Time for an installment of Friday Things:
1. I’m going to The Big Potluck this weekend and can’t wait.
75 bloggers will be in attendance, and we have a packed lineup of events, speakers, and of course, eating and socializing.
This day that I spent with Matt was a life-changing one and can’t wait to see him. And Ree. And 75 people who I either know and can’t wait to see again, or know virtually and will finally get to meet.
It’s in Southern California’s wine country, about an hour away from San Diego. I love the Temecula area and have plenty of fond pre-child impromptu winery tasting expeditions with my husband. An hour away, but world’s apart, and a perfect setting for a big ole potluck.
2. Freaker Vanilla Ice-Ing bottle insulator for your water bottle, wine bottle, or anything that gets sweaty. How freaking cute is that print.
Scott and I used to live in Wilmington, NC (13 years ago), where they’re made. Such fun memories.
3. Ben Affleck joined the Live Below The Line Challenge, bringing awareness to global poverty. Participants are only allowed to spend $1.50 per day for food and drink.
This article gives some tips on what to do, like going to Sam’s Club for free samples.
4. I’m a contributor in the free e-cookbook, Fresh, Fruity, and Fabulous Fruit Recipes: 25 Summer Desserts with Fruit
If you’re in need of some lighter, more summery dessert recipes, check out the free download.
They featured my Chocolate Chip and Cherry Blondies, perfect for all those summer cherries or use peaches, nectarines, or whatever is seasonal
5. This enameled cast iron Le Creuset Flower Cocotte, $150. The flower shape is just too cute and the color is so springy and fresh. I love yellow.
6. Loving the Haute Hippie look. The sunglasses, the red sequin jacket ($985) and gold sequin skirt. The beige light that screams dingy retro chic is right up my alley, too.
7. My Vanilla-Avocado Banana Ice Cream was featured in Parade Magazine’s Six Creative, Delicious Ways to Use Avocado
Thanks to Lori the RecipeGirl for including me.
8. Cookie Jar with Enamel Flower Market Lid – $54 from MacKenzie-Childs
Tea Kettle, $130
Their entire site and store is just a feast for the eyes. I could spend $20,000 in under 20 minutes. I wish I was joking. The store has some seriously gorgeous pieces but I’ll need to win the lottery first.
9. Tracy’s Cheddar Cheese Bread looks ridiculously good. And easy.
I’m all about easy, 5-minute loaves
Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon-Ribbon Bread
10. DIY: Create a Sweet and Savory Dessert Crostini Bar – This sure beats the same chips and dips on the average party table
One of their suggested toppings is homemade nut butter. I’ve got that covered, and then some.
Honey Roasted Butterscotch White Chocolate Peanut Butter (GF) – My favorite nut butter that I’ve ever made
What are your Friday Things?
If you’ve made anything, done, seen, or bought anything fabulous recently, feel free to link it up in the comments.
Blogger meetups or events you’ve been to? Conferences or events you’ve attended or want to attend?
I’ve been on many, and am really excited that Big Potluck was capped at 75 people so it’ll be more intimate and less herd-like. I’m so excited to see old friends and meet people I’ve wanted to meet for years.
Eating on $1.50 a Day?
I could eat on $1.50 a day, and many days probably come close. Not eating meat is a huge cost savings, and I’m a frugal shopper in general. I buy whatever produce is on sale and buy store-brands of anything I can. With planning, not impulse-buying, shopping from a mental list of things I know I need and not things that I may want but aren’t practical (another expensive condiment for example), I try to shop as frugally as possible.
Even simple things like not eating out, not grabbing coffee out, not buying bottled water when out; planning ahead and doing it all at home slashes monthly expenditures, especially when you’re doing it as a family.
That said, some days I spend a ridiculous amount more when I’m baking all day and go through a pound of butter, sugar, and chocolate. Before noon.
Have a great weekend and check back for two great giveaways!
So many things I want and need!! The tea kettle and cookie jar lid, to start – so cute. That red sequin jacket? Oh just $1K. Someday I’ll have that money. ;) And congrats on the avocado ice cream feature Averie! It looks amazing. Love avocados. And have so much fun this weekend, I want to hear all about it! I’ve never been to a blogging conference. I feel like I live in a hole. And last but not least – your cinnamon sugar crusted bread! We’re making it tomorrow! Today I’m getting a pedicure with my friend… feels good to indulge!
Please LMK how the bread goes! We need to go on our own blogging conference. To the mall or a tropical island :)
Oooo have fun this weekend! I’m going to the BSP on the east coast in July and CAN’T.WAIT. Literally counting down the days.
Also…I want those cherry chocolate blondies. In my belly. Now.
Oh that is awesome you’re going, too! I can’t believe it’s already here…felt like months ago that I signed up and it was, actually. And it’s here now!
I am so jealous! I want to be headed to CA with all you guys. Maybe next year!
That Le Creuset Flower Cocotte has my name written ALL over it So cute!
Have fun this weekend!!
There’s always next year, yes!
I love the dessert crostini bar. That is just awesome.
Have a rockin weekend girl! That blogger event sounds more up my alley with 75 people rather than a huge event with 200 plus. I’m sure you will learn tons and have a great time just hanging with fellow foodies :) I’m not a big crowd person at all. Big crowds and events just intimidate me and I feel like I get lost in the crowd. Ok, that Le Creuset pot is cute, but I don’t think it would be fun to cook in. I mean you would scrape around the sides and the grooves every time you gave your dish a stir. No thanks! I’ll stick to the basic, boring round shape, as It gets the job done! Ok, congrats on all your publications! You rock! xoxo, Jackie
scrape around the sides and the grooves every time you gave your dish a stir <-- spoken like a true chef but it sure is cute :) Have a great weekend too!
Have a great time – can’t wait to hear all about your fun weekend!
I’m so excited about the Vanilla Avocado Banana Ice Cream! I’m lactose intolerant, so this will be perfect for me if I use almond milk. I can’t wait to make it!!!!
It’s excellent and so creamy! Dont be skimpy with the sugar and close your eyes and it’ll taste like ice cream…not kidding!
I totally believe it! I think it’s going to be amazing! Yay!!
The Big Potluck sounds so cool! Have an amazing time! Love that flower Le Crueset too.
That yellow pot is SO cute! And congratulations on all those features! You have such creative and delicious recipes. Thanks for sharing them with us. Please tell us about the blogger conference later- it sounds like it will be do much fun!
That cookie jar is fantastic! But probably even better is your trip. How cool. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Congratulations on the recipe features! I really enjoy cooking in cast iron so love the Le Creuset–great color, great shape. I’m planning to try making some homemade mayo this weekend–I’ve wanted to try that for a while and as for baking, I have to try your cinnamon bread. Have a great time at the Potluck–the setting sounds wonderful!
Homemade mayo. I do mustard, balsamic reduction, PB, and many other dressings but never mayo! I know you need to have a food proc running and drizzle in oil while beating eggs. Hope it turns out for you! LMK!
Have a wonderful time this weekend – what an amazing event!
Now that you’ve got me hooked on making my own peanut butter, I totally plan to make the butterscotch white chocolate flavor – white chocolate is my sister’s FAVORITE, so I’m going to make a batch for her upcoming birthday :)
It’s seriously THE BEST Pb ever. I love that one. I put like 25-30 versions in my cookbook and that’s my fave! I did make some with Baileys Irish Cream and that was crazy good, too. I have a recipe for homemade baileys, too. You can make homemade baileys and pour a little into the PB with some white choc :) https://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2013/03/homemade-baileys-irish-cream.html
But the butterscotch PB is killer. Lmk what you end up making!
Oh that flower-shaped Le Creuset! I’m in love!!! It’s my birthday next week, maybe I should fwd this post to my husband… ;)
Have so much fun this weekend! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Happy early bday!!
I’m going to San Diego (and Temecula) for the first time this summer. I can’t wait. A very good friend grew up there, and has invited me and Bob to join her in a trip home. I’ve only heard wonderful things about the area!!
Love that Le Creuset dish–how adorable!!
prepare to fall in love with the area and have a total blast!
Wow, the blogger thing sounds like such fun, and congrats on getting your recipe in the cookbook! Well played:)
I myself am still on a major springtime produce bender, making more stuff with artichokes:
Happy Friday! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow! And wow, vanilla avocado banana ice cream? I’m there! Oh and congrats on the Parade feature – you rock!
Girl you too! So excited! And I made my cake! I figured it out. PB and chocolate are the stars…shocking, right? :)
Haha I had a feeling you’d go that route! Still need to make my coffee cake – will make it tomorrow! :)