Another year, another great 4th! :D Can you believe it’s already over?
Tuesday night I mixed up a huge batch of Dad’s Killer Beergaritas to take with us to the Yankee Doodle Pops concert, put on by the Des Moines Symphony, that my family and I go to every year at the state capital.
Since it was 100+ degrees, there was less than HALF the crowd there usually is, and we had our choice of the entire capital lawn to spread our blankets out on and cheers to a hot and boozy 4th. ;)
(Seriously, have you made the Beergaritas yet? So refreshing!)
The symphony and other acts played all throughout the evening, until it was dark enough for fireworks.
It was another great show, although perhaps a tad shorter than other years. It really was that hot out!
The 4th was just as toasty, so Ben and I hung indoors all day before heading to a friend’s 4th of July BBQ that evening, then yesterday I turned The Big 2-9, AHHH!!
Ben and I mourned celebrated with my annual birthday sushi lunch at Miyabi 9 – my favorite restaurant in town.
A cooling sushi lunch platter with miso soup, ginger salad, a full plate of sushi, and my sweet honey-bee (Ben) was just what I was craving. :)
Drooling at the memory!
We also splurged and split a Cascoe Bay Roll – a tempura battered and fried spicy tuna roll. I never believed in frying sushi rolls until I tried this. It is amazing!
To distract me from the fact that I was turning 29, my Mom took me out for a pedicure next (rocking the obnoxious neon pink – woot!)
Then everyone came over to my parent’s house for a birthday dinner, including my sweet niece, Evie!
I requested a simple summer BBQ with cheeseburgers, Judy’s Baked Beans, Mom’s Potato Salad, and fresh fruit.
And frozen Pepperidge Farms Cake, natch. :)
It was great having all the fam come over, even though my birthday hit in the middle of the week.
We even got to facetime my little bro in Denver – whee! (Classic Dad expression, no?) ;)
To 30, and beyond!
Today is supposed to be the hottest day yet, with temps at 101 and the heat index at 110+ degrees, but everyone’s getting a little cuckoo around here from being cooped up, so Ben and I are heading out for a night out on the town tonight with some friends. I CAN’T WAIT!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my weekly wrap-up of my favorite finds from around the web, in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite treat: Blueberry Hand Pies. I don’t think I’ve ever told you this but I AM OBSESSED WITH HAND PIES. Like, obsessed. I once (almost) overnighted an entire shipment of these famous hand pies from NOLA to my house in an act of hand-held pie desperation. Eesh.
Favorite find: Chevron Painting. This is just too cool. So mod.
Favorite mmmm: Grilled Figs & Cheese. I can’t even imagine how decadent this would taste with salty prosciutto slices!
Favorite view. Sigh! Take me there?
Favorite copycat: Noodles & Company Penne Rosa. A copycat version of Noodles & Company’s spicy, creamy Penne Rosa, made healthy!
Favorite bling: Lindsay Bangles. Aren’t these bangles too much fun? I can’t decide which color I love the most!
Favorite side: Orzo with Parmesan & Basil. It’s always nice to find a tasty side for dinner. This looks simple and so satisfying.
Favorite funny. Been there, done that! ;) Look at his little eyes all closed in delight!
Favorite crunch: Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing. This salad looks light yet filling, and full of fun textures and flavors.
 Favorite fashion: Nena Zig Zag Dress. SO fun and flirty. The perfect party dress.
Favorite redo: Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce. Made without velveeta?! Getcho own – this batch is all mine! ;)
Favorite place: Charleston Beach House Bedroom. Oh how I’d like to wake up here!
Favorite grill: Grilled Chicken with Fresh Cherry Sauce. I am obsessing over cherries right now. they’re candy sweet, and so inexpensive.
 Favorite photo: Seven Hours. Sweet.
Favorite bite: S’Mores Dip. No campfire required. Love this!
Favorite print: Time For Coffee. Great colors that would pop in the kitchen.
Favorite fresh: Summer Salad. Fresh veggies, goat cheese, and a light vinaigrette. Perfect for these hot days when you can’t bear to turn on the stove!
Have a great weekend everyone! :D
misc relevant posts/blogs | insert life here 12.13.2017
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Jennifer Moreman 07.26.2012
Thanks for sharing my chevron painting :) – Jenn
nicole @ its about the journey not the destination 07.10.2012
Happy Birthday! The Capital is gorgeous!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee 07.10.2012
I def wish I could try that Cascoe Bay Roll. Looks great.
Happy Bday!
Sonya 07.08.2012
Hey Kristin — just browsing through the July/August issue of Country Living magazine. There’s a strawberry hand pie recipe on page 116! They look pretty tasty :) Hope you had a great birthday and weekend!
Krista 07.08.2012
Hi Kristin!! Happy belated birthday! It looks like you had a perfect, relaxing day! I am so excited to have stumbled across a fellow Iowan and DSM Blog! Your Blog is gorgeous, ive been browsing through your recipes for a while now.. keep up all the fantastic work!
Krista
jessie 07.08.2012
happy belated 29th birthday! thank you so much for sharing your birthday celebration pictures. it looks like you and your family had an amazing time. love all of your ‘favorites’. :)
Ali @ Gimme Some Oven 07.08.2012
Happy 29th, Kristin!!! I just turned 29 two months ago. :) Living up the last year of our roaring twenties – whoo!!!
LOVE that zig zag dress too! So cute!!
kate 07.07.2012
happy belated birthday! (you did it again…i don’t know where you find these adorable pictures of bostons, but they always make my day :)
Amber 07.07.2012
Happy belated birthday, i love your friday favourites! :)
Anne Jasinski 07.07.2012
Happy birthday Kristin! I follow several blogs but yours is my all time favorite…I get so happy when I see “Iowa Girl Eats” in my inbox…I feel like it’s a “shout out” from a dear friend. You are adorable, bright, fun and clearly appreciative of your wonderful family. (This one sided “friendship” is weird/bittersweet but I’ll take it!)
Suzanne 07.07.2012
Happy Birthday and the big 29 sounds good to this 40 something girl :). I appreciate you including me in your Friday Favorites, you are adorable and so is your family and blog. BTW I too am crazy about hand pies and sweets in general!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Lovelys 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday!! Geez, everything looks so good, but I am especially excited to try the Beergaritas! What a good idea! :)
Cathy 07.06.2012
Happy Birthday IG~ and you look so happy and glowing. Looking forward to going through all the Friday Favorites this weekend, and maybe making some Beergaritas. Hope you extend your celebration through the weekend.
Bek @ Crave 07.06.2012
Happy 29th Birthday! I love your Friday favourites- keep it up!