Friday Faves

Hello and happy Friday.

My garden is in, and so far thanks to the atypical cool weather, it’s growing, albeit slowly. But I’m okay with that because the mountains are gloriously green and the roses this year are absoluteley STUNNING. I’ve never seen so many rose bushes with such masses of flowers. I want to stop and smell every single one. I probably should and this is why. But back to my garden…until my tomato plants and the yearly question: Should you prune your tomatoes or not? Here’s the answer. I trust him implicitly. I’ll patiently wait until my ‘maters blossom by snacking on these flavor bomb tomatoes that I’ve been roasting like in this recipe (that I do all year round!) for even more savory sweetness and tossing with spinach from my garden, marinated chickpeas, and mozzarella balls. Simple is so good this time of year!

With that, let’s get into the weekend with this week’s list of Friday Faves. Enjoy my foodie friends!

If you’re a BRAVO fan like me, you surely have opinions about Scandoval…and it just keeps getting worse.

Have you done a DNA ancestry test? I haven’t. Not sure I want to. Here’s another example of when those tests reveal family secrets you may or may not have wanted to know.

A good conversationalist doesn’t talk, they listen. Tips for being a better listener from someone who truly knows.

A TedTalk oldie but a goodie: What makes a good life: Lessons from the longest study on happiness.

Make the move! 6 non-awkward ways to reconnect with an old friend.

The complete list of 2023 James Beard award winners.

and…

8 recipes to cook from James Beard award winners. Maybe you’ll be on the list soon!

20 things to purge from your kitchen cabinets NOW. Okay, okay I will!

This is the latest playlist I’ve been listening to while working. Mellow and good.

This 5-ingredient chicken recipe looks divine. And easy peasy.

YUMMMM beef bulgogi bowls.

Add these summer sippers to your list:

• Whiskey lemonade is our favorite
• Starbucks Frappuccino copycat
• Sea salt caramel cold foam cold brew is on tap

This strawberry rhubarb jam is the perfect sweet/tart connection.

and…

Strawberry dump cake! Pass the vanilla ice cream, please.

Get the pancakes flippin’ with this homemade Bisquick mix.

Birria tacos are still going strong, and this authentic birria recipe looks so good.

This orange poundcake would be so good with a bevy of berries on top.

A shrimp salad sandwich I’d happily bite into.

This cabbage salad and this Lebaniese version are inspiring me to eat more cabbage.

Gluten-free recipe alert: Mac and cheese!

My husband is obsessed with chili crisp and these noodles are right in line with his cravings.

and…

Garlic chili noodles with shrimp. That’s my jam.

Let’s pasta that salad:

• A bacon ranch pasta salad recipe nobody will pass up.
• This Thai chicken pasta salad reminds me I need to update my version.
• Orecchiette pasta salad with little bites of corn

These chicken kebabs look so so so GOOD!

Thai beef tacos. I’m craving everything Thai right now :)

90 kitchen design ideas to inspire you now.

Went on a Costco run and scored these deals:

• Prokeeper fresh produce keeper set is on sale and $10 off
• I love these food storage containers with lids for meal prep and randomness
• I’m going to use these reusable silicone bags for packing my lotions and potions in my suitcase instead of plastic baggies

7 regret-free ways to declutter your life.

This is why fly fishing is more relaxing than a massage. Good thing we bought rods this year.

And I need to rewatch this Brad Pitt classic that 100% inspired my BP obsession. Good gravy, he was so freaking dreamy!

Target run for my annual summer stock-up:

• Picked up a few of these $8 tanks
• I am living in this v-neck midi dress in black and olive.
• These linen drawstring wide legs make me feel as if I’m wearing pajamas all day. But I’m not.

If you want to try to get seen more, try these 7 tips for beating Instagram’s algorithm. Good luck on that.

Going on a trip or vacation? Here’s tips and a good app to get yours planned.

And, the most popular beach reads to escape with.

Okay, that’s it for this week. Get outside, do fun things, and cook something good. XO

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