
If you play your cards right you should have more things planned than you have time for, and more imaginative alternatives to ignite enthusiasm for the un-weekend days.
1. Sundays-organize a progressive dinner. These are dinners where you and a few friends put a menu together and each household involved picks one part of the menu to host at their home. You then travel to another home for the next course and then another until your final destination-desserts and/or cordials complete the evening. I have participated in several where they were destination progressive dinners including a treasure hunt on Block Island I will never forget. If feeling really adventurous make a weekend out of it where one group prepares breakfast, another lunch, dinner and activities at the last home, preferably starting the last meal of the day no later than 6pm which is perfect with the longer days.
2. Monday-Forgo the email and text messaging and send a real, paper card. Your friends will be shocked and elated. Let them know how much they mean to you and include a time/date to meet for coffee or to catch up if you don't see one another often.
3. Tuesday-Taking the same way to and from work can become boring. Alter the path. Stop at the local mom and pop store for a real homemade muffin for breakfast or pit stop the new BBQ joint wafting through the car at 4:45 at the corner of so-and-so as you trail home.
4. Wednesday-After school activities expand time outside the home, eating up precious dinner preparation. Get together with other family and pick a potluck, crockpot, casserole, to be shared. Families sharing the pick-up duties throw their name into a hat, pot, that person gets the night off from cooking. Make it easy-the winner's kid(s) gets dropped off last along with the ready to serve meal. If you're feeling extra generous, add dessert.
5. Thursdays-Favorite happy hour day it seems. Since most restaurants offer a reduced menu for those hours, send out a quick Evite or text letting your crew know that the snacks are on you for the first hour and chip in for a picture of something fruity and delish.
6. Friday-Candles, candles, and more candles. Save on electricity by lighting some scented and unscented candles around the house for the evening. Open a few windows weather permitting, allowing fresh air to swirl the fresh scents of your oasis. Opt not to turn on the coils or gas. Order antipasto, make a salad, something fresh that mingles well with the ambiance you have created instead of the food smells associated with running a hot stovetop.
7. Saturday-Smile-appreciate the fresh horizon, put your feet up, add smooth jazz, mix well with a late breakfast. Enough said.
Until next time~