Happy Friday, and first day of June!
JUNE?
June!
This is when I start to panic that the summer is going to fly by before I get a chance to really savor and enjoy it. Isn’t that sick? That said, I’m going to try and spend some time outdoors everyday over the next three months (when it’s not raining, anyways,) to unplug, get away from the madness of everyday life, and just enjoy. That way I can look back in August and know I did all I could.
Luckily it’s a beautiful day here in central Iowa, and I’m headed out for a nice run after I hit publish. I hope you’ll be able to do some of the same this weekend, but in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites! 
Favorite dessert: The Twix Tart. Chocolate + caramel + shortbread = SOLD! Look how dense & fudgy this pie is!
Favorite fashion: J Crew Ring Around Eyelot Top. Sweet & summery. Love the sleeve length too.
Favorite refresh: Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. I wouldn’t normally associate cheesecake with refreshing but the cool, creamy lemon center looks so, well, refreshing!
Favorite movie: Snow White & The Huntsman. I made Ben promise to take me to this movie when it opened months ago, and am finally cashing in on said promise this weekend – muwahaha! Can’t wait. Although annoyingly moody at times, I still love me some K Stew.
Favorite combo: Toasted Coconut Vanilla Limeade. I would literally give my left arm for someone to show up at my house with a pitcher of this toasty, tasty combo this very minute. How do people come up with this stuff?!
Favorite woah: Italian Moon. Do you think this is Photoshopped? Either way – incredible!
Favorite twist: Mango Apple Salad with Sugared Lime Zest. A new twist on the classic “fruit salad”. My mouth puckers and waters at the same time just looking at this picture.
Favorite DIY: IKEA Bookshelf Office Space. A workspace hideaway built out of 3 IKEA bookshelves. Genius! I especially love the burlap backing.
Favorite supper: Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage & Roasted Brussels Sprouts. This supper literally includes all my favorite things. ALL THE THINGS!
Favorite pooch. SQUEE!
Favorite sip: Sparkling Watermelon Limeade. A cool, ultra refreshing beverage for the hottest of summer days. Love how it’s alcohol free, but could be jazzed up with a hit of white wine, or vodka.
Favorite outfit. Coral and gold is one of my all-time favorite combos.
Favorite bite: Asian Shrimp Dumpling. If these babies taste half as good as they look, then I am in for a real treat. 
Favorite app: Wedding Snap. OH how I wish this existed when I got married! Have your friends snap pics at your wedding, then upload them in real time to a personal website which displays them all.
Favorite light bite: Thai Mango Salad. Love the sweet-tart dressing for this fresh, light salad. I would inhale this.
Favorite decor: Vintage Travel Posters. Want. So bad. ‘Nuf said.
Favorite feel good: Black Bean Veggie Tacos. An awesome combo of fresh veggies, flavorful cheese, and hearty black beans. This is feel good food, for sure!
Favorite funny. Sorry, but I laughed for legit 10 minutes when I saw this!
Favorite picture. Growing up, my neighbor had a natural hole like this in their fence which their black lab would always stick its nose through. We had so much fun with her.
Favorite treat: Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn. Perhaps I’ll make a batch to bring to Snow White?! YUM!
Ultimate Mr. Bar-B-Q Grilling Package Giveaway!
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate Father’s Day gift, or just need to outfit your grilling station before summer really sets in, you need to check out this Ultimate Grilling Package giveaway from Mr. Bar-B-Q! I’ve reviewed Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Grill Cover and Grill Skillet in the past, and have been so impressed. Their products not only look great, but work well, and are of high quality.
Mr Bar-B-Q put together the ultimate grilling package to give to one reader, which includes an 18-Piece Platinum Prestige Stainless Steel Tool Set and Magnetic Grill Light Combo Kit, Oversized Grilling Basket,
Collegiate Grill Cover (available in a number of different teams,) Grill Stone Pizza Kit, and a Cast Iron Wok. That’s over $200 in grilling gear – whee!
Enter to win this entire package by Sunday, June 3 at 12pm central, up to 2 times. Here’s how:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite thing about your Dad (or step-dad, Grandpa, or father-figure!)
- “Like” Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Facebook page and leave a second comment here letting me know you’ve done so.
Good luck, everyone, and have an awesome weekend!
I just love my Dad so much…. too hard to pick one reason!
My dad grilled every weekend he possibly could in all 4 seasons – I remember we took a silly photo of him grilling out among the drifts of snow while he wore shorts and a t-shirt for the photo – wish I could find the picture now! Darn!
“Liked” Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Facebook!
My grandpa taught me so much….and I’ve experienced so many things I never would have without him. His love for me is timeless and unwaivering…I don’t know what I’d do without him!
What I love most about my Dad is his love for the outdoors. I “Liked” Mr Bar-B-Q’s Facebook page (via my moms Facebook page, since I don’t do Facebook).
My Dad rocks! He taught us everything he could from grilling to how to change a leaky pipe. He just shared his knowledge!
I love how my dad is still there for me, when ever I need him. Also I cannot forget him carving a heart in my school lunch pb&j.
Last week, here in Pa, we had severe thunder and lightening storms, it didn’t stop my Dad from grilling!! He ran out to the grill and ran just as fast back to get to safety. Apparently safety takes a back seat to grilling!!!
*not recommended, lol
I love how my dad and I have the same sense of humor and the same outlook towards life – just enjoy it!
I liked Mr-Bar-B-Q’s Facebook page!
I love that my dad is a man’s man, but when it comes down to it, he’s a big softie and tears up at nearly everything – from The Lion King to the news that I recently became engaged.
my dad and father in law are both super classical men who love taking care of their families. i live a long way from my dad, but near my father in law. my husband and i just bought our first house, and he gifted us with a grill – because my husband needs to grill! its man work! a grill set like this would be so nice.
i also liked the fb page!
My favorite thing about my dad is that he is always trying to get people to laugh at his jokes. They are so not funny, that it is funny!
That and he always puts others first, and has worked so hard to provide for his family.
Also, I liked Mr. Bar-B-Qs Facebook page!
I love my dad he is the best! Always there for me when I need him to be!
i added them on facebook!
The great advice my dad gave me growing up, it’s given me the confidence I have needed to get thru the tough times in life. This will be our first Father’s Day without him. We always had a big family BBQ with dad doing all the grilling!
we do miss him very much!
My favorite memories of my father include him reading to me every night before bed. My mom got cancer when I was really little and instead of taking the easy way out, my dad raised his son, took care of his wife and made sure I grew up with the proper values, manners and skills to be husband and father myself.
He really sucked at grilling, though…. so there’s that….
My Dad made summers so much fun growing up. We spent time boating, golfing, fishing, and, of course, grilling!
I love reading about your favorite things! How is your garden coming?
My dad never changed – you always knew what to expect! ha!
Just “liked” Mr Bar-B-Q’s FB page.
my dad would do ANYTHING for his family..always putting others first.
My Dad brought the entire family together every Sunday night during the summers, and grilled for us all. He LOVED doing this just as much as the rest of us absolutely adored the food he whipped up. Now that my sisters and I have moved away to college and new jobs, he jumps at ANY opportunity to grill when we are all home. Always a family man, and that is what I love the most.
I liked Mr. Bar-B-Q Inc’s page!
My favorite thing about my dad is his corny jokes!
My favorite thing about my dad was how wise he was. When he spoke, we all listened.
I liked Mr. BBQ Facebook page!
My Dad spent countless hours sitting with me at the kitchen table doing math homework, patiently and with a lot of grace.
My favorite thing about my dad is his sense of humor and his laugh
I love how supportive my dad is! Whether it’s sports, school, or something else, he is always there for me.
Growing up he Land Sharked me every night before bed or sang “Good morning good morning it’s time to rise and shine! Good morning good morning good morning I hope you’re feeling fine!” every morning. It annoyed me then, but looking back now, I realize how precious those moments were.
My favorite thing about my dad is that he always has a piece of wisdom canned and ready to go for all occasions. Some of his favorite sayings crept their way into my high school graduation speech, and it was my big surprise for him. My dad has always believed in me, calling me his “free spirit” and always telling me to follow my heart, because he knows in my heart there is a sense of justness and rightness. I love my dad so so much. Here are some of his bits of wisdom/anecdotes:
If wishes were fishes, we’d all be fishin’.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas.
Stop the world! I want to get off!
Life is not a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.
Love you pop!
Also “liked” the BBQ page!
There is such a long list, how can a person pick just one?
I “liked” Mr. Bar-B-Que’s facebook page.
My dad is the hardest worker I know. He will never stop working to make everyone happy.
My dad is, by far, the smartest person I know. And did I mention hard working? He retired two days ago after 30+ years at the same job, and I know he is looking forward to spending time around the house and he loves cooking…the grill set would be an awesome gift for him!
dad was the most selfless person i knew…
I “liked” Mr. Bar-B-Que’s FB Page.
I’m trying really hard and I honestly can’t think of a “favorite” thing about my Dad. Since we’re talking about grilling I guess we’ll go with food. That man can bbq chicken (and carrots… mmm) like nobody’s business.
My husband is actually the best father I have ever met. I love just watching him with our 7 month old son. I have never seen him light up the way I do when he is talking to him. He loves to spend every free minute with him and already tries to teach him about electronics!
I liked Mr. Bar-B-Que’s facebook page
My favorite thing about my dad is the way he can fix EVERYTHING! It doesn’t matter what I break (or breaks on me), he’s the guy to take care of it
My favorite thing about my Dad is that he has always been one of my close friends – he is someone I truly enjoy spending time with, not just because he is my Dad.
My dad isn’t a griller, bless his heart. My husband though, is celebrating his first Father’s Day this year. Watching him interact with our baby daughter has made me fall in love with him all over again.
my dad always answers my questions about cars & computers
liked on facebook!
My Dad always know how to fix anything on my car and he makes delicious food on the BBQ.
I “liked” Mr. Bar-B-Q’s facebook page.
my favorite thing about my dad is how he gives my entire family a hug and a kiss before we go to bed every single night. he loves sports, beer, grilling, running marathons–all tough-guy things!–yet he never misses an opportunity to tell us/show us that he loves us.