Top 10 At Home Date Ideas

Here are some creative ideas for date nights at home. Enjoy!

1. UNO tournament
        This simple game has brought much laughter to our home this summer. What started out as a small tournament to see who could get the best of 5 games has turned into a competitive duel. My husband is beating me 26 games to 10! And oh, how we doesn't let me forget. 
Note: We have changed the rules a little to best fit 2 people. Start with 10 cards and only draw 1 card when you can't play. Also, if the dealer can deal a perfect 10 to each plays in the beginning of the game, the opponent gets 10 extra points. The first player to reach 100 points or above loses the game.

2. Nerf Gun fight
     Buy two simple Nerf guns from your nearest drug store and have fun chasing each other around the house screaming and laughing like children. The first player to hit their spouse 3 times wins the game. 

3. Snuggle and watch a movie
     Make a batch of homemade popcorn and enjoy a good movie together all while snuggling.

4. Ice cream sundae date on patio
     Make sundaes at home with all your favorite toppings. As the sun sets and the stars come out, enjoy your ice cream and each others presence outside for a while.

5. Go camping in your yard
     Who says you have to spend $20.00 a night to have a nice campsite? Pitch up a tent in your backyard and enjoy a mini vacation. 

6. Romantic dinner at home
    Wives, surprise your husband with his favorite home cooked meal complete with white Christmas lights     streaming overhead. Wear one of your favorite dresses and tell him to dress up too! After dinner, slow dance to the song you danced to at your wedding.

7. Look at old photo albums
     Pull out old albums from when you first started dating and reminiscence over all the special memories.

8. Go on a long walk
    If your neighborhood isn't the best place for a walk, go to a nearby park to enjoy a long walk. Listen to your spouse as he or she talks and ask a lot of questions. Or just enjoy each other's presence with no talking. Don't forget to hold hands.

9. Play music together
     Pull out the old guitar, spend time at the piano, clap your hands to the drums. If one of you plays an instrument, teach your spouse! 

10. Plan your next big vacation
     When is your next vacation time? What is the budget? Where do we want to go? How do we want to save? Look at pictures and set both of your hearts on a destination you want to visit with a date in mind. 

I hope these ideas have reminded you how important it is to be silly, create memories, and spend quality time with your spouse keeping all your heart's attention on them.

Linked to Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings

Top 10 Favorites of Summer

What comes to your mind and heart when you think of summer? Here is  list of ten of my favorite things about this hot yet delightful season:

1. Reflecting: As a teacher with 2 months summer vacation, I enjoy the time to reflect. My heart reflects on my students, my walk with Christ, family, summer projects, and praises to my Savior for carrying me through the year.

2. Long Quiet Times: Not having to set a time limit on my quiet time is a treat for summer. Digging into His word for a long as my soul delights fills my heart in a new way, re-energizing me for the seasons to come.

3. Sharing each day with my hubby: Justin is also a teacher and how lucky we are to have summer break together! It is a joy to share each day with him.

4. Melted Ice Cream: You may be thinking, "What, melted ice cream?" I think ice cream is the best when it is just a little melted. On a hot summer evening, a bowl of ice cream brings much happiness to my heart and tummy.

5. Sleeping Late: During the school year, our alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. During summer, we seldomly need to set our alarm. It's fun to sleep as late as you want, waking up to the sun actually shining instead of when its still sleeping too!

6. Reading: Oh my, do I love to read. Here is my reading list for the summer:

Through a Dog's Eyes: Understanding our Dogs by Understanding How they See the World by Jennifer Arnold

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

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The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the movie by Kim Carpenter

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Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker

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7. Vacations: Camping and the Beach. What an amazing state of NC we live in to be able to drive to both!

8. Long Walks: Sadie, our dog, loves to walk. In the mornings or evenings we enjoy long walks and have time to enjoy the songs of the birds and the shapes of clouds in the sky.

9. Music: My husband has a wonderful talent of music. This summer he has taught himself how to play the banjo and has introduced me to Old Time Music. He can also play the guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and dulcimer. I love having time to enjoy his music and sing along at times.

10. Being able to ask myself, "What do I want to do now?" I am thankful for the free time summer brings. During the school year, sometimes I feel as if I can't catch my breath with business. I am thankful for the rest of summer.

I hope you are able to bask in the sun and enjoy this season as well.

Ecclesiastes 3:21 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

Shared with Top Ten Tuesdays at Many Little Blessings