In the meantime, I wanted to stick with my usual schedule and share this week’s Things I’m Loving Friday blog post with all of you that lists a few of my favorites from the past seven days. Please feel free to join in the fun and tell me about something that made you smile this week!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Wednesday Snow Day
I didn’t mean to disappear on the blog yesterday but we had a SNOW DAY in Charlotte on Wednesday and those only happen around here once in a blue moon, so we had to take full advantage! Ryan worked from home in the morning but had the afternoon free. His timing was perfect because it gave the snow that began falling in the early morning time to stick to the ground for an afternoon of sledding! Snow still feels like a novelty in Charlotte since we don’t get it very often. Everything closes (yes, for only a few inches of snow!) and everyone bundles up and heads outside to PLAY.
Sadie and Chase had a ball and every time we’d reach the bottom of a hill with Chase on the sled, he’d immediately yell out, “AGAIN!” I’m not sure the snow will stick around much longer, but we’ve loved having a few days of wintery fun around here!
In an effort to distract Chase from the fact that Dad was working from home all morning Wednesday and needed some quiet time, Chase and I went to town in the kitchen! I really, really hope Chase’s love for “helping” me cook and bake sticks around for a while, because it’s an activity I truly love doing with him on an almost daily basis. Yesterday we made some homemade salad dressings to have on hand and a batch of Mmmm Sauce, a throwback favorite made with almonds, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, olive oil and spices. It’s dairy-free and gluten-free and tastes fantastic on everything from roasted veggies and kale to eggs, brown rice, quinoa and more. I missed this sauce so much!
- Say You’re Sorry by Melinda Leigh
I started and finished another book I thoroughly enjoyed this week. Say You’re Sorry popped up as a recommended read for me on my Kindle and after reading the description and 900+ positive reviews, I downloaded it and began reading. I liked the main character almost instantly and the book piqued my interest from the very first page. (I’m now about halfway through Her Last Goodbye, the second novel in this Morgan Dane series which I’m also enjoying.)
The book follows Morgan Dane, a recently widowed lawyer and a mother of three, as she’s settling back into her childhood hometown and accepting a new career opportunity. Everything changes when Morgan’s babysitter is murdered and her neighbor, Nick, whom she’s known all her life, is accused of the crime. Morgan fervently believes Nick is innocent and agrees to represent him as his lawyer, turning her community against her, with the exception of an ex-police officer turned private detective she dated in high school, Lance Kruger. As Morgan and Lance set out to prove Nick’s innocence, their potential list of suspects increases and so does the risk surrounding their personal safety.
- Oh She Glows App
In an effort to continue incorporating more plant-based meals into our diets, I downloaded the Oh She Glows app earlier this week. You guys this app is STUNNING and so well organized. I know there’s no shortage of delicious plant-based recipes on the internet, but I’ve loved Angela’s blog for years and in addition to wanting to support her, I love the idea of having access to a bunch of plant-based recipes in one spot on my phone… kind of like a mini cookbook!
When we were in Florida for Christmas, Ryan and I were able to sneak away for an afternoon matinee and saw Pitch Perfect 3 in the theatre. (I think is the first movie we’ve seen in the theatre together since we had Chase. Whoa!) As you know if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, Ryan and I both LOVE a cappella music and really enjoy the Pitch Perfect series but unfortunately the third one wasn’t nearly as good or entertaining as the first two… not that we expected it to be, but it was still a little disappointing. I was never bored in the movie but the plotline was a bit of a reach. Thankfully the riff-off in the movie was a good one and I’ve found myself playing it at home a few times and loveeee when they integrate “Zombie” by The Cranberries in toward the middle/n of the song.
- Friday Flashbacks
10 Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes (A collection of 10 healthy breakfast recipes you can prep ahead of time to make it easy to grab a healthy meal first thing in the morning.)
60-40-20 Kettlebell Workout ( A total body sweat fest!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing that made you smile this week?
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What a fun snow day! We never get snow here, so I understand having to take advantage. Hope you have a great weekend!
That Mmmm Sauce looks delicious! I’ll have to remember to try it. Since you grew up in Illinois, you must find it a little funny to see everything close for just a few inches of snow. Do you remember growing up and having to go to school all the time when it snowed?! Maybe it was just the town I lived in that did that.
I assume a dedication is similar to a baptism at some churches so this will be a special weekend for you guys for sure. Enjoy it Julie!
I can’t believe how much snow NC got! So fun you got to enjoy a snow day! And oh I need to try that Mmmm sauce recipe. Always looking for healthy ways to flavor veggies and salads 🙂 Happy Weekend!
I also saw Pitch Perfect 3 (i love the music as well!) but mostly because my good friend Jeff is actually in the third one! The band “Saddle-Up” who is a part of the Riff off is an actual band he’s in. Their real name is the Whiskey Shivers –> http://whiskeyshivers.com/about.html
They’re an awesome group of guys based out of Austin if you are ever feeling some bluegrass music 🙂
That’s amazing!!! I’m heading to Austin in a month. Do they every play around there anymore?
He said they’re playing a few places in February in Austin! Still finalizing dates so keep posted on their website for details–you won’t regret it! They’re a blast live!
Ryan and I both LOVED them in the movie and said we wished they got more air time! They are so talented. Thank you for sharing this — definitely looking them up! So cool you know one of the band members!
I live in Baltimore, so we get snow fairly often, but you guys got more than us this week. We don’t close nearly as often, so I still had to work 🙁
One thing that made me smile this week is reading Celeste Ng’s newest novel, Little Fires Everywhere. She is amazing! I highly recommend this newest one, or her first book, Everything I Never Told You. Blew through both books super quickly!
Have a great weekend, and happy dedication day to Chase!
Thank you for the recommendation! Always on the lookout for new books!!
Oh no, I actually liked Pitch Perfect 3! Much better than 2. I keep playing the soundtrack (especially Riff Off) on Spotify on repeat!
The Riff-Offs are always the best part!
I didn’t know Oh She Glows launched an app! So awesome! Wow, snow over there yet its still pretty mild over here in California,hah!
i just finished reading all of those melinda leigh books too. they’re so good!
Always love your book recommendations! I couldn’t get this one from the library but just downloaded one of your other recs, The Kind Worth Killing, for the weekend. Have a good one!
Ohhhh! That’s a good one!!!! Really hope you like it!
Okay definitely going to get that book!! Your snow day looked like so much fun! We had one in Louisiana this week (which never happens!) but didn’t have nearly that much piled on the ground 🙂
We got more snow than I expected in Charlotte – glad you all enjoyed it! I think it’s awesome you have Chase help you in the kitchen so much – I hope to do that with my future little one. I’ve already noted that stand that he has!
Wow thats so much snow for your area! It must have been so exciting. Also, you are such a reading machine…so impressed! That sauce looks so good omg!
I need to download that app! I just started following Oh She Glows on IG. We’re also trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into our weeks – I think a number of my favorite bloggers, you included, have suggested the ‘focus on adding healthy foods more than you try to take things away’, and it’s been a great approach.
We’ve had lots of snow in Nova Scotia lately, and you’d think we’d be accustomed to it by now. Nope. Everyone at school drop-off this morning was all “…hey, what do you guys think of just, y’know, moving to Bali or something?” 😉
Happy Friday!
My two year old loves helping in the kitchen too. I bought these kid safe knives for Christmas and it has been a hit. It makes him a good helper, while I can try to get a few things actually done as well. (Sorry if you’ve mentioned something similar before – can’t remember!) https://www.amazon.com/StarPack-Nylon-Kitchen-Knife-Piece/dp/B0162AI724
oh awesome!!! thank you for sharing!
Awww how cute is he in the kitchen too! I hope he continues to love it as well!
That Mmmm Sauce looks delicious! How long do you find it lasts in the fridge? I imagine it goes quickly, and you eat it too fast to let it go bad!
Up in New Brunswick, Canada, we’ve had a few snow days, too – and things never close here!
It’s usually gone pretty quickly in our house but I think it would probably last a good 5-7 days or so in a tightly-sealed jar without any issues!
The Mmmm sauce looks so good! I love snow days so much…we’ve had 5 in the last 2 weeks and for a teacher it’s been amazing.
I love the Pitch Perfect soundtracks – I have a Pandora station for them!
Eating more plant-based meals is a big one in our house too right now. I’d love to see a post with a roundup of your favorite plant-based recipes and if you or Ryan have noticed any changes since incorporating more plants into your diet!
Have a great weekend and enjoy Chase’s dedication!
I’ve known about the MMM sauce since she created it and have yet to try it, although I’ve heard such rave reviews! The cold weather down here has me in a great mood as it gets really humid in the summers. That’s so awesome you got snow! Snow is so pretty coming down and if it only stays for a bit. 🙂 BTW, I have to commend you on cooking with Chase. I need to do that more with mine. I’m so used to doing it while they were napping or in school before and so it definitely slows things down now and I need to be more patient. 🙂 One favorite for me this week was the menstrual cup. I’ve been wanting to get off of tampons for awhile now and a news article about TSS gave me the needed push. It was a lot easier than I thought and having to only deal with it each morning and night was so awesome. Have a great day, Julie!
Yes!! I think once I succumbed to the fact that any cooking or baking I do with him will take at least twice as long and make 5x the mess, I began to embrace it and he truly LOVES it so it motives me to do it a lot… plus, it’s kind of nice to have some dinner prep done before he goes down for a nap, too!!
I had the same reaction to Pitch Perfect 3 – even with fairly low expectations going in I was still a bit disappointed in the plot. I love the song Zombie too so I was thrilled with that part at least. Did you hear the extremely sad news that the lead singer of The Cranberries passed away this week? She was still so young…heartbreaking.
I did see that 🙁 so sad. Her voice was incredible.
Say You’re Sorry sounds pretty good. I’ve added it to my list of books to read. I love when you recommend books – I’m always on the look out for new ones. I’ve read a few books now that you’ve recommended and they’ve all been great. We must have a similar taste in books.
Love the snow pics! Does Sadie have something over her eyes? Or was something flying by as she was running? Just had me curious. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I think something must’ve been flying by and made it look that way! Her eyes were free and clear! 🙂
I love love all of your book recommendations, Julie!! I always read the books you share, so thank you so much! It sounds like you guys had an awesome snow day! I love those pictures! I can’t wait to see pictures of Chase’s dedication! How special!! One thing that made me smile this week was being in Disney with my husband. It was the best time ever and I don’t think I ever stopped smiling! 😉 Enjoy your weekend! Xoxo
My sister and I saw Pitch Perfect 3 on Christmas and loved it! SO much better than the second one. We laughed so much during the movie and we almost went to see it again! I actually think the storyline was much stronger without trying to incorporate the Treblemakers and focus in on the girl storyline AND I think the songs were better. Oh well lol.