Welcome to Friday Favorites, a weekly series where I share interesting articles, books, fashion finds, recipes and more!
Good morning friends, happy Friday Favorites! Are you ready for the weekend? I am. It has been an exciting and busy week here. Monday they started the demolition of the kitchen, laundry room and sunroom. Today we have an empty slate ready for the electrician, plumber, things are moving along. After all of the noise and dust I am ready for a little quiet.
I have lots to share with you today, so grab your beverage of choice and settle in for a nice long Friday Favorites post.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 486 from Half Baked Harvest, Kitchen Confidante, and more
Food
Don’t these Grilled Caprese Pesto Chicken Skewers look delicious? You can find this recipe and more on Half Baked Harvest and of course in all of Tieghans’ books.
Image Kitchen Confidante
Pizza, flatbread whatever you call it I love it! I cannot wait to try .Blueberry, Feta and Honey-Caramelized Onion Naan Pizza.
Dessert lovers, I have an easy, delicious no-bake treat for you to make for your next summer gathering, Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Stuffed Bars.
Image Kj and Company
Peach & Strawberry Sangria is a easy refreshing cocktail to make all summer long.
In case you missed it, I made the most delicious Blueberry Lemon Lavender bread, you will want to add this to your summer menu.
Intersting Articles
30 Juiciest Peach Recipes for Summer
How OXO Conquered the American Kitchen
Finally, a Novel That Gets the Internet Right
The Mundane Thrill of ‘Romanticizing Your Life’
For some adults who love Disney, it’s like a religion
Books
In 1951, former debutante Jacqueline Bouvier is hard at work as the Inquiring Camera Girl for a Washington newspaper. Her mission in life is “not to be a housewife,” but when she meets the charismatic congressman Jack Kennedy at a Georgetown party, her resolution begins to falter. Soon the two are flirting over secret phone calls, cocktails, and dinner dates, and as Jackie is drawn deeper into the Kennedy orbit, and as Jack himself grows increasingly elusive and absent, she begins to question what life at his side would mean. For answers, she turns to his best friend and confidant, Lem Billings, a closeted gay man who has made the Kennedy family his own, and who has been instructed by them to seal the deal with Jack’s new girl. But as he gets to know her, a deep and touching friendship emerges, leaving him with painfully divided alliances and a troubling dilemma: Is this the marriage she deserves?
Narrated by an older Lem as he looks back at his own role in a complicated alliance, this is a courtship story full of longing and of suspense, of what-ifs and possible wrong turns. It is a surprising look at Jackie before she was that Jackie. And in best-selling author Louis Bayard’s witty and deeply empathetic telling, Jackie & Me is a page-turning story of friendship, love, sacrifice, and betrayal— and a fresh take on two iconic American figures.
Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother’s birth through the lens of his camera. Photography–and fate–introduce him to Ana, whose family’s interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War–as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel’s photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history’s darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence–inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain.
A Country Escape
When Fran Duke was a little girl, she dreamt that one day she’d get to move to a beautiful farm, keeping animals and living the rural dream. Now it looks like her dream might come true…
Because her Aunt Amy, who Fran has never even met, has made her an offer she can’t refuse. Fran can live on her dairy farm for a year rent-free and—if she is able to turn the farm’s fortunes around—and keep it out of the hands of the dastardly neighbor Antony Arlingham—she gets to stay and live there forever.
Fran feels excited for the challenge. Right up until the moment she walks up the muddy path to the tumbledown little farm and realizes it’s in a state of total disrepair. Not only that, but she’s more than a little scared of the cows themselves. But, rolling up her sleeves, she thinks it’s nothing that she can’t overcome.
But then she crosses paths with Antony… And as she takes in the tall, dark, handsome stranger with eyes that seem to flicker with gold, she knows she’s in trouble. Has she found herself a country escape, or will she end up running away?
The Rose Garden
Every house has its secrets . . .
For twelve-year-old Ottilie Finch, London is an exciting playground to explore. Her family have recently arrived in Hamstead from Durham, under a cloud of scandal that Otty is blissfully unaware of. The only shadow over her days is her mother’s mysterious illness, which keeps her to her room.
When young local girl Mabs is offered the chance to become Mrs Finch’s companion, it saves her from a desperate life on the canals. Little does she know that all is not as picture-perfect as it seems. Mabs is about to become tangled in the secrets that chased the Finches from their last home, and trapped in an impossible dilemma . . .
JUST A REMINDER
You can find all of my book recommendations on “My Bookshop” Pinterest Board
Finds
Add a little color to your summer outfit with these statement earrings, they also come in blue and fuchsia and are under $10.00. If orange is your favorite color these are a great option.
I love this linen tunic! It is 40% off.
Beautiful stoneware additions to your summer table.
If you need a new swimsuit don’t forget to check out Target, they’re having a BOBO sale this week.
And last but not least, BODEN is having a sale, up to 50%! I like this t-shirt, this dress and this one too!
If you would like to see more of my “Finds”, visit My Daily Finds
DON’T FORGET WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
I hope you enjoyed my Friday Favorites and that you found something to make, to read and to enjoy.
Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for “weekend meanderings” with Kim and Juliet.
Have a wonderful weekend friends, be safe and enjoy some summer fun!
This post contains affiliate links.
Friday Favorites No. 508 from Foxes Love Lemons, Savor the Best, The Sweet & Simple Kitchen and More
Monday Musings No. 47
10 Ways to Practice Gratitude, Most Lovely Things In BHG, a Holiday Outfit and more on Weekend Meanderings
Silent Sunday No. 472
The sangria sounds good.
Happy Weekend William. I think it sounds good too.
Each recipe you posted looks amazing! Especially the pizza! I need a new swimsuit but can’t bring myself to try any on, lol! Have a great week! Donna
I thought the pizza looked delicious too! Have a great week Donna!