But let’s chat about the weekend! Do you guys have any plans on the agenda? Our plans for the next few days are wide open though I’m sure we’ll fill our weekend with summertime fun. I’ll be sure to fill you guys in on the blog next week but until then, here’s a little roundup of the things that are making me smile this week. As always, feel free to chime in and share something you’re loving this week with me below!
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
My Aunt Laurie had these cookies on hand for us to snack on when we visited her in Raleigh earlier this summer and an obsession quickly began. They’re buttery and perfectly thin and crispy and great for crumbling on top of creamy vanilla ice cream.
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It All Comes Back to You by Beth Duke
I was looking for a quick, not-too-intense read earlier this week and It All Comes Back to You fit the bill. It reads a little richer and deeper than your average beach read but it’s still an easy read with an interesting plot line and an unexpected twist at the very end of the book. I found parts of it a little eye-roll-inducing but enjoyed it enough to recommend it.
It All Comes Back to You follows the lives of two women whose lives came together when Violet, a captivating former Homecoming Queen whom everybody loves, came to live at the assisted living facility where Ronni works. After Violet’s passing, she leaves a generous amount of money to Ronni in her will with one stipulation — Ronni must write a book about Violet’s life within one year. The project is daunting but engrossing and Ronni soon comes to learn more about Violet and some of her former patients than she ever imagined.
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It’s Like a Carnival Cruise
This made me laugh out loud so naturally I had to share it with you guys. I especially enjoy my little cruises on days when the boys are screaming or when the toddler car seat battles are particularly intense.
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Sweet Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing
You know the dressing that comes on top of those sad little green house salads at sushi restaurants? The dressing that’s so good that it somehow makes up for the pitiful iceberg lettuce underneath it? Well, the Sweet Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing from Whole Foods tastes just like that dressing and it’s fantastic! I’ve been using this salad on chopped Asian salads and loving it! Paired with some sliced almonds, crispy wonton strips and shredded chicken, it’s a big-time winner.
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Friday Flashbacks
10 Most Used Kitchen Items (My kitchen favs I use on an almost-daily basis!)
Meal Plan: 5 Meatless Meals (Simple, tasty vegetarian meal ideas!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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I’m so sorry to hear about the discomfort you’re experiencing! I hope you’ll be feeling better asap so you can enjoy the weekend. I can surely relate to muscle pain, if that is the cause. In my rib area, the pain had gotten so bad, that I had an x-ray since I started to suspect a possible rib fracture, but it turned out to be severe muscle pain. I’m hoping you feel better soon!
That is so funny about the “cruise”! Starting next week, both of my boys will be in school at the same time! Not full day…my youngest will just go three days for four hours each time. But still! I experienced child free time four years ago when my oldest started preschool. It was only for about three months but I was very pregnant and trying to get ready to welcome my second son! So this feels different! I keep thinking about what I am looking forward to and it’s cleaning without constant interruptions, exercising (our neighborhood rec center doesn’t offer any child care unfortunately), catching up on sleep if needed, etc. But there are also little things that I can’t wait for…easily making beds, taking a shower without a little one outside the curtain, quickly running a basket of laundry upstairs…things that should be easy but are anything but! My three year old is a major climber and always getting into things he isn’t supposed to. I have to watch him and be by his side every second. He is also nonverbal so I can’t just yell down to him and say, “Is everything okay?” So I am SO ready for three day a week “cruises”. After 8.5 years as a parent I feel like I’ve made it! Summer is fun for many reasons but I love having structure in our days and am ready for it! And I love fall weather and clothing!
Give it some time and the pain will go away. The same thing happened to me at a different spot and it took forever but now I’m pain-free. Oh the changes our bodies go through after having kids! I’ve seen that quote before and it always cracks me up! I love our little mommy mini breaks any time we can get them.
Carnival cruise – That is hilarious! And so true! Its like those 5 seconds are a re-charge!
I have a heavy baby too (22.5 lbs at 9 month check up… yikes!) and I feel tightness on the side I carry him on quite often. Sometimes it is a pretty sharp pain.
2 boys comment:
I have two boys too and funny enough.. My oldest (2.3 years) and youngest (9 months) have the same eating habits as your boys. My first is only semi-interested in food but my baby = human garbage disposal! There is no logic to this mothering thing!
That post about toddlers made me laugh. Happy friday to you and your crew! I’ve mixed that dressing with sriracha before to bump up the heat and love doing that. It’s delicious, and great on top of good quality lettuce.
I’ve just hit 37 weeks pregnant, so our weekend is going to look like a lot of relaxing and staying close to home. I think it’s hitting me that I soon won’t have anymore lazy Saturdays with just me and my husband so I want to enjoy them!
I’m excited to finally go to the beach tomorrow – a week long “vacation” with a 4 year old and a 7 month old and whole bunch of family!
I know you have a love for all things ALDI – are you a member of The Aldi Nerd Community Facebook Group?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1753737854844689/
I hope you are feeling better! We love Tate’s cookies – my husband buys them as special treats every now and then! I had never heard of them until just a few months ago. And we are loving first birthday party prep over here! Tomorrow is the big day! We’re doing a Waffle House themed first birthday haha!
Oooh… I may need to make a chicken salad with that dressing! Thanks for the idea!