Friday Things
1. Duke is now three and a half months old, and we can’t believe that he’s only been in our lives for a mere month and a half. It seems way longer than that! He’s continuing to grow and is even playing some tug of war with Einstein now. He loves to take naps on the hearth of the fireplace and to run laps around the living room in the evening.
2. Confession: I am not into Halloween. By “not into Halloween”, I mean I greatly dislike the holiday. I don’t like costume parties, I hate scary movies, and I can’t even pretend to be excited about all things black and orange. Needless to say, you probably aren’t going to find creepy finger cookies and spider cupcakes here. BUT… I will provide you with tons of recipes for Halloween candy!
3. Speaking of Halloween candy, I used to be totally addicted to candy corn, however now I can’t seem to eat more than a handful before being overwhelmed by the sweetness. I have something up my sleeve that I think might help balance the sweetness… stay tuned!
4. I have always been a little fashion-challenged, so I really enjoyed this Favorite Wardrobe Basics for Fall and Winter post by She Wears Many Hats. Lots of great ideas for basic pieces that can be built upon for different outfits.
5. Earlier this week, I saw a Stanley Cup ring live, in person, mere inches from my face. It totally made my day! I’ve seen the Stanley Cup up close and personal, but never a ring.
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6. I got my first hot chocolate from Starbucks yesterday, which makes me feel completely ready for the cold, dreary weather. There’s nothing cozier than curling up on the couch with a fleece blanket and a warm drink in hand. I’m ready for some snowflakes!
7. Last week, I made mention of buying some Valrhona chocolate, and a reader, Cynthia, suggested that I check out the website Chocosphere. How had I never heard of this before?! There is a HUGE assortment of chocolate from tons of different brands, and at very competitive prices. It will definitely be my first stop when looking for chocolate from now on!
8. Have you seen these organized desktop wallpapers? Such a genius idea if you have icons floating all over your desktop. These backgrounds allow you to label different areas and drag the appropriate icons into those areas. I love this!
9. I’m approaching that time of year when I evaluate my magazine subscriptions. Right now, I receive Real Simple, Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, Delicious, and Donna Hay. What magazines do you love? Any recommendations?
10. TGIF! What do you have planned for the weekend? Maybe a game of Simon Says?
Love your Friday psots so we get a peek at how Duke is growing. So stinkin’ cute – both doggies are! And thanks for all your delicious recipes!
love cooks country and cooks illustrated.. my go to magazines!!
Where on earth did you see the champinship ring??? On who’s finger? Went to a few playoff games and just visited the hockey hall of fame so am totally jealous of the ring sighting… I need details!!!!! ha ha
Love the pup- melts my heart
I buy cookbooks (current) 2nd hand @ Abebooks. I’m never satisfied with one or two mags. Can’t believe we are a group of scary movie and costume haters. I feel I finally fit :). Love the pup photos!!!
I am a magazine addict, and there are some great ones I recommend. Both Bon Appetit and Food & Wine are terrific, and you get free digital subscriptions when you have print subscriptions – that’s a really great deal! I also love Real Simple, Food Network Magazine, Southern Living, Fine Cooking and Everyday with Rachael Ray. I’m sure my mailman thinks I’m crazy with all the magazines I get, but I love them all!
Duke reminds me so much of our Spanky. Magazines? I get way tooooo many. Trying to decide what to keep and what to let go. OY!
Do you have any idea how much I look forward to Friday? Of course the obvious reason, but then there is DUKE pics! Could he and Einstein be any cuter together? I feel the puppy fever beginning to hit me—need to hold off until I retire in 2 years. Can’t work and puppy at the same time! Happy Friday and weekend to all!
Hi – love the picture of Einstein and Duke sleeping together. I have an almost 2yo black lab that i got from the local shelter when he was 3 months. He is crazy. I also do not like Halloween. I won’t watch scary movies but i will sacrifice and eat candy. I know its a thankless job but someone has to do it!!!!!
Food Network magazine! It has great recipes as well as some fun kitchen design tips. :) Love the puppy! Keep your posts coming, please! <3
Yes, I agree with Bon Appetit!! I am obsessed with it and I read it cover to cover. It is one of the few magazines that I will actually read every page of (excluding advertisements, of course). I also really like Eating Well magazine.
On the topic of your post today-first of all, your dogs are ADORABLE! I had two golden retrievers growing up and it is so much fun because they become each other’s best friends and OMG that picture of the two of them laying in the same position above is one of the cutest things I have ever seen.
On the topic of Halloween…THANK YOU for being honest about not loving the holiday (and actually disliking it) because I feel the same way and it is so refreshing to hear I am not alone!!
I love your blog and I love reading your daily posts! Keep up the great work. :)
Sweet Paul Magazine! and I, too, an a magazine junkie, but have scaled down due to the quantity of ads. I love Kinfolk and Anthology and Food & Wine is a great go-to. Love your blog and I love your recipes! Thank you for sharing!
Duke is adorable! I am not a big Halloween fan either, but Caleb is loving all of the scary stuff in the stores!
You need to get Bon Apetit!!
Your dogs are beautiful! Always enjoy Friday Things. Have a great weekend!
We raised several Goldens over the years. They are wonderful family dogs. My last couple of dogs were Westies and would love another one, timing just isn’t right for a pet right now. I’ve been thinking about hot chocolate too, even though I live in W Central FL and it’s still summer here! So ready for cool weather. Just added Chocosphere to my favs list; I’ve stopped most magazines, but still get a few Cooking Pleasures from CCOA (life member), Taunton’s FIne Cooking, BHG, Southern Living
I love Friday things as well. Still waiting for wedding pictures though! Until then the pictures of your puppies bring me much joy.
Off topic, but I have to ask…..what color are you walls painted? Every time I see a picture of the pups, I notice your wall color, and I LOVE it!
Hi Marisa, I will have to see if I can find the paint cans and get back to you. We actually did not paint when we moved because the walls were all such a nice, neutral color. The majority of the house is a dove grey color, with the entryway and dining room a darker version, and the office a greenish hue. The previous owners left the remaining paint in the basement for us, so I’ll check to see if I can find a name :)
Duke is getitng so big and I just love the last photo…little brother totally copying big brother…too funny.
I am not a fan of Halloween either…I taught kindergarten and October is torture in a classroom of young kids!! I do enjoy making Halloween cookies for relatives and friends. Thanks for the chocolate site. I will have to check it out ASAP and finally, I am not looking for snowflakes any time soon…I am hoping this winter n the Northeast will be mostly just cold with very few snow events.
Food Network Magazine I love. Your puppy is growing fast he is beautiful and so is Einstien.
Einstein actually looks like he’s smiling in the picture of the two of them – perfectly content! So sweet.
PS – my son is a huge Penguins fan as I know you are. Any insight on getting tix???
Hi Kim, We get tickets a few different ways (since we’re on the season ticket waiting list, we can purchase a five game ticket plan, as well as get some pre-sale opportunities to select games, and then we buy when they go on sale to the general public as well). If you’re just looking for one-off games once tickets have already gone on sale, your best bet is to check Ticketmaster, Ticket Exchange (that’s where season ticket holders can resell tickets), and then StubHub or other ticket re-sale website. Good luck!! :)
SO ENJOYING PICTURES OF DUKE, SO HARD TO BELIEVE YOUR DRINKING HOT COCOA WHEN ITS 90 DEGREES IN FLA,…ABOUT CHOCOLATE TRY GUITTARD ITS FAR SUPERIOR TO GHIRDELLA THEY SELL ON AMAZON. PEOPLE ARE SOLD ON ITS DISTINCTIVE TASTE.
I enjoy your Friday Things. :)
I am totally a magazine junkie! I don’t subscribe to hardly any but pick them up at news stands all the time. I love Real Simple, HGTV, Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country (love the science of cooking angle they use), just got the new Allrecipes mag and love it, various knitting, quilting, sewing, and paper crafting , Midwest Living (by the BHG people) is grea! i’ve found lately that I’m turning back to the classics – BHG, Midwest Living, Good Housekeeping) and getting a lot out of them. That’s just a few of my favorites.
I’m with you on the scary movies, hate them! I’m an HGTV and Food Network Channel junkie so tried out the HGTV magazine and absolutely love it!! Just wish it was published monthly (it’s every 6-8 weeks or so). It’s full of ideas for around the house, I’ve used a couple ideas already with my own twist.
Haven’t ventured into the Food Network magazine, but thinking about it :)
Have a great weekend! Supposed to snow a bit sometime this weekend here in MN, but won’t stick yet.
Duke and Einstein – I love that last picture of them!! I hate Halloween too! I think it all started when costumed characters scared the crap out of me at a young age! I also am not fond of trekking the kids all around the neighborhood taking candy from strangers, and usually it’s candy I don’t even let them eat! I am headed out of town this weekend with my hubby, looking forward to a weekend away!
I’m not a Halloween fan either. Warm drinks? yes, candy? yes, dressing up? um no. Scary movies? um hail no. As for candy corn, I mix it with salted peanuts and it tastes just like a Pereson’s Nut Roll. I love that combo! Salty, sweet and yummy!. As for magazines I get Midwest Living, Country Living, Fast Company and Inc. It always seems that when ever I order a foodie magazing I spend a year completely underwhelmed with what they have to offer. I do love Real Simple though and have been thinking of subscribing to that one again.
I always look forward to your ‘Friday Things’ posts — but I REALLY look forward to them now because of the Duke updates! :)
I am just loving your photos of Duke and Einstein! Sooo cute! Hehe it’s funny you mention the game Simon Says… my class had a sleepover at school last night and we played Simon Says (over and over again!!!). Have a great weekend! :-)
I too hate the Halloween thing. I agree with you one hundred percent. Nice to find someone else who feels like I do concerning the frightful thing.
Aw look at the 2 of them lying identically how sweet! And thanks for the desktop organisation – how have I not known about this sooner?! Have a great weekend everyone!
That last picture :)
I love GLAMOUR and wish I could subscribe to Real Simple (currently not possible in Sweden).
Speaking of snowflakes, we got our first snow overnight, and there is quite a lot of it, too! Yay winter!
Sorry, I was going to read the rest of your post, but PUPPY!!!!!!!
Me too! but I did eventually finish reading :)