Happy Friday friends!
In This Post
I hope the week is finding your happy, healthy, nourished and caffeinated. Me? I’m doing pretty well on all those fronts but my caffeine intake—as of next week—will be taking a swift nose dive.
Given that I work from home, I don’t have a morning commute, unless you count pacing from my kitchen to my office, back and forth, 329 times a morning, because I keep forgetting what I’m doing and what I went to get. Gotta get those steps in! (BTW, I finally caved and got one of these and I gotta say, it’s pretty dang cool.) I have an amazing Nespresso machine at home that produces some seriously good and strong coffee to give me my morning buzz.
But by the time I’ve put in a an hour or two of work right after I get up (because it seems to be working for these people) and make Smudge’s daily school lunch masterpiece, I get the itch to return to my old working ways of when I worked in the office, with co-workers, and have another cup of coffee.
But totally not at my house.
I need an escape.
So because I most likely need to go to Smith’s Marketplace for some ingredient or another that I forgot to get for a recipe I’m making that day but could probably get away with not including, I totally justify jumping in the car and heading to my favorite little drive thru coffee shack, Jarrett’s Java Express. It’s where Smudge’s obsession with his ice blended mocha gave me the inspiration for this recipe.
But yesterday was Jarrett’s last day. A new landlord has decided to do something different with the property and who would have thunk how costly it is to relocate a little ol’ coffee shack? I know I’m just one of many who are going to miss his consistently happy greeting of, “OH WHY HELLLLLLLOOOOO!” and the pass-thru the hut window of my 16-ounce nonfat latte that was ready and waiting for me when I arrived at the hut’s window and delivered with the flourish and style and always a huge smile to accompany his tagline, “Your handcrafted beverage, m’lady.”
Not to mention, HE BRINGS HIS ST. BERNARD PUPPIES TO WORK! For the past few years, Jarrett and this little coffee shack have made getting up and doing the things totally easier to do and get done. And also: caffeine.
But more importantly, this guy has proven what a difference one smile can make in someone’s day. And he did it all day long. Think if you spent all day smiling at people who glanced your way while stopping at the stop light, or while waiting for the cross walk.
Smiles are contagious. And there’s certainly no better way to start someone’s day.
I’m gonna miss your smile Jarrett.
So now I’m in the process of creating a new morning routine. What’s yours? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
But first, grab another cup of coffee and let’s dig into this week’s list of Friday Faves.
Food is rich in history and these 10 stories about women and food prove it.
Instant Pot recipe alert: this honey sesame chicken recipe is GOING ON THE LIST!
I’ve used ice cube trays to do this, but I think this method for storing/freezing homemade chicken stock is even better.
And even more better yet, these chicken skewers are totally Super Bowl ready.
No knead bread. Even I could bake that!
I just put this oatmeal on my to make list.
plus…
25 super healthy super bowl recipes.
Now this is a chia pudding I think I could get get my head around.
I’m totally ready to try this tomato soup. Dunkable.
This one-pan chicken casserole has me all googly-eyed. Sounds SO GOOD.
This pear crisp looks lovely.
Food hack alert: The best way to reheat pizza.
Did you know you can balance your hormones just by not eating this?
Here’s what Brené Brown thinks about dinner at the kitchen table.
If you’re not the best planner, these downloadable foodie v-day cards are loverly punny.
This Valentine’s Day card is perfection (*cough* take note, gentlemen!)
And a few more foodie ones for your funny valentine:
Brie mine? You’re hot. Nice buns. You’re my everything. I only have pie for you. You make miso happy.
Oscar noms are in! What movies have you seen so far?
also…
The Oscars are making history this year with diversity (so awesome, and so about darn time).
Okay, so I’m only into episode 2 of The Crown and already, I am totally hooked. Mom, if there is ONE REASON for you and dad to get Netflix, this show is what will hook him in—and this is why it’s the most expensive production ever on Netflix.
also…
Here’s what’s coming to Netflix next month.
Loving this list of audiobooks narrated by famous celebs. For the record, Sissy Spacek reading To Kill a Mockingbird is lovely.
I love her philosophy: Why you need to diversify your happiness. I wish I could write like her…
A designer was given $100 to spend at Target, and here’s what she bought. Honey, go start the car.
This door mat...clever.
This would look really pretty on my new marble countertops.
Crushing on this phone case. Because, you know…countertops.
How fun are these lilac-hued kicks! So perfect for spring.
speaking of spring…
I’m not a romper gal, but if I were, I’d romp all over town in this one.
Kind of digging the bell sleeve trend. Thinking about getting jumping aboard with this top. What do you think?
This one is pretty and totally makes me want to go on vacation.
What a fun bag, perfect for the pool and beach—no it’s not too early to start dreaming…I can already smell the Coppertone.
Recipes I Pinned This Week
The Super Bowl’s just around the corner and I’ve spied some good looking bowls this week! Here are three recipes I’ve pinned this week that I think will bowl you over.
Falafel Salad Hummus Bowls
This is a salad I could eat on repeat, and not get sick of.
Thai Beef Bowls
Tender Thai beef, crisp and refreshing spiralized carrots and zucchini, brown rice, and crunchy peanuts? Sounds like a touchdown to me!
Savory Pesto Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
Quinoa for breakfast? Can I get an AMEN?!!!
Have a fabulous weekend, my foodiecrushers!
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Elisha
Thanks for this creative article with an amazing recipe! Great post! i just loved reading this.this will help I hope this is delicious when i make it!
Velva
I consider coffee to be the nectar of the Gods in the morning. It would be fabulous to have a special someone like Jarrett whose smile is a good start to the day and to have the morning coffee ready and waiting.
Enjoy your weekend.
heidi
Thank you Velva!
Denise
Okay, I still have the first generation FitBit – it works fine but no heart rate monitor. Should I get that new one? And I am totally digging on that chicken as well as those bell sleeved tops. Time to go shopping …
Laurie Hallas
Today’s Friday Fave (1/27) made me smile and cry at the same time. Not only the work of an incredible journalist, but a kind human being as well. Jarrett’s Java Express has been a Mill Creek landmark almost 30 years. Hopefully people will follow Jarrett’s path and pay forward goodwill and a smile. You never know when it will make someone’s day. Thanks Heidi!
Sara @ Last Night's Feast
That sesame honey chicken looks so amazing! Thanks for sharing
Christina
LOVE Friday Faves! It’s like opening a new book every Friday and exploring multiple chapters on food and life. Yay!
My morning routine is to get up early (about an hour before hubby) so I can sip my coffee and gently wake up, read your posts and re-edit my blog before it pushes out that day. I also love watching the sun sneak up and color the sky with brilliant morning light. In the spring and summer I enjoy listening to the birds welcome daylight with their songs. Morning truly is my favorite time of day.