Mark Your Calendar

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving, and we hope you’ll make this attitude your focus all week.  What a blessing it is to live in the country we do and to have a best friend to share it with makes it even better.  However, the One for whom we are the most thankful is Jesus Christ.  Without Him there would be no thanksgiving; He is the One from who all blessings flow!  We, at The Romantic Vineyard, pray your holiday will be filled with abundant blessings as you gather together with family and friends to thank God for all the great things He has done!

CENTRAL

• Winter Park – Winter In The Park is now opened on the west meadow of Central Park.  This is an Ice Skating Rink providing a great value at only $10 per person including skate rentals.

NORTH

• Crane’s Roost Sunset Cinema – Bring your blanket and chairs to enjoy an outdoor movie presentation of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium starting at 7p.  The cost is FREE.

EAST

• Daytona Turkey Run – for those of you who love cars – this will be a weekend you won’t want to miss.  Thursday, November 26th – Sunday, November 29th.  Cost is $15 per day Thursday – Saturday and $10 Sunday.

SOUTH

• Lake Wales, FL – Christmas at Pinewood Home Tour -  Come tour a beautifully decorated Mediterranean Mansion located in Pinewood Estates.   Starting Friday, November 27th it runs through January 3, 2010.  Cost is $8, but requires a $10 admission ticket to Bok Tower Gardens as well.

WEST

• Holiday Harbor Nights at Loew’s Portofino Bay Hotel on Friday, November 27th beginning at 6:30p.  Cost is $35 in advance and $45 the day of the event.

Freebie Friday – Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving fast approaching our Freebie Friday provides an unusual opportunity to share with the world what we’re thankful for this year!  Good Morning America has teamed up with You Tube to allow anyone who desires to send a video to them sharing those things with which you’re most thankful.

What a great chance to honor the Lord and your spouse on a national stage!  Who knows…maybe they’ll choose your video to air on Thanksgiving morning!  Simply listen to the following video for more information:

Where You Lead

We recently heard of a husband who was offered a job in a foreign country.   When he called his wife to tell her of the opportunity he was certain she would say no, and he told her that he would do only that which she had faith for.   Upon hearing the news she did exactly what he expected – said no.  However, as soon as she hung up the phone she had a change of heart;  She called him back to say she realized what an adventure this could be, and how fun to be able to share it together!

After I heard this story I was inspired by two things:  First, the husband’s tender care for his wife and willingness to lead her gently, and second, the wife’s wholehearted commitment to follow her husband wherever he felt the Lord leading them.  And not only follow, but joyfully run with him – encouraging him along the way.

What a perfect illustration of how Christ leads us, and how He desires us to follow.  I have been personally challenged by how well I joyfully follow my husband’s lead.   May we all grow in our wholehearted willingness  to follow Christ wherever He may take us!  It’s sure to be an adventure we’ll talk about with others – and who knows?  Maybe they’ll want to follow too!

 

The Letter “W”

“W” Activities

• Wash your spouse’s feet, and follow up with a great massage.
• Water Park – visit a local water park.
• Walk – go for a leisurely walk in your favorite place.
• Wakeboarding – if this is your thing
• Where’s Waldo – spend an evening at a local bookstore looking through one of the Waldo books.   Or plan your own version hiding “Waldo” in the mall for your spouse to find using clues.
• Warm Date – plan a warm date with all things that make you warm: blankets, hot beverages, cozy slippers, whoopee!
• Wash your spouse’s hair.
• Water Skiing
• Wax Museum – this is an unusual, but fun date.  Be sure to take lots of pictures!
• Wave Runner – if you have access to one or rent one to share.  It’s like a motorcycle on the water.
• Watch your Wedding video.
• Watch a scary Werewolf movie.
• Whale Watching – if they are nearby or you can always visit Sea World!
• Walk in a Winter Wonderland!  In Orlando there’s always the Gaylord Palm’s ICE from the last week in November to the first week in January.
• Wrestling match – this can be real fun, but be careful!  If you’re not brave, try arm wrestling.  Be sure to plan a great prize for the Winner.

“W” Food

• Wales – Enjoy an evening celebrating this beautiful country.
• Waldorf Salad – Enjoy this refreshing salad made famous at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
• Wine and Wisconsin Cheese board.
• Washington State – this is a great place to visit via DVD.
• Or you may want to visit all the W states (Washington, Wyoming, West Virginia, or Wisconsin) by enjoying recipes from the official state site.
• Watermelon

“W” Special Touches

• Welcome your spouse home after a long day surprising them with your “W” date
• Wow!  Think of Ways to make your spouse say, “Wow!” 
• Wanted Poster – make a poster proclaiming your spouse as wanted!  When they come home arrest them and cash in on the “reward”.
• Wrapped gift – give your spouse a special gift they aren’t expecting.  Use this to announce your “W” date.
• Wonderful Wife – tell her Why you believe she’s Wonderful.
• Send your spouse four (4) unexpected notes about your date telling them: Who, What, When, Where
• Whim – definition of a whim: a sudden fancy.
• Whisper in your spouse’s ear all the Ways your think they’re Wonderful.
• Wicked – a great Broadway production.
• Write a special note expressing your love.

Never Be Out Of Season

Seasons come and seasons go. Some seasons seem busier and more hectic than others. Life can come at you fast.

Husbands, how can we help to care for our wife during the busy seasons of her life? Here are a few ideas that will help to calm the day and bring rest:

• Draw her a bath, light candles and fix her favorite drink.

• Have her sit by you and give her a foot massage using her favorite lotion.  As you are rubbing her feet, care for her with words of encouragement and appreciation.

• Go for a walk and talk about her dreams and hopes

• Pray with her, this is one of the greatest ways you can care for her.

Caring for our wife will never be out of season!

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”  – Ephesians 5:25

Mark Your Calendar

CENTRAL

• Winter Park – The Annie Russell Theatre presents the live production of Cabaret.  Showtimes are from Wednesday, November 18 – Saturday, November 21st.  Tickets are $19.

• Ivanhoe Row – Jingle Eve – On Friday, November 20th from 6p – 10p.  Ivanhoe Village will host a holiday Open House in the beautiful and historic section of downtown.  There will be live entertainment and free refreshments.
• Orlando Museum of Art – Festival of Trees continues this week ending on Friday, November 20th with their Jazz Stroll.

NORTH

• Casselberry – Ballroom Dancing – Every Tuesday night the Casselberry Recreation Center offers lessons for the beginner or intermediate dancer.  Times are from 7p – 8p.  Cost is $7 per person.

• Altamonte Springs – Friday, November 20th. Uptown Altamonte’s Friday Night Live presents the live performance of Minister Theory.  Show is from 7p – 9p. Free.

• Mt. Dora – Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza – Friday, November 20th from 10a – 5p;  Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd from 8a – 5p. Cost: Friday – $10; Saturday – $6;  and Sunday – $4.

EAST

• Avalon Park – Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd is Avalon Jubilee Fall Carnival.
• Daytona Beach – Halifax Uncorked.  Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd.
• Titusville – Shuttle Launch – Monday, November 16th at 2:30p

SOUTH

• Kissimmee Old Town – Sunday, November 22nd is Latin Sunday.  Enjoy live music and authentic Spanish Food. 2p – 6p. Free.
• Lake Wales – Star Gaze – On Thursday, November 19th come to Bok Tower Gardens where they will have several telescopes set up in the field along with instructions on viewing the night sky.  5:30p – 8p.  Cost is $5.

WEST

• Winter Garden – Art Festival on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd.  The cost is Free.
• Winter Garden – Garden Theater presents Crimes of the Heart. A live theatrical production.  See link for details and prices.

Freebie Friday – Movies or Museum

• Did you know that Netflix is offering a free two week membership?  Simply follow the link and sign up.  If you like their service you can continue for only $8.99 a month, about the price of one movie ticket.  If not, just cancel before your two weeks expire.  This is the time of year when it’s fun to snuggle up on the couch with the candles lit and some popcorn for a great date night at home watching movies.

• Morse Museum of American Art in downtown Winter Park is offering Free Friday Evenings at the Museum now through Christmas.  They have an extensive collection of Louis Tiffany’s glass art.  And they also feature live music:

• November 13: Joshua Englert (classical guitar)
• November 27: Harpist Bizarre Quartet (bass, flute, guitar, and harp)
• December 4: Beautiful Music Holiday Flute Trio
• December 11: Beautiful Music Chamber Quartet (cello, flute, viola, and violin)
• December 18: Raintree Chamber Players (cello, flute, and viola)

 

 

Congratulations to…

Kara Sherman who is our winner for this month’s giveaway.  What did she win?  A set of battery operated pillar candles!  We have these in our home, and we love them!!  They look just like real candles without the smoke or mess.

We hope you enjoy lighting (turning on) these romantic candles in your home.  Enjoy!!!

 

 

It’s Our One Year Anniversary!

Our blog began on November 12, 2008!

Debi and I want to personally thank you for this past year – our blog has grown from a mere idea to a full blown daily blog with 65 members and 170 Facebook friends.  It has been quite the journey for us, and we pray your marriage is reaping the benefits. Thank you for the encouragement you’ve given to us and the feedback that spurs us to continue posting.  We carry each of you in our hearts praying God will strengthen our marriages and allow our love to grow deeper for His glory!

So, let the celebration begin – at 11:12a EST today we will be drawing the name of our first monthly prize winner.  (We had originally announced we would do this on the 24th of the month, but since our blog’s anniversary is the 12th we decided to do it today!)  The name will be drawn randomly from our blog’s followers either here or on Facebook.  You have time to join before 11:12a. if you haven’t already.  Check back after noon, and we’ll post the name of the winner!

Oh, you might want to know what the prize is…sorry, we’re not telling!  BUT we’ll give you a hint:

It’s romantic!

In the meantime, enjoy this video as our way of saying thanks:

The Letter “V”

After today we only have four letters left in our Alphabet Date Night series.  It has been a surprisingly fun journey, and one we’ll glean from for years to come.  Now we have to decide what to replace this series with, and we want to hear from you!

We’re thinking of these three ideas:  Passport Dates – exploring the world one date at a time, Colorful Dates – exploring the beauty of colors, or Our Personal Favorites.  Have another idea other than these? We want to hear from you.  Simply click the “comment” button located at the top of this post, and vote for one of these three or add your own idea.  We’ll make our decision in the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for your help!

Now onto this week’s letter:

“V” Activities

• Vacation – plan a surprise vacation getaway – or plan a mini “stay at home” vacation by watching home DVD’s of a place you’d love to Visit some day and dine on their cuisine.  For instance…Vienna, Austria would be a fun country to Visit Via teleVision!    Others to consider: Victoria Falls,
• Volleyball – play some one-on-one beach volleyball
• Valentine – celebrate this romantic holiday anytime of the year as an unexpected treat!
• Victory – watch a favorite sports game and celebrate when your team wins!
• View old photographs recounting the many joys you’ve shared.
• Video – make your own video of a date night location you both enjoy.  Want to share it?  Send it to us and maybe we’ll post it on our blog! 
• Renew your vows to each other privately or somewhere with a beautiful View.  Spend some time writing what you want to say and enjoy the intimacy this creates.

“V” Food

• Vietnamese Dinner
• Veal – this is a favorite specialty entree of mine for I had Veal Oscar on our first date!
• Vienna Sausages – just kidding!  Those aren’t romantic at ALL!
• Vegetarian – Veggie pizzas are the best.
• Napa Valley Vineyards – plan an evening celebrating this beautiful part of the country.
• Make pancakes or waffles with Vermont Maple syrup as a way to introduce your “V” date night
• Penne ala Vodka – Rachel Ray makes this dish and says it’ll win the heart of any man or woman, depending on who’s cooking!
• Vanilla Ice Cream – spend an evening eating or sharing a cone or sundae.

“V” Special Touches

• Flowers – Violets
• Violin music
• Voila – Pronounced “wah-lah”.  It’s French for “there it is”.  Have fun with this word all evening long.
• Value – make a list together or separately of all the things you value as a couple or about your spouse.  These can be material or not.
• Verse – write several verses expressing your love to your spouse as a way to introduce the night.