Friday Things
1. I took both boys to the grocery store together for the first time yesterday and they had SO MUCH FUN. I was wondering how Joseph would do since he’s a little, let’s say, not always thrilled, when Dominic is all up in his space, and they were so close sitting in the cart… but he straight up giggled the ENTIRE time. Dominic kept laughing at him and smiling and turning the wheel when he saw Joseph doing it. They’ve been interacting so much more recently and it’s been so enjoyable to watch.
2. With summer approaching, lots of people are hopping on the diet train… if you’re doing a Whole30, check out my recap from a couple of years ago with lots of tips and recommendations!
3. This is hysterical and 100% me >> Leaked footage of me going with the flow
4. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch these days? I need some new ideas!
5. I’ve been totally mesmerized by all of the lettering Instagram accounts I’ve come across lately. Watching people write gorgeous letters makes me want to try my hand at it. When I was little, my aunt learned how to do calligraphy and I was always in awe when I got a birthday card from her – it was so pretty! I want to do the same :)
6. I’m trying to hold out on a new phone and iPad until the new versions are released in the fall. I desperately need an upgraded camera on my phone and can’t wait to get my hands on the portrait mode of the new plus models! And I haven’t had a working model of an iPad for over 2 years, so I’m counting down.
7. What recipes are you craving for the summer? Any requests? Throw ’em at me!
8. My husband and I went to game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals this week (which we won!). If there was any doubt that I grew up in a hockey-loving household (which was semi-rare in this area in the 80’s – most people were diehard football fans), my mom’s string of texts to me during the game was proof:
9. Have you watched any House of Cards yet? We haven’t started it yet, but I can’t wait!! Also, I see so many people talking about Bloodline… what’s it about? Yay or nay? Oh! And The Americans finale this week… it kind of left me wanting more?
10. TGIF! I hope you have a super happy weekend!
More salad idea’s  I am always looking for new recipe’s.  You will love Bloodline.  If you haven’t watched Goliath with Billy Bob Thornton watch it.  It is on Amazon and was really good.  Grace and Frankie another good one to.
Since I leave my house at 5:30 am to get to work by 6, I pack breakfast and lunch the night before to take with me the next day. For breakfasts I usually put some cottage cheese in a mason jar and then top with frozen blueberries. The berries have thawed by the time I eat. Hard boiled eggs and avocado toast are another favorite and easy to take and make at work. Yogurt parfaits are good, too. I just layer plain yogurt, homemade granola, and fruit of some kind in a wide-mouth pint mason jar. Pretty to look at and very tasty! For lunches it is usually leftovers. But lately I have been making a big batch of quinoa on Sundays to take for lunch the rest of the week and embellish it with different things so it doesn’t feel like I am eating the same lunch every day. I build my own “bowl” with things like sliced grape tomatoes, chopped zucchini, feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, some fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil. Sometimes I wlll add some chopped meat, like chicken or pork. Very versatile and so customizable.
I agree with all the comments on Bloodline. Do watch all the seasons in order. I’m sorry that this is the final season. It’s pretty creepy at times, but hard to look away! As for House of Cards, I have watched and enjoyed all the seasons until I got to this new season – it might just be me, but I’m finding it rather boring. I will continue to watch and hope I find it better, but at this point I’m finding the new season rather a dud.
YES! YES! YES! to Bloodline! The first season was a little hard to follow, but way worth it. The second season was even better. Can’t wait to start the third. I have heard that it is awesome, too.
Bloodline is so good. It’s a slow burn kind of like The Americans. I haven’t watched this final season yet – I’m saving it. Did you watch Big Little Lies? My mom and I really enjoyed it.
I’ve never seen that, I’ll check it out, thanks for the rec!
Breakfast on the week days is overnight oats with whatever fruit is in season. If people come over on the weekends it’s either overnight sourdough waffles or a quiche. This summer I’m looking for no bake cheesecakes or any no bake dessert​ really. I’ve been eyeing this recipe for a long time. https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/7213-chocolate-espresso if you’re interested in tackling it first and taking lots of pics I would not complain 😜
https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/7213-chocolate-espresso-dacquoise
I wanted to tell you how much I look forward to your Friday posts. I have enjoyed watching both boys growing up and all their antics.!
I watched 2 episodes of House of Cards last night. It’s fine quality as usual, but I’m having a hard time keeping up/keeping everyone straight. Maybe it’s because I binge watched the last season and didn’t fully absorb all the ins and outs. I’m thinking about going back a few episodes and doing a refresher. I will say this though, those are some really evil characters, or maybe amoral would be a better description of their behavior!
Definitely yes on Bloodline! Read the story line onÂ
Netflix summary. Intense family interactions, twisted story plots, and great character build up. I can’t wait for the next season to come out!Â
Awwwwhhhhh-Duke is smiling his doggie smile.
He knows he is loved, you can see it all over his face.
The picture of Dominic and Joseph is so sweet! Dominic’s little feet make me want to kiss them – I know that’s weird but kids little feet are so cute! I’m still looking for cold side items to serve during the summer besides deviled eggs, potatoes salad and cold slaw….glad you got to go to a game this week..how exciting! For breakfast I either eat a fried egg or scrambled egg sandwich or a bowl of plain cheerios…nothing too exciting. Have a great weekend!
You’re boys are so cute!
Ok, so I just started making overnight oats for breakfast and they’re so easy and tasty! Â It’s like a version of muesli. Â I do everything the night before and place in fridge, so breakfast is just scoop and eat the next morning. Â I use almond milk, rolled oats, sliced almonds, golden raisins, dried cherries or cranberries and a tbsp of honey so it’s not overly sweet. Â So yummy! Â My next batch will be cinnamon apple, same base, but cinnamon, honey, and chopped apples and maybe some shredded toasted coconut.
Bloodline is pretty intense, and I like it a lot. This season that just went on Netflix is crazy hard to follow right now but I have not finished it yet, definitely a binge-er! I never got into House of Cards though.
Games ! AND 2 have both been something! Â Who would have ever thought we would win with only 12 shots on goal to the Press 26 in Game 1 and blowing a 3-0 lead?!? Â And Jake Guentzel?! Â He makes it look so easy, and has been so good! Â I am over the moon excited for tomorrow night’s game. Â I’m sure the catfish will be flying . . . .
For breakfast ideas, have you ever tried chia seed pudding? Â I make it with coconut milk and top it with fresh blueberries and a very small amount of either granola or Kashi. Â Any fruit, or any combination of, is really good. Â And chia seed pudding is as effortless as it comes. Â Almond milk would be really good to use as well. Â I like to have a slice of some type of “grain” toast with it (and I think the avocado toast suggestion above would pair well). Â So good and satisfying.
Hi Michelle, I’ve never tried chia seed pudding, I’ll have to give it a try, I’ve seen it everywhere!
Yes, Bloodline is super addicting. It is a somewhat dark drama about a very dysfunctional family, but the acting is outstanding. I’m super embarrassed to say that when the 3rd season came out last Friday, I watched the entire season (10 episodes) in one day! 😉
I almost didn’t watch House of Cards, I had a hard time getting into the first few episodes. Then wham! I was hooked! I haven’t started watching the new season but am going to limit my viewing to one or two episodes at a time instead of binge-watching it. I am always so disappointed when a season or series ends!! LOL!
I’ve been trying to add more protein and cut back on carbs (which I could totally live off of!), so breakfast for me has become cottage cheese with fruit and sliced almonds or pistachios. It seems to do a pretty good job of keeping me full for a few hours!
Yes, yes, yes, on Bloodline! Â You will be so hooked on that show, you won’t be able to stop watching it. Â Kyle Chandler is amazing.
Love that text from your mom! My dad is the same way. It was a crazy game and I can’t believe we’re two games away from the big W!
I too am (impatiently) waiting for the newest Apple releases in the fall. I REALLY want a new iPhone, particularly for the enhanced camera, but waiting until Sept for the 8 feels impossible. So… I upgraded my BF’s 6 to the 7 and hopefully I can just “borrow” his ;-)
Would love any easy stovetop recipes for the summer. Feel like all my great go-to’s are oven recipes and I cannot stand to turn the oven on when it’s 80+ degrees out!
I live in the boonies- not enough data or speed to stream :-( For breakfast the past few months, I’ve been making egg casseroles on Sunday and bringing them to work all week. Always involves eggs, egg whites & spinach but then I vary. Sometimes I do a crust of shredded or mandolined sweet potatoes. Sometimes turkey sausage or chopped ham is added. Cheese on top. Whatever leftovers I have in the house that would go, basically. I love breakfast and eat it every day, but I don’t like to eat first thing – I get up at 6 and I’d rather eat around 8am, when I get to work, and this is easily portable. This week I need to do baked oatmeal, though, because I bought the wrong almond milk last week (vanilla instead of plain) and I need to use it up….Lunch is always leftovers, or a salad with proteins (beans & lean meat).
I am on a green smoothie kick for breakfast. This website has a ton of great recipes and ways to make them into a meal https://simplegreensmoothies.com/. This is my go to version, doesn’t taste like spinach at all (I add almond butter & some oats to make it more filling): https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/green-smoothies/strawberry-banana. It makes enough for 2 servings so I get 2 mornings out of it.
Before the smoothies I was doing overnight oats for a long time, I like anything I can prepare the night before.
Currently obsessed with Bloodline! Â I’ve watched this show way too fast – I blame it on being home for maternity leave! Â The show is interesting in how it is written and you keep getting more information from different perspectives (especially in the first season). Â
And Go Pens! LEts take the first one in Nashville!
Watched first episode of Season 5 of House of Cards last night. I think this is my all-time favorite show or tie with Game of Thrones. I pace myself. I only allow myself to watch one episode a day (maybe 2 if it is raining). Finished Bloodline. Saw all three seasons, loved it. Sissy Spacek is an incredible talent. The only disappointing thing with the final season was episode 9. It was very hard to follow. No spoilers here. ;-)
I agree about episode 9 on Bloodline, holy confusing!
I have just started using an instapot (electric pressure cooker ) I am in love. I would love to hear you take on it, and maybe a recipe for the pressure cooker. Thanks
Bloodline, yes, yes, YES! Â Be sure to start with season 1. The third season was just released. It’s about a family in the FL Keys that owns/runs a bed an breakfast. Highly recommend!
Bloodline is awesome!!! About adult siblings that live in Key West with all their secrets and lies. It’s a must watch and sad that the current season is the last.
Avocado toast for breakfast is the best; I can’t get enough. https://avocadosfrommexico.com/blog/entertaining/16-ways-get-creative-avocado-toast/?utm_source=monique
My new favorite breakfast is Brussel Sprout Hash with Bacon topped with an over easy egg.  I have always loved Brussel Sprouts but this takes them to a whole new  level.  What a great game on Tuesday.  Looking forward to the next one on Saturday.  Have a great weekend and Let’s Go Pens!