Friday Favorites from Half Baked Harvest, Inside the Rustic Kitchen, The Recipe Critic and More

“Friday Favorites” a collection of my favorite books, recipes, finds and more from the past week. 

Good morning my friends, a happy Friday to you. We are one week into 2022, can you believe it, how are you faring? Have you been sticking to your resolutions? Are you clearing out the clutter and organizing? If you need a few tips on starting the New Year right check out my 5 tips, they will help you can on track.

The weather was crazy and the yard is a wreck as a result. So far we have cleaned for two days and we have not even made a dent in in the pinecones and broken limbs. Our landscape designer came yesterday to show us the plans, she was supposed to come last week but had an emergency, it was worth the wait. I am so excited with the plans and the plantings. There are lots of things to contend with here, including sandy soil and deer, but I was able to get the plants I love most including peonies, boxwood, holly, jasmine and the look of lavender without the deer eating it. My little cottage is going to look beautiful.

If you are new here you might not know this, but my dream is to live in Scotland, in a thatched cottage by a loch. As that is not a dream shared by my husband we comprise by visiting Scotland whenever we can and are trying to create a cottage in the new house. Yesterday we looked out the bedroom window and my husband pointed at the roof and said, “there is the thatched roof you dreamed of”, although not exactly a thatched, the roof was completely covered in pine needles.

Enough about me, grab yourself a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or wine and lets get to it.

Food

Pasta is one of my favorite things to make and eat and this week I discovered an interesting recipe for Creamy ‘Nduja Pasta with Spinach.

Everything that Teighan from Half Baked Harvest makes is amazing. I have all three of her cookbooks and have never made a bad recipe. Tonight I am making her newest blog recipe for Korean Inspired Tacos.

This week I made Cashew Chicken from The Recipe Critic and it is delicious, easy and way better than takeout.

In case you missed it, yesterday I shared an easy roasted butternut squash and pumpkin soup that you might enjoy. If you don’t like squash you can find more comforting soup recipes here.   Or you might enjoy this Creamy Taco Soup from Stacy Lives.

House & Home

What do you think of the Pantone color of the year?

Living in a Jewel Box

Nancy Lancaster: Haute & Humble

Interesting Articles

The (Other) French Chef this is such an interesting article for fans of Julia Child and Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

The Tenacious Quest to Find the World’s Best Rice

DECEMBER 7, 2021 The Korean Temple Food Not Seen on Netflix

How South Korean TV Took Over the World

How Ireland Turned “Fallen Women” Into Slaves

Money Has Never Felt More Fake

We moved to a 4-day workweek last year. Here’s how it’s going

Who Can Afford To Live in the American West When The Locals Can’t?

Best Desert Botanical Gardens to Visit in 2022

50 Bucket List Ideas for Your Next Dream Trip

6 Ways to Delete Yourself From the Internet

It’s Time to Rethink What a Movie Is.

How to Make 2022 the Year That You finally Smash Your Goals

Temple Grandin is an Amazing Woman, if you are not familiar with her watch this video of her TED talk.  Read one of her numerous books or learn even more about her life with Autism on .on her website.

Books

The Lobotomist’s Wife: A Novel

Inspired by a shocking chapter in medical history, The Lobotomist’s Wife is a galvanizing novel of a woman fighting against the most grievous odds, of ego, and of the best intentions gone horribly awry.

Impossible to Forget

In this poignant novel from the bestselling author of Where the Story Starts, an extraordinary final wish brings five lives together forever.

Finds

I know that we just finished with Christmas but just in case you have a gift card to spend or are stocking up for next year here are a few things you might like.

I could not resist this coat, because a). and b). it’s down and it is so comfortable. If you do not like puffer coats you might like this  instead. I think the rebranding of is a great thing. Make sure to go over and check out the beautiful photography on their website.

Review:  I purchased the XS petite, not because I am petite but because apparently the regular sizes are sold out. I am 5’6 the coat is oversize and so the XS fits me great. It is soft, beautifully made and a great addition to your wardrobe.

I contemplated these for the holidays next year but I decided against them because I already have too many clothes I do not wear. They are beautiful though.

You can find more of my finds below! By the way, if you love plaid, and frankly who doesn’t, a lot of the “finds” below are on sale.

That is it for this week my friend, I hope that you have a happy and safe weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by today friends, I appreciate you spending part of your day here.

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