Friday Things
1. Ahhhh these two are just the cutest together. So much love, so much giggling, I just can’t get enough.
(Also, Dominic’s hair STILL stands straight up… from the day he was born!)
There was a lot of excitement here last weekend because Joseph started asking to use the potty(!!). Over the course of Saturday and Sunday morning he asked to go fairly consistently (and every time he had to go #2), but his enthusiasm seems to have waned over the week. We didn’t really have plans to do hardcore potty training yet (he had shown NO signs of interest or any other signs of readiness), so now I’m not really sure if we should run with this or hold off a bit (he doesn’t wake up dry from naps or overnight, and I know that it supposed to be one of the big signs?). Either way, he is SO excited when he uses the potty and as soon as he goes, he throws his arms in the air and yells, “AWESOME!!” 😂
2. How adorable are these crocheted Sunday slippers? My grandma used to crochet baby booties, and big booties for the adults in the family, too (my dad loved them!), and these totally made me think of her. Putting these on my list of things to tackle, they look so comfy!
3. I’m not sure how many of you have heard of or follow Smiley the blind therapy dog, but he’s a Golden Retriever therapy dog who was born without eyes and is basically an Instagram star. Unfortunately, last week his owner found out that he has cancer and likely does not have much time left. She wrote in her post that he was the dog she thought would live forever, and I know that feeling all too well. I’ve missed Einstein a lot lately as it closes in on an entire year since he’s been gone, and this one got to me :(
4. On a much lighter note, have you seen this video? >> 25 Years of Top Summer Songs. 1992 through 1996 gave me some serious middle school and high school flashbacks!
5. Have I confessed to you that I don’t really like tomatoes? Like, I’ll eat tomato soup, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, etc. but I cannot, for the life of me, enjoy biting into a slice of tomato. Maybe it’s a texture thing? I see so many people talking about how much they’re enjoying the fresh tomatoes this summer with salt and pepper, and I SO want to be that person… But I am definitely not that person, womp womp.
6. I went to the grocery store on Monday and saw… a Halloween candy display. Really?! It’s July! I had to look twice to make sure I saw it correctly!
7. BUT on that note… fall IS sneaking up on us, so I’d love to know if there are any particular fall/Thanksgiving/Christmas recipes you’d like to see here! Leave your requests in the comments below!
8. A reminder that I’ll be hopping on Instagram stories this afternoon to share the step by step process of making the No Bake Rose Cheesecake from yesterday! If you’re on Instagram, jump on later today and take a peek! (You can follow me on Instagram here!)
9. We started the new season of Broadchurch on BBC America, and are only one episode in so far. Love those two actors together! We also started watching Father Brown on Netflix – it’s a way less dark murder mystery show and the priest in the show cracks me up.
10. TGIF! And THESE TWO! 😍
Oh man that picture it toooo adorable! I just had a baby like 6 months ago but I want another one already and this picture just confirmed it! Our son needs a brother or sister for sure! My husband is the same way with tomatoes it sounds like a texture thing because he will eat tomato sauce and soup, in fact the chili I’m making for dinner tonight has diced tomatoes and rotel in it. He just puts the tomato chunks to the side. Seems like the holidays come much faster when stores are putting out displays many months in advance …. lets enjoy summer people! LOL!!
Congratulations on your little one! It is so unbelievable to watch the two of them together, makes my heart melt!
I don’t like tomatoes either – I’m just like you, I will eat soup, spaghetti, pizza sauce etc., and I like roasted and sundried tomatoes a lot, just not fresh. I want to, too, but I just can’t do it! As a cook it’s especially hard cause I feel like I leave so many recipes behind, especially this time of year… but I haven’t run out of recipes yet, so I guess I’m ok! HA!
I love Father Brown as well…and you might also like Doctor Blake on NETFLIX/PBS.
Thanks for the recommendation, we’ll check it out!
I was literally joking the other day while shopping at our wholesale club that the basil plants were on sale so they could make room for pumpkins. I am sure the fall and Halloween stuff will be out mid-August full force!
One of my daughters doesn’t like raw tomatoes,. She recently discovered that it’s genetic.
I’ve never heard that staying dry overnight was an indication of being ready to potty train. If that were the case, I’m aware of some kids who wouldn’t have been “ready” until they were well into elementary school! I started to train sometime after their second birthday. One took to it immediately, the other didn’t. I waited a few more months with the one who didn’t take to it initially and then she was ready. Both of mine were night time trained once they were day time trained. It took me a month or so to realize I was taking off dry diapers every morning (way before pull-ups). Anyway, if Joseph is leading the way…follow!
I can understand Christmas stuff in crafts stores, it takes time to make stuff. But in regular retail stores I’m definitely not ready for Halloween or Thanksgiving let alone Christmas.
When you ask what recipe I want to see, I will answer eggplant Parmesan.
What a great picture of Joseph and Dominic. I love how Dominic has his hand on the back of Joseph! I love your blog and your “Friday Things” is the highlight for me at the end of the week. You have such handsome boys! Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoy your website for the recipes, photos and personal stories. As for fall recipes I was hoping/looking forward to the following: homemade beef barley and vegetables soup, butterscotch pudding/pie and a chocolate/raspberry cookie bar. Pretty please and thank you.
Thanks so much, Star! I will add your requests to my list, but I do already have butterscotch pudding for you! https://www.browneyedbaker.com/best-butterscotch-pudding-recipe/
I totally are with you on the tomato issue. I think it is the texture, but what is funny is that is one of my daughter’s favorite food. I eat pizza and spaghetti sauce but never fresh tomatoes. I also do not like cucumbers but love well-done pickles.
On the potty training issue, don’t rush him. There will be less accidents if he is ready. It might make it faster for Dominic too then. My son, who is 33 now, was not ready early on. He didn’t care as he was more interested in playing. When he was ready, it went super fast. Don’t frustrate yourself
Thanks Ida, this is what I’ve heard from a lot of friends who have potty trained, too!
4. Thanks for posting that video! I was born in the fall of 1991, so it literally covers every summer of my life. Sooo many memories! :)
5. I am totally the same way about tomatoes…so weird, right?! I have these great memories of going out into the garden when I was a little kid to pick tomatoes with my dad and siblings, and I even loved the smell of the tomato plants, but raw tomatoes…just no. :P What are your thoughts on sundried tomatoes? I’m torn…I think they’re ok if chopped up small enough… ;P
7. The holidays!! I can’t wait! As for a possible recipe idea…have you heard of mandorlato? It’s a traditional candy from the Veneto region in Italy (and I think there is a similar version from Greece…) My Italian grandmother used to make it, and it was great…it’s sort of like peanut brittle, but it melted in your mouth. But she wasn’t much for writing down recipes. When I tried to make it with a recipe I found online, it just ended up being hard and chewy…maybe you could look into it? Maybe someone from your family knows how to make it?
http://www.termepreistoriche.it/en/food-surroundings/history-and-recipe-of-the-mandorlato-veneto/
(This the recipe I tried…it might be a fine recipe…perhaps I am just a bad cook…? :P )
I can do sun-dried tomatoes since they’re usually just an accent flavor in a dish, they don’t bother me! I’ve not heard of that candy, definitely intrigued!
Broadchurch! We finished seasons 1 and 2 after reading about it here, and I didn’t even think to look for it on BBC America. So excited we can continue on. Tonight! ;) We love that the language isn’t terrible and yet the show itself is very intriguing. Will definitely check out Father Brown now, too.
Raw tomatoes…blech. Not a fan here, either! But I do love my pizza sauce, pasta sauce and ketchup! :)
We had our children potty trained by 19 months using this approach — http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/24/rosemond-dont-start-late-potty-training/
Attitude is everything. It is just another life skill like learning to use a spoon. Worked for us, although every family is different. They do not have to be ready to go all night without a diaper. All the best!
Also, my son was easier than my daughter.
Hoping to see filling/hearty soups and maybe comfort foods for fall recipes. Something about fall just makes me want those two things. Maybe it’s the weather or maybe its the years of my body needing carbs to put on a fat layer for the Chicago winters.
I love watching Father Brown mysteries and the Miss Fisher mysteries. They remind me of the Miss Marple books. They’re great “who-done-its” without the blood and gore that seem to be popular now.
Hi Darlene, Adding soups and comfort foods to the list! And I agree – we enjoy the who-done-it without the gruesome stuff!
I would plow ahead with potty training! He seems ready and excited, which is awesome. My almost three year old twins will wake up from a nap dry, but never can they make it all night without going in their pullup. Kids just still sleep so hard at this age. I think it will come in time, but I wouldn’t worry about it.
Thanks for the feedback, Lizzy!
Michelle….
Your lil’ guys are the c.u.t.e.s.t.!!!!
Dominic’s hair?!? Love it. My granddaughter (4) has a t-shirt….”Wild hair! Don’t care!”
Summer tomatoes (as we say, REAL tomatoes) are so good. They just can’t be replicated in a greenhouse. On Italian bread with mayo….. awww…..summertime! But we all have different taste buds!
BTW…..Hallmark store has Halloween AND their Christmas ornaments out already! Arrrgh!!
Have a great weekend! ❤️
Where do you buy your tomatoes? Because i hate store brought tomatoes, they are tasteless mushy and gross. I only get my tomatoes during seasons at the farmers markets and it is day and night difference. Sweet, Solid, and just amazing. But then i buy now all my veggies at the farmers market as the store produce is tasteless compared to fresh from the farmer – even at my Whole Foods and Coop. Just so much better fresh from the farmer who is all sustainable and organic. Plus you are supporting the family directly vs. bunch of middle men.
The boys are so cute. My daughter was much easier to potty train than my son. Have a niece who would wake her mother up before she was two. I know that is very rare. Since Joseph is showing an interest in it I would work with him.
I’ve heard that girls are much easier than boys!
This fall I’d love to see some pumpkin cheesecake!
Michelle, have you ever tried yellow tomatoes? I also don’t like the “guts” in a tomato, but yellow tomatoes are much more firm, less guts, and much lower acidity. I find them much more palatable. Market District sells a wonderful balsamic glaze and I stream that and some prepared pesto on them.
As for potty training, it was hit or miss with my now 5 yo son. At 3.5, he started wanting to go, but then fizzled. I just kept at it and found something that really motivated him (hockey Teeny Mates, to be exact). Every time he went on the potty, he got a new little hockey guy. It didn’t take long after that…maybe a week or less. I’m all for bribery, or as I like to call it, “Positive Reinforcement.” (It’s how I got him to swim with his head underwater too.)
I’ve actually never tried yellow! I love that balsamic glaze, I always have some on hand. I’ll give it a try!
I think people may have mentioned this before but I would love to see a recipe for Ladylock “cookies.” I understand them to be popular in PA. I love your recipes and posts. You have a great writing voice and your recipes are always clear and professionally written. Thank you!
Thanks for the suggestion Gwyn! I’ve actually never made them, so I might have to dig through some old church cookbooks and experiment!
Dominic and Duke are just too cute….I would hold off on the potty thing with Joseph until he shows more signs of being ready. I think it works better that way for both the kids and the parents. I need to watch the third season of Broadchurch – the first two seasons were excellent. Have you watched The Fall on Netflix? I absolutely loved it – it was dark but so good. The “Sunday” sleepers are so cute! I’m not very good with crochet hooks but I might give this them a try. Have a good weekend!
Hi Maria! Yes, we did watch The Fall earlier this year! It was super dark, but a good series!
Hi Michelle, staying dry all night & for naps is a great indicator, but not always the case. All of my children needed pull-ups at night for a few years after they were potty trained. One of my boys had them all the way until kindergarten. It can be quite normal for children to not stay dry while sleeping, so go ahead & follow his lead & train for daytime. Sleep time will come!
I’m with you on tomatoes, also. My granddaughter is two & will eat slices & cherry tomatoes. I don’t like tomato soup, but sauces YES! Love italian food with sauce!
Thanks for the feedback, Laurie! And Joseph will eat cherry tomatoes by the handful (not really, I cut them in half, but he’ll eat A LOT!), I just can’t do it!
Looking at #6, at a craft store nearby, they are already putting out Christmas crafts and ornaments!!!!! And yes, Halloween bags of candy are entering the grocery stores.
For Christmas, please include as many cookie recipes as possible and perhaps any strudels (apple, cherry, cheese). THANK YOU for all you do! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for the recipe requests, I appreciate it! :)
My experience with potty training is that you should run with this now. The hard part is the bowel movements, and he understands the feeling and what he needs to do, which is a big advantage. If you wait, he might resist potty training later. We live in the country, so it was easier to train our sons during the summer–they loved peeing on weeds! A friend suggested that I raise the seat and stand my sons on the commode with their hands against the wall, which worked so well! And, it’s much more sanitary than holding on to the seat. Plus, at 1.5-2, they were too short to stand on the floor and hit the bowl! Never had one slip in the water, and they loved doing this!
My mother in law gave me her bread machine years ago, but I haven’t used it yet. Was thinking of making a yummy bread for holiday gifts this year, but I don’t have any recipes! Would love to see some different combinations to help me! Thanks!!
I definitely agree! Maybe even some sweet breads or recipes for breads from Germany, Austria, France, etc. to see the desserts/breads of other countries.
“fall IS sneaking up on us,”…. aaaaaaaaaahhh! Why so quick!? And while I do look forward to escape the heat of deep summer, we all know what is next. Living in North Dakota does have some benefits, but I generally don’t think of our Winter temps as one of them.
Our last pup was a Golden Retriever. Great dogs. We just found our new puppy a few months ago, but decided to try something a bit different. We have a (not so) little St. Bernard girl we named Kate Winslet. At 4 months and 50 lbs, it certainly has been interesting. Not only to have a slobbery monstrosity of a dog, but the general difference in the breeds.
Awww, one of my best friends has a St. Bernard! So super sweet, but yes, very large and slobbery haha!
Hobby Lobby already has Christmas stuff out!
Oh my gosh!
Adorableness and interesting, as usual! Thanks, Michelle! I hope you enjoy the Father Brown Mysteries… :) Blessings!
I love tomatoes, but they have to be ripe, and this is the best time of the year. I have a few coworkers who have gardens that are like small farms, so I probably won’t have to buy tomatoes again now until late September. Zucchinis too. I was given a giant zucchini yesterday that I will make regular and chocolate zucchini bread on Sunday and take some to work.
I am guessing you are referring to Giant Eagle about the Halloween candy? I don’t live in Pittsburgh anymore, but my sister posted on Facebook yesterday that she saw Halloween candy at Giant Eagle. When I told that to one of my coworkers, she said she has seen costumes out at the stores here in Central PA.
I am five episodes in on Season 1 of Broadchurch. Loving it. The British networks put out some amazing crime shows. Happy Valley was really good too. It seems the quality of their shows in general is better than our network TV.
Have a great weekend! The pic of your little guys is priceless. They are really going to appreciate being able to see that when they are older.
Hi Ed, I definitely agree that the BBC shows tend to be higher quality than our network TV – we love them! Oh and yes, I was at Giant Eagle!
Thanks for the Broadchurch recommendation that you gave a few weeks back. It is SO good. I just started Season 2 and have to stop myself from binge watching! Fantastic acting by the two main characters!
You’re welcome, Mary! We really enjoy the show, and I agree – the two main characters are fantastic!
First, let me say I look forward to this post every Friday! It’s usually the first thing I look at in the morning and it makes my day! Second, I cannot stand raw tomatoes either! I can eat them cooked, but they just seem wrong when raw. It’s a texture and flavor thing for me. It’s a bummer because all those summer tomato salads look so good, but I can’t enjoy them.
Hi! Your kids are so cute! There are probably many different thoughts on the potty training but I can share that my daughter potty trained easily at 2 years but at nearly 5 she still doesn’t wake up dry. So my recommendation would be to not wait for that and run with his enthusiasm! Good luck!
I lost my 16 1/2 year old Greek green eyed Griffon May 20, 2016…..to this date I mourn him and miss that four-legged unbelievably intelligent sweet doggie…….
I feel your pain for Eistein’s loss…these four-legged babes, sometimes, give us more love than some humans…
I am deeply touched with pain reading about the blind doggie having this bloody no-cure disease…
I DO! wish I could do something to save his life….
To the owners of this sweet doggie: may you live long and remember his love and good things he gave you during your care………
I live in the UK and when I see recipes around the holidays for using eggnog I get quite envious because we can’t buy it ready made. Could you please give me a recipe for a yummy eggnog? That would be great. And I love all the photos of your children growing up. They grow so quickly that you have to capture as many moments on film as possible. Keep them coming!
Hi Deborah, I actually have a recipe for eggnog in the archives, here you go!
https://www.browneyedbaker.com/old-fashioned-eggnog/