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!
a) those cherry and chocolate blondies look amazing. I wanna eat them with Cherry Garcia for double cherry and chocolate-ness
b) at first instead of “pre-child impromptu wine tasting” I read “childhood impromptu wine tasting” haha.
What an amazing weekend! Can’t wait to hear every detail!
Enjoy! (and take lots of photos!)
I know you’re having an amazing time, Averie! I’m loving your photos on instagram…as I follow along!!!
Thanks for following! :)
Have fun at the potluck…. I’d say your all pretty lucky!! I would love to win the lottery and shop at Mackenzie Childa too!!!
I lived in Wilmington, NC 13 years ago too!! I feel like I’ve met a famous person now haha. P.S. I’m making that cinnamon bread soon!
Small world!! Lmk how the cinn bread goes for you!
I keep seeing all these ‘big potluck’ related photos on Instagram – sounds so fun, and the location I’m sure makes it even more enjoyable. If I had to live on $1.50 a day, I think I would use $1 for a greek yogurt, and then eat spoonfuls of peanut butter with the remaining 50 cents. :)
$1 for a greek yogurt, and then eat spoonfuls of peanut butter with the remaining 50 cents <-- love the way you think!
Have the BEST time this weekend, Averie! Looks like you’re in for a few days of beautiful scenery and great company!
I have mixed feelings about the $1.50 thing. I mean, most days I probably spent three times that, and I rarely if ever eat out, pack my own lunch, and cook at home all the time. Still, if I eat a big salad (and I do daily), that’s got to be close to $5 right there. The thing about going to Sam’s for samples is just degrading, and ridiculous, in my opinion. Don’t you need to pay to just go in there anyway?
Congrats on all the recipe features!
My best thing of the week is the cashew butter I made yesterday. And the mountain bike I am currently shopping for. Bike #4, baby!
Have a wonderful time at the conference Averie. And a HUGE congrats on the Pumpkin Lover’s Cookbook news https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=460699090644788&id=219995378048495
AWESOME ! ♥
Counting the days to get your Peanut Butter Book and now this news, SUPER!
Travel safely Girl :)
Thanks for your support :)
Happy Friday and great list of things! Have a blast at the pot luck, sounds great!
The Big Potluck sounds like tons of fun, and that hotel is not half bad! Have fun!
I’ve never been to that property but I do love Temecula and the whole vibe. Wish you were coming to this one!
Happy friday! Have so much fun at the Big Potluck- looks like a great group of bloggers! I think I could eat on 1.50 a day as a challenge, but it would be very, very difficult to do. I eat lots of lentils, beans, which are cheap but I also eat lots of vegetables & fruit- 1.50 is as much as I pay for a # of apples! Im really happy to see more celebrities bringing this issue up.
I know…produce can be very pricey, in a hurry!
Oh wow that Big Potluck event sounds like a lot of fun! Looking forward to the food pics that you would be posting. I will also be in Temecula tomorrow but for the Rogue Runner event at Vail lake =)
Have fun at your running event! Wow, sounds like Temecula will be pretty busy this weekend! (and I didn’t know you were local to SoCal!)
Loving the Flower Cocotte so much. Such a unique shape and a great color!
Congrats on your recipe getting featured! Vanilla-Avocado-Banana sounds like an awesome flavor combo!
I am in love with several items on your post today… But seriously flower dish?!? I have been putting off buying one of those pots but I might HAVE to get one now.