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Five fun summer cocktails

Make your back yard or balcony the social escape of the season with these innovative concoctions. The long, hot days of summer will be here before we know it!

Watermelon Margaritas: Blend four cups of chopped, seedless watermelon with the juice and zest of one half of a lime, one half Cup tequila, two tablespoons sugar, and a dash of Triple Sec. Fill Margarita glasses with ice and blended drink. Serves six. Garnish with lime wedges.

Hard Raspberry Lemonade: Mix equal parts of raspberry infused vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice. Top with a splash of sparkling white wine. Garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon wedges.

Orange Dreamsicles: Blend three cups pulp-free orange juice, one cup of Triple Sec, one half cup of heavy cream, two cups of vanilla ice cream, one-fourth cup sugar and six cups crushed ice. Garnish with orange slices. Serves four.

Sinful Sangria: Mix equal parts red wine and lemon-lime soda in a pitcher half full of ice. Mix in chopped strawberries, watermelon and oranges.

Wine Slushie: Puree half a bottle of wine with two tablespoons sugar. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze solid. Transfer frozen cubes into your blender, and blend with remaining half bottle of wine.

Summers are short in Wisconsin, which is why we need to make the most of the time we have outdoors. Relaxing outside with a cold, flavorful beverage provides that opportunity. Those with simpler tastes who are content to lounge with a cold beer may still be interested in perfecting these drinks to impress dates and party guests.

Striking Up Conversation with Friends of Friends

Social gatherings are when many singles find out they're only one degree of separation from a new dating prospect

Spring and Summer in Wisconsin may also be known as wedding, tailgating, cookout and bonfire season. These types of social gatherings are when many singles find out they're only one degree of separation from a new dating prospect. Your friends' family members, co-workers and chums from different circles may catch your eye at events, but it can be tough to know when it is appropriate to make a move.

Talk to your mutual connection first. If you've never met the person you're checking out, try to get some background information from someone at the even who knows both of you. If you don't do some preliminary research, you could end up in an embarrassing predicament. Imagine finding out your new love interest is actually your estranged cousin, or discovering the man you've been eyeing up has a wife and kids hanging out at the other side of the yard.

Drink enough to be social, but don't make a scene. Nothing turns off a member of the opposite sex faster than sloppy drunkenness. Some liquid courage may be necessary to approach an attractive stranger, but make sure to cut yourself off if you begin to feel tipsy.

Keep first dates casual. By asking someone out at a lively social event, you have the benefit of a festive atmosphere full of people you both feel comfortable with. Suggesting a date that feels more like an extension of the fun you are already having is much less awkward than immediately proposing anything overtly romantic or stuffy. Ask the person you are interested in if he or she would like to go out for drinks some night with the host and hostess. If you prefer to hang out with your date alone, try proposing a casual meetup after the event is scheduled to end.

10 Reasons Why Living Alone Isn't So Bad

Feeling like the odd guy or gal out as all your friends start shacking up and getting married? Are you finding yourself suddenly excluded from game nights, dinners, and all those other home based social events for couples? Remember that the grass is always greener on the other side, and there are some amazing things about living alone that your paired up friends can only dream about.

Decorating Freedom: No one to stop you from hanging taxidermied deer heads on the walls, or painting the living room pink.

Animal Companions: Company that won't talk back. No need to accommodate someone else's pet preferences or allergy issues.

Truly Restful Sleep: Sprawl across the whole bed if you want!

Every Meal is Something YOU Want to Eat: Ice cream for lunch? Sure!

Your Bathroom, Your Way: Leave to toilet seat up or down, face the TP roll however you want. There's no one else to tell you anything is wrong.

The Only Friends Who Come Visit Are Cool: Because they are YOUR friends!

You Are the Entertainment Director: Master of the remote, commander of the DVR, curator of the Netflix queue.

Lazy Days Are OK: Feel like letting the dishes pile up or leaving dirty clothes in the bathroom? Go for it, there's no one to judge.

Nothing Will Ever Get Lost: Because there is no one else to move your stuff around.

Those Days When You're in a Bad Mood and Just Want to be Left Alone: You can have those without any fighting or tears.

Be Prepared for an Impressive Breakfast

Easy morning-after standbys

It's bound to happen eventually: you go out and meet someone amazing, things go well, next thing you know you're headed home with an overnight guest. Keep the spark alive by treating your lover to something other than stale cereal in the morning. If you've brought home a Wisconsin guy or gal, there is little doubt that a homemade, high-quality breakfast served with some fresh coffee will score you some major points!

Apple Rings -- Keep a few apples cut into rings stored in your fridge. Package them in a sealed container after tossing with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning. When the big morning arrives, prepare some instant pancake mix, dip the apple slices into the batter individually, and fry. Serve the "applecakes" with syrup and whipped cream.

DIY Breakfast Burritos -- Scramble a bunch of eggs and set them out with platters of tortillas, shredded cheese, mushrooms, peppers, olives, avocados, salsa, or whatever you have on hand. This is an ideal option for when you don't know your visitor well enough to have pinpointed his or her food preferences.

French Toast Kabobs -- Prepare some French toast -- don't worry if it's the frozen kind -- then cut it up into squares that are about two inches in diameter. Spear the French toast onto kabob sticks, alternating with slices of whatever fresh fruit you have on hand. Serve with syrup.

Nutella and Banana Sandwiches -- Impress your lover "Hunka Burnin Love" style with a sweet spin on Elvis's favorite treat, the peanut butter and banana sandwich. Subbing Nutella for the peanut butter gives it a little something extra with a touch of aphrodisiac chocolate. Fry the sandwiches before serving if you want to be extra sinful.

The Days are Getting Longer, Time to Get Out of the House!

Wisconsin winters can be tough for singles. We wake up, and its dark. We go to work. We leave, and it's dark. We go home, sit around, and sleep. It's hard to muster up the energy to get out and socialize when you never see daylight.

As the temperature is on the uptick, it's hard to ignore that urge to break out of our previously mundane routines. It'll probably be a few months before it's warm enough for trips to the lake and tailgating, but there are some weather-appropriate activities to welcome Spring with style.

Wine Tasting Head to Door County and stop by some of the local wineries. Tours are in full force, and many places offer free tastings. If your trip happens to fall on a warm day, walk around some of the shops on the peninsula, or stop by an outdoor cafe. If it's a chilly day, stop at a bar, or top off your wine tour with a brewery tour.

Concerts and Plays Schedules are starting to book up at such venues as the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and the Resch Center in Green Bay. Check schedules at your favorite local facility for an act that interests you. If you want to keep it low key, find a comedy club in your area. There's nothing like live entertainment to lift your spirits, and we still have a few months before festival season kicks into gear!

Hit the Road Now that snow and ice is no longer a major travel threat, why not take a drive to Wisconsin Dells, or one of many resorts or spas elsewhere in the state. Bring a group of friends for some banter and debauchery, or bring the person you are dating for some romance. Most major Wisconsin resorts are located near such attractions as casinos and shopping.

Do Valentine's Day Single Style in Milwaukee

A whole bunch of bars in Milwaukee are attempting to lure in jaded singles this Valentines weekend with parties, dancing and drink specials. No need to stay in watching The Notebook and crying over your wine -- get out and be social! You never know who you may meet...

Mo's Irish Pub tends to frequently go all-out catering to singles around Valentine's Day, and this year is no exception. Tonight from 8 to 10 they will have speed dating on the upper level. Enjoy anti-Valentine's music downstairs, as well as vodka cocktails for $3.50, and Red Bull and Bomb specials.

Single ladies might want to head out to Zenden tonight for Red Stilletto night. Wear your high heels and get in without a cover, plus get $1 off your drinks for every inch of your heels! Have a picture taken of your most fabulous pair of shoes, and if your kicks get the most "likes" on Facebook, you win a $75 bar tab. There are several $8 drink specials, with such names as "Cupid" and "Hot Pants."

LGBT singles should check out La Cage, where the entire weekend has been dubbed "Lovevolution." Enjoy dancing, stage shows and a guest DJ Saturday night.

The powers that be within the nightlife scene have quickly caught on to the fact that Valentine's Day isn't just for couples. No matter your style, you should be able to find a fun, singles-friendly event in Wisconsin's biggest city. Whether you're looking for a soul mate, a dance partner, or just a fun time with friends, make sure you get out of the house to mingle this weekend.

Valentine's in Appleton: A Sweet Night

Whether you hit the town, or go for a DIY version, you and whomever you share the experience with are sure to end Valentine's Day on a satisfied note

Whether trying to impress a date or score one, singles in the Appleton/Fox Valley area may want to consider buying tickets to Death by Chocolate.

Attendees will be able to spend the evening of February 14th strolling down College Avenue and sampling 17 different chocolatey treats served up by participating restaurants and shops. Examples of some of what's in store for participants include chocolate beer, chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate martinis, and chocolate chimichangas. Those who vote to select the business that provided the best tasting sample will be eligible to win a gift card that can be used at a variety of local downtown establishments.

This is an ideal ice-breaker type activity for a first date -- no stuffy restaurant dining, just walking, talking, and dessert. Those flying solo on Valentines Day may consider getting groups of single friends together to go on the walk -- you never know whose eye you may catch over frosty mugs of chocolate beer!

Death by Chocolate will be held on College Avenue from 4:30 to 8:30 P.M. on February 14. Tickets are $20, or $35 for a pair, and can be purchased online or at the Appleton Downtown, Inc. office. Quantities are limited, so those planning to attend should buy tickets as soon as possible.

Like the idea of a Death by Chocolate night for V-Day, but prefer to stay in? Set up your own chocolate fest with your date, or host a girl's (or guy's!) night with your single friends. Mix chocolate syrup into your favorite beer, drizzle it on warm bacon, whip up some chocolate martinis, and bake a few chocolate cakes and cookies.

Whether you hit the town, or go for a DIY version, you and whomever you share the experience with are sure to end Valentine's Day on a satisfied note!

Surviving the Winter Dating Blahs

This is a rough time of year for Wisconsinites. Daylight is sparse, temperatures are frigid, and streets and sidewalks are covered in dirty gray slush. Factor in the disappointing end to the Packers football season, and many local singles may be too depressed to come up with romantic date ideas. Instead of letting a good match fizzle in the snow, keep the spark alive with these weather appropriate trysts.

Get Snowed In

Ditch movies and DVR for an old-fashioned, romantic evening at home. Sip hot toddies while curled up on the couch watching the flakes fall. Top the evening off with board games and a home-cooked meal. Don't be surprised if date night turns into a slumber party.

Find a Wintry Watering Hole

Wisconsin is filled with bars and lounges that offer expansive menus of spiked coffee, and other warm beverages that are sure to make you and your date feel cozy and relaxed. Try the bar at Cafe Espresso in Green Bay, or Mochavino in Madison.

Bundle Up and Get Outside

Channel your more youthful selves by sledding, skiing, making snowmen, and throwing snowballs. You can splurge by booking a weekend at an up-north ski resort. If you're on a budget, enjoy the season in your back yard, or at a local sledding hill.

Indulge in Pampering

Shoveling the driveway, trudging through snow, and tense driving on icy roads can do a number on the joints and muscles. A massage and relaxing soak is sure to revive you and your date, leaving you plenty of energy for more important things. Big spenders can book a weekend at a spa resort, such as The Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club. Those with a more modest budget may reserve a block of time at one of the many day spas located in most cities throughout the state. If you're on a shoestring -- or are interested in a more, ahem, hands-on experience -- set up a DIY spa at home with massage oils, candles and a bubble bath.

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