Cure the Mid-Winter Blahs!

It’s February. The holidays are over. You survived the office festivities, the neighborhood eggnog tasting and your children’s school parties. Now what? It’s cold, gray and dreary and spring feels like it’ll never come. Here are some surefire ways to come out of hibernation, perk up your soul and celebrate leap year.

Host a Girls Night In

Invite your BFFs for a feel good evening of girl time; the twist to this tried and true get together? Hire a local expert to give a class. Chef Ina Cheatem, of Fresh Delights, brings a healthful approach to all her cooking and offers “a cooking class party that is tons of fun and customized to any dietary needs including vegan and gluten free.” Call Ina at 248-996-7169 or check out her website at www.freshdelights.com.

Organize a Moveable Feast

Gather your neighbors and plan a strolling dinner party – it’s a great way to share the work and expense of entertaining. Here are a few ideas that get everyone involved at each house:

Hors d’oeuvres: Set up a blind wine tasting with at least three different types and ask everyone to guess. You can do this in teams (or by couple). See who’s the most knowledgeable; award the winning oenophile a small prize (such as wine charms). 

First course/appetizers: Create a salad bar on your dining room table with ten to fifteen fresh items. It’s colorful and festive and everyone gets to assemble their personal creation. This is easy to prepare and set up ahead of time so the host is able to enjoy as well.

Main course: Keep it simple. A big pot of linguine with a couple of sauce and veggie options will satisfy even the heartiest eaters. Everyone loves pasta and it’s easy on the wallet.

Dessert/coffee: Chocolate fondue will be the hit of the night. Offer up a selection of goodies including pretzel rods, marshmallows, pineapple chunks and strawberries. 

Be sure to plan something fun for the last stop like Charades, Pictionary or Apples to Apples. 

Plan a Date Night – It is February after all

Trade childcare with a friend, dim the lights, cue the music and spend the evening snuggling and whispering sweet nothings. For dinner, The Festive Chef, Cassandra Morrison, will come to you and “prepare a chef’s table customized for you in the comfort of your home.” Add in a couples massage for an additional fee. For menu ideas, call Cassie at 248-353-3300 or visit www.festivechef.com.

Top it all off with a “bouquet of lavender roses” and a roaring fire and you’ll feel like you’re at a bed ‘n breakfast. According to Jeffrey Jucewicz, of Fleurtech, adding some “crushed lavender, pillar candles and a bottle of wine will create romance-atherapy.” For more ideas, reach Jeffrey at 313-570-0737 or visit www.fleurtechdesigns.com.

Family Pizza Night

Trader Joe’s sells all the fixings necessary to make your own pizza from fresh dough to toppings. Each “bag” of dough is enough for 3-4 servings. Sprinkle flour on your kitchen table, give each family member some dough and a rolling pin and you are on your way to family pizza night. You can create different types of pizza depending on everyone’s preference. We make white pizza with pesto and traditional cheese pizza with red sauce. 

Spring is just around the corner. But, living in Michigan means we get to experience all four seasons. So, make time to enjoy Fabulous February! Let us know which idea you tried and how it turned out.