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Friday, May 16, 2014

Date night al fresco...at home

When the weather warms, the living gets a bit easier. There is no equivalent for a lovely night outside, under the stars with someone you love. If you want an easy, no-cook dinner, here's 5 things to gather for your party. 

1. Start with a cocktail or a cocktail. 
In the morning, before work, prepare a pitcher of my famous sangria. It is not too sweet and it is a crowd-pleaser, even with a romantic crowd of two. 







2. Build a charcuterie plate. 
Use a big wooden cutting board and assemble your favorite creamy cheeses and savory meats for the beginnings of a charcuterie board that you can make your own. Here's what we put on ours:



  • Manchego cheese from Spain
  • Local smoked gouda or aged Vermont cheddar
  • A creamy goat cheese infused with honey or fig, or coated with blueberries or cranberries and cinnamon.
  • Prosciutto
  • Jamon Serrano, if we can find it, or Spanish Chorizo 
  • French baguette
  • Gherkins for a sweet bite or dill or half-sour pickles
  • Assorted dried fruits, like figs, dates, or apricots. 
  • A sprinkling of nuts, or olives.
  • Add whatever you like...make it yours. 
And if charcuterie's not your thing, bring home a pizza and share it on a blanket under the stars with a bottle of wine or your beverage of choice.

3. Mood music. 
Our go-to Pandora station is Diana Krall, but consider a station featuring Sade, or Chris Botti or Miles Davis...or a station that's relevant to you and your love. Bluetooth wireless speakers make it so easy to stream music these days. Have a favorite playlist ready to go? Enjoy!


4. Candles/tiki torches/fire bowl
Here in Massachusetts, may flies take pride in their name. They arrive en masse and at times, overstay their welcome...perhaps waiting for their cousins, the mosquitoes. Regardless of these unwelcome visitors, stay safe and create a romantic barrier of light with candles, tiki torches or a fire bowl so the only nibbles you get come from your love. 



5. Dessert
If you have a fire pit, s'mores seem like the go-to dessert. But with a couple of minutes in the microwave tempering chocolate, you can have chocolate-covered strawberries, or cherries, or whatever is in season. 


Or, if you're not a chocolate person, try this with strawberries...dip them in sour cream and then in brown sugar. I know it sounds crazy, but it's divine 

And of course, if you're lucky enough to live to a farm close by, ice cream stands are a hot bed of romance. After all, it was here that I met my own husband. 

Two spoons, one ice cream...now, that's romantic. 

Or better yet, one spoon...you get the idea.

So we're here. Por fin!  We have waited a loooonnnggg time for this weather. Enjoy it. Soak up every last second and savor these nights you wish would last forever. 

It's spring time, and the living's easy. Or, if the not the living...at least the loving. Enjoy!

Besos...


Inspire me...what's your perfect outdoor date night?




23 comments:

  1. I love these ideas add in a drive in movie and the night is complete!

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    1. Great point! :-) Drive-ins seem to be a dying industry these days. I'm happy to see the Mendon drive in is back in service.

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  2. Date night tonight! Did you mean cocktails or mocktails? I've a secret love affair with the mohito mocktails from Crystal Light... those were our 'vacation mode' drink for the last few years. The charcuterie board and mood music is a great touch, since we tend to do ice cream (sweet) more often than the savory date night.

    Cute story about meeting your husband. I was always told when working at an ice cream shop that I would meet my husband there, since the last 3 girls got married that way. They were wrong needless to say :)

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    1. I have never had the Crystal Light cocktails. Thanks so much for the suggestion. :-) I like the charcuterie because you can assemble your favorites and nibble at will. And, because you're trying small amounts of things, you can experiment with more luxury items. :-)

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  3. Yum! I think I'll do a little al fresco dining tonight. Thanks for the great idea! :)

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! I hope your al fresco dining went well. :-)

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  4. Great ideas! I love outdoor dining when the weather warms up. :)

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    1. It's hit or miss here too, Jessica. Warmer temperatures will arrive someday soon...I hope. :-) Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Love these ideas! Will be useful when hubby comes home from playing army all summer! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks, Amy! It must be so hard having him away. Thank you for your service. Your sacrifices are appreciated by so many. Prayers and blessings to you both.

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    1. Thank you, Jessica. And thank you for stopping by. :-)

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  7. Love these the ideas for nice Spring easy living... thank you for sharing....

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    1. Spring and summer are the best. I love living outside. It brightens my mood, for sure. :-) Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  8. I'll have to try the strawberries and sour cream trick!

    Charcuterie plate is one of my favorites. It feels so rustic yet elegant.

    Great ideas. I hope you guys enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Let me know what you think about the strawberries. I love them. I like the charcuterie because you can assemble your favorites and nibble at will. And, because you're trying small amounts of things, you can experiment with more luxury items. :-) Hope you're having a great weekend!

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  9. Still a little chilly here to do date night al fresco... but soon.

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    1. It's hit or miss here too, Marlys. Warmer temperatures will arrive someday soon...I hope. :-) Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. oh wow awesome post! We love going to Rita's for some ice cream custard heaven!!! love how the simple things in life are the best!
    Carolann XO

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    1. Thanks, Carolann. We have Rita's here too, but I have never been. They were popular in Florida, where I used to live. Simple things are the best. And simple can happen every day. Love it! Thank so much for visiting. :-)

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  11. Wonderful ideas Kelly. After all of the craziness of the end of the school year, I look forward to reconnecting with my husband. We love to try new foods so this idea is perfect for us. We also love to go to the drive-in and take trail walks. There is something cozy about being under cover of all those trees. We got married in a "castle" at our favorite park.

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    1. What a romantic story. We have a place close by that they call a cathedral in the woods. It is so pretty...especially in the fall. I am looking forward to school's end. While my husband and I don't share the same schedule, I find that my extra time allows us to reconnect on a different level. Date night, regardless of the venue, is a win-win. Thanks so much for sharing your story and for your visit. :-)

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  12. Thank you so much for the opportunity to link up. :-)

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