Is it spring? Is it winter? According to the Pinecones & Acorns weather desk, it is officially neither. This week we had overnight temperatures in the high twenties and thirties and then climbed into the seventies by afternoon. I left the house in a parka and came home after lunch in a t-shirt. I think this is the last of the cold — and I say that with sadness, because as you know I am one of those people who genuinely loves winter.
The pollen, however, did not get that particular memo. Every morning I step outside for the morning walk with the pups and my entire world is coated in chartreuse dust. The cars, the porch, my feet. Pollen season has apparently decided to arrive early. If you are a fellow sufferer, you have my complete sympathy, my ears and eyes are scratchy, itchy and aching.
Enough about the weather. Let’s get to the good things.
Food
I have not felt much like cooking this week — but I still want something warm and delicious without spending an hour in the kitchen. These three came to the rescue, and I am adding all of them to the regular rotation.
Seasoned ground turkey, a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and all the taco toppings — cheese, tomatoes, avocado. It sounds like it should not work, because is kale is not a favorite but it does.
Creamy, cheesy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and grilled chicken in twenty minutes. This one is going into heavy rotation.
Takeout-Style Korean Chicken Adobo
Made entirely from pantry ingredients, which is the kind of cooking I love.
Chocolate date bark with dates, peanut butter, chocolate and nuts. Some describe it as a healthy Snickers, I would not go that far but it is a favorite.
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
- An end to hay fever? The new wave of effective cures for seasonal allergies
- Is fresh pasta better than dried?
- The Netherlands is Raising the World’s Happiest Kids
- 20 Little Things 90 Years of Wisdom Told Me to Stop Worrying About
- 7 Dream Destinations That Feel Like They’re From a BookTok Fantasy Novel
- The Common Lawn ‘Weed’ Experts Say You Shouldn’t Remove This Spring
- Lisa Kudrow’s Final ‘Comeback’
- This is so cool! These Young Classical Musicians Are Living in a Seattle Retirement Facility
Books
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
A time-travel romance about Clementine, a book publicist who discovers a man from seven years in the past living in her late aunt’s magical apartment. A story about grief, timing and the particular courage it takes to love someone when you are not sure the world will cooperate. I read it in two sittings.
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Two elderly women — Agnes Lee, a celebrated children’s book author, and Polly Wister, devoted wife and mother — who have shared eighty summers on the Maine coast. When Agnes moves to protect their beloved peninsula from development while completing her final novel, eighty years of friendship is quietly tested. It is the kind of book that makes you think about the choices you have made and the ones still ahead of you.
Looking for more books? You can find everything I have recommended on My Bookshop. Many if not all of the books are also available from Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org and on Libby from your local library.
SHOPPING~OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Don’t you just love the effortlessness of a dress outfit? The Summerset eyelet dress is a great piece to add to your Spring and Summer wardrobe. Pair it with a basic straw market bag, classic leather sandals, your favorite jewelry and spring scent and you are ready for the day.
Click the Images to see the outfit separates and visit ShopMy to see all of my finds for your closet and your home.
What are your plans for the weekend? Tell me in the comments — I always love to know.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Friday Favorites. If you missed it, on Monday I shared a spring outfit you will love and a little something called the Dawn Chorus. And yesterday I joined Sheri for our monthly Sweet Treats for Your Sweet Tooth series — this month we are both sharing carrot snack cakes that are perfect for spring parties and Easter.
Tomorrow Kim and Juliet are back with Weekend Meanderings — do not miss it because we always have lots to share.
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
On My Radar
I’ve never used dates in baking and cooking, but your recipe has me very interested. I would be interested in knowing how dates compare with sugar on the glycemic index, so I guess I’ll have do a little research!
Paula, this is something that I make often. I also make date, cashew, cinnamon, peanut butter with a hint of cocoa energy balls. They are scrumptious! I hope that your research gives you the answers that you are looking for. You could always make this bark and simply drizzle the chocolate not make it a layer of its own/