Hi project managers –
I know life is crazy and paying attention to your guy can go by the wayside. If you’ve fallen off the project wagon and cannot seem to get back up, it’s time to get back in the saddle. Missed a day (or a week)? No prob. Just start where you are and do what you can. This is not about perfection, it is about progress.
Have fun ~ Kathi
It’s food again, but this time it’s all about setting.
Maybe it’s doing a tailgater at a football game, or going to his favorite coffee shop and reading the paper with him on a Saturday morning. Donuts in bed? Whatever would be fun for him is the plan for the day.
We have a fire pit on our back patio. While our kids like to do s’mores over an open flame, we are more about cheese and fruit next to the fire.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, teach me to create places of celebration – no matter how small – in my home and for my husband.
Getting Creative
No need to get super fancy here. If he simply enjoys popcorn in front of the TV, that’s OK. Remember, just for this one little project, it’s all about him. Some other ideas?
If he enjoys being outside, how about dinner in the back yard? I have a friend who doesn’t have patio furniture, so she actually drags her wooden breakfast table and chairs outside. It’s not about resources, it’s about creativity.
One thing our family has done on several occasions, especially when the kids were little, was to have a carpet picnic. Spread out some quilts, watch a movie and enjoy the great indoors. (This would be a great night not to serve soup.)
For a more grownup encounter, how about a shower or bath with chocolates…
Your Project:
Make it food and make the location fun. Really, that’s all it is.
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It seems there are few things more pleasing to a man than a delicious meatloaf. But, not knowing if your man likes the good, old-fashioned style meatloaf, or something a little more gourmet, we’re providing two recipes to make sure you can please your guy:
Quaker Oats Prize Winning Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup oats, uncooked
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup tomato juice
1 egg, beaten
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and pack firmly into an ungreased loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Serves 4.
Meatloaf with Spinach, Sun-dried Tomatoes & Gorgonzola
Meat Mixture:
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. lean ground pork
1 C soft breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Filling:
4 C fresh spinach, washed and dried
1 C gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/2 C thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes
Sauce Topping:
1 C ketchup
2 T brown sugar, packed
2 T chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the beef and pork, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper. Lightly blend. Press 1/2 of the mixture in the bottom of a 9″x5″ loaf pan. Down the center, top with spinach, then cheese and finally the sun-dried tomatoes. Leave a small border of meat around the edge. Top with the remaining meat mixture, enclosing the filling and sealing the edges. Blend sauce topping ingredients and spread on top. Bake for 1 hour, till top is brown . Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before removing from pan and slicing into 1″ slices.
To view other recipes from The Husband Project click here.
Most husbands are pretty visual creatures. They love to be proud of the way you look.
Is it possible (just maybe…please don’t take offense here) that you might not be putting forth the effort that you once did, when it comes to looking your best? Do you get dressed to the nines to go out for dinner with your girlfriends, but put on the same old sweatshirt to grab dinner with your man? I know, I know. Life is busy, you have a million things to do everyday, and not one of them is looking like a Barbie Doll every time you two run out to the grocery store.
The problem is our men want to be proud of us. Doing our hair, putting on the cute jeans instead of the super-comfy (read: butt-ugly) sweats, or even just putting on lip gloss shows that you care and are thinking about his needs as well. The next time the two of you leave the house together, put some extra effort in an area that you know is important to your guy.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, help me to see myself through my husband’s eyes. Help me to be creative and have fun so we can both find enjoyment in my appearance.
Getting Creative
Take ten minutes and pull three outfits together; ones you know you look hot in. (If you don’t own anything like that, then it may be time to take two hours and go shopping with a trusted friend, and find some clothes that make you feel smokin’.) Hang the pants, shirts and accessories all together on the same hanger so you have three cute at your fingertips the next time you’re heading out for dinner.
Every girl needs a pair of “go-to” jeans – those great ones that fit just right and look amazing with a pair of high-heels or boots. Make sure your “go-to” jeans are clean and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
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By Paula Friedrichsen
We women can easily become obsessed with our children’s activities, appetites, desires, and friends.
Sometimes a woman will rearrange her dinner menu because little Johnny has decided he doesn’t like chicken—but will resist making her husband’s favorite meatloaf because “it’s just too much trouble.” (more…)
A big hello to all our New Project Managers from First Presbyterian Church in Salinas and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tracy. Just a reminder – start on any day you want – you are not behind! Feel free to e-mail any questions to us at kathi@thehusbandproject.org .
Physical touch is vital to relaxation. I have some friends whose husbands enjoy back massages. Some are more into sheet thread-counts.Find something that will help your husband relax. New pillows, massage lotions…your choice. Make it something that both of you will enjoy.And yes, I do know what massage leads to. Just combine this with one of the Bonus Projects.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, please let me learn to enjoy my husband in every aspect of our marriage.
Getting Creative
Your Project:
Help your husband relax by either giving him a massage or providing some other form of physical comfort.
To leave a comment, click here.
Remember when you were dating, how you couldn’t wait for his phone call? Just the sound of his voice made your heart beat a little faster.
Then real life happens. You have jobs, kids, rent or a mortgage, laundry to fold and lasagna to bake. It’s been a long time since your heart has risen above a waltz, much less a mambo.
Maybe it’s time to put some pitter-patter back into the relationship.
Send your husband a flirty e-mail or text message today. Let him know you cannot wait to see him tonight-that you are counting the hours. A little over the top? I bet he won’t think so.
If you’re going to go beyond flirty to slightly scandalous (which, by the way, I highly encourage) make sure it’s his private e-mail or cell phone. You don’t want Big Brother at his company knowing how little you’ll be wearing tonight.
Prayer for Today
Dear God, may my husband have the security to know he is the only man for me – that you have designed us to be together.
Getting Creative
Your Project:
Send a flirty text or email to your husband.
To leave a comment, click here.
It’s time to think about food, glorious food.
My husband loves a candy called Cherry Sours. They’re little red sugar balls that he’s in love with. To me, they taste like the stuff your dentist uses to rinse out your mouth after a painful cleaning.
So, I try to find Cherry Sours, whenever I can. They can be very hard to locate, so when I do, I stock up – without Roger knowing. Then, when he’s having a rough time at work, or I want to say congratulations for a job well done, I break out the Cherry Sours.
Is there a treat that you personally find revolting that your husband loves? Get it for him, letting him know through this small act, “This is all for you, baby…” (And if you truly don’t like the treat, he won’t feel obligated to share).
Prayer for Today
Dear God, I want my husband to know he is honored and cherished, even in the little things I do for him.
Getting Creative
Stumped for ideas? Here are some thoughts:
Your Project:
Get a food treat for your husband that he’s not required to share with you or any other family member.
To leave a comment, click here.
It’s time to talk about sex, ladies.
Your man needs and wants sex, probably more than you do.
If a man feels like he’s desirable to you, the love of his life, the other areas that he may be struggling in (work, parenting, etc.) seem somehow more manageable.
One time this week, it’s your job to initiate sex. For some of you, this is going to be way beyond your comfort zone. Do what you can – if it means snuggling, do that. The idea here is to take the first step and be open and tender.
In my experience, it’s better to shoot for earlier in the week to “make your move,” so that if things come up (he has to work late, sick kids, etc.) you still have some time to check this off your list.
In preparation for your romantic evening, I encourage you to pick up a book on the subject. Let it be your inspiration in case things have become a little predictable (or downright non-existent).
Two of my favorites, both written by Dr. Kevin Leman:
“Sex Begins in the Kitchen” and “Sheet Music”
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