Here’s what this past week looked like:
I have this habit of messing with my hair while I’m working on the computer and then I occasionally catch a glimpse of my reflection in the computer screen and think WHOA.
I love lists, Friday!
- I want a Cat Party!
- This guy is the cutest! I love seeing his outfits.
- Oh man. Someone buy this car. I can imagine my teenage self doing this
- This girl is at it again. Cooper wants to know why she does it. There’s no answer.
- Kids React to Grumpy Cat. It’s gets REALLY good towards the middle.
- I am insanely OBSESSED with this song. And when this song hits 2:40. WOW.
- This photo series is extremely powerful/beautiful.
- This one will get you too! Life is short, yo.
- Twitter Spelling Test. Quite hilarious.
- Hello, Amazing looking salad!
- I love reading posts about natural beauty routines.
- And I love reading truthful posts about being a mom.
- I’m kinda freaking out over these potatoes.
- These quotes are AMAZING.
- Read this & Watch the Video. I giggled so hard.
- 25 Simple Ways to Eat Better. I so need this right now.
- This happy hour hot fudge milkshake is MAJ.
A pedicure that…turned awkward and too many Spice Girls references on the latest Joy the Baker Podcast- #89 Chill Pill.
After living in our house for almost a year (CRAZY) I organized our pantry & tidied it up. Check it out.
A big THANK YOU to Babble for including me in their top 100 Mom Food Blogs list!
My Bites Around the Net:
The Organic Southern Mommy made my Cinnamon Sugar Baked Doughnuts
This Abundant Life adapted my Tuscan Ribolita.
Planning 4 Paris made my Orange Ginger Toddy
Ready to Salivate adapted my Tuscan Kale & Pecorino Salad
Slice & Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
I’m really good at moderation…if given the chance. In college I had a stash of soups on my side of our dorm room that taunted my roommate. She would “borrow” one and quickly replace it over and over again. I found it amusing and also very kind of her to keep replacing them. It wasn’t so much that I wanted the soup; I just liked having them there in the off chance I might want one one day. I’m a planner by nature. I like to have a stash for a rainy day.
Flash forward many years later and my college roommate lives right down the street. We were hanging out with our kids (who are best friends!), drinking cocktails when she pulled out some cookie dough from the fridge and quickly made a batch of 5 cookies. One for each kid and one for each adult. It got me thinking that I need to have cookie dough in my freezer for when I’m feeling like a cookie and not 4 dozen. There’s something so satisfying about having access to cookies when the time calls for it.
Now when she comes over, I’ll guarantee we have cookies in the house, but this time I won’t expect her to replace them…
Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup
We woke up yesterday morning without power. It was a bright sunny morning here in California and it seemed a little silly to not have power. In my life, power outages are usually associated with massive storms or some planned street work. It’s always a reminder how frequent I take power for granted. My brain expects the light to go on when I turn on the switch, and yesterday I got a rude awakening when I went to do dishes and the garbage disposal didn’t work… I had a bunch of mushrooms & strawberries in there from the night before. Oof.
Since I was banned from oven usage, I decided to turn the stove on and make soup. This Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup from the latest Bon Appetit magazine is perfect for the weather we’re having here in the Bay Area. We’re having the kind of weather that requires a light sweater and if the sun is just right, a little skin will make an appearance. It’s the type of weather that makes you want a light soup to take the chill off the cool breeze. This soup will do just that. It’s simple ingredients come together for a light/vibrant flavor combination. Lemon + Dill are flavor powerhouses! It’s what I’m taking to work this week for lunch.
My Everyday Life: Week 12
Here’s what this week looked like:
I found inspiration/encouragement while making iced tea this AM.
I love lists, Friday!
- Love these recipe/tips for food while traveling.
- I wish I could have witnessed this conversation.
- This succulent oasis has caught my eye. I love succulents!
- I am intrigued by this Detox Bath. Feel better, Katie! xo
- This Kale Salad is on the TO DO list.
- Life Lessons We All Need to Learn– Brene Brown (Did you watch her on Super Soul Sunday?!)
- Things Kids Today Will Never Get to Experience.
- Here’s a good laugh: Things We All Know to Universally Be True
- Cutting an Orange Like a Fancy Pants.
- I was moved by this Finding Success In Your 30s article.
- Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie? This is awesome/dangerous!
- The contrast in this kitchen has me swooning!
- Currently reading this book & really enjoying it.
- I’d put some coconut cream & bananas in one of these macaroon cups.
- Speaking of coconut. Look at this bread!! Gimme.
- Oh my goodness Sally Draper is sooo pretty! (Who else is excited for Mad Men?!)
This week on the Joy the Baker Podcast we celebrate our 88th episode by talking about Facebook Etiquette. It gets real.
Best Friends for Frosting interviewed me on their blog! Go check it out.
My Bites Around the Net:
Cheap Recipe Blog made my Bacon Fried Rice
Mod City Mag made my Tuscan Kale & Pecorino Salad
In a Condo Far Far Away made my Maple Olive Oil Banana Bread
Culinary Colleen adapted my Angel Hair Pasta with Chile Arugula & Lemon
The Hoot Eats adapted my Bacon Fried Rice
Jaded Lovely made my Rigatoni with Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower
Snaxilicious made my Maple Olive Oil Banana Bread
Chocolate & Spirit Tasting
While entertaining, I like to give my guests as many options as possible. It’s always fun to see what people gravitate towards. Everyone enjoys different things! I also like to see how many plates & dishes I can use on one table, but that’s an entirely different topic we’ll talk about (never).
Ghirardelli sent me a bunch of their new Intense Dark™ Chocolate to taste, and I decided to throw a little Chocolate & Spirit Party with them. I mean…what’s a girl to do with a six bars of chocolate?! I thought it would be fun to encourage my guests to create fun flavor profiles with all of the food/spirit options I provided.
