This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Stouffer's.
I suppose it isn't news to most of you that I spend most of my weekdays either in traffic or at work. The fact that I'm gone nearly eleven hours Monday through Friday doesn't exactly allow for me to channel my inner Giada. (Which is highly unfortunate because I had always assumed I was going to be a brilliant cook and, well, that hasn't exactly happened. YET. I am fairly sure there is another season in my life that will allow me the time and practice to come up with a signature dish.)
Anyhow, depending on who is home first in the evening, Jay and I will take turns making dinner for each other. It's rarely something fancy, rarely something original, rarely eaten at the table - but it's still that one time of the day where things are always the same. Comfortable, calm, happy.
I was rather excited when I was contacted about reviewing the new Stouffer's Sautes for Two. Honestly, it's right up our alley. I couldn't wait to make the meal for Jay and see if it tasted as good as it looked. (Spoiler alert: It did.) By the time I had set the table, made us both salads, toasted the garlic bread and served up the Grilled Chicken and Asiago Tortelloni skillet meal, Jay was all, "IS IT TIME TO EAT YET?"
And then he was all, "Hey, isn't this supposed to be a romantic dinner? Here. Let's add a candle to the table."
Apparently I don't give the guy enough credit for romance. It was the perfect touch, if you ask me.
Anyhow, we actually took the time to enjoy our dinner at the table, talking about our days and sipping wine (water for me). I'm happy to report the skillet meal is definitely something we would pick up again. I always get excited when I find a quick and easy meal that I would actually order at a restaurant. The tortelloni were cheesy and fantastic and the sauce was just amazing. Such a delicious dinner (and I must say the company was quite refreshing after a long day at work).
So, now it's your turn! Tell me how you manage to make a regular night in just a bit more romantic and special. (Bonus points if you don't tell me that you actually channel your inner Giada because then I'll just feel bad. Okay, just kidding...I'll try to be happy for you. I promise.)
Simply leave me a comment with your response and you'll be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from the lovely folks at BlogHer!
Rules:
You have between 3/17 and 4/11 to enter.
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
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c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here. Visit the Official site here. For more chances to win, visit the BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers section!
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339 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 339 of 339Tweeted! http://twitter.com/tigg1990/status/54275707479654400=
rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a single mom but I still love to make dinner time special for my son & I. Whether we are eating a homemade meal or eating takeout I love to set the table, use our dishes and have meaningful conversations!
Really sweet that he suggested the candles-AHHH!
chacoyaguayo at yahoo dot com
Thank you for the opportunity!
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/Ma21cuteboy/status/54282563094724608
chacoyaguayo at yahoo dot com
Most nights we eat on the couch while watching something on Hulu. :)
Talking and hanging out after Gabe has gone to bed is the only romantic thing we do...sometimes wine or tea (or...Cinnamon Toast Crunch) is involved.
Ashleymarie6 at gmail
Wine with dinner once in awhile makes our meal seem a bit more romantic.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/54349374511263744
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
Aw, that's so sweet. My idea of a romantic dinner is "before 9pm, not in my sweaty gym clothes." Is that too much to ask!??!?
Umm, I don't even know the answer to this anymore...ha. After having two kids, and opposite work schedules, it's nice just to be at home together as a family, even if doing nothing, on the same night.
I make a special dinner, get a movie, and enjoy the company.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
To make a night become extraordinary requires gazing into each other's eyes over candlelight :)
Please feel free to contact me at:
sales4545 at gmail dot com
I just tweeted this giveaway here :D
https://twitter.com/#!/TimboSquad/status/54527906885550080
Please feel free to contact me at:
sales4545 at gmail dot com
I dont know how to make a regular night more romantic because when my husband and I look at each other..sparks start to fly. We are crazy in Love.
dawns_horizen@yahoo.com
I think candles just help make the atmosphere three times as romantic.
samanthakoh.cy@gmail.com
We make a regular dinner more romantic by sitting side by side while we eat and focusing on eating! My schedule usually means I'm eating on the go or multitasking through dinner, but stopping and talking and eating dinner together suddenly makes it way more romantic :)
If it's cold out we make dinner more romantic by eating in front of the fireplace.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/54677824077959168
romantic dinner? I sever salad on separate plates, actually set the table and crack open some wine. (and send the kids to thier grandparents for a couple hours)
by putting in a good movie for the whole family so we can spend some time together
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/55029015039315968
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
A bubble bath makes a regular night more special!
Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/givekaciestuff/status/55032397720338432
We actually eat at the table (if its nice sit on the balcony), maybe throw on some music
patis2@msn.com
Just light a few candles and enjoy your day
his weak spot is dessert so i'll try to make him something speacial
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
A special night is when we can crawl in bed and snuggle before 11pm and have some alone time. Doesn't matter if we are watching a movie or just talking. Those moments together make it special.
pddispatch911@yahoo.com
I make sure we have a complete meal followed by a board game with the family and maybe family video gaming too!
brownatural@gmaildotcom
I make sure we have a complete meal followed by a board game with the family and maybe family video gaming too!
brownatural@gmaildotcom
Since it's just me, most times I just throw something together & call it good. But sometimes I put more effort into the making & settings, it always feels good when I do.
Romantic is when HE makes dinner, lol!
rachel DOT or DOT clark AT gmail DOT com
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/clarkerrr/status/55402115358662657
rachel DOT or DOT clark AT gmail DOT com
My guy is wonderfully romantic and will add candles to any occasion so we tend to have romantic dinners all the time. Mostly just working together in the kitchen makes it more special.
april dot vrugtman at gmail dot com
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/me2mommy/status/55443011328413696
we turn OFF all electronics and just enjoy each other!! :)
We make meals special by sitting at the table and talking about our day. We have two young children so it is hard to have a romantic meal at home.
Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com
http://twitter.com/#!/Sparklezstars/statuses/55469997702660096
Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com
We have 3 young kiddos so it's hard to make dinner 'romantic' but whenever we have a night alone we do our best to not talk about the kiddos all the time and just focus on us as a couple!
We go out on most Wednesday's without Kiddos have supper, a drink sometimes, and just talk...this way we have time for each other!
clemensrhonda@hotmail.com
we make it more romantic by just turning the tv off.. because its invited to pretty much every meal
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
I'm happy if I even get to eat with my hectic schedule! But I think a nice glass of merlot and a sensual bubble bath after dinner would make it a little more romantic :)
I make a regular night more special by adding some special touches such as a great loaf of bread, turning off all tech including tv, phone, etc. and by turning on some good music. It's in the details!
tmp95 at comcast dot net
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/dahbou/status/55918869864394752
tmp95 at comcast dot net
flowers and a nice tablecloth make it special.
hlee99 (at) gmail (dot) com
We make our night more special by going on a walk together. And on weekends we like to cook together.
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/lovemymrmason/status/56055831795482624
I actually like to cook, but it makes it all the better if we make dinner together and then walk the dog after. Not that being with the dog is romantic, but walking around on warm evenings is!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
My significant other is an 11 lbs cutie named Rex. He doesn't care much for fancy dishes or linen tablecloths. But I have a glass of wine while he licks the plate.
Blogged http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2011/04/make-your-night-amazing-with-stouffers.html
We don't get to have dinner together that often, but I like to get a nice bottle of wine and some Italian food.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/56144606601031681
marcia.goss@gmail.com
As much as I'd say I can make my regular nights romantic- the truth of the matter is that it's just me. And usually a One Tree Hill rerun. But in all efforts not to feel like a single, old maid- I usually cook a homemade dish (saving the leftovers for the following days lunch) and top it off with a glass of red wine!
nothing, all alone here - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
Make it a surprise! Maybe leave subtle hints, but don't announce it like it's a grand opening for a furniture store in a small town!
bikeohi2010ATgmailDOTcom
A little bit of extra attention can make an evening special: music on the stereo, using good china and just paying attention to each other.
Thanks for the contest.
In our house we try to have date night a few times a month, with a yummy meal, good movie and some good old wine.Thanks.
kibbles0905@yahoo.com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/Sarafan2/status/56732272933601281
kibbles095@yahoo.com
My husband is a chef which sounds amazing in theory, but in reality it means that he is always away cooking other peoples dinners! I am making tonight's dinner more special by going to his restaurant with my sisters to eat.
To make an ordinary night extraordinary, we first must send the little ones to the grandparents. Then, splurge a bit on a nice bottle of win. Have a dinner and then watch a great movie.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/56780704134074368
My husband usually does the cooking so it's more special if I actually help. There...does THAT make you feel better? :)
And we ship our daughter, I mean our daughter spends the night with her big sister. At HER house.
I'd try a new recipe featuring some of hubby's favorite food. Good music or a romantic movie playing in the background helps too.
icefairyisme at gmail dot com
Dessert, of course!
kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com
dinner on the patio with the nicest plates, some chilled wine and a pretty table. Timing dinner for sunset . Having Stouffer's for an entree - -we love the stuffed peppers and lasagna-gives me some time to make a special salad and a homemade dessert, too.
gandolina(at sign)hotmail(dot)com
We usually but the kids in bed and eat dinner a little late just the two of us , usually on the finer dinnerware and with candles. Then we watch a movie.
jas8929 at gmail dot com
To make a dinner more special, I add wine or homemade bread or rolls. That's about it for me, unless it's summer and we eat outside with candles and cocktails.
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/56941832487186432
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
I don't have a partner so I don't worry about special and romantic.
We make a regular night a little more romantic by sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and watching the sunset.
My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/57075212402958336
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/vlbsweeps/status/57094473053777922
vlbsweeps at gmail dot com
We make it special by not allowing any electronic devices at the table. No blackberrys, iphones, tv or laptop allowed at the dinner table. That way, we can actually have a conversation without distractions.
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/57101577063899136
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
we pick out our favorite movie from netflix
kolpin4680 at gmail dot com
It may sound cheesy and cliche, but there is a lot to be said for a few lit candles and some soft jazz playing in the background!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/57118985078050816
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I like to turn the lights down low, light a few candles, turn the TV off and have a nice sit-down meal.
ksgillmore at yahoo dot com
We make a ordinary night more special by having a candle light dinner followed by movie. I have 2 toddlers so its kinda hard to have a romantic night!
agatewood1@ymail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/57133925818056704
agatewood1@ymail.com
A glass of wine always adds romance.
3oink63moo484@gmail.com
Just having dinner alone without the kids being in the house
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/57125169822564352
Scott
nynekats at gmail dot com
A few quiet moments with a drink on the patio to unwind before dinner.
annmuth at yahoo dot com
Well with 5 kids we have no romantic time ever so the only way to get it is to go out and eat somewhere.
sweokgrl@gmail.com
my tweet
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/57165617853235200
We eat dinner at the table every night - I try to make it special by fixing my husbands favorite foods, even though I am on a special diet right now.
Light the candles on the table and use the good china
jemscout425(at)gmail(dot)com
I try to make things more romantic by using candles, cooking healthy meals, turning off the TV and just reconnecting at the dinner table.
To make dinner more special, I set the table in the dining room, and put away the TV trays! I make one of my husbands favorite meals (he LOVES meatloaf), and bake something for dessert, like brownies or a cake.
I don't! We are never without our girls. We all go to bed at the same time because of schedules and we don't have babysitters. We don't have any alone time. lol Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com
To make the evening a bit more romantic . . . hmm, I think ordering pizza is romantic. It's a nice thought not to have to cook and be able to concentrate on your honey. We order pizza. Mostly because I love pizza and don't like to eat out much. he's the same way.
We dress up in nicer clothes than our sweats, rent a movie we both want to see, and cuddle up on the couch.
I'll bring home something good from a restaurant, and serve it with a nice bottle of win, and light candles!
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/57225717628407809
email in blogger profile.
A special evening is preparing foods that we might otherwise only have during holidays. Add china, crystal and linen tablecloth and it's extra special.
hehe, I love that your husband suggested the candle, and what a cute candle!
--
To make a night in a bit more special, we turn off the phone, shut down the computer, light a candle, pour some wine and just indulge in each other. I'm always multitasking and just to spend a good amt of time TOGETHER makes it special. ;)
abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com
Candlelit dinner always works.
fatally_flayed at yahoo dot com
Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/Fatally_Flayed/status/57264409956990977
I like to make a great dessert...really adds to the meal for us.
tweet tweet http://twitter.com/abitnerdy/status/57271553984966656
<3
abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com
Honestly no romance here in my life I have a simple life been really sick just me and my mom! We take care of each other.We like having a nice meal and have a DVD movie night! I love that movies and reading my favorite! Great giveaway thank you :)
tishajean@ charter.net
Tweeted too
http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/57288533521612800
tishajean@ charter.net
I try to make dinner more special by making something from a cookbook, and using foods that I wouldnt eat on the regular like steaks and using some candle lights
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/57294688633360384
My special nights are with my granddaughter. I prepare one of her favorite dishes, and we make popcorn and watch movies.
spiersrp at gmail dot com
My husband and I almost always eat dinner together, so it makes even ordinary food extraordinary, because I'm sharing it with him.
I make a regular night in just a bit more special with a nice loaf of bread or a great cheese.
http://twitter.com/#!/kittycardero/status/57328984505065472
A carefully prepared special new recipe is always a great way to turn a regular time into a really romantic and special time. My husband and I both love to try new dishes I've created in the kitchen.
msurosey@yahoo.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/57397826598080512
msurosey@yahoo.com
We make it special by trying new things--a new cheese, wine, olive, snack etc. I also like to get a special treat from our favorite bakery for dessert.
kakihararocks@gmail.com
I like to make a regular night special by surprising my better half with a special dessert - like a chocolate souffle, if I'm ambitious - and having a movie night with a couple of our favorite romantic films.
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/57407124451504128
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
Lots of candles, yummy food and background music. :)
email in profile
http://twitter.com/#!/dddiva/status/57440665000357888
Fixing a favorite dish for supper and settling in with a bowl of ice cream afterwards is perfect for us.
I store my email over in my Blogger profile. Thanks for the contest!
To make dinner a little special, we eat by candlelight. The kids love it, and it disguises the fact that dinner doesn't look like the picture in the magazine!
dwellenstein at cox dot net
We like to crank up some music, turn off the TV, and cook together in the kitchen. Then we eat out on the back porch and listen/watch the birds.
http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/57484637139779584
Bring out the wine and turn on the candles! :)
Tweet - http://twitter.com/willitara/status/57489401709740032
Probably whent he kdis are out, they are older, because when they are home we are all joking around, so have to be alone! LOL
spencer1953 at gmail dot com-carol.
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/dresdenrain/status/57490762039963648
spencer1953 at gmail dot com.
I try to make a regular night more special by adding things like candles (my fave!) and by making sure everyone has their fave things!
justine417@comcast.net
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/ShesAnAngel417/status/57492528840187904
justine417@comcast.net
Once in awhile I will put music on get the linens out and light some candles. The kids think this is so cool. Not many dinners without them
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com
Hi. We eat by candle light every night with music in the background. It's a welcome haven after our crazy days. trinitygsd at yahoo d toc om
Nights by the fireplace under our skylights with goodies and laughs when possible
electricisland(at)gmail.com
We cook dinner together, pop in a cd and dance...
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com
I like to serve a nice dessert to make a night more romantic. Even if I just buy it, not make it.
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
I blogged
http://lunaj14568.blogspot.com/2011/04/stouffers-and-blogher-giveaway.html
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Simply just enjoying a nice meal together and maybe a dessert always makes dinner seem special.
Candle light wearing something cute and some finger food to feed him with and some mood music.
We cook dinner together and open a bottle of wine, then cuddle up with a movie :)
Playing some nice jazz music and dimming the lights always helps.
atreau at gmail dotcom.
a regular night is more romantic when my husband and i have the house to ourselves
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
You mean romance exists? I try to make a regular night more romantic by my husband and I eating a little later than the children so we can sit down privately and talk about our day without them interrupting us.
sahmofdq@gmail.com
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/SAHMofDQ/status/57606729332043776
sahmofdq@gmail.com
I set the table with flowers and tablecloth.
eugeniewu (at) gmail (dot) com
I set the table with flowers and tablecloth.
eugeniewu (at) gmail (dot) com
I would like $100 visa gift card. Who WOULDN'T like it? I can't remember the last time we had a romantic dinner so this would give us the perfect excuse to do so!
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