Well it looks like I didn’t need to dash out for those mango strips after all (actually, I’m kind of glad I did as I got the very last bag!) The snow didn’t start falling ’til late in the evening then kind of petered out after 2 inches. Talk about anticlimactic! The remaining 4 finally fell overnight though, so it should be a fun, snowman-filled day for the kiddos. ;)
I’m not sure what’s on tap for this weekend – maybe a snow walk. I’ve decided to adopt a Minnesotan mentality and not let the cold weather stop me from getting outdoors. I was always amazed when I lived in Minneapolis after college that no matter how cold it got (and OMG IT GETS SO COLD) nor how many inches of snow were on the ground, Minnesotans were always out and about walking, running, and being active. Blew my mind. Anyways, I figure my down jacket, warm boots and gloves exist for a reason – time for me to stop being the reason I’m stuck indoors!
Wherever you are, and whatever you do, I hope you have a GREAT weekend, and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click on the light blue links to be taken to the original source.Â
Favorite healthy: Soft Batch Dark Brown Sugar Coconut Oil Cookies. No butter nor white sugar, yet dense and gooey as all get out? I’ll take 6 dozen, stat. Eek!
Favorite furball. Hey dog, pour me a cup, too! ;)
Favorite sip: Blood Orange Margarita. This babies look so, so refreshing. They’d be fun for a bridal shower or something, on account of them being so gosh darn PINK!
Favorite find: Circulation Chest. I am 1000% obsessed with this chest, with it’s varying sizes of drawers and antique-y look. Plus there’s a look-alike dresser in the guys’ apartment on the Big Bang Theory, which makes me love it even more. Cough, #NERD
Favorite fake-out: Chinese Orange Chicken. WOW!! This takeout fake-out meal looks so much better than the restaurant version. Super light and fresh.
Favorite view: Seeing the World Out an Airplane Window. You guys have to see these views from the window seat of an airplane on flights from around the world. They’re good photos, too, not like my crappy iPhone shots…
Favorite bite: Lemon Yogurt Sugar Muffins. Mmm, bright, light, and zippy! Love anything rolled/dunked/dipped in sugar, too.
Favorite makeover: Ceiling Space –> Play Space. While I love a stunning, open, and airy entryway as much as the next gal, this is SUCH a better use of otherwise space.
Favorite twirl: Lemony Pasta with Goat Cheese and Spinach. I could eat this ENTIRE recipe myself. Pasta, pasta, pasta!
Favorite outfit. RIGHT?! The top’s from J Crew, I believe. Cute and classy.
Favorite treat: Key Lime Pound Cake. In case you can’t tell I’m all about the citrus right now, especially a dense and buttery cake spiked with puckery key limes. :)
Favorite photo. I think as part of my garden overhaul this summer I’m going to plant some dahlias – except, does anyone know if these grow from bulbs/I would have needed to plant them last Fall?
Favorite quick: Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce. I think Ben and I would love this dish equally. He’d go for the beer-laced sauce, while I’m excited about the squeeze of sweet honey and shallots.
Favorite DIY: Cheerful Flower Topiary. Oooo, a few of these would look nice and cheery on my mantel.
Favorite sweet: Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes. Yes!! These! So cute and yummy!
Have a great weekend, all!
Megan 02.22.2013
The chicken and beer recipe looks great! And the aerial photos made me remember a site a friend showed me a long time ago: http://www.yannarthusbertrand.org/
This guy is fantastic. You can search all his aerial shots by country.
Kristen 02.22.2013
I’m so making the pasta dish!
Jamie 02.22.2013
I LUST after that card catalog cabinet on Big Bang! So totally lust after it. = )
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 02.22.2013
Did you know that today just happens to be National Margarita Day?! How fitting! Those Blood Orange Margaritas would be the perfect way to celebrate! :)
Jenn 02.22.2013
I definitely went all out buying groceries because this storm was supposed to be SO big. Then when I had to go to work this morning.. ugh.. so not fun! ha
Annie @ eatcleaneatreal 02.22.2013
I have to say, a chicken and beer combo holds a special place in my heart. And Im usually more of wine girl. I will have to check this out!
Theresa 02.22.2013
I LOVE that card catalog too! Every time we watch Big Bang Theory, I tell my boyfriend I want one! haha I love your Friday Favorites! Every week, it’s like, “She did it again!” I’ve been re-pinning like crazy :) It sounds like a cold one for you this weekend, stay warm! It’s supposed to be beautiful in SF, so I hope to get out and enjoy it as much as possible!
Misty Lambert 02.22.2013
Everything you need to know about growing Dahlias in Iowa is available in an Extension publication available here: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/pm1925.pdf
They are a lot of work, but rewarding!
Averie @ Averie Cooks 02.22.2013
Thanks for linking up my Soft Batch Dark Brown Sugar Coconut Oil Cookies! I appreciate it, Kristin! And they are one of my newest favorite cookies. Soooo soft and and thanks for mentioning them in your post :)
I grew up in Mpls! Left over a decade ago and the weather in San Diego is much better! But even here it does get cold and the natives freak out. And I adopt my “it’s never too cold to go outside” upbringing. I used to walk to college classes that were spread out so far apart in the dead of winter -40F or whatever it was…and everyone just dealt. Or as a kid, just going outside in it. If you stayed inside just b/c it was cold, in MN that would mean 6+ mos a year!
Stay warm and I love all these ideas. The poundcake, the apartment therapy space makeover, all wonderful!
Kat 02.22.2013
Hi, I’ve nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award… http://thebakingexplorer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-versatile-blogger-award.html
Afton 02.22.2013
Blood Orange Margaritas are on Smitten Kitchen today too- I think it’s a sign I need to make them! I’ve added it to my list for drinks after I’ve had this baby!
Maggie 02.22.2013
Hi! I love the idea of the card catalogue too. My mom works at a library, and when they switched to an electronic system a few years ago, they got rid of all of their former card catalogues. I think they still have some in their basement somewhere (in Illinois. . .), but you might want to check with your local library, and save on the $800 primo price tag :-) Mom now has one in her living room, and she loves it!
Alisha 02.22.2013
The ceiling space into the play space is totally 100% genius! Love it! And that pink margarita looks like the perfect sip to celebrate national margarita day today! I, too, was in awe with the amount of people were still willing to be active outdoors when I lived in Minnesota for a couple of years, too. They were outside year-round, rain, shine or blizzard! ha!
Trisha 02.22.2013
I am positively obsessed with coconut oil right now. And as luck would have it, I have all of the ingredients on hand to make those superb-looking soft batch cookies. Wisconsinite here who makes no apologies for staying warm indoors during nasty winter weather. Looks like I’ll be cozy in here for a few more hours, thanks for the awesome share! :)
Shelley 02.22.2013
1. I love that too about my fellow Minnesotans.
2. LOVE Maddy (on Things). Did you know she and her owner have a book coming out and they’re doing a tour of the 50 states?
3. I’m pretty sure you can plant dahlias in the spring. My parents usually dug up their flower bulbs and stored them indoors for the winter.
Brita 02.22.2013
I gotta try all of these recipes!!
Marianne 02.22.2013
and here are some pics of roses,helebores and finally my first year of dahlias!
Marianne 02.22.2013
some pics when I visited Swan Island Dahlias
Marianne 02.22.2013
Dahlias are planted in the spring,and they are a tuber,not a bulb…..they loo alot like small potatoes and can rot easily……the most wonderful Dahlia farm is not too far from me….Swan Island Dahlias http://www.dahlias.com they guarantee their tubers
Some are more spendy than others….but one tuber can multiply quite quickly….you can cut them apart and plant them………and remember to put some bone meal in the hole when planting,,,,,,,,really Swan Island Dahlias has a wealth of info and a stunning catalog
Jamie 02.22.2013
Swan Island Dahlias are great! They totally came through for me at the last minute for my wedding several years ago when my flower people disappeared. They were so nice, too. You’re lucky to live close. = )
Marianne 02.22.2013
We have ended up with so many dahlias that I sell some when our blueberry patch is open during the summer…perfect timing
Amy 02.22.2013
I love your blog—especially Friday Fav’s…..love how you speak of Minnesotans! We are hearty………no choice. This is one of the more recent Winters I am appreciating the snow…the cold is tough but….today I walked to work from my bus drop off to office is a 1/2 mile and the light snow, listening to music, it was enjoyable….! I also went to the North Shore in January and it was gorgeous to see Lake Superior and see others not freaking out…..ha.
I like looking at the snow from home usually.
Have a good wknd IGE!