Welcome to Friday Favorites, a weekly series where I share interesting articles, books, fashion finds, recipes and more.
Good Friday morning friends, it has been an exciting week at the house, we have cabinets! Instead of a blank slate the kitchen is starting to take shape and it is everything thing I had hoped for and more. I cannot wait to make something. For now I will pin recipes to try when it is finished. Speaking of which this week on Friday Favorites I have some scrumptious recipes for you to try, a pizza, pasta and a cocktail. You can sip the cocktail as you are perusing the interesting articles and book recommendations.
Friday Favorites No. 488 from What’s Gabby Cooking, Carlsbad Cravings, Pardon Your French and More
Food
Image What’s Gabby Cooking
Fridays are made for pizza(in my opinion) this Bacon Goat Cheese and Leek pizza may become my new favorite flavor combination.
Image Pardon Your French
Are you having a barbecue this weekend? Instead or traditional potato salad with mayo why not try this French potato salad instead?
Image Carlsbad Cravings
You might want to add this Orzo Pasta Salad to the menu too!
If you are serving a simple dessert at your next dinner party, a bowl of homemade ice cream or a platter of sweet treats make sure to add these Lavender lemon cookies, they are scrumptious! Make an extra batch and send a care package of them home with your guests.
Friday nights are cocktail night on the porch, reading and winding down from this week. This week I am trying something new, summer cooler cocktail.
Interesting Articles
33 Ways to Actually Sleep Well At Night
Is Your Smartphone Ruining Your Memory? A Special Report on the Rise of ‘Digital Amnesia’
The New Face of Working Parents
Chasing Ghosts: Unlocking The Mysteries of Human Hibernation
How the TSA Created Two Classes of Travelers
America’s hottest city keeps getting hotter: How Phoenix is battling extreme heat
‘More Than a Song’: The Enduring Power of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’
Scientists say they’ve solved a 700-year-old mystery: Where and when Black Death began
Move Yourself Happy! How to Exercise to Boost Your Mood—Whatever Your Fitness Level
The Story Behind the Original Cover of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and the Artist Who Created It
Books
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Some summers are just destined to be pretty.
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.
That Summer
Daisy Shoemaker can’t sleep. With a thriving cooking business, full schedule of volunteer work, and a beautiful home in the Philadelphia suburbs, she should be content. But her teenage daughter can be a handful, her husband can be distant, her work can feel trivial, and she has lots of acquaintances, but no real friends. Still, Daisy knows she’s got it good. So why is she up all night?
While Daisy tries to identify the root of her dissatisfaction, she’s also receiving misdirected emails meant for a woman named Diana Starling, whose email address is just one punctuation mark away from her own. While Daisy’s driving carpools, Diana is chairing meetings. While Daisy’s making dinner, Diana’s making plans to reorganize corporations. Diana’s glamorous, sophisticated, single-lady life is miles away from Daisy’s simpler existence. When an apology leads to an invitation, the two women meet and become friends. But, as they get closer, we learn that their connection was not completely accidental. Who IS this other woman, and what does she want with Daisy?
The Maidens
Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike―particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.
Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?
When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything―including her own life.
Finds
“Out of office” beach tote.
Isn’t this blue gingham dress pretty? It is on sale for $63.00!
dress//sandals//glasses//bag//bracelet//hat
A few finds from Nordstrom
If you are shopping the Nordstrom Sale this cardigan looks like a versatile piece to add to your wardrobe. I like this sweater too.
fall plaid scarf
It’s never too early to plan for fall! This is a great scarf in my favorite pattern, plaid.
DON’T FORGET WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
I hope you enjoyed my Friday Favorites No. 488 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 where we share all manner of things that you will enjoy including travel, weddings, family favorite recipes, adventures and so much more.
Have a wonderful weekend my friends.
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission.
Friday Favorites No. 519 from The Defined Dish, Damn Delicious, Inspired by Charm and More
Friday Favorites No. 514 from Delish, Modern Honey, Creme de la Crumb and More.
Friday Favorites No. 513 from The Roasted Root, Valentina’s Corner, Freutcake and More
Saturday Meanderings and Heart Month
Elizabeth, that orzo salad looks so delicious! I am definitely making that this weekend! I read the article about Phoenix. The reality is that the City allows uncontrolled development. Nearly all open spaces are replaced with new construction, no trees, lots of concrete. It’s all about the money and unfortunately our City council members are beholden to the development money. Our neighborhood has tried to control appropriate development and our residents have donated funds to add more trees. We have the greatest tree canopy in the City and as a result we are 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the Valley. It’s unfortunate that our City leadership is so short sighted regarding development and water resources. It’s only a matter of time where we will not be able to support either. Thanks for sharing.
Mary, that is so interesting about Phoenix. Sadly all over the country the city is letting people over develop with no regard for the future. I am so sorry to read your first had account. Hopefully, fingers crossed the city will see the error of its ways. My grands live in Tuscon, often times when we visit we fly into Phoenix and I can see a difference in only the last two years.
I cannot wait to make the salad.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for the comment. Have a wonderful weekend.
Always so many great links shared! Have a great weekend!
Who can pass on pizza?
I certainly can’t! Have a great weekend William.