I love being able to relax at home on a Friday evening with my husband.  While others plan and look forward to date nights out (and those aren’t a bad thing either!), I relish a sweet night at home with my love.  We are usually both tired, and ready to chill.  I like to put on some comfy clothes and prepare a nice meal, and enjoy eating together, and some light entertainment.  Sometimes, we watch a DVD.  Sometimes, we play Scrabble (Scrabble may have to be its own Friday Favorite).

What’s special about Friday is that I don’t have any worries about preparing for classes the next day, so I am able to fully focus on enjoying my husband.  Part of this “being at home” favorite is simply inspired by the fact that we live in an area where there just isn’t a lot to do “out.”  We have been learning to cook similar versions of our favorite restaurant items so that we can enjoy them at home.  My husband is pretty adventurous with trying new recipes.  He even has an orange 1/2 apron that he wears sometimes when he is cooking.  It is a very masculine-looking apron.  Anyway, dinner may be something special, or it may be something simple.  The point is, that being together, and enjoying our cozy home makes it special.

Over the years, we have accumulated a small collection of board games that you can play with just two people–besides Scrabble, we like to play Scrabble Upwards, Boggle, and Scattergories.  Sometimes, we work a crossword puzzle together, or read through our magazines.  It is so peaceful and content to just sit with each other and enjoy these simple activities.

In this era of a return to frugal living, a sweet evening in is definitely easier on the pocketbook than a big night out.  Even getting take-out or a pizza and a DVD to bring home, isn’t as expensive as many other date options.  I love rituals, and I tend to get on “kicks.”  For many Fridays, my ritual was making homemade bread.  It was relaxing to me, and a special treat.  Now, I think I am moving toward a homemade pizza kick.  My brother has been experimenting with different recipes, and sharing the best ones, and his hints for success with me.  If you hesitate to make a homemade pizza dough, it’s really not that hard or time consuming, but it is special.  My husband loves homemade pizza, so I think I will plan on that for this Friday.