buy it through here

............which brings me to my next point.................

Ever wonder how some people ALWAYS go out and do cool things?

Like EVERY WEEKEND?

Sorry to tell ya' but we are one of those people. 

And we can because we are SO RICH! I mean, you are reading a blog from a Bazillionaire. 

(can you hear the sarcasm)

Actually, we are a one income-family. 

But we do keep a good pulse on the deals you can get from places such as 

GROUPON

DAILY DEALS

LIVING SOCIAL

etc....

And don't tell anyone but even when we know we are going to be on vacation somewhere we check out the deals to that city as well. I know, we are cheap. I mean extra smart. Yeah, I like that WAY better!

Date idea: New York in your town

I surprised McKay today with a trip to NEW YORK! You can make your own here. I got the idea months ago from Cher here. Things have been a little stress-full 'round these parts lately so I knew it was time for a vacation... well at least for a a few hours.

I gave him our tickets to New York and off we went! Oh yeah, first gotta put in the red lipstick. LOVE IT!

First to the New York Pizzeria. This was a kids size slice! Wanna see the large we shared? Doya doya doya?

What would a day in NY be without a little shopping? So we picked up some strawberry oil and lemon vinegar. Don't judge. It it De-lish! As you can see there are about a bazillion flavors... well close to a bazillion anyhow. :)

Then off to the indoor central park! If you didn't know, when it gets windy and below 70* in these parts that means we stay inside. Don't you dare judge! We can handle the heat here, yes sir-ree. And I know that most of you can not. So you leave me to my indoor park at 70* alone. Thank you. (can you tell I am touchy)

And let's face it, what kind of New Yorker-wanna be's would we be without a stop across the bridge at the famous Brooklyn Ice cream Factory! Ok, it Orange Leaf but lets not get picky here folks. Like the NY shirt the hubbs made sure he wore?

Well we had a great time and after we were so tired. I have no idea how you New Yorkers do it.