Friday Things #496
1. Last Friday night at bedtime, we put up the kids’ little teepee tent in Isabelle’s room, turned off the lights, gave the kids flashlights, and listened to cute Halloween stories. They all had SO MUCH FUN and it was such a sweet, relaxing way to end the week!
2. Joseph clipped his fingernails all by himself for the first time over the weekend; he did great and was SO PROUD.
3. Last week, I volunteered during lunch at recess at school; it was such a treat to see the kids in their element, with their friends, and it made me so, so happy that they were all so thrilled to see me there (I got so many hugs!).
4. With the holidays approaching, this is a great guide on how to gift experiences.
5. At least a month ago, I mentioned that we went through the entire summer without getting a good container of strawberries, and so many of you said you had experienced the same thing this year. BUT! We are now on our third amazing container in a row from Costco; what happened? Perhaps sourced from a different area this time of year?
6. The large silicone dough mat that I mentioned during the big Prime sale last week was by far the most popular item I recommended and wanted to share that it’s still 40% off in case you were thinking about getting it or were considering it for a gift.
7. Talk to me about coffee thermoses… I’ve started drinking coffee more frequently and twice recently I’ve put coffee in stainless travel mugs we have (one was a freebie from somewhere and very old, another a Yeti) and both times, I thought there was an awful off-taste from the metal. Is this normal? Do you have a favorite kind of travel coffee mug?
8. I love this walk-through of 20 of Ina Garten’s Favorite Kitchen Essentials.
9. Really like this idea >> Why You Should Divide Your Life Into Semesters, Even When You’re Not in School
10. TGIF! Oh, hello :)
Hi Michelle, I have at least 4 or 5 sizes of Hyroflask insulated coffee mugs. They keep coffee hot for hours! They have a very large selection at Dick’s Sporting Goods.Â
Michelle, I just ordered 3 of the silicone dough mats that you recommended. I have an original large Silpat French silicone mat that I use every week when rolling out my braided Challah and I love it and it has held up for decades. I have gifted it to my many nieces and nephews when they get engaged, usually together with a nice cookbook and some utensils such as measuring spoons and cups. The major drawback of the Silpat is that it costs around $70. So I ordered the ones you suggested because the price is ridiculously low. I placed it on my counter next to mine and it seems to be of similar quality and thickness which I was concerned about. Even if it only lasts for a few years it is so worth it. So now I can gift these silicone mats with more helpful utensils and maybe even a second cookbook for engagement presents. Thanks for the recommendation.
Do you have a recommendation for a pastry cutter? Can’t seem to find a good one like my mother had when I was growing up. Thank you!
Sounds like the kids had alot of fun in the teepee! You brought back lots of memories for me when I used to do Lunch Duty at my boys’ school. Enjoy your weekend. Hope you aren’t getting all the rain we are here in NY.
I’ve had luck with the ceramic W&P (www.wandp.com) travel mugs. I’ve only used their basic travel version since I don’t mind cold coffee, but they also have insulated (double ceramic) options. Plus the outside feels and looks nice.
I learned this summer that too much rain will water down strawberries. Maybe since now the big summer storms are over, the berries are getting the right amount of rain. I haven’t bought any lately since the price has gone up, but I’ll try some this week.
Have a great week & Happy Halloween!
I bought the silicone mat, came a couple days ago, & I have used it, & I love it! Thank you for the suggestion!
I cannot stand the taste OR smell of stainless steel! I’m not a coffee drinker, but I do like my water to be extremely cold. I’m on the hunt for a really large (50+ oz.) insulated cup that will fit in a cup holder. I think it might be a unicorn situation! My son keeps bugging me to get the giant insulated jug at Speedway…ha!
I’d just like to find a stainless steel travel mug made in U.S.A.
So hard finding one.
Hi, Michelle! As to the metallic taste in your thermos, I use this to clean it regularly & remove coffee stains: Astonish Specialist Clean & Revive. Got it on Amazon. I was so frustrated with the “home” methods, like vinegar & baking soda. I put the lids, etc., in a bowl of the mix while the thermos is cleaning.
Your recipe ideas and kid activities are fun to read, but I’m wondering where you get the time and stamina to do so much.  It’s breathtaking.
Surely you relax and regroup. Could you share some of the ways you do so much with a business, husband, 3 kids and more.
Nancy from Ann Arbor
I agree about the off taste of coffee in a metal travel mug. Love my yeti but not for coffee!!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who experiences the “off taste” from the metal coffee containers. In these cases, I stir in just a little bit of sugar – 1/8 tsp? – (I usually drink my coffee without sugar) and that seems to offset the “off” taste.
My husband and I have been using Ello Miri Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Coffee Mug – Travel Tea Mug for nearly two years and are more than satisfied. I didn’t think it would be large enough (16 oz) but it keeps the coffee warm long enough that I am still sipping on it after 6 or 7 hours. Ello has other products on Amazon but these are the ones we tried. Only downfall – not dishwasher safe but with my Dawn Powerwash, it’s not an issue.
I picked up a travel coffee mug years ago from Dunkin Donuts, and another one from Royal Farms.
Believe it or not, those are the ones I always grab. The fancier ones are heavier, and the coffee doesn’t always flow as easy.
Between the two travel mugs, Royal Farms edges out a little more.