Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m wrapping up my time here in North Carolina and it has been beautiful. I’m staying in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the weather has been surprisingly warm already. I’ve been soaking up the sunshine each day while working with friends. I’m headed home tomorrow and I can hardly wait to see all of my boys again.
Meanwhile, back in Ohio, a crazy storm ripped through our property and destroyed soooo many of our beautiful trees! If you happen to be in Licking county or the surrounding areas and have a referral for a tree service or arborist to help clear away the trees and figure out what and where to replant, I’d love any and all referrals!
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Loaded with fresh fruit, nuts, and celery this Waldorf Chicken Salad is an absolute winner. I make this quick and easy salad all the time for lunch and snacks. It’s fabulous with some sturdy crackers or by the spoonful (we listen and we don’t judge, ok?).
If crispy hot tater tots make you grin, then you have got to try these irresistible Smashed Tater Tots! Every time I make these, my whole family just stands around and grabs them off the pan.
This homemade Coleslaw Dressing tastes better than anything store bought and takes just 5 minutes and a handful of ingredients to make!
Old-fashioned bean salads are made with a mix of green beans, butter beans, and kidney beans in a tangy dressing. This Four Bean Salad is a timeless potluck favorite.
With tangy, sweet rhubarb and an irresistible cinnamon sugar biscuit topping, this Rhubarb Cobbler just begs for a scoop of cold ice cream.
Chewy, golden, and absolutely packed with coconut, these Chewy Coconut Cookies are one of my newest favorites. They have toasted coconut inside the dough and are rolled in shredded coconut before being baked. Coconut lovers, this is YOUR cookie.
This custard-style Rum Raisin Ice Cream is creamy, boozy, and unapologetically nostalgic. A from-scratch recipe that actually delivers.
What I’m CRAVING: This Italian Mac and Cheese is calling my name. Okay, fine, it’s basically shouting my name. It’s my friend Vinny’s Grandma’s recipe and it’s made with Italian cheeses and topped with pancetta. I already know that my boys are going to go crazy over this pasta. With a fresh salad and some crusty bread? I’m going to be in heaven with this meal.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this insanely moisturizing hair mask. So, here’s the deal. I highlighted my hair a while back and it dried my hair out to a ridiculous level. It had been a while since I colored my hair, so it really threw me! My stylist recommended this mask and it worked like magic. I’ve been using it about once a week and it helps immensely. I’d give it 100 stars if I could.
What I’m READING / LISTENING to: The new full cast audiobook for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This is an incredible audiobook! It’s an entirely new experience and I have LOVED listening to it. I honestly would’ve sworn there was new material here. I’ve read the entire series multiple times and listening to this book felt like a whole new world at times. Hearing the different voices, (hundreds of actors were involved in this production!) along with the sound effects and the full orchestra was just fantastic.
What I’m LISTENING to: Colton Dixon has been on repeat lately in my morning playlists. I can’t listen without a grin most days. For a long time, my son played his song Up + Up just about every time we were in the car together and it’s still a strong favorite for both of us.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary
