Happy Friday, everyone!
Whoo – what a crazy week! Between unpacking, working, this, that, and the other, I feel like I’ve been on-the-go-moto since last Friday. I’ve been making sure to take time each day to simply sit and enjoy our new outdoor space with Ben though, if only to wolf down a quick grilled dinner on the patio.
Here are some Insta-scenes from the backyard this week, including the booty from a strawberry patch we discovered, but not including the toad Ben found in the weeds then promptly released into the pond (a different one from the guy below!) Never a dull moment in the jungle that is now just steps from our back door! ; )
This weekend I’m looking forward to pausing and catching up with life. As I was unpacking the baby’s room last night I was hit with the all-too-real realization that we are having a baby in 4 weeks or less (or, ok, slightly more.) Holy. $%*@. If I can pack my hospital bag (see below for the ultimate list!) and finish buying the essentials from our registry, I think we’ll be good to go. Good news – the glider came in early!
In other news, the city’s annual art festival is this weekend so I’m looking forward to enjoying that sometime in the next couple of days. One of my favorite photographers, Lisa Kristine, usually makes an appearance and I’m anxious to see what she’ll bring this year. Hoping to finally get out on a walk around the ‘hood, too. We haven’t been out on the trails since before we moved in!
Well, wherever you are, and whatever you do, I hope you have a brilliant weekend, and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click on the blue links to be taken directly to the source.
Favorite idea: Cookie S’mores. S’mores made with chewy chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. All together now – YES! (Also, I want to go camping.)
Favorite furball. Maddie does it again! Her caption had me cracking up: “Ahhhhh! It’s summer and I’m gonna eat all this water!” Can I join you? : )
Favorite supper: One-Pot Cheeseburger Casserole. Good all year ’round, no? Yummy.
Favorite fashion. How much do you LOVE this dress??? Perfectly, simply styled too.
Favorite bite: Churro Bites. Oh. Mah. Gah. I was this close to ordering a churro at Costco this week. It smelled sooo good! I got a hot dog instead. I know. What made it worse was that Ben ordered a salad. I know.
Favorite funny. Story of my life. Poor Ben.
Favorite find: Don’t Grow Up Poster. Pretty apropos considering I’m turning the big 3-0 next week? Would be cute for the office.
Favorite dessert: Blueberry Slump. The only thing I love more than the beautiful and rustic appearance of this summery, seasonal dessert, is the name. Fun!
Favorite help: What to Pack in a Hospital Bag for Delivery. This week I reached out to my Facebook followers asking what must-have items I should pack in my hospital delivery back. SO GLAD I ASKED! Check out these ideas if you are PG and wondering too! (Image via)
Favorite fresh: BBQ Cauliflower Salad. This looks so intriguing and delicious. Love the sweet corn snuck in there too.
Favorite tip: 15 Ways to Update Your Kitchen on a Dime. Some good tips in this article, including putting out a basket of all your most used cooking essentials, accenting with a pretty wood cutting board. Great way to corral the clutter in style.
Favorite fitness: 13 Treadmill Workouts for All Levels. Summer is the season for outdoor running, but with record-high temps across the country right now, I thought these links would come in handy! (Here are all my treadmill workouts >)
Favorite slurp: Raspberry Cheesecake Popsicles. Gosh, should I just get it over with and buy some dang popsicle molds already? The creations I’ve been seeing on the ‘net lately are driving me (good) wild!
Favorite decor: Hanging Chalkboards. I found these via my daily email from Dot & Bo (the same place I found those cute chalkboard dessert cups!) They curate the BEST finds and send ’em in a daily email. Thought these would be cute for the baby’s room!
Favorite space. Cream + turquoise = Tranquil. Clean. Cozy. Perfect guest-bed decor.
Favorite indulge: Snickers Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake. Wow. Just, WOW!
Have an awesome weekend, everyone!
Morgan 01.03.2014
You should check out Captiva Island, FL. My family has made the trip there almost every year since I was four months old. It’s a gorgeous, small island in the Gulf of Mexico. The shrimp tacos at Captiva Cantina and the Bubble Bread from The Bubble Room are worth the trip alone! :)
Easy Summer Quinoa | Iowa Girl Eats 07.15.2013
[…] was so thrilled to receive the Don’t Grow Up poster I featured on my Friday Favorites a few weeks […]
Araica 06.30.2013
Wow! That’s the first time I’ve seen blueberry grunt (slump) somewhere outside of an East Coast kitchen. If you decide to make it, cut way back on the sugar and it’s the yummiest if you use dumplings instead of biscuits. Nothing better than dumplings cooked in stewed blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc…. Hmmmm, now I’m going to have to see what kind of berries are in season right now in midnight sun country.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness 06.30.2013
I am in love with the favorite furball! Adorable! As always all the foods you post make me want to eat everything! That cookie ice cream sandwich looks so good.
Regan 06.30.2013
So….that what to bring to the hospital list is pretty overwhelming…wow!!….I have a 5 mon. Old…and I just have to say….a nursing bra is key…or tank…whichever u prefer…but please…take their mesh panties….u simply throw them away!….and wear their gowns…robes…again…less laundry for u to deal with…believe me…u won’t wanna do laundry when u get home!…..ans Daddy needs comfy clothes..he’ll be laying…hanging around with u and little one!…good luck Verrrrryyy Exciting times ahead…enjoy the journey…and p.s. take video of your belly moving now…..u don’t realize how fast u forget “what being pregnant was like”
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 06.30.2013
I can hardly believe that you are 4 weeks away!! And happy early birthday!
Wish we had a slice of that Snickers cake to celebrate! :)
Nessa 06.29.2013
Those churro bites- love!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl 06.29.2013
Thanks for introducing me to Fork and Beans…looks like an awesome sight with lots of yummy stuff!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats 06.29.2013
Those chocolate chip cookie smores look incredible!
I want to try the BBQ cauliflower too it looks delicious.
Dream Mom 06.28.2013
LOVE that dress…perfectly styled too. And the Snickers Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake is over the top. Love the yard. Can’t wait to see more house pics!