Friday Thoughts: Favorite Things + Follow Up

Hey, hey! It’s April already. WOW.

I gained’t go into why that’s exhausting to wrap my mind round (like, faculty’s out for the summer season in lower than seven weeks, wut), however…right here we’re. Time marches on and all that.

I needed to test in immediately to share a number of favourite issues with you and blab about some random life notes. I even have a microblading update, however this publish bought lengthy in a rush, so I’ll save that for subsequent time!

Right here we go!

Some Favourite Issues

I shared a number of random, favourite issues on Instagram the opposite week, and didn’t need these of you not on Instagram (good for you) to overlook out! So, right here they’re plus a number of extra! (None of those are sponsored, simply stuff I’m l.o.v.i.n.g.)

• Yasso bars. My goodness. Wonderful. My pal, Deb, dropped these frozen yogurt bars off to me final week and I ate two, instantly turned obsessed, and the subsequent day drove round to search out them (thanks, Albertsons – a number of of you alerted me they’re at Goal and Walmart, too). I purchased each taste I may discover. All scrumptious; the ocean salt caramel chocolate crunch are my fave.
• S’mores maker. I bought this fun little s’mores maker for the youngsters for Valentine’s day, and it’s been a success. The premise is tremendous easy, and we adore it. You might argue that you just don’t actually need one other small equipment to make a s’mores, however we’d must comply with disagree on this one. 😉
• My new favourite denims. Pay attention, I’m no vogue blogger, however I’m in love with these denims and thought you need to know. That is saying rather a lot, since I usually keep away from carrying exhausting pants in any respect prices. #joggersforlife These denims are flattering and comfortable (and I don’t appear like I’m a 40+ mother attempting to suit right into a 19-year outdated’s vogue closet). I purchased them from one among my favourite on-line clothes boutiques, Piper and Scoot – the denims are a prime vendor and I believe there are just a few sizes left. However excellent news, I did a fast google search and located the exact same ones here. They run a bit large. I’d dimension down one waist dimension (I’m usually a 27-28-ish and I put on a dimension 26). And sure, that is a carpenter loop, and sure, it does beg the query of why I didn’t cling on to the pair I had in highschool. Okay, bye.

• Queen Bee Candies. This family-owned company is in Wyoming, a number of hours from the place my dad and mom reside in Montana. My dad makes the drive to this small city only for these superb sweets. And after each journey, he normally sends me a small field filled with my favorites (thanks, dad!). I really like the story behind this small copmany: honey farmers turned simultaneous sweet makers. All of the chocolate/sweet is made with honey, and it’s extremely scrumptious. My favorites: the dark chocolate haystacks, the Bee Energy Bars, and the honey caramels.
• Loopy superb granola. My sister gave me a number of flavors of this Safe + Fair granola for my birthday, and I turned an on the spot fan. A lot in order that I ended up shopping for one (ahem, okay, two) of each taste from their web site. The birthday cake granola is unparalleled. However I simply dipped into the honeycrisp apple and ohmygoodness.
• Sassy bites. Random grocery retailer discover, and now I can’t eat lunch with out them. I’m a pickle fanatic, and these sweet + spicy pickles may be within the land of greatest pickles I’ve ever had (sure, I’ve had Well-known Daves, and I believe they’re even higher, please don’t hate me). Phrase has it that the pickled carrots from this firm are UNREAL.
• White balsamic vinegar. The identical pal who blessed my life with the fro-yo bars additionally gave me a few of this white balsamic vinegar from Baker + Olive, and I’ve by no means had something prefer it in my life. I went by way of a bottle of the mango white balsamic very quickly (greatest vinegar ever), so I made a decision to order extra flavors of vinegar than one human ought to ever want. JUSTIFICATION: I’m planning to maintain them in my pantry for presents. Buuuuut I’m anxious I’m going to finish up dipping into each taste simply so I can pattern. I’ve personally tried the mango, cranberry pear, and jalapeno – all of them outrageously scrumptious. I even have purchased and used the olive oil from this similar firm and some of the spice blends.

  As for what I do with the vinegar: I take advantage of it in recipes that decision for vinegar (salad dressings, marinades), nevertheless it’s additionally so flavorful and attractive on it’s personal that I repeatedly whisk equal elements vinegar and olive oil and toss it with a easy salad. Divine.

How Did This Occur?

Unbelievably, I began this weblog only a few weeks after this image was taken, virtually 15 years in the past.

Much more unbelievable is that a few of you’ve got been round for nearly that whole time. 💗

Earlier this week that cute little boy within the blue PJ’s up there turned 18.

Me: WHO AM I AND HOW DID I GET HERE?

Additionally me: DON’T GET ATTACHED, THEY GROW UP AND LEAVE YOU.

Lastly me: 😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗😭💗

Hundreds of thousands of children all through historical past have grown up, graduated highschool, and launched into the large, large world. I’m definitely no pioneer. And but, I really feel like the primary mother who has ever skilled the lump-in-my-throat, bittersweet feelings watching her oldest son undergo this section of life. My coronary heart is filled with love…and likewise ripping to shreds.

I simply truthfully don’t really feel sufficiently old for this. Can we pause life for about 10 years (however provided that it may be performed precisely when all of the youngsters in my home are in a superb temper)? Fairly please?

Sourdough (Don’t Roll Your Eyes)

I haven’t personally gotten into making rustic, beautiful loaves of rustic sourdough bread. You understand those: the bread with unbelievable sourdough taste and likewise crust so sharp it bleeds the highest of your mouth dry. Yeah, these ones.

However I have turn out to be mildly obsessive about sourdough discard recipes.

Now’s only a light reminder and nudge to get your fingers on a sourdough starter (or make your own so it has time to develop and prepare to make use of), as a result of I’m posting a simple sourdough discard recipe subsequent week that’s going to knock your socks off.

And I’m additionally engaged on the softest, fluffiest sourdough sandwich bread and a perfected sourdough waffle recipe.

If you’re cringing on the considered the sourdough recipes to return, don’t fear. I promise my weblog isn’t turning into Sourdough Central…there are only a few recipes I’m tremendous excited to share earlier than I lose curiosity. 🙂

My Brother’s Marriage ceremony

My favourite youthful brother, Nate, bought married final month, and I used to be very, very honored (and likewise very, very nervous) to take the photographs and make the cake for his wedding ceremony.

As a result of I needed to drive six hours to the marriage, I baked the cake layers forward of time after which made the frosting and assembled and adorned the cake on the AirBnb in Portland, Oregon.

After perusing the Pinterest boards Nate and Tim despatched me for inspiration, I went with a country/woodsy vibe. I used this chocolate cake recipe for 2 9-inch layers topped with two 7-inch layers.

In between the layers I unfold darkish chocolate ganache sprinkled with dark chocolate crispy chocolate pearls aff. hyperlink (sidenote: these crispy pearls are one of the best factor to occur to life – I adorn truffles/cupcakes/cookies with them, however principally, I eat them by the handful; so delightfully yummy)

Tim prefers less-sweet frosting (as do I!), so I made this buttery magical frosting to frost the surface of the cake layers.

(I purchased the engraved cake knife and server from Etsy, in addition to the cake topper. The acacia cake board is from Amazon aff. hyperlink)

The cake ended up tasting fairly scrumptious…however principally, I used to be simply comfortable it didn’t collapse whereas driving an hour by way of Portland site visitors to the venue. Particular shoutout to my superb mother who held the assembled cake on her lap the complete drive.

I really like my brother, Nate, greater than I can specific in a weblog publish. He’s not simply my brother, he’s one among my closest associates.

His life story shouldn’t be mine to inform, however I’ll say that in the event you’ve been blessed to know Nate within the 40 years he’s been on this earth, you’ll understand how fortunate you might be. He’s heat and real. Genuine and type. He’s an exceptional father. He’s wickedly sensible. And he’s additionally very, very humorous.

I’m so extremely grateful for the person he’s, the life he’s residing, and the truth that he’s now blessed me with an incredible brother-in-law, Tim, who patiently listens to me speak about sourdough starters and pigs. (Bless you, Tim, bless you.)

That is me most likely giving Nate the facet eye at some joke he made. He and I are at all times arguing about who’s funnier. I imply, Nate is SUPER humorous, however is that this nonetheless even a debate?? You guys, please consider me: I’m older, wiser, and positively funnier. 😉

Tummy Troubles

I’ve had growing abdomen points for months. I do know it’s a mix of stress/nervousness, household historical past of IBS, and a few inflammatory meals on my specific tummy.

I just lately did an elimination weight-reduction plan the place most of my meals consisted of issues like this:

Which seems to be yummy for half a second till you eat it each dang day for weeks on finish and notice that there isn’t any true pleasure with out chocolate, cheese and carbs.

The upside is that I’ve been in a position to establish some meals which can be inflicting me abdomen points. Together with that, I’ve additionally been taking these digestive enzymes + probiotics (aff. hyperlink) and have seen an enormous distinction for the higher once I take them.

Some Information Assets I Like

I, like a lot of you, really feel the heaviness of world occasions proper now, notably the struggle in Ukraine. If you’re like me and need to keep knowledgeable with out feeling overwhelmed by all of the loud voices and large quantity of misinformation, listed below are the websites/assets I test.

• @sharonsaysso (she posts most of her info on her Instagram tales)
• @mosheh (he posts most of his data in Instagram tales as effectively, however he additionally has a really helpful email bulletin you possibly can subscribe to)
• The Donut daily email (I really like this fast synopsis of world occasions + different info + random tidbits)
• @smarthernews and @theamericanmoms and @ridethenews have additionally been nice informational assets for me
• @wiserworldpodcast (right here’s the website) is a new-to-me podcast (and a reasonably new podcast altogether) that’s extremely useful with short-ish episodes about international locations and historic occasions (the 4 episodes on the final 100 years in Russia and Ukraine had been so, so informative and fascinating)

Moreover, I’ve been following the work of World Central Kitchen in Ukraine proper now, and the quantity of meals this group makes to feed the hungry is totally mind-blowing. I’ve personally donated to World Central Kitchen and to Save The Children for his or her efforts in Ukraine proper now. These are simply two of many, many worthy and respected organizations needing donations proper now. 💗

Y’all. WHY DO I ALWAYS HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY.

Thanks for being right here and for sticking with me and my randomness (for these of you that make it to the tip each time). I really like your guts. Simply a lot.

Let me understand how you’re doing within the feedback? Sure, please do.