Happy Friday, all!
Whoo – it’s been a busy week! Since having Lincoln I’ve cut way back on freelance work, but when an opportunity arose to partner with one of my very favorite grocery stores, HyVee (with whom I had my first job at the age of 14 – grocery sackers unite!) I jumped at the chance. This week we filmed a few recipe videos featuring pretty much my favorite ingredient ever, which will be released in December. I can’t wait to share the videos, plus some new recipes next month. Here’s a behind the scenes look at filming!
Since I was out this week I got a taste of what life is like for parents who work away from home. It is no joke! The amount of planning and prep that goes into making sure I had everything Lincoln might need during the day took some serious thought. I nearly needed a clipboard and whistle to get my dang game plan together!
Linc was in good hands, spending one day with Grammy and the other with my sister-in-law, nephew, and niece. Finn and Lincoln are BFFs. Cute Overload.
I’m looking forward to spending the day back at home with my boy then hunkering down at home this weekend. We got some freezing sleet and gasp, SNOW, yesterday plus I have a bunch of work to catch up on. A cozy fire and homemade stew (see below!) should help weave in some fun. : )
Wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click the light blue links to be taken to the original source.
Favorite sip: Apple Cider Champagne Sangria. Apple cider? Check. Champagne? Gotta have it. Sangria? Heck yes! This drink has my name written all over it!
Favorite cute: Theo & Beau. Ok, Finn and Lincoln are cute together but this little boy and his pup, who take daily naps together in matching positions, are pretty much tearing my heart to shreds. You have got to see these pictures!
Favorite twist: Whipped Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potatoes. All the things!! Seriously, I don’t think I could ever go back to eating regular mashed potatoes after tasting the lusciousness that is whipped sweet potatoes with bourbon, bacon, and browned butter.
Favorite cozy: Daube Provençale (French Beef Stew with Red Wine). See “some fun” from above. ; ) Truthfully I hate beef pot roast (ate one too many as a kid,) but beef stew? I am all over that ‘ish. This version looks mouthwatering.
Favorite cozy: Natasha Sweatshirt. The prop stylist on the video shoot was wearing this adorable sweatshirt this week, and I fell in love. The front is a lightly quilted and kind of shimmery. So cute, and a step up from wearing “just a sweatshirt”.
Favorite slice: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. I emailed my Mom the minute I spied this pie to inform her I’d be bringing it to Thanksgiving this year. Hello – bourbon + chocolate? Yes!
Favorite side: Cabernet Cranberry and Blueberry Sauce. I loooove the idea of spiking regular cranberry sauce with both cabernet and blueberries. This is a must-try recipe.
Favorite splurge: Pizza Nachos. Wait ’til you see the drizzly cheese step. Mmm…
Favorite idea: Work for Hire. I am a firm believer in kids learning how to do chores from the get go – it serves them so well in life. I really like this “work for hire” idea as a way for them to earn money doing tasks that are a bit above and beyond everyday duties.
Favorite dinner: Black Bean and Butternut Enchilada Skillet. Satisfies my current craving for all things butternut squash, and it’s made in just one skillet. Brilliant!
Favorite giveaway: Keurig Platinum Brewing System + Lipton Tea K-Cups Giveaway! You guys know how much I love my Keurig – I use it every single day. When Lipton Tea approached me to try some of their new K-Cups, including a rich black tea, smooth green tea, and brew-over -ice sweet tea, plus send over a new Keurig to try them with I said sure, but let’s give the Keurig to a reader. Lipton agreed…then threw in another one for good measure!
Call me crazy, but one of the barriers to drinking tea in the past for me has been the actual tea bag. It’s kind of a drag waiting for it to steep then squeezing it out and throwing it in the trash, inevitably leaving a dribble of tea water on the counter in the process. C’mon, tea! These K-Cups are really delicious, and brew in what, 20 seconds? Love it!
As I mentioned, Lipton Tea is giving away 2 Keurig Platinum Brewing Systems, each coming with:
- 1 pack Lipton K-Cups SOOTHE Tea
- 1 pack Pack Lipton K-Cups INDULGE Tea
- 1 pack Lipton K-Cups REFRESH Tea
Enter to win a Keurig Platinum Brewing System + Lipton Tea K-Cups prize pack by using the voting widget below. Click the “+1″ button then click “Enter”. Earn an extra entry by liking the Iowa Girl Eats Official Facebook Page by 11:59pm central time on Tuesday, November 26. Good luck!
*** PLEASE NOTE: the voting widget below may take up to a minute to load and may not work in Internet Explorer. The winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org and will be contacted directly via email. ***
Kelly Methey 11.22.2013
Love your Friday posts. I am going to take the sweet potato dish to Thanksgiving at my brother in law’s with my other dishes. It looks that good!
Love the picture of Finn and Lincoln, so cute! The napping baby and puppy was so sweet!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Losing Lindy 11.22.2013
I <3 Hyvee! We don't have any close to us. I was a grocery bagger too as a teen.
Kristen 11.22.2013
I also have a Keurig–use the one at work so for home have a french press. The one I have for home I’m giving to my mother when they relocate here in 2014. Purchasing the sweatshirt tonight! And, love the idea (I live in Bourbon country) of the sweet potatoes…yum! Where did you get the tan bag…it looks like a great size?
Betsy 11.22.2013
such an awesome Friday favorites, they always make my day. Congrats on the freelance gig, I can’t wait to see the videos in Dec!
Sanaz@ Run for Cake 11.22.2013
Love these posts! Those potatoes look delicious! I love whipped savory sweet potatoes as well!
Alexandra Aimee 11.22.2013
Ohhhhh I love this giveaway! I don’t know how I still don’t have a Kurig.
Caylin 11.22.2013
I love your Friday Posts. Thank you for always sharing. Have a great weekend IN :)
zozo 11.22.2013
The beef stew and pizza nachos look delishhh
atelier zozo
JennP 11.22.2013
I love love your Friday faves. I won’t be entering the giveaway, because I won a Keurig Platinum from you last year (!!). I am obsessed with it! It’s perfect for our family, because my husband doesn’t drink coffee, and I’m a 1-cup a day type. We use it for hot chocolate, green tea and apple cider too!
Michelle 11.22.2013
I’ve had the chocolate bourbon pecan pie before… Blended into a milkshake courtesy of Hamburg Inn 2 #sugaroverload
Dena 11.22.2013
Finn in his hat….ADORABLE!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets 11.22.2013
Those pics with the puppy and baby are just adorable. And Lipton has k-cups? OMG, my life is now complete!!!
Carole F 11.22.2013
If I dont see the voting widget is there another way to enter?
Iowa Girl Eats 11.22.2013
Are you viewing in Internet Explorer? Sometimes it doesn’t show up in that browser. If you can try another browser it should work!
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 11.22.2013
Is it just me or are Finn and Linc already looking alike?! Ah, the cuteness abounds :)
Shobelyn 11.22.2013
Those cute kids – your son, your nephew and the kid with puppy just made my day. They are cute as a button!
I was also working when my kids were little and I understand how difficult it is to be far from them for a few days. But it is the ” missing them part” that made me quit my job and became a stay at home mom. You are blessed that you are able to blog and have a part time freelance work to give you some break from being a new mom. You need that little break to maintain your sanity.
I love your blog. Very informative.
Lacey Bean 11.22.2013
I saw the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie too and immediately knew that’s what I was making for Thanksgiving! Sounds soooo good!
C. 11.22.2013
I need to try that champagne sangria! Looks so refreshing and delicious. Love the links this week! Have a great weekend.
tiffany 11.22.2013
Friday favorites is my favorite posting day of yours!
Melissa 11.22.2013
I always love your Friday Favorites posts and of course, this one is excellent! The sangria and the black bean and butternut enchiladas sound so yummy!
Katie 11.22.2013
the link for Theo & Beau is wrong :(
Enjoy your weekend!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.22.2013
Whoops! Just fixed it, thanks fr letting me know!