Let's Talk About Date Night...

....it is necessary. Once a week you should be dating your hubby. I don't care if it's something small, like takeout and a Redbox movie, or something huge, like a Broadway show. All that matters is getting out, having fun, and enjoying each other.

So, that brings me to the most random date me and Danny have ever been on. Saturday we had big plans to go to a wine festival, but the weather just wasn't cooperating. So, I got online and tried to find something to do. The first thing that jumped out to me was ELVIS IMPERSONATOR! But it didn't start until 7, so we had to find something to do in the meantime.

We had a coffee date. Went shopping. Went out to eat. And finally visited a veterans cemetery and a local memorial. I love old cemeteries, so much history. We saw headstones for members of Woodmen of the World, whole families, children, and Confederates (who had flags on their graves, not something we do up north!)

Next stop was the Lejeune Memorial Gardens. It features a Beruit Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and a 9/11 World Trade Center beam. It is an extremely peaceful place. I can't believe that we've been here for four years and this was our first time visiting.

So, of course, now it's time for the Elvis show! Turns out - it was a fundraiser for a local church, that we don't go to, and it was all senior citizens! We were the youngest people by atleast 40. There was maybe 30 people total there. It was so awkward! Johnny Cash opened...his voice was great. Then Elvis came out. He sang sloooow songs, danced awkwardly.....and gave me a scarf.

It was probably the most random date night...but hey, we're making memories!

Destination Dinners: Bangladesh

This is the second journey for our taste buds with Destination Dinners. I love the concept of being able to travel the world...without even having to leave our house! It's a heck of a lot cheaper and we get to "visit" everything that we want to: food, drink and a little bit of culture. Maybe someday or wallets will let us visit these places, but for now...this is perfect!

This month we visited the South Asia country of Bangladesh. Last month after learning about the death of Ravi Shankar, I knew I wanted to make this our next stop. If you have not heard of Ravi, I'm sure you have atleast heard of George Harrison and the Concert for Bangladesh - the 1971 concert that was organized by Ravi and George (who I'm sure are playing their sitars together again!) If you are completly lost right now, watch this quick clip!

Our kit came with all the spices we needed...I just had to pick up a few simple ingredents to complete our chicken garam masala.

 Then we got to cooking! While we were cooking we watched American football (can you blame us, it IS the playoffs) and we drank a few glasses of wine. Not very Bangladesh but it was still perfect! We prepped and cooked the meal together...they were all simple tasks! Except for maybe stirring...Danny managed to cover me in turmeric, which by the way stains like a mother-effer...

Unlike our first "trip," this one cooked a lot faster. But honestly? There were so many spices...and not much flavor. We were left unimpressed and not really interested in Bangladesh.

A few hours later we decided to finish our meal with tea and trivia. We listened to some popular music from Bangladesh...with the occasional Beatles song (it only seemed appropriate!) while sipping on our tea and quizzing each other. I'd say...it was the perfect ending to a Sunday night!

Destination Dinners: Yucatan

I came across this amazing website a few weeks ago called Destination Dinners. The first thing that struck me was the gorgeous website, authentic looking food, and the fantastic idea behind it: traveling for your taste buds without even leaving your house. And then I got an idea...this would be perfect for a date night! How fun would it be to cook with my Hubby and to eat and drink some authentic food!?

It didn't take long to ship to me (it probably took longer for me to decide which one I wanted!)....and I couldn't wait to break it open! The packaging was gorgeous, the bright red "take out" style box, and then when I actually broke into it a huge smile spread across my face! There were so many different spices, some I've never tried or even heard of! This was perfect!

So, I headed out and picked up the fresh ingredients that I needed and got ready for an authentic Yucatan dinner of cochinita pibil. The little booklet that it comes with says that usually an authentic tea is included...but because tea is not part of an authentic Yucatan meal, this particular box came with dessert chilli salt, so I picked up some fresh fruit to serve with that!

Then we got to cooking! Sidenote: this is when I realized that the Yucatan Peninsula is where the Mayans are from...and then I got to thinking about how the world is supposed to end this week. How appropriate...

While we cooked we listen to popular music from the area, of course, sipped on some popular drinks that my kit recommended! There were so many steps to preparing this meal - grinding spices, making a citrus juice mix, making the salsa, and I gave Danny the biggest job of all...breaking down that roast!

After we prepared everything we had to wait. TWO HOURS. It felt forever but it smelled delicious while it was cooking. The colors were gorgeous, the taste was delicious, and the experience was so fun! Me and Danny really had a good time cooking together (even if he does think I gave him the hardest job!)

A few hours later we were hungry again and wanted our dessert! I always see people posting fruit with chili salt on it, which I never understood. I bought papaya, squeezed the lime on it and sprinkled the chili salt on it. I'm not 100% sold on it, but I think it was the papaya that I didn't like. Good thing I bought a mango too...we'll give it a try later this week!

Sun-date

With the new work schedule, our date nights are pretty much out the window. Friday I got home at 8:15....and Hubby was already talking in his sleep on the couch. He was in such a deep sleep he said "your Dad told me you're adopted." So, I spent Friday night talking to my Mom on the phone laughing about that! Saturday I got home at 7, made a delicious steak dinner and headed to a friends going-away party. I was the old lady who was ready for bed at 11...so sue me! (I did last until 1:30 though!)

Sunday's are now full of three things: cleaning, catching up on a weeks worth of conversation, and a date! Yesterday started with a cup of coffee and lounging while Hubby got a haircut, then it moved onto a tag-team cleaning and then it was time for our day-date!

Our first stop was the mall in Wilmington. He waited while I tried on about a million outfits in Forever 21 (and actually bought two!) and I waited while he browsed American Eagle. After we made a few purchases and browsed things we could never afford we moved onto the next part of the date....

Front Street Brewery! We sat, talked, laughed, ate, drank (and Hubby watched football!) It's something we've done a million times, but since we're both working now...we've started to appreciate the time together more. 

As much as I wish my 40 hours of work away, I'm so thankful that Sunday's go by slow and I get to spend them with this guy!

 

Murder Mystery

Once a week me and Hubby have a date night. Usually it's dinner, but every once in a while we luck out and find something different to do. I'm constantly on the MCCS websites looking for good cheap fun. And sometimes...I find something that we are really interested in!

Friday night me and Hubby went to the prom! Well, not quite. It was the 1959 Tarawa Prom....murder mystery style! And it really was 1959 prices....$7 for dinner and a show, and free prom pictures. With those prices, you really can't go wrong!

In true Nicole and Danny style, we arrived early. But it turns out, that's when the show really started. The actors were in the bathrooms singing and getting ready for their prom. It made the whole experience seem so real. When it was time for the show, we went to our seats, got some punch and read the directions on how the show would work. We had to work with our tablemates (who were really nice!) use the clues and figure out what the heck was going on!

The show was fun. I thought for sure my table knew figured out the mystery....but turns out we were wrong! We enjoyed a great meal, made some new friends, and had another awesome date night! 

The Weekend I Saw a UFO

This weekend was great. I was able to relax, have time to myself, and still spend time with the Hubby and friends. Told you it was great!

Friday night me and Danny had our weekly date night. Hubby's on a diet, so I knew he needed to eat something low-cal. I checked out a few menus and saw that Ruby Tuesday has a a Fit and Trim menu. He had the under 400 calorie BBQ chicken, zucchini and summer squash. I chose something from the Fat and Chunky menu (my loving name for it!) - lobster mac and cheese. Holy portion control. It was such a small portion...made me wish I had Danny's delicious looking meal! 

After dinner I swear I saw a UFO. There was a big bright light in the sky - not a plane, not a star. We tried driving towards it, by the time we got there it was gone....and there were atleast five people outside looking up. Creepy! So, of course I took advantage of this situation!

Saturday morning after I sold the fence, Danny and Miley went for a 3 mile jog...and I was able to have some alone time! Then I headed to a cooking class on base with Jennifer, Jordyn (a new bloggy love!) and Megan. It was more of a cooking demonstration with Chef Terry, but it was still a good time. He made orange chicken stir fry with quinoa. We brought home a bunch of yummy recipes that I can't wait to try out!

Later that night me and Danny were headed to the gym - just to find out it closes at 5. Jeez! What a buzz kill. So, instead we drove to our house. The fence is up and the sign out front says "under contract." That sign was so great to see. I can not wait for it to officially be ours!

Sunday morning was freezing. We spent the morning cuddled up watching our favorite show - Mysteries at the Museum. And I was able to have more alone time when Danny and Miley went for another jog! We went to a few flea markets, I was totally willing to spend money...but we couldn't find anything!

While everyone else is enjoying a three day weekend, Hubby has duty which leaves me and Miley having a (long) boring day. I should be doing laundry or even packing...but I think instead it's going to be a lazy movie and junk food day!

Oh wait...someone in this house is on a diet - we only have healthy food. Ordering pizza it is!

What a Fabulous Weekend!

You know what we did this weekend? Nothing. Well, nothing in the sense that we didn't have to pack suitcases, put Miley in the kennel, and drive for hours and hours. That's right....we stayed home.

Saturday night we had date night: dinner and a movie. I honestly can't remember the last time we did something so low-key (And cheap. Keep reading to find out how!) For dinner we headed to Red Robin. Last time we were there they gave us a Red Royalty card. Since it was our first time using it....we got a free appetizer! And I just had to try the Oktoberfest burger. The pretzel bun was so yummy....but I'll be honest, it wasn't as unbelievable as I wanted it to be. And I was stuffed after the nachos, that's all we should have had! Dinner Total: $19.98

We had tons of time to kill before the movie, so we walked around the mall. Because we are huge nerds we just had to get photobooth pictures taken! And I just realized...this was our first time getting these pictures done! Our favorite is the last one! Photo Total: $3.00

Then we finally made it to the movies. And thanks to Kara's giveaway we had free movie tickets! We saw 50/50, which was pretty good. It was serious, and funny, and emotional....the perfect combination in a movie. I recommend it! Movie Tickets: FREE!

Yesterday was a typical Sunday: we took Miley for a walk, went grocery shopping (under budget!) got the Sunday haircut, and watched football (him, not me!) And the one and only time I wanted to splurge this weekend, Hubby thought it was a good idea to play a joke on me.

After dinner Danny had to go on base to pick up our car. I asked him to pick me up a pumpkin coffee on his way back...I even gave him money for it! I figured....I suffered through football all day, I deserve a coffee! Half hour later Hubby comes strolling in...holding a bunch of stuff. But not my coffee! He got all defensive, "you were supposed to text me and remind me." I was like "whatever, I don't want it anymore."

And then he stormed out.

A second later he comes back in holding my super large pumpkin coffee....saying "I would never forget your coffee!" What a cruel joke! Don't mess with a caffeine addict and her coffee!

How was your weekend?

Lunch Date at the Beach!

Me and Danny haven't had a date night in six weeks. I don't know how people with kids do it! We couldn't wait any longer for a date...so after we said "see ya later" to Kaleb, we headed out for a lunch date!

We ended up at the 11th Street Tap House. Even though  it felt like 114 degrees out we decided to sit outside. The hostess looked at us like we were crazy...but hey, the views were gorgeous! I didn't realize the place was right on the beach, and since we have never been there before we wanted to soak it up while we could!

The food menu was tiny...but the drink menu? HUGE! I couldn't choose...and they weren't going to make me! We each ended up getting a beer flight with beers we have never even heard of. The last beer I ordered the waiter kinda gave me a funny look. After drinking it I totally understood. The Aventinus was nasty. According to the website it has chocolate, raisin, candied fruit, figs, toasted nuts, banana, vanilla, and clove notes. It also has amazing reviews, I might be the only person on earth who doesn't like it!

The food was awesome. Danny had the sliders, three different styles. I had the Cobb salad...the best one I have ever had. Tons of cheese and bacon. What more could a girl ask for?

What would a trip to Virginia Beach be without stopping to see a friend? I've now hungout with Mrs. Gambizzle in five states (North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Virginia!) Pretty cool, huh? We had a few drinks with her and her hubby before we left to head back to North Carolina.

Our kid free summer has officially started. We have zero plans set it stone. Our next big plan is Reina and Dave's wedding...and that's not until September. Give us something to do in the meantime!

What a Weekend!

This was my favorite kind of weekend....busy busy busy!

Friday started with a trip to the beach. Miley loves the beach. We did lots of running around and playing in the water. She loves trying to sneak up on the birds...but she could care less about the fish. I can't wait for many more trips to the beach this summer!

Then we had Family Day on base. One word to describe this: boring. Most of the guys are younger and single...making me the only girl. What kind of girl complains about being the only girl in a group of Marines? Me. My other problem with the "mandatory fun" events is the fact that they are directed towards families with kids. If you don't have a kid....you just sit there. Alcohol should be provided that mandatory fun nights!

We didn't hangout very long at Family Night...instead we headed to Jen and Dustin's house for a cookout/game night. We had tons of fun! We played a fun game of Apples to Apples and enjoyed an easy going night. Game night needs to happen more often!

Finally, Friday night ended at a bar. Apparently I don't mind being the only girl at a bar with a bunch of Marines. Alcohol can get me talking....and apparently I'm a lot of fun. I don't remember the car ride home, getting into my pjs, watching a movie in bed...or falling asleep.

Needless to say.....Danny was up with Miley bright and early Saturday morning while I had a hangover. Remember last time I said I was never drinking again? I never learn my lesson. Jeez! I woke up at 8, Danny brought me breakfast in bed, I went back to sleep til 10....and didn't get out of bed until 3. And that was only because I had to!

We headed down to Wilmington with Jen and Dustin for a double date: dinner and comedy! Lots of laughs! The guys drank too much...which is always annoying, but we still had a good time.

Sunday is the day of rest? Not for us! We did grocery shopping, planted a garden (cucumbers, green onions, peas, banana peppers and some pretty flowers,) made a yummy dinner, and took the puppy for a walk. Fabulous Sunday!

Can you believe I did all that and only took a handful of pictures? Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I'm a World Traveler!

Okay, not really...but this weekend I did hangout with people from all over the United States. In one weekend there was Massachusetts, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Arkansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and more places that we never discussed. Back in the day, before I married into the Marine Corps family, I never thought I would spend a weekend with people from all over the country. Call me a nerd, but I think that's pretty cool!

Friday night I gave my house to the guys for a poker night (Miley supervised!) and I headed out for a girls night. First, never under estimate how much pizza a bunch of girls can eat. Second, Apples to Apples is a great way to really get to know someone. Let me just tell you, my friends all have a sick sense of humor...and I love it! And I also I had my one-and-only s'more of the year. It was heavenly!

Saturday morning I did some early morning baking and headed to Katie's bridal shower brunch. If you know me, you know I love brunch, so I was thrilled when her sister said that's what we were going to do! We had delicious chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, yummy cookies, and my special strata. And we drank a lot of coffee. I was so excited to give her my gift, I had a panty bouquet made for her...and a lingerie cupcake. Seriously, the cutest things EVER! I can't wait for her sister to post the pictures..my camera apparently didn't like to take early morning pictures!

After the shower me and Danny made a brief appearance at Oktoberfest. It was a bust. (Rachel, I should have listened to you.....) But that's only because Danny left his ID at home. Um, Oktoberfest with no ID? Not gonna happen! I took a picture to prove we were there, ran home to get his ID...and ended up having a sushi date night. When we got home there was a little concert going on in our neighborhood, we went up for a little bit but Miley didn't really like the crowd (can't blame her...there were some creeps!)

We had a family day today, went for a walk, cleaned the house, did the Sunday-haircut-routine, and watched a movie.Now I'm sipping on a pumpkin spiced latte and ready to enjoy the evening with my little family! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Weekend Fun!

This weekend was so great..and much needed after such a stressful (and rain filled) week!

Danny had duty Friday night. The original plan was "I have an empty house...I'm going to invite the girls over." But then, I was like "We have all been stuck in our houses all week because of this friggin rain...we are going out!" And I was shocked...ten of us went out to eat! TEN! On a weekend, when the guys were home. See why I was shocked? I honestly still can not get over it!

A lot of bloggers went out, some I was meeting for the first time. My awesome friends Katie, Carmen and Breanna were all there. Non-bloggers Natosha, Rachel and Leanna. Then there were some new bloggy-love-faces! Jennifer, Jacque, and Rachel (and Ariana!) I seriously had such a good time! It was sooo good to get everyone together and enjoy a night out with the girls. I think we're going to start making it a monthly thing. LOVE IT!

Me and Natosha spent all day at a LINKS class on Saturday (the guys golfed, of course!) If you have read Married to the Military, it basically covers the entire class. HOWEVER, it's just great hearing someone actually explain things to you, breakdown an LES, and hear questions that you might not have thought of. Of course the budgeting, moving, and volunteer sections were my favorite. I hate hate hate "getting to know you" games...so I could have done without those! I will say, it was extra special because it was just our MAG, so we all had the same issues and questions. We met some COs, FROs, Chaplains, and they all made sure we had a great time!

Saturday night was date night. Much needed. We had an awesome appetizer, stuffed portobello mushroom. Oh.My.Goodness. DELISH! I ordered the lamb chops. I knew it tasted different but I kept thinking "well maybe it's just the marinade." But, I know my meat! I knew it wasn't lamb! They gave me pork. FAIL!

This morning I had brunch with Katie. Did some wedding talk, life talk, and the usual chit-chat. It's so strange, I saw her more when I wasn't living in Jacksonville than I do now! I can't believe she is getting married in 3 months! Speaking of which, I need to pick up my dress from David's Bridal this week.

We still have the full day ahead of us, but it looks like crappy New England weather out there today. And Danny is playing X-Box repair man right now...so I can't even use it to watch movies right now! I'm thinking it's a good day to start a new book!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

Tapas on the Beach

Me and Danny just had the best date night! We packed up the picnic basket with some awesome food and headed to the beach to watch the sunset.

What was in our picnic basket? Olives with feta cheese, pita bread and hummus, crackers with brie and orange marmalade, and some salami. Don't forget the red wine! 

It was quite possibly one of our best, most relaxing 
dates we have ever been on. I love that my husband loves picnics. We probably looked like the biggest nerds..but hey, we had yummy food so I don't care!