5 Fabulous First Dates
1. Coffee. A coffee date is a comfort date at it’s best. It’s not an overpowered surrounding and should offer a level of comfort. Even if you do not drink coffee (I don’t – I’m a chai tea girl) most places have plenty of other options.
2. Nature Walk. Go hiking on a short hiking trail and pick a place to stop and take in a gorgeous setting for a couple minutes.
3. Zoo. Walking through a zoo can help both of you feel comfortable with each other. Plus who doesn’t love animals?
4. Bowling. As cliché as it may be bowling can be a lot of fun and a little bit of rivalry on a first date can always spice things up.
5. Vineyard or Brewery Tour. Vineyards have a romantic appeal with brewery tours will offer more fun.
Season of Change
After such positive feedback I decided Sunday nights would be perfect for a little relationship gab session. We’ll talk about date ideas, how to know if he’s into you, the best date I’ve ever gone on, share some of your stories and get feedback on what you want to see and know. So join me each Sunday evening, beginning tonight! -We can even possibly start having Twitter chats!
Howl-O-Ween: Pup\’kin Spice Biscotti
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup old fashioned oats
2.5 cups flour (see note)*
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Shape the dough into two logs, about two inches wide each.
4. Place on a cookie sheet that has parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat on it.
5. Bake the dough for 20 minutes.
6. Move to a cutting board and slice the dough into biscotti-style biscuits, about ¼ inch thick.
7. Place back in the oven and bake for another 20-30 minutes. If you want these to be crunchier, turn off the heat and leave them in the oven.
8. Cool, before serving.
9. Store in an airtight container for up to three days. In the refrigerator for seven days or in the freezer (this is what I do) for up to six months.
Banana Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
½ cup (one stick) butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup overly ripe bananas smashed
Frosting:
1 package cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla.
3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
4. Stir in bananas.
5. Spread into a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool.
8. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla.
9. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until you achieve the consistency you like.
10. Frost cooled bars and store in the refrigerator.
The Relationship List
Fashion meets Food 