Hello hello and a Ho to the Ho Ho Ho!
I’m feeling all nostalgic. Yesterday I updated and re-shared my mom’s famous fudge recipe, I found this pic on my phone from when Smudge and I baked my childhood Christmas sugar cookies before she grew into a too-busy-to-bake-with-her-mom teen, and today we are only four days away from that jolly old elf making his way to slay on his sleigh … and whaddya know? It’s another week of Friday Faves!
The more things change, the more I crave the familiar.
It’s so weird. These Friday Faves posts make me realize just how quickly time flies. Each week I sit at my computer to compile my list of weekly favorites and every time it feels like just a day ago I was doing the same exact thing, but it’s actually been a full week.
It’s one reason this weekly post—more than any of the recipes or round-ups—drives me to be more accountable with my time so I can be more adventuresome too. It’s why I try hard to be more efficient at work so I can get out and do the things I really love, read up and research random stuff I find interesting, and to really enjoy life, and actually create the moments to have something to share here :)
Life goes by even when you aren’t noticing. And nobody wants to look back on their memories and see themselves sitting at their computer all day.
Plus, it keeps me connected with you!
Last week I received an email that totally made my day, and it read:
Heidi — I just want to say Hi, Heidi!
I don’t know how I got your first email, but I have been loving them and saving them for a couple of months now. I also just passed them on to a couple of friends.
I am over 60, have always been a real convenience cook my whole life, raised my two kids on not very healthy food. But now they are home from college and want more than chicken nuggets and plain pasta, so I have had to step up my game! I love your emails — I love how practical you are, and I love how you are not afraid to give out links to other chefs and recipes, and of course, all your other fun tips.
YTB – so nice to get to know you, and thanks for all the yummy recipes! I especially love today’s feature about sweet potatoes and will share them!
Merry Christmas!
Kate! You don’t know how good it is to hear from you and other followers like you. To hear that the work I do in this weird vortex of me spitting out recipes, and lists, and random content to people I have never met, of all ages and all cooking abilities and all over the world, is inspiring people like you who want to get in the kitchen and cook more healthy, and more real, and more good food.
Because it’s all of you who inspire me, too.
If you haven’t signed up for my email list to have every new recipe delivered to your inbox, plus my menu plan for what I’ll be serving for Christmas and New Years eats (only avail in email) , plus exclusive weekly recipe round-ups, plus my weekly Not-a-Plan Flexible Meal Plan, plus more, more MORE!, what in the heck are you waiting for?
Sign up for my newsletter here and let’s keep in touch!! And just like Kate, I’d love to hear from you. What are you craving in the new year? New recipes? Helpful cooking tips? Randomness and fun facts?
Email me with questions, requests, and random acts of thoughtful kindness at [email protected].
But enough of all what’s coming, let’s talk about this week’s list of Friday Faves.
This 12 year old gave a Tedtalk on the impact of social media and why she thinks it’s harmful for kids. Does your kid think the same way?
These Christmas tree hairstyles are one thing, but the video at the end of the post with Christmas tree eyebrows is quite another…
10 things to do if you’re chilling home alone this holiday.
Last minute gifts under 10 bucks that might make you LOL too. (Cupcake lovers, check out #28)
Christmas vacation is made for movies. Add these Golden Globe nominees to your gotta-see list.
And this is the one movie I want to see in theaters now.
NYE ready –> The goddess of all cheese balls.
A berry, berry, delicious looking french toast for brunching.
We made a crab version this week (I may have to share!) but this lobster bisque looks DY-NO-MITE!
This creamy shroomy pasta has my name all over it.
My favorite Japanese “stew” made vegan. YES.
Another roasted chicken with a unique ingredient to add to my list.
How to clean stainless steel appliances with vinegar and oil. Whhhhaaaat?
DIY marinated olives. Easy.
Cinnamon roll recipe alert: IN A MUG.
If this isn’t the prettiest winter cake, I don’t know what is.
And the Minimalist Kitchen Course is coming your way in January. It’s gonna get tidy in here!
Looking forward…
- Live your best 2019 with 25% off my favorite 2019 planner when you enter FoodieCrush at checkout. Just sayin’.
- 20 things to do before you turn 30. Or 40. And yes, 50 & 60!! Just do.
- The fashion trends to know in 2019.
- 30 haircut inspos to go for in 2019. (loose is where it’s at!)
- 17 successful women share their career goals for 2019.
- The wellness trends you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2019.
And looking back…
- 50 things to be thankful for in 2018. Have you made your list?
- Bookmarked! NPR Critics Choices for 2018’s Best Books, Movies, Music and TV (I heard the promo for the music portion while I was driving and it is everything.)
- The 10 most popular Fresh Air episodes of 2018.
- 5 favorite food TV episodes of 2018.
- The most binge watched shows on Netflix for 2018. I have some catching up to do.
and…
The #1 thing to do for stress free mornings.
This jacket has that motorcycle vibe but wears like a dream.
EEEK! I kind of need this sweater so I can keep living my best teen life.
Okay! Enjoy the Friday frenzy of the last weekend to get ready for St. Nick! Enjoy and be safe out there! XO H
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.
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.
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.
Michael
Merry Christmas, Heidi! Thank you for one more nice post. Yesterday I made Easy Chocolate Fudge according to your mom’s recipe and it turned out perfect!
Rose Smith
Do you no longer want people to make your recipes? Twice today I’ve wanted to print recipes so I can easily buy ingredients and make them
Rachel
Thanks so much for sharing my DIY Marinated Olives recipe – I always get so nervous about my festive content as it is so different from my usual easy weeknight dinner recipes, so I’m glad you liked the post!
Ana
Merry Christmas, Heidi! Thank you for another year of Friday Faves and recipes!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thank you Ana! Here’s to 2019!