Things to do with your husband (that don't include watching T.V.)

I recently saw a blog post of "101 Things To Do With Your Husband" and thought it looked interesting.  So I browsed through it and really liked what I saw.  Of course, some of the activities listed were particular to couples with children or to couples who lived close to the beach.

In an effort to satisfy my own imagination, I tweaked the list I found online to pertain to myself and my husband (and perhaps younger couples in the Midwest without kids...yet)

And, here they are...


Ride bikes together around the block or around town
Cook together...as long as you can let the other do their part without being critical (I'm terrible at that)Go to the gym together – there is something comforting about looking across the gym and seeing him smile at mePlay backyard games together; ladder ball, corn hole toss, even croquet!Fold clothes together - yes it seems lame, but it makes it go by quicker with someone else and it's a good excuse to sit and chatGo see a play at a local theatreRearrange furniture - just to give your rooms a little something differentGo shopping and pick one thing out for each otherScrabbleGo to a winery and do a wine tasting
Long walk around the blockPicnic in the park or up in the hillsPlay Wii Sports or Mario Kart togetherPlay raquetballPut together a puzzleRead a book togetherSit outside and watch the sunsetTake a cooking class together
Head to a coffee shop and chill outDay trip to a special location nearby - for us it is in Spearfish CanyonFind a band you both like and see if they’re playing anytime soon or nearby. If not, head to a local bar that has live music.Take dance lessonsGo to a baseball game together (whether is is Major league or your local pee-wees)Check out a local breweryGo bowling
Go house huntingGo fishing togetherRent a canoe and go to the lakeRoller blade together - with protective gear if neither of you know what you're doingCreate a vegetable gardenBook a couples massageRun a 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, or marathon together - I'd personally prefer walking, but we could motivate each otherVolunteer together somewhere specialMini golfingHave him teach you how to play a sport that you don't play - for me it's golf.  He loves it and I've never set foot on a golf course.Play basketball together - just for fun and perhaps not for points :)Go on a hike
Play MonopolyRecreate your very first dateTurn on some music and dance
Head to a flea marketSit by the fireGo campingLearn to play an instrument togetherPlay frisbeeRedo your bedroom together – new sheets, new arrangement of furniture, hang photos, etcWhen it’s raining, run outside and kiss in the rain!Free movies in the parkWalk around the mall hand in handHave a fondue nightKayakingMake chocolate chip cookies from scratch togetherHead to the batting cagesGo-cart racing!Head out on a boat ride (you may need to find a friend who owns a boat for this one as I don't recommend purchasing a boat for this activity)Head to a car dealer and test drive cars you have had your eye onStrawberry/Blueberry/Apple picking – depending on the seasonMovie night outside on an old school projectorSit and watch your wedding video togetherMake a family treeSpend the night at a local B&BHead to a local museumFitness class togetherMake your own sundaesGo ice skatingFind a place where you can do a dinner boat or a dinner train!Make your own sushiLay in your backyard and look up at the starsGo horseback ridingFind a local art exhibitIf you have a hot tub, jump in!Head to an amusement parkGo zip-lining!Make a fort out of furniture cushions and blankets...you know you still love doing that
Bake a cake...or cookies, or brownies...anything!Dress up all fancy and head out to dinner, it doesn’t matter if it’s just for the fun of itCreate a vision board of goals and dreams you both have for your lives aheadClean out and organize the garage, your basement or your atticListen to a podcast together and talk about it - we love Red Rocks Church sermons
Make breakfast and eat it in bedPlant a treeCreate a special space outdoors for the summerGo to a planetariumWatch a fireworks displayCreate a scavenger hunt for each other of clues that only the 2 of you would know and understandVisit a local animal shelter if you’re looking to adopt a new pet or just want to pet and playTake a karate classGo whitewater raftingHead to a water park



Hope that helps at least a little with those mundane moments.  I know we have followed a few of these ideas but I hope to attempt all of them at least once in our lifetime!

BBQ Chicken Rolls

My first food blog post!  Are you ready?  I found this recipe on Pinterest and thought I would give it a go.  But instead of just trying to recreate the dish, I thought I would document my efforts and create my own picture book of deliciousness.  So here goes everything!

BBQ Chicken Rolls

1 pkg. egg roll wrappers (found in produce section next to hummus or tofu)

1 lb. cooked, shredded chicken

bag of broccoli slaw or coleslaw mix

1 bag shredded cheddar cheese

1 bottle BBQ sauce

Cooking oil spray

 The easiest way to cook the chicken is to throw it in the crock pot in the morning, fill the pot with just enough water to cover the chicken, and cook on low for at least 4 hours.  At the end of the day, you can take the chicken out and it will fall apart when you shred it.  Use two forks and pull apart to shred.

 After the chicken is shredded, place it in a bowl with just enough BBQ sauce to cover it.  You don't want it sopping with sauce, but you want enough to keep it moist.  Mix the two together.

Place the egg roll wrappers on a flat, clean surface.  Take a small handful of slaw mix and place in one corner of each wrapper.

 Then, simply layer the rest of the ingredients in this order: slaw, BBQ chicken, shredded cheese.  You don't want the ingredients piled too high.  The wrapper will rip if it is too full.

 Next, you roll!  Take the corner closest to the ingredients and fold on the center.  Then fold the two sides in until the corners touch in the center.  Next, roll over once so that you are forming what looks like an envelope.  With the top flap that is still exposed, brush a small amount of water on the tip and then fold toward you to "seal the envelope."  The water will help the wrapper stick to itself.  The following pictures show the steps.

 Next, place the sealed rolls into a baking rack that has been sprayed with cooking oil.  (I used a cookie drying rack on top of a baking sheet.)  

After the rolls have been lined along the baking rack, spray them with cooking oil.  This will allow them to brown and crisp up nicely.

Then place them in the oven at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the rolls start to brown up.

 And then, enjoy!!!  You can serve them with ranch, blue cheese, or even more BBQ sauce.  They are so easy to make and very yummy.  They may excellent leftovers as well.