Friday Things
1. Joseph loves handing his toys to people and one day he got a little carried away… he wanted me to hold every single toy he picked up off the floor! He’s just the sweetest, love this little guy!
But he had his first crazy night of (non) sleep last Friday in what seems like forever. He’s been sleeping 11-12 hours straight through since he was around 4-5 months old. Since then I only had to go into his room in the middle of the night two or three times, and each of those times he had a really bad cold. I have no idea what happened on Friday (it was the 13th?!) – he woke up at 12:30am and I could not get him back to sleep until 4am. Oof. I was sort of a zombie on Saturday… I guess training for the new baby?!
2. We had the big ultrasound this week!! We spilled the beans to our families last night, and I’ll be sharing the surprise here next week! Any guesses? My husband thought girl, I thought boy… One of us was right ;-)
3. Do you remember the cereal Basic 4? I used to love that stuff! I looked for it at the grocery store earlier this week, but couldn’t find it. When I Googled it, I found it was made by General Mills, but they don’t even have it on their website. I guess it’s discontinued? :(
4. In happier food news, I was positively ELATED to find out that Graeters is opening a location in the Pittsburgh suburbs! It’s my absolute favorite ice cream and now I can get fresh scoops and milkshakes anytime! Dangerous but sooooo exciting!
5. Bath & Body Works is bringing back some of their signature scents from the 90’s… I was in high school and I think my nose just permanently smelled Cucumber Melon and Country Apple for years.
6. Awesome list, so many I need to tackle myself! In case you’re ever visiting >> 50 Things to Eat in Pittsburgh Before You Die.
7. Loving these tips for a clean, organized pantry! Mine is in desperate need of an overhaul, I’ve let it get wayyyyy out of control.
8. Has anyone made the Marcella Hazan tomato sauce recipe? I’m intrigued by the butter, but I’m side-eyeing the lack of garlic or seasonings. Thoughts??
9. What are you watching on TV? Playoff hockey has been taking up pretty much every other night, but on the off nights, we’re still watching The Americans and Game of Thrones, as well as binging on 24. We’re at the point where I feel like all of the later seasons of 24 have quite predictable plot lines, but still enjoying it!
10. TGIF! Joseph found himself a new furry seat :)
I SO want to know the baby’s gender! Please! I can’t stand not knowing!! I hope your family and you have a wonderful week nonetheless.
I wanted to tell you that I bought some Basic 4 cereal this weekend. I used to love it too and haven’t thought much about it until I read your post and I thought ooo I need some. They had it at Publix. I’m in the south. Good luck, hopefully you will find some. :)
I saw Basic4 at Target on Friday evening and could NOT remember where I had read about it until I just re-read this. So, to let you know that Target (at least in DC) does carry it.
Hazan’s sauce is sublime, but meant to be as a celebration of the tomato itself. My husband likes it because he doesn’t like sauce with a lot of “stuff.” However, if you haven’t made her smothered cabbage, you haven’t lived, cooking-wise. Try it with white balsamic for a twist on the red or white wine vinegar. I make this every other week, it is that good…
All that Bath and Body Works stuff was my life as a tween and teen. Those are some good memories. I foresee a bottle of cucumber melon in my future :)
Haven’t tried her tomato sauce but her bolognese sauce is delicious! Everyone loves it!
I had been having a really bad week – until I saw the picture you posted of Joseph on his “furry” seat. Thanks so much for being a real mood uplifted!! (Is that even a proper sentence?)
A born and raised Pittsburgh girl
That picture of Joseph sitting on doggie is too cute!!
I’m usually right half of the time when I predict the gender but
how about a boy!? (maybe it’s because I’m thinking a little brother
would be great for Joseph) Which ever it is, it will be surrounded by love!
Hi, I actually work for General Mills and yes, Basic 4 still exists :)! I love this cereal too (https://www.generalmills.com/en/Brands/Cereals/genmills-cereals/brand-product-list).
My mom bought some last week, we live in CA though so it may be discontinued regionally or maybe just at your retailer, but this product locator might help you: http://consumercontacts.generalmills.com/CrunchProdAvailability/ProductAvailability.aspx?m=10.
I have to admit that I’m kinda hoping it’s a boy so that Joseph has a same gender playmate – though I’m sure he’ll be a great older brother regardless of the baby’s gender. The pic of him on the doggie is too cute! I love the sound of the flavors from Graeters – have never tried it but supposedly it’s in a local store so I will drive there tomorrow and see what flavors they carry…lol…I do love the sound of their fountain menu – the old fashioned ice cream sodas in particular! – I’m going to give the tomato sauce recipe a try – I might have to add a little garlic but maybe just a little bit – lol…
I made the sauce with fresh tomatoes one summer and I was also doubtful but it was very good. I only guessed correctly with the sex of my own children, but can’t wait to hear your news! I loved Basic 4 too! Haven’t thought about it in years. Joseph is adorable !
Congrats on baby #2!!
I lived in Cincinnati for 10 years, and became addicted to Graeters! My husband even proposed there, haha! I’ve moved from Cincy, but luckily, Kroger is in Dallas, AND they carry Graeters!! Black Raspberry Chip 4EVA!!
I haven’t made this tomato sauce recipe, but I always add butter to my tomato sauce and it is THE BEST!! It sounds strange (it is strange), but it makes the sauce so smooth and creamy. Butter really takes spaghetti sauce to another level! You will be hooked after trying it:) Happy Friday!
My daughter is starting at Pitt in the fall. Can’t wait to try some of the 50 eats!
Love the last picture of Joseph and his furry seat – he is really starting to look like a BOY instead of a toddler!
I can’t wait to hear your baby news – we want to see your baby bump!
I’m going to have to try that sauce! Thanks for the link!
Have a great weekend with your loved ones, Michelle!
Thanks for the link on the Bath & Body re-release. Freesia & Sun Ripened Raspberry are my favorites!
Loooove that tomato sauce. It’s so perfect as it is I won’t even put parmesan cheese on my pasta when I’m using it.
I love your Friday things posts — always fun links to follow, thanks!!
I bet he is teething. One year molars kept both my kids up at night.
Definitely a possibility! Three of his molars are already in with just a little bit crankiness during the day when they popped. This fourth one, however, broke the surface awhile ago and it’s still working its way through.
I think with Marcella’s recipes you have to trust that she knew what she was doing — and that it will be very good though maybe different from what you’re used to having.
Earlier this week I made her White Bean Soup with Garlic and Parsley (http://food52.com/blog/16641-a-genius-minimalist-white-bean-soup-from-marcella-hazan). Her husband said, “There is no more perfect example of Marcella’s historic contribution to cooking in our time, of how much taste you can produce with the fewest ingredients. Or, as she used to tell her students, what you leave out is just as important as what you put in.”
Hmmm . . . I’m side-eyeing the lack of garlic, basil & oregano as well, but the comments on the recipe are pretty convincing. I’m having my second official Sunday dinner this week :) and will be making YOUR meatballs (aka father-in-law’s meatballs). Maybe I should consider this sauce recipe for the meatballs??
Graeter’s Ice Cream??? I have never heard of it, let alone noticed in the GE ice cream section. Wow! It will be close by which makes me just a bit worried that I will become hooked and find I can’t live without it. I’d like to learn more about the “French pot process” and how it differs from other methods. And to think of ALL those hand-packed pints that are sold in the various stores – that’s a pretty inconceivable thought . . .
That last picture of Joseph sitting on Einstein is priceless. Oh my goodness!
Have a great weekend! Game 4 tonight – Go PENS!!!
Hi Michelle, They sell Graeters at Giant Eagle – it’s in pints, so it’s usually stocked where the Haagen Daz and Ben & Jerry’s are. Must try! GO PENS!
I did make the Marcella Hazan sauce a few weeks ago. I was completely underwhelmed. I used it as a sauce for stuffed shells and the sauce made the whole dish bland. I’ll stick with my own recipe on this one. Have a great weekend!
I was as skeptical as you are about the Marcella Hazan sauce but once I made it we were SOLD! it is absolutely delicious and I make it all the time. oh and don’t discard the halved onions when sauce is done! We eat them with dinner (or sometimes right from the pot)….and they are so good!
I am always wrong at baby gender guesses, I am going to say girl so that probably means you are having a boy! Can’t wait to hear your fun news!
In my humble opinion, Graeters is the best ice cream ever! We never pass thru Columbus without making a stop. It was rumored two years ago that they were looking at several cities and Pittsburgh was one of the possibilities. So glad they made the right choice!
I’ve never tried Marcella Hazan’s recipe (will add to my to do list), but I do love the tomato sauce recipe from the chef at Scarpetta. It is a few extra steps but DELICIOUS! It’s the only way I make spaghetti now.
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/10/making-scarpetta-tomato-basil-spaghetti-scott-conant-scarpetta-meatpacking-district-nyce.html
Basic 4 still very much around! I buy it every week from wegmans where I live!? Amazon has it!! Great list from bath and body works but wish they had included ORIGINAL honeysuckle and Seaspray!!
I was hoping for Seaspray, too, but am really glad to see Cotton Blossom!!
The Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce is amazing! I confuses me as I come from a family that needs to have garlic and spice in everything but its my picky brother’s favorite pasta sauce. I always make double batch and freeze the rest.
Agree, this sauce is a must try!! So easy and delicious???
I have made Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce many times. I felt the same way as you at first but it’s very simple and delicious. The butter cuts the acidity and makes it much smoother. Definitely try it!
Look at it this way – one of you being right is perhaps better than both of you being right!
HA! My husband was hoping for twins with each of these pregnancies!
That’s some of the best (worst) news for this girl. Graeter’s will be about 3 miles from where I work… I can see myself leaving extra early for work just to get my favorite ice cream (sure it’s available at GE, but why go there if there’s a storefront here)!
And the “50 things to eat in Pittsburgh” list is a perfect starting point for the hardest question of all between me and my guy: what/where do you want to eat, which my answer is always “Idk, food” lol ;)
Have a fantastic weekend, and Go Pens :D
Did you hear where exactly it’s going to be? I just saw Wexford! And yes, GO PENS!
When I looked it up, it said Wexford Village Plaza. I may have to drive by tonight on my way to work to see if I can spot the exact location