Friday Favorites~a weekly series where I share interesting articles, books, fashion finds, recipes and more.
Good morning friends. It’s a great day, not only is it Friday but it is also National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! The perfect excuse to bake a batch this weekend.
The weather has cooled down the last couple of days to the 80’s and over night in the 60’s! After the heat the last few weeks it felt a little chilly. I am soaking it up because we will be back in the mid 90’s next week. How about you? Is is still hot or have you been unseasonably chilly? Are you looking forward to Fall? I know I am.
I have lots to share this week on Friday Favorites, including 30 minute pizza, refreshing aqua fresca, chocolate chip cookies, a few books, some Fall finds and lots more so let’s get to it!
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 544
Recipes- To Try
Steak quesadillas is perfect as an appetizer or for dinner.
30 Minute pizza! I’m not sure I needed to know about this recipe. Pizza is my favorite meal, I might start having it every day now.
I cannot wait to make this Chicken Panang Curry.
Try this Agua Fresca bar at your next party or gathering.
We made this Thai-Basil beef and it is delicious! An easy weeknight meal that is better than takeout.
In honor of National Chocolate Chip cookie day, the “best” basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. The good news is that you do not have to chill the dough.
Links
The 15 Best Paris Terraces for Lingering Outdoors
Are luggage free trips in the future?
The uplifting Yorkshire home of textile designer Natasha James
This Woman Helped Define Disney
How to Build the Ultimate Brunch Spread
11 Tik Tok Recipes You Might Want to Try
Americans Will Need a ‘Visa’ to Visit Europe in 2024—Here’s What to Know
The 100 Best Movies of the Past Decade
6 Ways to Enjoy Mindful Walking
Everyone Procrastinates. Here’s How to Accomplish What Matters Most to You
How to Have a Fulfilling Vacation
Need help with your flower arrangements? Wendy is sharing 10 DIY floral arrangements
Books
Tuscany, 1943. Stranded in war-ravaged Italy, Beatrice’s dream of an escapist year teaching English is shattered. Granted shelter at the Villa delle Colombe, she seeks refuge in Francesca and Edoardo’s beautiful walled garden, hidden from the outside world, with an elaborate cypress maze at its heart.
But Beatrice is not the only one seeking an escape here. Francesca has brought children to the safety of the house, as well as other adults, all of them seeking sanctuary on the estate with its mysterious maze. As the war closes in, the residents are forced to witness—and do—unthinkable things…
2015. Tess arrives at the villa raw from the agonising loss of her husband. Beatrice, now custodian, guides her to the solace of its gardens, where Tess begins to heal. But all hope of peace is shattered by the arrival of Marco, the estate’s absent owner, who wants nothing more than to hand it over to developers.
Distraught, Beatrice realises she must finally reveal the villa’s painful past if she wants to save it. As the extraordinary story unfolds, Tess realises that Villa delle Colombe is not just a refuge, but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Can she convince Marco to give it a new lease of life—and find a way back to happiness herself?
All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler’s forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.
With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.
But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left – literature.
Don’t Forget to Write(Free with Amazon First Reads)
In 1960, a young woman discovers a freedom she never knew existed in this exhilarating, funny, and emotional novel by the bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good.
When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents ship her off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer. If anyone can save their daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict premier matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can kiss college goodbye.
To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada’s not the humorless septuagenarian her mother described. Not with that platinum-blonde hair, Hermès scarf, and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straight-talking, takes her job very seriously, and abides by her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head for the Jersey shore, where Marilyn helps Ada scope out eligible matches—for anyone but Marilyn, that is.
Because if there’s one thing Marilyn’s learned from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year quickly approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make her choice for her future: return to the comfortable life she knows or embrace a risky, unknown path on her own.
NEED MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS?
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
FINDS & SALES
Amazon Fall Finds
Amazon has everything you need to decorate your home, table and outdoors for Fall! You can see all of my Cosy Fall Finds in my Amazon shop or at the bottom of the post today.
Last week I shared this Barbour trench from the Nordstrom sale; it arrived and although I liked it, it was too big. They did not have my size available so back it went. If you liked the trench but didn’t snag it at the sale and are looking for one that is a little less expensive this one seems nice.
I have this crochet sweater in my cart, I think it is a classic piece that you could wear for years with jeans, over a dress or skirt.
This green tote is a beautiful piece to carry your computer, use as a carry on or just to tote your everyday items.
Boden has so many great pre-fall pieces, including these boots and they are are on sale. So is this cashmere sweater!
UNTIL TOMORROW
I hope you enjoyed the recipes, links and books I discovered this week on Friday Favorites No. 544. If you have missed a Friday Favorites post you can find them all here.
I’ll see you tomorrow for Weekend Meanderings with Kim and Juliet.
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Ok, now I am ready for lunch and a good book. The recipes all look so delicious and that Aqua Fresca, yum yum.
Thank you for another beautiful post and for sharing my floral arrangement post. Have a wonderful weekend . P.S. Love the croc tote.
Chocolate chip is absolutely my favorite kind of cookie! Now I’ll go back and see the fall items you found.
Brenda
All of these recipes look delicious! Especially your chocolate chip cookies I am going to have to try those!
Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite but sadly, no sugar in our house. We are still enjoiying summer especially now that the morning are cooler. Thanks for this post!
There’s so much great inspiration in this post, Elizabeth! I love the beautiful colourful handbags, and of course, chocolate chip cookies always get my vote! I clicked through to the post on Paris terraces, and I definitely agree with the author – especially about Les Deux Magots. Thank you for sharing all these great ideas and inspiration.
Eclectic reading.