Oh happy day – it’s Friday, whoop!
That said, I feel it’s only appropriate that I recap the weather from this past week and forecast the days ahead. It’s just what we Midwesterners do. This was the first “fall” feeling week we’ve had this year, complete with drizzly rain and lots of lattes, but even better is that it finally looks like fall around here. I’ve been seeing pops of orange, red, and yellow from my friends to the north and east, but it was still relatively green until this week. That has meant lots of looking up!
And looking straight forward. That’s right, Ben’s and my Breaking Bad addiction has reared it’s ugly head again. We watched 1-1/2 seasons in, gulp, three days, and I haven’t been to bed before 11pm since Tuesday. Thank you, Walt and Jesse, for the (even darker) bags under my eyes. I want the series to end so I can get some sleep but am already mourning the last episode. WAHH!
Ahem, anyway. Lot’s of sunshine on the way this weekend which means it’s time to winterize the yard. Ben’s sweet folks did it for us last year when Lincoln was just a few months old, so this should be interesting. I’ve never winterized, well, anything. Wish us luck!
Wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime enjoy my favorite finds 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 devour: Spanikopita Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Bowls. Usually Ben and I just roast, shred, and then top our spaghetti squash with meat sauce, but the combo of flavors (and hello, cheese!) in this recipe is genius! Say it with me: kalamata. olives.
Favorite travel: 29 Surreal Places in America You Need to See Before You Die. I am drooooling over this list. And hey…check out the second picture under #25. Look familiar?
Favorite sip: Maple Spiced Almond Milk with a Hint of Pumpkin. I’ve been contemplating making my own almond milk over the past few weeks, since Lincoln can’t drink cow’s milk and will likely be drinking a truck load of it in the coming years. That said, this recipe might just be a trial run treat for me. What a lovely combo of warming fall flavors. I can imagine adding homemade chai spice to it and sipping warm out of a big mug.
Favorite DIY: $10 Wooden Blanket Ladder. Gor-geous! And $10?? You can’t beat that with the basket I currently stuff all my blankets in which not only make them unattractive but unreachable! Translation: I need dis.
Favorite bite: Simply the Best Mac and Cheese. Speaking of needing dis… Oh my gosh. This plate of creamy mac is simply Heavenly looking, and has ZERO processed cheese!
Favorite tip: The Only Stainless Steel Appliance Cleaner You’ll Ever Need. Moving into a house with stainless steel appliances last year got me pretty excited. They weren’t on my “must-have” list but I mean, yeah they do look nice….except when they don’t. Like when you’ve got a 14 month old with perpetually sticky fingers and a profession that has you using said stainless steel appliances all. the. time. That is to say, it feels nearly impossible to not only keep my appliances clean, but get them shining in the first place. I’ve tried a ton of different products and feel like they either leave a film or just don’t clean the way I want them to.
Already long story short, I am PSYCHED to give this natural cleaner a try!
Favorite supper: Chicken with Feta Cheese Sauce. Not only does this recipe look simple enough for everyday, but I cannot believe the cheese sauce calls for feta. It is so smooth looking! Can’t wait to try it out myself.
Favorite fall: Gilded Branches. This is such an easy and inexpensive way to add a pop of color and shine to your home and you could really do it to anything – leaves, branches, pine cones, and other stuff I can’t think of right now…
Favorite side: Roasted Garlic and Hasselback Potatoes. I am deeply exhaling while looking at this picture. I just wish this pan was sitting in front of me right at this very moment instead of being stuck inside my computer screen. Sigh!
Favorite funny. Basically. You’re welcome, everyone!
Favorite tip: Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Using Your Slow Cooker. Totally agree with the points in this article on common slow cooker mistakes, and I even learned something about adding alcohol to your slow cooker – basically that you should save it for drinking. I’m down with that!
Favorite treat: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing. I can’t decide what I’m more obsessed with – the filling or the icing on these delectable fall cupcakes. Regardless, I’ll take 8 dozen.
Lori - The Kitchen Whisperer 10.17.2014
First, thank you so very much for featuring my Creamy Mac ‘n Cheese. I’m humbled :)
Second… OMG I’m so with you on the binge watching Breaking Bad! We were doing 5 and 6 episodes a night. It was like the show was our drug! Talk about addicted!
I seriously read, and re-read all of posts above thinking “Oh!!! I want that now. NO! I want that now!” Your Friday favorites are all now my new loves!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Lori
Julie 10.17.2014
I’m reading and reading and thinking “Stop!” because i loved every single favorite! i wanted to sit all day and explore these links! such good stuff, thanks or sharing!
Stacie Gorkow @SincerelyStacie 10.17.2014
I just made almond milk for the first time this week. I had to review a Nut Milk Bag and oh my gosh, if you are going to do this, get this bag! It was a cinch. 30 minutes from start to finish (not counting the overnight almond soak). And it was delicious! Here is my post on it:
Sarah 10.17.2014
OMG, girl I have never commented before but I have to step in. Do not olive oil your appliances. I fell into this trap. It’s awful!! Looks nice until you actually touch them. Think oily finger prints everywhere. You will be scrubbing like mad to get it off :)
Sally 10.17.2014
I started binge-watching Breaking Bad earlier this year and finally finished last month. So good, but so sad it is over! My boyfriend refused to get sucked in with me, but now he’s decided he wants to watch and is hooked. Can’t complain – it means I get to watch it again!
haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine.com 10.17.2014
that.spaghetti.squash.looks.incredible.
Tanah 10.17.2014
This post made me feel cozy and hungry ha ha!
Meg 10.17.2014
Great favorites list! Those potatoes look amazing. Thanks for sharing
Carly H. 10.17.2014
This is my favorite Friday Favorites so far!
Christi @ Love From The Oven 10.17.2014
Thanks so much for sharing my cupcakes, seriously, there is so much good stuff, it’s hard to pick a fave part!
Oh, and the Breaking Bad Binge. Ah, I remember those days. I miss those days. I felt lost after we made it through all the seasons in about two months. Life was so, well, empty! I’m not a tv watcher, but that show, there are no words. Ahh, I miss Jesse! Okay, I’ll stop. Love me some BB. :)
That mac and cheese? My life needs. And the appliance cleaner? Um, yes, I curse my stainless daily because it’s always a disaster and I make it worse with what I use to clean.
Have a great week (tell Walt and Jesse hi, sleep is over rated, and depending on what season you are on, becomes hard because your mind is so blown away with what you’ve seen!).
Carrie (This Fit Chick) 10.17.2014
I Love that thank and that squash looks amazing!!! Love the places to visit article!
diana 10.17.2014
i am bookmarking that buzzfeed article on places to visit in the us stat! and thank you for the article on what not to do with your slow cooker. we’ve had ours for over a year now and i’m too intimidated to even begin! *shame*
April V 10.17.2014
Ohhh how I remember the Breaking Bad binge-watching… I was SOOOO sad watching the last episode (how could it be THE END?!) and no show since has filled that void!! :/
Be on the lookout for Better Call Saul coming in January (I think?) though!! :)
Tieghan 10.17.2014
Hey!! Thanks for showcasing my spaghetti squash! Love all the fun picks this week and I think it may be time to start breaking bad. I need a good show to watch! :)
Ellen 10.17.2014
My dad helped me make that blanket ladder a few month ago and I love it!!
Britt@MyOwnBalance 10.17.2014
Oh gosh! We binged watched Breaking Bad. So good!
Lea J. 10.17.2014
I love Friday Favorites and this is one of the best ones in awhile. All the links- I NEED THAT! =) Have a gorgeous weekend.
Bryn 10.17.2014
Make sure to read weelicious recent post on almond milk. I was on the fence about making my own, until I read about her son eating the almond pulp like candy. Made it, ate it, worth it.
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon 10.17.2014
We had the most gorgeous weather this week too, I can only hope it lasts forever! :) Thanks so much for sharing our Chicken with Feta Cheese Sauce, it truly is one of our favorites. Looking forward to seeing you next week!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} 10.17.2014
I use ecloths for cleaning my stainless steel. You only need to use water with them and they make everything shiny and bright. LOVE them! They are great for window washing too. :)