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Good Friday morning friends! How are you, did you have a good week? Did you get snow this week? We did not but the weather was pretty chilly, it seemed as if Spring left and Fall was back. I’ve been busy packing this week. I am continually amazed at how much “stuff” I own, as we are downsizing I am trying to get rid of as much extraneous stuff as possible.
Anyway, on to more interesting things, I have lots of articles, books and recipes to share this week, so pull up a chair, get a drink and let’s get too it.
Food
Pizza and pasta are my “go to” Friday foods, and this Friday I will be making Orchetti Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli using Jenns’ recipe at Once Upon a Chef.
If Fettuccine Alfredo is one of your favorite restaurant meals than this recipe is perfect for you.
If you have spotted banana’s laying around this this recipe for chocolate chip banana bread will help you use them up.
Or you could make the Best “Ever” Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
In case you missed it this week, I made No-bake Chocolate Cheesecake with Homemade Truffles.
I also enjoy a cocktail on the weekends and this Spring inspired Basil Cocktail is on my list to try. Or maybe a Blackberry Tequila Mojito is more your style?
Articles
6 Chocolate Spreads That Are Better Than Nutella
How to Make Fresh Pasta with No Fancy Equipment, I cannot wait to try!
25 Things You Need to Stop Wasting Time On
A Guide To Mindfulness: Why You Need To Start Training Your Mind (And How You Can Begin)
The Warning Signs of a Longer Pandemic
How Pfizer Became the Status Vax
Can We Build a Better Normal After the Pandemic?
Parents Are Sacrificing Their Social Lives on the Altar of Intensive Parenting
Why Secrets Are Bad For Your Health (I must be really healthy because I cannot keep a secret)
The History of Resumes and What Works and What Doesn’t
If you are a lover of the U.S. National Parks I think you will enjoy this article.
Books
I am so excited and so very proud of my friend Kristy Woodson Harvey, her new book, which by the way is her 7th, Under the Southern Sky was just released this week and it is fabulous. I received my book on Wednesday and I read it in one sitting. It is an emotional heartbreaking and heart warming story that I think you will love.
I love cookbooks and especially those written by bloggers that I have folled for years and enjoy their recipes. You can pre-order Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight/Weekend: 70 Quick-Fix Weeknight Dinners + 30 Luscious Weekend Recipes.
I am currently reading The Secret Lives of Color.
Finds
This dress is so cute and it is only $27!
Liberty London has so many beautiful prints, and these shoes from J. Crew are perfect for summer!
That is it for this week my friends. Before you go let me ask you a few questions.
What are you currently ready? What is your favorite genre of books?
What are you baking or cooking lately? Do you have a “go to recipe” that you would share?
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and stay safe.
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Friday Favorites No. 480
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Really great articles to read, and share, today Elizabeth. Especially enjoyed 25 Things You Need to Stop Wasting Time on, and I have signed up for the US National Parks as I just enjoyed seeing many of the hotels I’ve visited across the west in better times, and also see more interesting stories to read later.
Lovely things to buy – perhaps I need to go shopping again!
Am reading varied books – novels, gardening, and at last my long delayed (due to COVID having to ship by sea rather than air) back issues of UK Country Life mags. are being delivered thankfully – best magazine ever in my estimation! They will keep me busy for a while.
Have been buying local strawberries, so delicious, and shortcakes are go to desserts lately! Made a favorite great orzo salad yesterday . Today will do a new version of salmon – on a sheet pan with cherry tomatoes, garlic and Kalamata olives……quick and easy by looks of the recipe.
Have a fabulous weekend. Here rain tomorrow but a lovely Sunday when I’ll be meeting up with a very dear friend who has moved back to NC from 2 years in California – I’m so excited at seeing her and her family again – even though we have to wear masks and distance still.
Hugs – Mary x
I haven’t yet gotten down all the bunny holes…but I need to read that book! And try many of these recipes! And your shopping suggestions…brilliant! If only someone would gift me that stove! Happy Friday!!
Leslie, it is so good! You will love it.
Yes we did get snow this week.
I think you are so lucky, although you probably do not think so.
Thank you for mentioning and loving Under The Southern Sky! Your support has meant the world to me!!!!!
You are very welcome my friend!
All this wonderful food is making me feel like dessert and it’s only breakfast time! Lovely post.
It is all so good! I hope that you have a fabulous weekend.
Elizabeth, what a wonderful post today. I snagged that Cottage Garden book from your link. I had been wanting it and you reminded me to get it.
I love reading mystery books or autobiographies. Although right now, I am not reading neither. My mother gave me a book by Nicholas Sparks called Every Breath. I had not read it yet. So far so good! I have a pile of books to read.
Cold front moved in here this week in Maryland, but it’s pretty out. Next week, we are going to have a few days in the 80s. I am looking forward to warmer weather. Have a great weekend!
What a great post and what good articles! Thanks for sharing your finds. My go to genre is Historical Fiction, and mostly WWII fiction. Right now I am reading The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham. It tells the story of the Nazi occupation of Venice – a place I never think about when I think about WWII. It is so interesting. Just picked it up at the local library and several others followed me home. We are booked for a river cruise in Germany next year – hopeful the world will be in better shape so we can travel – with a few days in Poland after the cruise. Will be visiting Auschwitz, so I am reading a lot of books set in those areas to prepare for our travels. I am with you – we are a “pizza on Friday” couple. After many tries I think I finally have a pizza dough we like. Hoping to share the recipe this week on Our New Vista. It’s going to be warmer today and even better this week, so today is the day to clean the screen porch and get the furniture ready to sit out there and READ! Have a great weekend !
You and I have the same taste in shoes, for sure! Love those espadrilles!
I made a terrific spring dish last week – moroccan carrots and lamb: https://dishingupthedirt.com/recipes/moroccan-spiced-carrots-ground-lamb/?mc_cid=89e78989d5&mc_eid=166d3b9dd2
The carrots need to be organic and sweet – a wonderful combination with the spicy lamb.
I’m reading a mystery titled “Bad Axe County” by John Galligan – decent so far.
Off to explore more of your links!
I always love your Friday favorites Eliz. I have almost every garden book on your list (good list by the way). I always look forward to what you are reading (even though I am not reading a darn thing currently). Soon, hopefully! Your recipe suggestions are always wonderful, even though you know I don’t bake! Have a great weekend!
No snow here in Seattle, but our temps did drop about 20 degrees and the rain returned. What a fun week’s worth of finds.
Thank you Marie, enjoy!
wow! Just loaded with good things. You crack me up about not being able to keep a secret!
I will start Kristy’s book tonight! Take care.
Mary Ann
Sadly MaryAnn is is true, and I always tell my siblings that they shouldn’t tell me if its a secret. Enjoy Kristy’s books!
What a great roundup! Those desserts look delicious!