If you know me - or read my bio - you know that a lyric from a John Mayer
song "I believe my life's gonna see the love I give returned to me" touched
me deeply and still speaks to me to this day (the lyrics are from the song
"Wheel").

For a romantic gift that will make your loved one's heart sing, think of a
song or a part of a song that's speaks to you. It can be your wedding song,
an old favorite or just a love song that you are drawn to. You can also find
song options and the exact lyrics by searching online.

Once you find your song, get a nice piece of paper and hand write the lyrics
- in your best handwriting of course! Then you can place your handwritten
lyrics in a simple frame or even just seal it in an envelope like an extra
special love letter. Either way, it's a heartfelt gift that he/she will love
for years to come!

The leaves are turning, the weather is cooling - it's the perfect time to be
outdoors with the one you love!

Enjoy the change of seasons and great outdoors with a long walk hand in
hand. You can pre-arrange a spot to enjoy a snack together, or just go on a
long walk with no destination in mind and good company and great
conversation as your only timer. It's a great way to reconnect and
rejuvenate.

Wanna make it extra special? Why not pick a favorite tree in your yard and carve your
initials into it.  Hey, you're never too old for romance!

Confucius Says: Try this Romantic Treat!

Make your own good fortune with homemade fortune cookies. Delicious and
romantic, the real treat comes when you write your own message inside - and be as creative as you want! Lucky numbers? Try your anniversary date. And feel free to borrow our Confucius pun!

The recipe below makes about 6 - which leaves some room for practice getting the perfect shape.

Ingredients:

1 egg white
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar


1. Write fortunes on strips of paper about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.
Get creative!

2. Preheat the oven to 400. Butter a cookie sheet. Generously grease 2 cookie sheets.

3. Mix the egg white and vanilla until foamy but not stiff. Sift the flour,
salt, and sugar and blend into the egg white mixture.

4. Place teaspoonfuls of the batter at least 4 inches apart on one of the
prepared cookie sheets. Tilt the sheet to move the batter into round shapes
about 3 inches in diameter. Be careful to make batter as round and even as
possible. Tip: Start with 2 or 3 on your first try because the cookie have to be really hot to form them and once they cool it is too late. Of course, any misshaped ones are still delicious for you to snack on!

5. Bake for 5 minutes or until cookie has turned a golden color 1/2 inch wide around the outer edge of the circle. The center will remain pale.


6. Remove from oven and quickly move cookie with a wide, well sprayed spatula and place upside down on a wooden board. Quickly place the fortune on the cookie, close to the middle and fold the cookie in half. Place the folded edge across the rim of a measuring cup and pull the pointed edges down, one on the inside of the cup and one on the outside. Place folded cookies into the cups of a muffin tin or egg carton to hold their shape until firm.

7. Let cool then watch your partners face light up when they get their
customized fortune (and a delicious dessert)!

Real romance builds over time, the pieces falling into place one after
another. Here's a fun and creative way you can connect with your
sweetheart-and celebrate your special connection.

-Find a picture of a special moment between you and your sweetheart. You
might want to make a color copy of the picture, and use that instead.
-Paste the picture to a piece of cardboard. Cut the picture into a handful of
"puzzle pieces."
-Mail the pieces separately to your love at his or her office, or wait until
they are out of town for a period of time. You might want to send a
different piece every day.
-Along with the last piece, include a note that says something like "I can't
wait to connect with you again."

Remember the way you felt when you first met your sweetheart? Well, why not
take the time to relive that feeling-and share it with the one who made it
possible?  Here's how.
-Think back to how you felt when you first met your sweetheart. Try to
remember as many details about the moment as possible.
-Write a letter or a poem detailing that first encounter.
-Deliver your written remembrance to your love in a memorable manner. You
might want to do it where you first met, or had your first date.
-The effect is even more dramatic when it happens at a Couples Resort.