Friday Things #355
1. This has been a very stay-in-our-pajamas kind of week. No school on Monday meant Lego-building and not-yet-played-with Christmas toys. Then all three kids and my husband came down with colds, so Wednesday and yesterday were more pajama-wearing, staying home, playing games, ordering groceries, kind of days. Not going to lie, we do a lot of running around most days between preschool dropoffs and pickups, errands, and other shenanigans, that this has been SO NICE for me, too, ha!
2. Before that, though, we had Joseph’s birthday party on Sunday! It was his very first party with friends (we also had our families there, as well) and he had soooooo much fun. A local farm (Soergels for locals who are interested) has a big party room with a bounce house for the kids. It was absolutely perfect for a kid’s party. Joseph requested a Ferrari birthday cake, so we went with that theme for everything else.
3. Yesterday I picked up Chipotle for lunch and Isabelle absolutely devoured her food. She ate allllll of the guacamole in her little sectioned tray by the spoonful. That’s my girl 😍
4. Oh my gosh, yes! And my kids are only in preschool. I feel like everything is just fine until approximately 10 to 15 minutes before we need to actually leave and then it all falls apart 😂 >> Study Finds Getting Kids Ready for School is Equivalent to an Extra Day of Work
5. There’s one week left in January… who has made the year’s very first BEB bake-along?! If you need the recipe, you can find it right here >> Traditional Focaccia. I’ve LOVED seeing the pictures you’ve emailed me and posted on social media, keep them coming!
6. If you’re craving Mexican and haven’t made the authentic beef enchiladas yet, put it on your menu for this weekend!
7. This guy is cooking and baking his way through every one of Ina Garten’s recipes… love this!
8. Can we talk gelato? I feel like I’m totally missing something because after trying a few different brands and flavors, I just don’t think it even comes close to being as good as ice cream. Now, I’ve never been to Italy, so maybe the real deal may be different, but the store-bought stuff just doesn’t do it for me!
9. We finallyyyyyy finished all of the seasons of MI5 – such a great show! Next up… maybe The Crown Season 3? I’m trying to think of any other shows that have released new seasons recently. I don’t think Poldark Season 5 is on Amazon Prime yet. Am I missing any?
10. TGIF! Duke in his favorite spot 😍
Have you watched Line of Duty on Amazon yet? It’s a British show and it’s soooo good!! It’s made by the same people that did the show Bodyguard that is on Netflix (another Brit import). You will be totally hooked, we blew through the first series in a weekend.
Store bought gelato DOES NOT compare to the real deal. Go to Italy and eat LOTS of gelato, because you will never be able to get it anywhere else!
:-)
Have you watched Outlander? My husband and I love that series. The first few seasons are on Netflix then Prime for the most recent season.
I’m with you on the gelato….I just dont get it. Maybe I haven’t had the right one. If it isn’t broke…stick with icecream I say. Tillamook icecream is fairly new to Ca. Wow..so good. Duke looks so sweet and so loved laying on his big fluffy bed. Sorry for the illnesses. Hope you can all rest.
My hubby and I love This Is Us on Hulu.
Hope the cold season is finished at your house.
Blessings
Yes Poldark is out!
The store bought gelato just doesn’t compare to the real deal in Italy. OMG it’s so good there.
If you can find a local shop that makes gelato, that would be a good 2nd.
Have a great weekend!
My husband and I love all for your tv picks. Our favorite was Line of Duty. Gotta tell you though, we are HUGE Crown fans but this latest season was a snoozer! Literally fell asleep during each episode. Can’t wait to check out MI5.
Gelato in Italy is amazing. Could not get enough! Loved the latest season of Line of Duty but 6 episodes! Not nearly enough. And Frankie and Grace, fabulous!
I look forward hearing from you .. thank you… it’s been a rough year having my mom get her angel wings and for 15 years having dementia and not knowing me… your blog brought my dad tears into happy tears .. Thank you .. God bless .. enclosed is my is my website for kids you might like it.. I have another one but you can check those out too . Let Me know if the kids like the stories .
I find that gelato from the supermarket doesn’t have the same creaminess as the real deal, I’m assuming due to storage at different temperatures. If you’re ever in Shadyside, try Mercurio’s. It’s excellent!
Also, heck yes to Soergel’s. One of the best places for kids in the north hills, imo.
Mercurio’s is in a Fox Chapel, too! Great pizza, great gelato!
I was just going to suggest Mercurio’s in Shadyside!
I’ve been following your recipes since I had my daughter in March of 2010. It has been fun seeing you have kiddos 💜
If you haven’t watched “ a place Called Home “
An Australian show … on Acorn TV through Prime video
It is phenomenal…. will get you through the rest of the winter !!!!
I love gelato! I eat ice cream and when I’m done, I always think “Hmmm, that just didn’t seem worth it.” I think it might be because I have a bit of a lactose intolerance, but gelato doesn’t seem to upset my stomach. I like Talenti brand, and they have a Peppermint Bark during the holidays that is the bomb. I could easily polish the whole thing off in one sitting, but try not to! They also have these layered pints with cookies and stuff that are good. I’m partial to the mint one.
Hi Michelle! I’ve made about a dozen of your ice cream recipes and all have been huge hits especially the chocolate, toasted almond cherry, strawberry and coffee! I have been to Italy and must say gelato is exceptional. We had it twice a day…I’ve tried a lot of the “best” store bought. Gelatos and they just don’t compare. Pistachio was my favorite in Italy and the amarena was my husband’s. I’m going back in October on Joanne Weir’s culinary tour to the Amalfi Coast and Capri….have been dreaming of her trips for years! BTW, you’d kids are just adorable!
Gelato, mmmm. If you ever make it across the state, you must go to Gemelli’s in West Chester. It’s authentic. Made by an Italian who learned the craft in Italy and brought machinery over with him. A true artist. http://www.gemelligelato.com/
Wish I could ship you some!
If you’re looking for a new show to watch, Messiah on Netflix is really good.
I’m listening to the Jim Gaffigan book right now, “Dad is Fat.” As a mother of 3, I think you would find this absolutely hilarious and spot on for trying to wrangle kids in many different circumstances!
Stop the bus, you don’t like gelato?!? 🛑 I agree it can be better at a gelato shop(I ❤️ to try the weird flavors balsamic and strawberry). I usually end up with lemon biscotti! 😋 I do like the freezer section too! What brands/flavors have you tried?
I had no idea Soergel’s had a party room. Do they cater it too or do you provide your own food?
As for gelato, I prefer that (as well as frozen custard) to ice cream. I think that the lower temp where it’s held, really makes you taste the intense flavors more. I don’t care for freezer section gelato though. Try a real gelateria. Locally, I love Churn because their “ice cream” is kept at a lower temp, so it has the consistency and strong flavor of a gelato.
They cater it, too and the food was fantastic! Everyone raved about the brisket, in particular, but it was all great!
Something tells me Dominic, along with his affinity for the stars up above, is probably into brightly-colored maps of the world and with your Italian and Mexican food references this week, I thought this may be of interest to you and your family (I’m sure you already came across this though): https://www.tasteatlas.com/