Monday, November 14, 2011

This and That

Between my full time job and wanting to fall asleep every night at 6 pm,( because it's DARK for Pete's sake!) I don't have a lot to write about lately. Anyone else lose their energy with the shorter days? Note to self, must try to stay awake past 9 p.m.
Seriously.
I wanted to show you this, I still have roses blooming. I'm sure that's not a big deal for my friends in the south, but mid November in Michigan? It's fairly unusual.  I cut this iceberg rose a couple days ago just to be on the safe side and I have another bud getting ready to bloom outside. I love this rose because it is one of the first to bloom in the cool springtime and it clearly can stand a mild frost or two.
 Last week after work, Earl and I had an impromptu date. Out for pizza and a stroll through Pottery Barn and William Sonoma just to get out of the house. I love looking at stores, even when I don't buy. PB was full of Thanksgiving goodies and Christmas decor at the same time.  The two best holidays both at the same time? How can you not love that?
 I loved the mix of clear and mercury glass candle holders, and how easy would it be to wrap some inexpensive white candles with old sheet music?
 I also spotted this cute burlap lampshade. I'll be honest, I am not usually a big fan of burlap in the home, it has an unpleasant odor and it tends to shed. But as a lampshade? It was beautiful. The light shone through the burlap in the most appealing way and I am pretty sure I have some old lace or doilies that I could sew in the center like this for a sweet knock off.
I am pretty lucky that I have a husband who enjoys pizza and shopping as date time. After 31 years together we still date regularly and I think it keeps us close.  But after 31 years I'm looking for some new ideas for dates! They have to be cheap and we aren't into sports.  Truthfully we are both homebodies at heart.
 So do us a favor, tell us, what is your favorite cheap date?


17 comments:

  1. I'm like you these dark nights make me sleepy earlier! love the christmas bits and bobs in the shops :)

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  2. My daughter and I were just talking about how we wanted to go to bed by 7 because it was dark. Even our animals think it is time for bed. We were wondering if we are depressed. Good to know are are not and you feel the same.

    In the summer it's fun to walk the festivals or craft markets on a date. Antique stores for little gems. I love to eat out at new places from time to time. We tried Sushi and enjoyed an Oni roll. The only fish is a crab meat and it was delicious. With it we had meiso soup which was also very good. Cost $30. for both. We only do this once every 2 or 3 months.

    If you have a town nearby where stores are open down town on a Friday night it is fun to browse and walk the square or shopping area. A movie can be fun from time to time although we like Netflix a lot. We are home bodies too. I hope this helped a little.
    Best to you as you enjoy date night. Maybe others will have some good ideas.

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  3. A few towns in are area have art gallery strolls on Friday evenings. The galleries stay open and sometimes serve cookies and coffee or wine and it is free.

    We also have a theater here, that shows second run movies for a few dollars.

    Hugs,
    Penny

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  4. I too full the pull of the darkness setting in early -- I want to hibernate!!!

    I can't get over how beautiful that rose is, still and it's mid November! We have been blessed with a much warmer autumn in the north that's true...I had roses until a couple of weeks ago. This one of yours is extremely hardy!!

    And look at you -- coming up with great ways to replicate what is so $$$$ at Pottery Barn!! Love what you come up with. The sheet music around candles I can do...but doilies on a burlap lampshade...I want to see what you come up with..I know it will be gorgeous.

    I have no ideas on cheap date nights...we've been together 35 years and don't really "date" anymore but I do like what you and Earl do -- it's all about spending time together and not spending lots of money...anywhere you can talk and share thoughts and ideas is good for me!

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  5. My hubby and I met in marching band in HS and 40 yrs later, we are still enjoying our little $ fun dates. We like to go down to the ferry terminal and watch the people and boats and dine on their great charbroiled burgers. ( www.cmlf.com )

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  6. We still have many roses blooming here in Indiana. Weird, huh? I love it!
    My husband and I have been married for 30 years. We go out for dinner and shopping (looking), and once in a while a movie. But we are like you, homebodies. Our favorite things to do are daytime things - hiking, festivals, etc. Then we come home and settle in on the sofa with books, TV, and crafting. Pretty boring...but happy:)

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  7. My roses did not bloom at all until it got cold! I didn't bloom either while it was hot so I totally understand :)
    A cheap date...walking in the woods and take a thermos of hot chocolate...a blanket...a camera and take pics of each other, and/or go pick whatever fruit is in season and go home and make a dessert together.
    I love your quilt top!

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  8. Your not alone. Daylight savings time makes me want to sit in front of the tv...yuck. And there is no daylight before or after work for taking good pictures. I've been trying to take as many as I can on the weekends and then use them through the week.
    I wish we were as good as you with date nights but I always enjoy anything that includes a walk. We seem to do our best talking then. Have a good week, Patty

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  9. So now I know where the other man is who is not into sports...you have him!!t

    Mr. Secret Agent is not a team guy either and I am so happy about that. I love that I don't loose my husband to the TV every weekend.

    I agree about burlap...never understood the big blogland design appeal. Looks good in photos I guess, but not practical at all.

    Love the rose...my knockout roses will bloom until they are literally frozen still...love them for that.

    We just had a whole 'date day' Sunday and I will be sharing soon. Love the idea of dating your man.

    Enjoy the week Kathy and stay awake!!

    Janet xox
    htp://theemptynest-janety.blogspot.com/

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  10. What a beautiful rose in the middle of November. As for low dollar date nights ~ we go shopping for groceries in our city which is 45 minutes away every week. Well, the groceries can get expensive but we have to have them. The drive up and back is just "the man" and me all alone and it is so cozy. The best time to visit. Sometimes we eat in a fast food place and sometimes nicer but mostly cheaply. We've been married almost 42 years and those date nights are still special. I agree with you, Kathy, they help keep us close. I'm all ears for more ideas. We're homebodies too and not into sports. Our social outings revolve around lots of church related activities. We've talked about starting to play board games together. Maybe making things together with the Cricut.
    These would be things to do at home with a mug of hot cocoa and cheese and crackers.

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  11. It's hard to imagine that the day is only a little half over when it gets dark. I do enjoy the cozy feeling though! Summer sometimes seems to knock the wind out of mt sails and winter is a time to rest and regroup.

    My husband and I stick close to home. We might eat dinner out on a rare Saturday night, But we spend our evenings together in comfortable company and I love that. We celebrate 25 years next month!

    XO,
    Jane

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  12. My hubby of 40 years and I are pretty much homebodies. We do like to take drives in the country in the summer evenings and we like to go out to dinner occasionally. I think it's important to get out of the house once in a while even if it's just for a drive.

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  13. I can completely relate about falling asleep at 6. It was killing me to make it until 8. :o)
    You have a sweet date night. Pizza and a walk together. :o) We too are very much homebodies so our date nights often consist of pizza and hanging out here. :o) We are delighted by the simple things ... him cutting beets for a salad while I grate the cheese. :o) And watch a fun show or movie. :o) So I guess in my case, I am not much help huh? :o)
    I love to window shop! Too much stuff means just that ... too much stuff and I don't want to have to clean it all! ha ha ha! However, I do love to look about. :o)
    I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
    hugs. Trish

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  14. Oh, gosh, girl...this time change is KILLING me. I get so sleepy by 5, that I want to take a nap...then, I am up til 2 a.m. ...then I want to sleep too long in the mornings. Hate it. Gotta get used to it, tho.

    Movies...that is our favorite date. We love movies, the popcorn, the candy, the cokes...too expensive, tho. So most of the time, we watch a good movie at home and have all the treats for a whole lot less money.:))

    O, and come over for a cute little giveaway.:)

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  15. It's so hard to adjust to this time change! By the time we're all used to it...they will change it back. Sheesh!
    Gorgeous rose. Impressive that it's still blooming.

    Love your fun pictures!

    Date ideas? We seem to be having a lot of renovation dates these days.
    Working on this cottage :)

    Have a great week!!

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  16. Okay, I had to laugh out loud when I read you can't stay awake past 9pm. I fight the same thing every day; it's good to know I'm not alone. By the time I work all day, try to get to the gym, have dinner, and do a little more work in the evenings, I'm just tuckered out. On Friday nights, I tend to allow myself to go to sleep at 8:30pm.

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