Tag: food

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #85

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I hope you have been having a great March and spring season. I am loving the extra sunshine, warm weather and time outdoors. 

As always, I’m linking up with with Erika and Andrea for another weekly edition of Friday Favorites as I share some of the things that I have been loving this week and are on my radar. Here’s been some of my favorite things:

This is Me Now– Have you seen Jennifer Lopez’s movies/biography on Amazon Prime? It’s called This is Me…Now. It’s based off her latest album about her life and love over the past 20 years. I have always enjoyed JLo, but was never a huge die-hard fan.  I truly enjoyed her creative way of bringing her music to life and it’s evident in this film. The movie is only an hour long, but it’s packed with incredible choreography and music. It also can lead you going down the rabbit hole reading all about her past and current loves. Definitely worth the watch!

Avocado Crackers– If you have read any of my past posts, you know I am a sucker for trying new snacks. I spotted these avocado crackers at Wegmans and had to try. I love all things avocado and these didn’t disappoint. I love the crisp. crunch and flavor they provide. There is a little bit of kick to them which I appreciate too. You can enjoy these on their own, but they would also taste great with some cheese, hummus or dip. Perfect for a spring snack!

American Royals Series- I talked about the first book a few posts back, but the past few weeks have been filled with my binge-reading my way through the American Royals series.  Wow, once I started, I couldn’t stop. It typically takes me about a week to finish a book, but I was finishing them in less than a week because I couldn’t wait to find out what happens. Each book ends with a cliffhanger that will lead you to picking up the next month. I loved the plot of a royal family in America, I loved the characters and how they grew up and evolved through the four books and I loved all the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout. If you are looking for a good series that’s PG-13, this is a winner-especially in the spring!

Spring Weather-Speaking of spring, I have been LOVING this spring weather. We may have had a mild winter, but I am here for the consistent warmth and sunshine. Last week, I packed clothes to go on walks after work three days in a row and I couldn’t have been happier. I also made it to the Zoo for a trip this year. The sunshine is giving me life right now and I couldn’t be happier.

Grey’s Anatomy is Back– After a long overdue wait due to the writer’s strike and the actor’s strike. Grey’s Anatomy finally returned yesterday. This season will be much shorter, but I’m still grateful we are getting a season to begin with. Depending on when you are reading this, I may or may not have watched the episode yet. I am looking forward to seeing what’s going on with my favorite characters at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. I have been a fan of the series for years and have loved seeing how the show has evolved and how characters have changed and come and gone. I’m eager to see how this season unfolds.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. Some clothes, some entertainment and some snacks! Tell me, as we are fully in spring, what are some things you are loving?! Let me know in the comments below!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #75

Hello all! 

Happy Friday!

We made it through the first week of January! How was your first week of the New Year? Have you started chipping away at your New Year’s Resolutions or giving yourself some grace this first week of the year? I know I enjoyed getting back into a routine and doing some cleaning, we still have all our Christmas decorations up which makes our home feel extra cozy. Regardless of how you are spending this week, I hope it’s been a good one. 

I saw this quote and thought it was so timely especially if you are embracing these next few months as a slower time.

Today I’m sharing some last of holiday fun and some new favorites from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another roundup of favorites for the first week of the new year!

Books Beach and Beyond– I heard about this podcast, Books Beach and Beyond in the fall but didn’t have a chance to start listening to it until the Christmas holiday. If you are a book lover like me, then you will love this podcast. Author, Elin Hilderbrand hosts the podcast with Tim Ehrenberg, and they talk to different authors about their books, where they get their inspiration from and what projects they are working on. The two hosts have interviewed Taylor Jenkins Reid, Colleen Hoover, Ann Patchett and Kristin Hannah, just to name a few. This podcast is so informative, and it gives great insight into the literary world. I really have been enjoying this podcast and hope they bring it back for season two in the new year.

A new favorite podcast

Candy Cane Lane-We watched Candy Cane Lane for a family movie night over Christmas break. The movie stars Eddie Murphy and it’s all about a man who loves Christmas. He participates in a house decorating contest, but gets caught up in signing a deal in hopes of winning, which results in some magic getting out of hand. The movie follows the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song as each of the items comes to life. There are a lot of good one-liners and fun catch phrases in the movie too. This was the perfect family movie that held everyone’s attention in my house. If you are still in the Christmas spirit, you can watch it on Amazon Prime.

Such a cute movie!

Wordle party game– We got the Wordle party game for Christmas and it has been a huge hit in our home. A few of my siblings and I play Wordle every day, so this game takes it to the next level. Up to four people can play the game. One person chooses the five-letter word, and all the players have to guess the word using the same rules as the daily game on the New York Times. If you are a fan of Wordle, this game is definitely worth the buy, plus it forces you to really put your thinking cap on.

A great family game

Mighty Patch– As far as beauty products go, the Mighty Patch has been a new favorite for me. I tried using the Mighty Patches after I got them as a gift and have been impressed with how well they work. These clear patches go over any blemishes you may have for a faster clear-up of your face. You can get them for overnight wear or daily wear. I tried a sample pack of both and found that the overnight patches work better. This product won’t solve all your acnes issues, but it does help if you are looking for a quick fix here or there.

Chopped Pomegranate Salad– I love a good salad, but I’m not one to purchase bagged salads too often due to the expense, I would rather make a salad with vegetables I already have at home and on hand. However, we picked up a few chopped salads to go with some appetizer nights and they were a hit. I really enjoyed this pomegranate salad, it’s a perfect blend of flavors for fall and winter.  We enjoyed this salad with some other snack bites, but it could also go great with a pizza night or with a protein like chicken or steak.

 That’s a look into some of the things that I have been loving this week, from the last bit of holiday fun to games, beauty products and food, there was something for everyone. I hope you have a relaxing and cozy weekend as we begin a new month.

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #53

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first week of August. These past few days have been fun with activities and adventures and the fun continues tomorrow as I am running my first 5K.

Getting in all the runs before tomorrow!

I’ll be sure to share all about it in the next few weeks. I’m excited, but a little nervous too. Every week for Friday Favorites, I love sharing some of my favorite things from the week with you and this week is a heavy food week of favorites! Grab your pen and paper as we dig into this week’s Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies– I haven’t done baking in a long time simply because I have been spending so much time outdoors and because on warm days, the last place you want to be is in a hot kitchen. However last week, I was inspired to bake and wanted to try a new recipe. I found this recipe from Baked Abundance for Cinnamon Chocolate Chip cookies and I thought they were the perfect warm treat. Although they are not a traditional summer treat, I couldn’t resist trying them. Now, they didn’t turn out like the photos, they were still delicious. I love the mix of cinnamon and chocolate chip. These would be a perfect fall treat, but they would be great anytime of year. You can find the recipe here if you are looking to try them for yourself.

Fresh baked cookies are good for the soul and stomach!

Fox’ ‘Special Forces” Season 2 Cast– The season two cast for Fox’s “Special Forces” came out this week. If you remember, I watched this show last season and really liked seeing celebrities, athletes, and actors all compete in various obstacles to see if they have what it takes to be a special forces operator. I know I could not do all the different challenges that the recruits could do each day. The cast for this season looks really good. I’m excited to see if Tom Sandoval, Savannah Chrisley, Brian Austin Green and even Blac Chyna have what it takes to be a special forces operator. The new season comes out on Monday, September 25. I can’t wait!

Love and Gelato– This book was recommended to me by a friend and it was one of the cutest books I read in a long time. Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end. After reading this book, you will want to book a trip to Florence.

The sweetest summer book!

Charcuterie Boards– I have been into Charcuterie Boards all summer long. They are so easy to put together for entertaining for friends and family or they are great for a one person meal. I love seeing what’s in my fridge and using what I have to put together a meal for lunch or dinner. You can add whatever you want to your board, I typically like to include some kind of fruit, some veggies, cheeses, some meats and then nuts or crackers. These boards are also great if you have had a long day and are looking to clean out your fridge too. Here’s an example of a recent board that my boyfriend and I enjoyed. So many delicious and healthy options on one plate.

A healthy and filling meal!

Wordle– I know I am way late to the party on this one, but this summer I started playing Wordle and I’m addicted. I never got hooked on it months ago when it first came out, but this summer, I got on the Wordle train. I try to do it in the morning before the day gets away from me, but sometimes it doesn’t always happen. I like the challenge of trying to figure out each day’s word. It’s been such a fun brain game to enjoy this summer. 

My recent stats!

And that’s a wrap on today’s Friday Favorites. Lots of food, a new read and some games. This weekend will be fun between my race and then time with family. Tell me: how are you spending your weekend? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #34

Hey Guys! We made it to Friday! I don’t know about you, but I am ready for SPRING. I’m ready to say goodbye to the snow and hello to fresh blooms. As we wait for spring, here’s some favorite things I’ve been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Carrie Soto is Back– My Taylor Jenkins Reid kick has not slowed down. I finished Carrie Soto is Back and enjoyed it more than I thought. It follows the story of a tennis player looking to return to the court to claim her title as champion. I learned a lot about tennis, endurance, and hard work. I really appreciated the relationship between Carrie and her father. There’s a lot about female empowerment, family ties, and some romance too. It’s a bit different than some of TJR’s other books, but I really enjoyed it.

A Path to Well-Being: Embrace Silence for Stronger Mindfulness– I came across this article and was immediately intrigued. I have been practicing mindfulness for a few years now in the morning and at night. I always try to start and end my day with some quiet time. This article shines light on the importance of mindfulness and meditation. Definitely a fascinating article.

Flatbread crackers-I am always on the hunt for different crackers or snacks. I found these everything flatbread crackers from Target and fell in love with them. They go great with dips, sauces, sliced fruits or veggies. Plus, everything bagel seasoning is the perfect extra flavor.

Hair Thickening Spray-I am currently on a mission to use products that I have on my shelf instead of buying new. I have really been loving this hair thickening spray. I apply it after the shower and it leaves my hair feeling thicker and it adds volume. I got it from Target and have been happy with the results so far. 

Rice Krispy Treats– I have been craving some homemade treats and the cold weather was the perfect excuse for some Rice Krispy Treats. This was the recipe I used and it turned out great. The sweet treats didn’t last long, they went fast and that’s when you know you made a good batch. 

I hope you find something that brought you joy to you this past week. Depending on when you read this, I’ll either be watching Daisy Jones and the Six or have finished it already. For those watching, what are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great weekend and fingers crossed spring comes soon!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #25

Hello all!

Happy Fri-yay!

I can’t believe we are at the end of January! I don’t know about you, but this month went by in the blink of an eye. Between getting back into my routines, checking some tedious projects off my to-do list and staying cozy by trying new recipes and reading, it’s been a good month. That being said, I can’t wait for February. I love Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, hearts, sweets and all the other things that come with the second month of the year. 

Now, let’s get to this week’s Friday Favorites. I have another fun round-up of things that I have loved this week and who knows maybe you will too. Here’s what I’m loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Reusable Bags– You know you are an adult when you get excited about reusable bags. Haha! I got snack and sandwich reusable bags for Christmas, and they are such a practical gift that I use every day. I pack my lunch for work and typically that entails bringing in cut up veggies, fruit, cookies, crackers, trail mix etc. I was constantly using plastic baggies and realized how much of a waste it was, so I did some research and found a solution, reusable baggies. I got them for Christmas and love them. They seal really well and keep your food fresh. They also wash and dry well too. Plus, they are easy to store in lunch boxes, purses, or in a pantry. Definitely worth the investment and great for the environment.

So useful for food storage.

Laundry Sanitizer-Another adult favorite. We are in the midst of cold and flu season which means germs are spreading fast. I picked up this Laundry Sanitizer by Lysol and have been using it when I do laundry, especially with items that may get shared (blankets or towels) or clothing that someone who is sick may have worn. It’s super simple to use, you just pour some in your washer alongside your detergent. It doesn’t bleach and there’s no harsh smell. It’s not too exciting, but it’s an extra step to keep things safe and clean. 

Elizabeth Holmes’ Spare Audio Thoughts-I finished Spare by Prince Harry and loved it! As someone who has followed the Royal Family for years, I couldn’t wait to read Harry’s words and hear his thoughts about growing up. Hearing about his childhood without his mother broke my heart, reading how the army shaped him was profound and reading how he and Meghan fell in love brought me so much joy! I was so happy to finish it but sad it was over. Besides reading the book, I also listened to Elizabeth Holmes’ audio thoughts. I loved the insights she offered through the books, some of it were her opinions, others were facts she shared too. It was the perfect reading companion. I’m eager to see what Harry and Meghan do now.

The Recruit– Have you seen The Recruit on Netflix?! It came out at the end of last year, but I just got around to watching it this past week. It’s only one season and eight episodes, but it’s so good. I finished it in five days! It follows the story of a young lawyer who works for the CIA and gets way in over his head with a case involving a former asset for the CIA. He goes from being stuck at a desk to flying across the world for a mission. Every episode is filled with drama, suspense, some romance and a bit of humor. It hasn’t been renewed yet for a second season, but I hope it does since it leaves you with a big cliff hanger. If you saw it, what did you think?!

Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test– I promise I do more than just work and watch tv, but I also got hooked on a new reality/competition show. I’m not big into competition shows, but I look forward to watching this show every week.  Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test on Fox follows over a dozen celebrities as they see if they have what it takes to be a Special Forces Operator. Some of the challenges they have to endure are pretty insane. I know I wouldn’t be able to do them, so I can the recruits a ton of credit for attempting them. Without giving too much way, not everyone can handle the pressure and some go home or quit. It’s fascinating to see some of the different contestants handle the pressure or don’t handle the pressure. 

That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. Tell me how are you celebrating the last weekend of the month?!

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Let's Get Cooking

Fall Eats

Hello all! I hope you are all having a great week. As I mentioned before, I love the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving as a time of rest and recuperation before the busy time of the holidays. As the days get colder and shorter and sometimes gloomier, I like to remind myself of all the warm and bright things going on and things to look forward too.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed baking on my days off. From soup, to cookies, appetizers and desserts, it’s been so fun to try new recipes. If you are looking for new things to try, Pinterest is a great place to start or you can check out cookbooks at the library too.

Here’s a few recipes I enjoyed making:

Baked brie-I enjoy brie for a tasty appetizer before a meal or on its own. Whether you enjoy it by itself, cold with crackers, apples or grapes, or warm, there’s so many ways to enjoy it. Here’s one recipe I found on Pinterest. You take a sheet of crescent dough and place your brie inside and then add jam on top of the cheese. I prefer raspberry jam, but you can do whatever you enjoy. Once you add your jam, wrap the rest of the crescent around it and bake at 350 degrees until the crescent is golden brown (about 15-20 mins). Add some pecans and honey for flavor on top and serve! I enjoy serving mine with crackers, bread, or apples.

Apple Crisp-Another tasty fall dessert to make that is super easy and as a bonus, your home will smell divine. Simply slice apples and put in a slow cooker for a few hours with some cinnamon. I typically put it on high for three hours and then let it simmer. Once you are ready to serve add a scoop of ice cream. A warm and tasty dessert that’s perfect for fall.

Apple Crisp

Peanut Butter Cookies– If you are looking for a quick and tasty dessert that doubles as an activity, then baking cookies is a perfect solution. Here’s my go-to recipe for peanut butter cookies. If you want to add some extra sweetness, consider putting a chocolate kiss or part of a Hershey bar on top.

Peanut butter Cookies

​​Ingredients

½ cup of peanut butter

¼ cup of shortening

¼ cup of butter

1 1/3 cup of flour

½ cup of sugar

½ cup of brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla

½ teaspoon of baking soda

½ teaspoon of baking powder

                     Directions

1) In a bowl beat peanut butter, shortening and butter with an electric mixer until softened.

2) Add half the flour, the ½ cup of sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda to peanut butter mixture. Then stir in remaining flour.

3) Shape dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Use fork to add sugar and make crisscrosses.

4) Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

5) Serve!

These are just a few recipes that are great for fall. From desserts to appetizers, consider trying one of these for your next weekend project. What have you been enjoying cooking or baking recently? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy cooking!

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Let's Get Cooking

Let’s Get Cooking: Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I don’t know about you, but there is something so sweet about baking in the fall and trying new recipes after a nice long walk!

Happy Fall!

After doing some apple picking, I couldn’t wait to search Pinterest for some new recipes to try. I made this Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread a few weeks ago and it was a hit. Although it is a bread, it’s so sweet and flavorful, you can serve it as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream or on its own.

Without further ado, here’s a look at this tasty apple recipe.

Ingredients

1/3 cup of brown sugar

2  teaspoons of cinnamon

2 medium apples

2/3 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons

1 stick of butter

2 large eggs

1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla

1 ½ cup of flour

1 ¾ teaspoons of baking power

1 teaspoon of salt

½ cup of milk and 3 tablespoons

1 cup of powered sugar

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×5 pan with cooking spray, place parchment paper and then spray.

2) Mix brown sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.

A look at your dry ingredients

3) Toss chopped apples with 2 tablespoons of sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon and set aside.

Apple mixture

4) Beat butter and 2/3 cup of sugar with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one and a time and vanilla.

5) Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl, add to cream mixture and blend. Mix ½ cup of milk until smooth.

6) Pour batter into loaf pan, add half of the apple mixture, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on top.

7) Continue to layer and swirl the mixture once complete.

8) Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes and check with a tooth pick.

9) To make glaze: mix powered sugar with milk and pour on top of bread once cooled.

10) Serve!

This recipe was so easy to make and so tasty! I know I will be making it more this fall season. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, a snack or dessert.

Tell me: What are some of your apple recipes?

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #9

Hi everyone! 

Happy Friday! We made it through our first week of October! Woo Hoo! It’s really starting to feel like fall as we are consistently in the 50’s degrees. 

Hello F A L L

As always, I’m linking up with  Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites. Here’s some of my favorite things this week.

J.Crew Trench Coat

I got this coat for Christmas a few years back and it’s one of my favorite things to wear in the spring and fall. Not only is it professional for the office by wearing a dress, skirt or dress pants with it, but you can also wear it with jeans or leggings for a casual look. I know I have talked about this trench coat on my blog before, but I had to share it again since I’ve been wearing it a lot over the past few weeks. It keeps me warm; I love the cut and style and quality. Even if you don’t want to go with J.Crew, I highly recommend investing in a trench coat for the spring and fall and even cooler summer nights too. 

Trail Mix

I always keep my eyes open for fun, seasonal snacks when I am out and about, and I picked up this trail mix from Target. I have been munching on this sweet treat for lunch since it’s the perfect mix between sweet and salty. There are peanuts, peanut butter chips, raisins, pretzels and chocolate chips all mixed in. It satisfies the sweet and salty tooth and tastes like fall too. I’m excited to see what other fall treats will be hitting the shelves soon.

Pinterest Boards

Speaking of fall, I have been so inspired by Pinterest lately. I haven’t decorated my front door and porch yet for fall, but when I do, I have plenty of ideas saved from Pinterest. I’ve been so inspired by front doors set up with pumpkins, mums and fall vegetables. I also can’t wait until more leaves start to change for fall walks and drives. I have spent some time outdoors and just seeing some leaves fall got me excited for what’s to come. You can follow me on Pinterest here.

Apple Glaze Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I had some leftover apples and made this delicious and sweet apple bread. It was so tasty that it could be enjoyed as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream. I found the recipe on Pinterest and will be sharing with you in a few weeks. I love using the fall as a time to test out new recipes.

Fall TV is Back!

Some of my favorite weekly shows are back on tv this week. I’ve been catching an episode of the Masked Singer here and there. It’s always a good show to put on in the background and try and guess who’s under the mask. This year they are unmasking more people each week which has been an added twist. Grey’s Anatomy returned last night! There’s a new class of interns to meet this season and I’m looking forward to seeing how their storylines unfold. Ellen Pompeo won’t be in this season as much so I’m curious how the season will go/feel without her in every episode. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

That’s just a look into my life this week.

Tell me: what are some favorite things you are loving this week? Let me know below!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #6

Hello All!

Happy Friday! 

I hope you have all had a great week and have something fun and maybe even fall-ish planned for this weekend.

I’m hopping on here to share some of my favorite things from this past week as I link up with I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea! 

To start things off, it’s launch day for Simplified planners for the 2023 year. I always love placing my order for my new planner for the upcoming year. Depending on when you read this, I’ve either already placed my order or will be placing it soon. Once I get my shipment in, I’ll be sure to share! If you are looking for a new planner or some accessories, be sure to check out Simplified. 

Here’s Five Things I’m Loving this Week:

–The Perfect Couple

I finished reading this book last week and loved it! It was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel and wow, I’m hooked. I love beach reads in the summer, but when I saw this one had a bit of mystery to it, I was even more intrigued. The book is about a young couple who, alongside their family and friends, are in Nantucket for the weekend to get married. But, on the morning of their wedding, the Maid of Honors is found dead. As you read, you will also find that there’s a lot of secrets in the midst of family members and wedding attendees. How did she end up dead and who wanted her gone? You will have to read to find out. 

 As I was reading, I also learned that there are plans to make this into a series and I’m so excited to see who they cast for the characters. If you have read this book before, what did you think? Also, let me know what book of Elin’s I should read next!

–Elizabeth Holmes

After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week, I have been reading and watching a lot about the late queen. If you have been following my blog for a while, then you may remember that I’m an avid Crown watcher and Royal family fan. In fact,  I read two books about the Royal family this summer. I’ve been following a lot of the traditional events that are taking place in the United Kingdom this week, but I’ve also been turning to Royal commentors to learn more too. Author Elizabeth Holmes is my go-to. I follow her on Instagram where she breaks down royal fashion and I get her weekly newsletters too. She even wrote a book on Royal fashion, you can check it out here. If you are looking for more insights or knowledge about the Royal Family, check her out on Instagram

–Crumbl

I got dinner with a friend this past week and we got Crumbl cookies for dessert. I’ve heard about these infamous, giant, gourmet cookies and couldn’t wait to try them for myself. Every week, locations puts out six different flavors for customers to choose from. I went with the classic sugar cookie with pink icing and loved it. The cookies are so large and flavorful that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to share them or sample them over a day or two. Although, I don’t have a location near me, I look forward to trying another flavor the next time I stop in for a cookie.

The sweetest treat!

–Disney Plus New Releases 

Disney Plus released several trailers for new movies and tv shows that will be out over the next few months. I don’t watch too many shows/movies on Disney Plus but a lot of the trailers that got released were for movies I grew up watching. I’m very excited to see the sequel to Hocus Pocus especially as we get closer to Halloween. After Halloween comes Christmas, which means it’s time for holiday movies like the Santa Clause, I’m intrigued to see how this series following the movies will play out. Last but not least, seeing the sequel to Enchanted come out made me happy. I’ve heard rumors about a sequel but to see it come to life is so fun! I’m curious to see how Disenchanted will play out. 

One of my favorite things about all these trailers is that many members of the original casts will be returning, cue the nostalgia.

–Sweet Magnolias

I started a new show on Netflix. I’ve heard a lot of great reviews about Sweet Magnolias and started it over the weekend. It’s the perfect light-hearted show with hints of drama. I love the music, the friendships and the storylines. After watching the first few episodes, it has me craving a simple life in a quaint town. 

That’s just a little recap of some of my favorite things from this week.

Let me know below, what are you loving this week?

Happy Friday and happy weekend!!

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Let's Get Cooking

Summer Pasta Salads and Appetizers

Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a great week! I hate to say it but I have been slipping on making a new meal once a week. It’s definitely been harder to make it happen in the summer with more family time and a more relaxed family schedule. We sometimes eat later or go out more. I’m looking forward to getting back to cooking in the fall. 

I have still made a few recipes this summer, some of which are staples in my home.

We will start out with my Italian Pasta Salad. I think we got this recipe on a box years ago. We tried it and loved it and haven’t looked back.

My favorite summer pasta salad.

Here’s what you need and how to make it.

What you Need:

Rotini Pasta (or your favorite kind of pasta)

Italian Dressing

Cherry Tomatoes

Mozzarella Cheese Balls

Sliced Cucumber

Steps:

  1. In a pot, boil water to cook pasta. (I change the amount of pasta I use depending on who I’m cooking for and how many servings I need.)
  2. Drain water and then put pasta in large serving bowl.
  3. Slice cucumber and then add cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella, to pasta.
  4. Stir in all the ingredients and drizzle Italian dressing.
  5. Put in fridge to chill until ready to serve.

*If you plan on saving and serving again, make sure to add more Italian dressing

If pasta isn’t you choice, maybe you like to snack on chips and salsa.

When we went on vacation, we had a great shrimp cocktail sauce salsa. It was full of so much flavor. 

Appetizer night

Here’s an idea of how I’ve made this tasty dish.

What you Need:

Cocktail sauce

Salsa (I like a peach salsa or a medium hot salsa)

Baby Shrimp (can be frozen or in a can)

Steps:

  1. In a bowl mix half of the cocktail shrimp sauce and half of the salsa in a bowl
  2. Mix in the baby shrimp and then chill until you are ready to serve.
  3. Serve with tortilla chips or pita chips.

*If you aren’t a big fan of mixing half of each sauce you can change your parts to ¼ of one and ¾ of another. 

Also pictured is brie cheese with raspberry sauce. I like to cook the cheese and add the sauce at the end, it’s full of flavor and filling too.

I like to enjoy it with bread or crackers.

All of these recipes are super easy for entertaining in the summer and are easy to throw together. 

What are some of your favorite snacks to serve and share.

Drop them below!!