Quote of the Month
"Love, like pure magic,
Is life's sweet mystery."
-- Helen Steiner Rice
The Magic of Love
There's more than one kind of magic happening in Michael Garman's Magic Town in Colorado Springs. Michael Garman is a sculptor, fascinated by everyday people in the gritty urban settings of yesteryear. He created a 1/6-scale miniaturized city neighborhood, complete with 18 different buildings. The scenes in Magic Town's bars, restaurants and back alleys change right before your eyes. Holograms of its residents talk about their lives. That's the smoke-and-mirrors kind of stuff that gives Magic Town its unique charm.
On more than one occasion, it has also set the stage for the magic of love and romance. In December, a young man I'll call Justin went into the gallery and asked for Barb, the manager. He asked permission to propose to his sweetheart, Haley, in Magic Town, the site of their first date.
Barb offered to create a special holiday scavenger hunt for them. Magic Town visitors can go on scavenger hunts to enhance their experience. While looking for answers to questions, they are encouraged to touch the exhibits.
As Justin and Haley explored the town, their journey would end at a holiday party scene. The last question was "What special gift is under the Christmas tree?"
On the big day, a friend of Justin's whom Haley had never met was in charge of the ring. She entered the gallery just after the couple and kept an eye on their progress. As they neared the last question, she placed the ring box under the Christmas tree. Haley found the gift and opened the box. Justin got down on one knee and asked Haley to marry him.
For Justin and Haley, one simple word created pure magic. That word was yes.
Art of the Spark Workshop - October 22, 2011
If you'd like to create or enhance your own pure magic of love and romance, consider attending an Art of the Spark Relationship Workshop. The next one open to the public is scheduled for Saturday, October 22. It explores love, romance, and fun for couples in committed relationships -- married, engaged, dating or partnered.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to:
- Build a foundation for romantic adventures
- Speak your sweetheart's Love Language
- Know when surprise is wise ... or ill advised
- Customize your own Couple's Playlist with six types of Couple's Play
- Plan romantic adventures ... on any budget
- Have a complaint-free relationship
- Present gifts -- large or small -- in memorable ways
Pilates Plus Colorado Studio is sponsoring this half-day Art of the Spark workshop (10:00 to 4:00). The cost is $99 for couples if paid by October 15, and $119 per couple after October 15. A copy of The Art of the Spark and an afternoon snack are included in the cost. The Pilates Plus Colorado Studio is located at 142 South Raven Mine Drive in Colorado Springs. Sign up at http://adventuresoftheheart.com/workshop-schedule_413.html or call (719) 649-3201.
Couples Float
Kathleen Haden is the owner of Pilates Plus Colorado Studio. In addition to many outstanding fitness classes and massages, she offerers a session called Couples Float. For this hour-long candle-lit float, you wear swimsuits to experience total relaxation in the water. You can choose your favorite romantic songs to be played through underwater speakers while each of you is being floated by your own Aqua Motion practitioner. Aqua Motion sessions are offered in Colorado Springs and Mount Princeton Hot Springs in Colorado by appointment. For more information, go to http://aquamotionmovement.com/. Call 817 938-7552 to book your session.
Last month I took my own advice and booked a Couples Float for our anniversary as a surprise for Jim. Kathleen and her husband were our Aqua Motion practitioners. It was everything I'd hoped it would be: unique, refreshing and very relaxing.
Speaking Engagements
I'll be speaking at the second annual SpiritWoman: A Journey of Love, Light and Laughter sponsored by The Center for Spiritual Living in Colorado Springs on October 15. This women's conference opens on Friday night with Rev. Jody Stevenson, Rev. Cynthia James and Lucy King, Certified Laughter Leader. I will be leading one of six breakout sessions on Saturday. Three sessions will run concurrently in the morning and three in the afternoon. Conference tuition is $155 ($135 if registered by October 2), and includes Friday evening soup and salad dinner and Saturday lunch. SpiritWoman will be held at The Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive in Colorado Springs. For more information go to www.cslcs.org. To register call 719 596-6894.
Schedule Your Own Art of the Spark Workshop
It's easy to host your own Art of the Spark workshop tailored to your needs. When a church or non-profit sponsors the event, twenty percent of proceeds will be donated to that organization.
For more information go to http://adventuresoftheheart.com/workshops_411.html.
Rave reviews from past participants
"I was deeply touched by the things that happened that afternoon. My husband, who has always been a great husband but never particularly demonstrative, totally blew my socks off... He's been so warm and considerate since that afternoon -- I'm just elated!"
— Linda Lauck
"On a scale of 1 to 10, the workshop was an 11. It was filled with substance and depth, yet still playful and easy." — Ronna Vigil
"It really opened up my mind to things I have never thought of before." — Les Simpson
"LOVED YOUR WORKSHOP!!!! Thank you for bringing an extra spark to our relationship. I know the next 10 years are going to be that much more amazing!!" — Noelle Arbon
"I not only endorse and recommend this class, but feel that Mary has put a creative and fun approach to a subject we sometimes take for granted in this fast-paced world of ours." —John Daugherty, Doctor of Chiropractic
"The course brought together many new ideas and all the things that have worked for us but were forgotten." —Tom Saponas
Romantic Adventure Kits
Romantic Adventure Kits provide a unique way to express your love for your sweetheart. The kit entitled For a Romantic Couple contains six cards that guide a couple through heartfelt, intimate conversations. These are not your typical cards. They're specialized art constructed with raised accents and jewels. Each person fills out his or her own cards. The cards can be used during a date or as part of a bigger adventure.
2 cards prompt you to recall good times in the past
2 cards focus on the qualities you admire in your sweetheart
2 cards explore hopes and dreams for the future
Cards in From a Romantic Man, From a Romantic Woman and For a Romantic Couple are based on concepts in The Art of the Spark. From a Romantic Man and From a Romantic Woman each contain six cards:
2 cards say "I love you"
1 card makes a date
1 card builds anticipation for an adventure
1 card kicks off the adventure
1 card says thank you
 
Romantic Adventure Kits are $25 each, plus shipping. Complete instructions with suggestions for giving are included. Quantities are limited. Click here to see more card designs or to order.
Buy The Art of the Spark
Have you read The Art of the Spark? You can get one for yourself, or buy copies as gifts for friends.
If you are hosting a party and want a fun and unusual icebreaker, try Romance Bingo.
Food for Celebration
This month's recipes include a popular summer soup, a favorite grilled chicken and a new twist on a common drink.
Gazpacho
As the summer comes to an end, people are enjoying the bounties of their gardens, or as in my case, the bounty of friend's gardens. When Nancy Bentley recently gave me some tomatoes and a cucumber, I decided to make gazpacho.
Grilled Sesame Chicken
This has been our favorite grilled chicken recipe for twenty-some years. It's great as an entree or sliced up in a green salad.
Jan's Healthy Coffee
I recently had dinner at my friend Jan Carlson's house. After a delicious dinner, she served a light dessert and decaf coffee.
Jan suggested adding cinnamon and molasses to the coffee. For people who wanted just a bit more sweetness, she recommended a drop of stevia, a natural zero-calorie sweetener.
Until Next Time
If you enjoyed this free newsletter, please forward it to friends. I care about people and how they celebrate. If you have any stories you'd like to share, please send them to me at mary@adventuresoftheheart.com.
Wishing your a life of romantic adventure,
Mary Zalmanek
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