Apparently early May showers bring late May flowers because the gardens at Casa de IGE were off and running this week, including my very own lilacs – huzzah!

I kid you not, one of the things that sold me on our new home when we were moving last year was the two enormous lilac bushes in front of the house. When they didn’t bloom along with the rest of the neighborhood’s earlier this month though, I figured I had a couple of bunk bushes. Guess they just needed a little time and rain, both of which late May has provided us with, because I walked out my front door yesterday and could smell the blooms before I even saw them.

Better late than never!

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Everyday this week in between rain storms, my assistant gardener and I have gone out to check on our plant’s progress at least once or twice. Or three or four times, if I’m being real. Sometimes when you’ve run all your errands, taken all your walks, and played with all your toys, there’s still two more hours left until bedtime!

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Anyway, the basil I planted last week looks fantastic and the leaves are getting big and fat. I see a Margherita Pizza in my future.

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The Sweet 100 cherry tomato plant I potted over Mother’s Day weekend has at least 10-15 flowers waiting to bloom into candy-sweet tomatoes. Can’t. Wait.

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Even the potted parsley (which I told you was cilantro – wrong-o) which I nearly drowned last week is doing well. Fingers crossed the trend continues!

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This weekend should be a busy one. I have a baby shower for one of my best girlfriends, Laura, to go to on Saturday – I told her I couldn’t wait to give her all my unsolicited advice about having a little boy and she was genuinely excited. That’s true friendship. – then Saturday Ben and I are attending a brunch to celebrate the Principal Charity Golf Classic. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than watching golf on tv, but the thrill (thrill?) of watching it live is always a trip.

Anyway, wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite find from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!

Click the light blue links to be taken to the original source. 

Favorite indulge: Ultimate Brownies. Tessa at Handle the Heat (whom I got to meet in Monterey last year!) went through 6 batches of brownies in order to bring us her Ultimate Brownies. Wasn’t that nice of her? I love how she explains the science behind the recipe in her post, too!

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Favorite travel: Havasu Falls, AZ. This picture is equal parts barf-inducing (don’t look down!) and exhilarating. Havasu Falls inside the Grand Canyon has been on my must-see list for a few years now, and this is by far the coolest view I’ve seen of it.

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Favorite wake-up: Country Style Eggs Benedict. YES. Ben (and I) would go absolutely nuts for the over-the-top breakfast. Think I’ll make it for him on Father’s Day, muwahaha!

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Favorite truth: Ten Boy Mom Musts. I cried for 10 minutes from laughing so hard at this post about being a mother to four boys. Ahh, I can’t wait. On second though, yes I can.

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Favorite fresh: Pita Cheese and Veggie Grill. Loving the colors, simple ingredient list, and even simpler instructions to enjoy this grilled dinner. Yum!

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Favorite find: Home Office Makeover. This is the office inspiration I have been waiting years for! This blogger has the same basic room layout in her office as I do (position of closets, doors, windows, etc.) but has made much better use of the space than I ever have. Think I’ll pick up some of those bookshelves at IKEA this summer and get stated!

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Favorite spin: Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake. I am all over this recipe which combines my love of Caprese flavors and quinoa in one creamy, cheesy dish.

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Favorite tip: Ripen Bananas in 30 Minutes. I always seem to have cheetah bananas on hand until I need one and then I…don’t. Great tip for getting that over ripe banana texture and flavor from under ripe bananas in this easy tutorial.

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Favorite freeze: Chicken Parmesan Casserole. This easy layered dish looks like a great one to pop into the freezer to pull out any night of the week. Great for new moms or a friend who could use dinner delivery!

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Favorite sip: Watermelon Beer. Um, yes. Totally making good use of the 3 tubs of chopped watermelon currently chilling in the basement fridge from Memorial Day weekend and making this refreshing bev for happy hour tonight.

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Favorite flashback: Tortilla Pinwheels. I used to make a similar recipe for tortilla pinwheels in my early 20s that I made all. the. time. for parties and potlucks but lost it and could never remember the exact ingredients years later. This one looks extremely similar. Can’t wait to make it to share at our next BBQ or grill out!

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Favorite “fashion”: Mossimo Lightweight Hoodie. It feels a tad ridiculous to tell you about a lightweight hoodie I recently bought at Target but I freaking LOVE this thing. It’s just t-shirt fabric so I don’t get too hot in it, but it’s the perfect weight for warming me against the chill of the AC. I hardly take the thing off inside my house!

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Favorite decadence: Snickers Bars Cinnamon Rolls. Enjoy one or 12 of these for me, please?

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Have a great weekend!