Open-Faced Chicken Sandwich
I made myself a BBQ chicken sandwich on a whole wheat sandwich thin with baby greens and gobs of mustard.
The Old Standby
For some added veggies, I also enjoyed a side of broccoli slaw with Italian dressing.
Broccoli Slaw
Friday Spread
Minimal effort was required to assemble this lunch, but it was still super satisfying and delicious.
My kinda meal! 😀
Date Night
As long-time PBF followers already know, Ryan and I take turns planning date nights for each other every other month. This is something we’ve been doing for years and is something we both look forward to every single time.
All Dressed Up
It’s fun to be the “date planner” and brainstorm creative date ideas you think the other person will enjoy and it’s obviously fun to be the one wined, dined and entertained!
Smile!
Our date nights don’t have any restrictions, limitations, budgets or minimums. A date night can be a simple picnic at a park or a fancy-schmancy four-course dinner.
Past date nights have included:
- Pottery painting
- Indoor skydiving
- Winter Park Boat Tour & Dinner at Luma
- Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art
- Dinner at the Capital Grille
- Straight No Chaser Concert
- Dinner at Season’s 52 (I know, I’m obsessed…)
- The Best One (Ryan’s scavenger hunt that ended in a proposal)
Cheeseballs
When blog reader Lindsey e-mailed me asking how I come up with date ideas, I started to think about the steps I take when planning a fun date night. When it’s my turn to plan a date, I typically do a number of things:
- Think about local restaurants we’re dying to try
- Hop on Ticketmaster.com to see if any comedians or good concerts are coming to the area
- Check out Groupon.com for local deals and promotions
- Talk to friends and coworkers about fun things they’ve done recently
- Look at the city of Orlando’s calendar of events for fun festivals
As you may have guessed, tonight is DATE NIGHT!
It was my turn to plan a date this month and I’m excited for the activity we have planned.
It’s gonna be a fun (& yummy!) one! 😀
Question of the Afternoon
What is your ideal date?
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Okay I actually think I want to start this with my husband! It sounds like such a fun idea!
you really should! we both really look forward to it! i actually LOVE being the date planner. 🙂
I love the idea of date night and doing something a little bit extra special. Just the thought that the other person had to go through a little effort to plan things makes it special. Do you always keep your dates as a surprise? I’m sure that helps build up the anticipation!
it depends… if the date doesn’t require a big commitment, then it’ll usually be a surprise. but, i have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, so ryan almost always knows what date i have planned… 😉
i love the date night idea. i think i need to implement that w/my bf. i love going to dinners or doing things that are new…
and i LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress in your “all dressed up” pic. it’s stunning!
thanks so much! it is actually my mom’s dress. she wore it, then my sister wore it & then i wore it. it’s quite the little hussie of a dress.
Aw, this is a cute idea. My ideal date is dinner and a movie. Nothing fancy.
Lunch looked yummy 🙂
My ideal date would be a long bike ride together, a picnik at the college (beautiful campus right by our house), and then a movie in bed snuggling 🙂
I really have to start doing this with my boyfriend, I think it would really be fun.
My ideal date…hm.
A picnic in some beautiful place, that sounds really nice 🙂
My favorite outings with my husband are:
1) Visiting animal shelters to walk the dogs and hold the baby kitties 🙂
2) Checking out live bands at local bars – especially dive bars, so fun!
3) Dining on any sort of patio. (Well, in the summer at least. We’re not hardcore enough for the Midwest winters.)
4) Finding a great place to people watch, and then trying to make up life stories to match the people we’re watching. Creepy? I dunno, but hilarious.
This is so cute! I think my boyfriend and I may do something similar to this. What a great way to try new things together, or even just knowing that one night a month is just for you two. 🙂
My favorite date night would be going to a local bar/restaurant and sitting outside with a couple cocktails and appetizers, listening to live music, perhaps seeing a movie later, or just spending the evening listening to the music.
Cute…Our greatest dates r out to eat at a resturant which has a gorgous view overlooking a lake or ocean..then a foot n back massage for my better half..then a long walk in the dark holding hands……how often do u have the special date nite?? everyweek?
that’s so cute 🙂 i am a sucker for dinner and a movie – it’s still just so romantic to talk over amazing food and snuggle at an amazing movie!
awww, how fun! my husband & i have date nights too. in the past i’ve really enjoyed going on walks and out to new restaurants! we have a restaurant.com certificate we’re using in a few weeks. i can’t wait!
My husband and I are really active so our dates usually include golf, snowboarding, biking or a nice long walk. Don’t get me wrong though… we both very much enjoy a good retaurant every now and again 🙂
Ooh have fun tonight! My ideal date night is going to a new restaurant we both wanted to try, drinking some wine, and having some great conversation. After all this time, I still love getting to know my husband. There is always more to learn, that is why date nights are important!
What kind of lettuce is on your sandwich? Looks like its growing out of the bun. 🙂
I love that you both plan dates. How fun!
My ideal date would be either something unique and cultural, like going to a special exhibit or gallery show or concert, or something outdoorsy like hiking or biking. But either way it would also involve a tasty meal or treat 🙂
You and Ryan are so creative! I love his “proposal” date night (yes, I had to go back through your blog and read about it). Have fun tonight, and can’t wait to hear the details.
Yum…that bbq chicken sandwich made my mouth “water” I know what I am having for lunch tomorrow.
I love this date night idea. My boyfriend and I try to have at least one date night a week, but doing a big date on a monthly basis would be a lot fun. I may have to steal it! 🙂
That is such a wonderful idea! I hope you have fun! =)
How fun! My boyfriend and I usually find free events to attend, so date planning is kind of mutual unless it is a special occasion.
Oh I am excited to see what you’ve come up with! My boyfriend and I really need to start doing this!
Sushi and a movie…simple yet amazing
Have fun and I can not wait to see what you guys did!
I am OBSESSED with this idea and am mentioning it to my Manfriend as soon as he gets home!
Have a great weekend! XOX
Laur
Have fun! I love doing something new on date night/day- this weekend I’m going to a grape festival that should be fun!
That sounds like such a good idea! I think my fiance and I might have to try monthly date nights. It’s a nice change and gives something nice to look forward to!
That date night idea is so cute!!! 🙂
I love your hair curled! It looks gorgeous!!!!!! How do you do it and get the curls to stay?!
We use to do date night every once in a while but we`ve been so busy since our wedding, it felt to the way side. I`m bringing it back though. Thanks for reminding me and giving me great ideas.
anything fun planned for the weekend
An ideal date for my husband and I is anytime we can be together. He’s gone for work about 60 hours a week and so I am just so excited to see him. One of favorite dates from the past was a nice dinner out after playing miniature golf at an arcade.
um… does he have a brother? thoughtful and cute??? HELLO!