Ho Ho and Hello! And happy Friday Faves!
This post is brought to you by Pamela’s Products
Holiday entertaining is in full swing and this weekend our dance card is FULL. Between games for Ali Smudge’s high school basketball tournament we’re fitting in dinner at a friends house tonight and hosting friend’s for dinner tomorrow night, and then trying to fit in quick family Soup Sunday to finish out the weekend. ‘Tis the season to pack in the social obligations!
Entertaining can give me a case of the dreads if I let it. Only because I tend to overdo and make it harder on myself than it should be. Friday night will be easy since I’ll just be providing a bottle of wine and a simple hostess gift (this is always a fave).
On Saturday I’m thinking we will do either my favorite holiday lasagna (love that it can be made ahead) or a big seafood shebang with our easy king crab legs, the BEST steamed clams, plus oysters on the half shell and steamed shrimp. The only downside to this one is it requires some last-minute throwing together when I might rather be relaxing with my guests by the fire than stuck in the kitchen.
Either menu I choose, I’m making it easy on myself in the final act of dinner and picking up store-bought cookies to serve with lattes and whiskey drinks for dessert.
Smart eh? That’s my pro tip for you today.
One of my friends is gluten-free so I’m making sure she doesn’t feel left out and creating a gluten-free cookie platter for everyone to enjoy featuring Pamela’s limited edition Buttery Sugar Cookies and Pepperminty Chocolate Cookies.
It’s a bonus that Pamela’s cookies are gluten-free, but they taste so good that even people who aren’t gluten-free will totally enjoy them too. I can attest since I finished off a few while putting this cookie platter together and I don’t feel one bit bad about it. With 30 years of making gluten-free and non-GMO products, Pamela’s makes it easy for me to pick the cookies up at the store or order online, and serve all of my guests the desserts they’re craving.
I’m also adding Pamela’s Ginger Cookies to keep with the holiday flavors, along with some chocolates and macaroons I bought with my other holiday cookies from a local bakery. It’s a full-on holiday dessert feast I’m betting everyone will want to sample.
And a Big Thank YOU!
Thanks so much to those of you who donated to the Shred for Red fundraiser I participated in last weekend at Deer Valley Resort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Together the event raised nearly $80,000 ! So thank you!!!
But enough about me. Let’s dig into this week’s Friday Faves.
There’s something oddly satisfying about watching this video.
The thought of the smell of this sort of makes me want to gag. Or drool. I’m not sure which.
Have you entered my DeLallo Holiday Crush Gift Box giveaway for THREE WINNERS over on Instagram? I’m picking a winner on Sunday 12/16 so don’t wait to enter!
Looking forward to 2019: What’s your planning personality?
All things holiday right here:
- This holiday bucket list makes me not want to do any more work and instead just DO!
- A holiday party checklist so the hostess (you) won’t freak the freak out.
- 5 minute holiday party hairstyles.
- Holiday outfits that are party perfect. I’m especially loving #8’s combo. Those slouchy boots are spot on.
- How to be fully present this holiday season.
- 6 tips to survive the holiday season when you’re completely overbooked.
- 13 holiday movies to watch right now.
I’m all for creative Christmas trees, but I’m not sure I’m on board with this.
I bought myself a little pre-Christmas present, just because it made me happy.
DIY : How to make your own essential oil room sprays.
A look at what was and will be:
- The hottest 2019 design trends on Pinterest, right here.
- The most Googled beauty questions of 2018.
- Prediction: Pinterest’s top food trends in 2019.
- Marie Kondo is coming to Netflix in 2019 and bringing her organization skills with her.
This could be your Christmas dinner. ROLL ON!
This recipe makes me want to break out my air fryer stat! Love.
This week’s cinnamon roll recipe alert: Small batch for big bites.
This one skillet meal with all the curry flavor flave.
I think I would LOVE this cocktail. MMMM coconut.
I totally want to try baking this!
Say what? A bacon vending machine???? Yep, it’s true.
Awww, sheeeeeet! Sheet pan shrimp scampi.
OMG, this mac and cheese! I’m all in.
Two holiday dresses that will convert to work later, here and here.
Or pair a black turtleneck with this foil skirt. So festive.
Speaking of black turtlenecks, I love this cowl neck version that leads a sexy double life.
And now, it’s time to slow down…
Only 11 days to go! Have a grand weekend everyone.
Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There are affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
Allegra Pierce
oh my goodness the “what type of planer are you test” is one of the most accurate tests I’ve ever taken! To be honest I was skeptical but I like taking quick tests so I gave it a try. Pleasantly surprised! Definitely spoke to my strengths and weaknesses accurately and had great tangible advice. thank you!!
DessertForTwo
Thanks so much for sharing, Heidi! :)
Barbara Schieving
I totally love that cowl neck sweater too. So happy to make your Friday Faves! You really should bake that bread. It’s amazing :)