Make the most of the season with these romantic activities for two -- from stargazing to pot-pie baking to tailgating.
Learn how to cook comfort food
Cooler temperatures tend to bring out your inner homebody, making fall a prime time to learn how to cook the best comfort foods. What's better than a piping hot chicken pot pie or homemade macaroni and cheese to fill you up and keep you warm in the post-summer chill? Plus working side-by-side with your sweetie is a fun, domestic way to bond. Check cookforfun.shawguides.com to find a class near you.
Go meteor-shower gazing
Some hot spiced cider and a secluded spot make for a romantic evening of stargazing. With the changing of the season comes the changing of the night sky, and November is perfect for viewing two different meteor showers, with or without a telescope. This year, your best viewing time is the week of November 4-11, when the Taurid meteors will streak across the night sky. These meteors are remnants of the Comet Encke, peaking with about eight meteors per hour throughout the night. The Leonids, which are remnants of Comet Temple-Tuttle, appear to come from the constellation Leo and make their appearance pre-dawn on November 17 and 18. Bonus: Chilly nights and hunkering together to peer through a shared pair of binoculars can lead to canoodling.
Enjoy seasonal fairs and festivals
Savor the season by literally getting outside: "In the fall the sky is deeper blue, the air fresher, the leaves more colorful," says historical romance writer Linda Madl. "It's time for bonfires, apple picking and hay rides, the scent of burning leaves." Fairs and festivals abound, so visit them.
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Start something magical
Build a fire together
Nothing reinforces the feel of autumn like the smell of wood burning in a fireplace. To make it an event, visit a local farm together and buy fresh firewood, then add a bottle of red wine and some romantic music to set the mood. Don't have a fireplace available? Many nurseries, grocery stores and larger retailers now carry chimineas, which are standalone outdoor fireplaces you can put in any yard, driveway or porch.
Fly kites
Those swift and steady fall winds are perfect for kite flying, so go buy two colorful kites and hit a beach or open field. Staring up at the clouds, listening to the breeze, and enjoying some quiet time together can be the ultimate bonding experience.
Throw a tailgate party for two
Whether you're already a fan or just looking for an offbeat date idea, football season can definitely deliver -- anything from a pro game to your local high-school homecoming festivities will get your adrenaline going. Pack a picnic (chili, chips, steaming hot chocolate, and whatever else you two are craving) and a heavy blanket; then head to the stadium on the early side for an intimate tailgate party for your own. Need some recipes? Check out chiff.com/entertain/tailgate.htm.
Tobey Grumet Segal is a New York-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in Self, New York, The New York Observer, Modern Bride and Maxim. Fall is her favorite season and every year, she and her husband love to pick their own pumpkins.
Article courtesy of Happen magazine, www.happenmag.com.
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