Helloooo and happy Friday everyone!
First off, a warm welcome to so many new readers here on FoodieCrush, where I share recipes like those in my husband’s Father’s Day dinner above (he is a master at the ribeye steak and grilled corn) I hope you’ll love every week. Thank you for being here!
You may be wondering what this non-recipe post is that’s popped into your inbox? Welcome to Friday Faves, where I share a weekly round-up of random items I discover on the web, and where I get to be a little more personal and don’t worry so much about search engine optimization, the perfect photo to illustrate the most delicious recipe, accounting, brainstorming, scheduling, social media promoting, and all the agenda items that go along with running this business we call blogging.
So happy almost-birthday to Friday Faves. Looking back, I think I found the original post here—dating back to July 1, 2011,—where my 15 year old AliSmudge was still just a Smudge of love, and the gorgonzola burger recipe somehow got deleted (must amend that!), and my faves list was a whole lot shorter.
I can’t believe I’ve been sharing this weekly Friday Faves post each and every Friday for the past 8 years where travel, illness, and even the ill-fated lethargy never kept me from posting even one Friday Faves. Why? Because I know you expect it.
I think it’s the most consistent thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s also proof in the pudding that time does indeed fly by.
Which brings me to a letter I recently received from one of you, just one of you many readers I am so grateful for. Margot’s words resonated profoundly, and because I know there are a lot of you out there just like me, she’s allowed me to share her email with you. I hope you might glean some clarity from her wisdom I’ve been reminded of again.
Dear Heidi,
I do enjoy your site and love to read it… tonight I read about your day and I felt compelled to talk to you.
Firstly, me. I am 78 years old and married to the same man for 52 years. I raced around like crazy, too, but luckily for me, my husband was a workaholic – he had a profession. We have always had a boat. I didn’t work at a job!!! We used our boats as corporate charter vessels. I did the catering and ran the boat, we studied and obtained the qualifications required to run the boats. As our kids grew up they became expert and qualified crew, too, plus achieving their university degrees. Around Christmas time, it was crazy – three functions in a day…that was just part of our lives. We were involved in charitable committees, kids schools, boating life and a home in the suburbs, social lives, etc. One Christmas, I was so tired I slept right through Christmas Day and I thought, this is not what life is about!! Then a stroke a few years ago–luckily I completely recovered and Bill retired. We enjoy being together but much of life is a whirling blur! We have done some fabulous travel during those busy years, the children are grown up and busy with their lives now and we don’t see a lot of them and the grandkids…they are all busy, too. It is this modern world.
What I am here to say to them and what I am saying to you is, slow down, enjoy your man, play with your children, life disappears very suddenly. We don’t need to live such sophisticated lives. Your emails are wonderful but slow down, we will wait for you. The one thing I have really learnt is the value of seven hours sleep…I lived on five hours (or less) for years until I had to learn otherwise. My health is excellent with seven hours.
Take care of yourself, your man and your children and your parents. Slow down, enjoy your family, have a good night’s sleep – you will live longer and more enjoyably.
God bless.
Margot
Brisbane Qld Australia
Her email hit me at a time when I needed to hear it. Not sleeping well. Putting others needs before my own. Falling into the comparison trap. Putting too much pressure on myself to deliver content that nobody was asking for, or even expecting. Sound familiar?
“Your emails are wonderful but slow down, we will wait for you.” Thank you Margot. It’s exactly what I need to hear to be reminded that what’s most important in life are those in our own homes and our close circles. Those relationships are the ones that must be fed first.
Please know I love receiving and reading each and every comment and email you make. So please, keep them coming. It’s my fuel to know that in this faceless community, there are real people out there.
With that, let’s feed your need for a wander across the web and some Friday Faves. Enjoy friends!
Happy summer solstice today! How to make the most of the longest day of the year.
Excuse me, WHAT? –> Horns are growing on young people’s skulls.
Love this scholarship in memory of Anthony Bourdain for a very appropriate cause.
and…
Don’t just drink your rosé, eat your rosé berries too.
and…
See ya later Aperol spritz. Is this the new pink drink of summer?
Beyond couponing: 10 ways to save more money at the grocery store.
These sandwiches are my love language. I DIE.
No bake cream cheese bars. Sign me up.
This is just one reason I’m so ready for tomato season.
The relish on these fish tacos has me all kinds of hungry.
A Mediterranean dinner minus the clean up. I like that.
This should be the next recipe I cook on the grill. Sounds amazing!
This strawberry sheet cake is looking berry good to me.
I HAVE to try these cookies. Have you ever heard of them before?
20 of the rudest things you can do at a wedding.
Such cute slides for summer.
Anthropologie. Dresses. Jumpsuits. Sale. DONE.
because…
The post break-up jumpsuit is where it’s at.
Mark my words: Turquoise is the next big thing.
How to get perfect beach hair no matter what your hair type.
Don’t sweat it…The best natural deodorants.
I literally don’t know if Crocs could get weirder. I mean, why?
This is a fun DIY house project.
and…
These giant paper flowers are STUNNING.
Well that return of a home trend was short lived…
As if a trendy Palm Springs hotel could get any hotter (sauced).
I’ve thought about stealing my daughter’s eyebrow product because hers look bueno.
This minimalist mirror will add some feng shui to your day.
My latest Spotify playlist…because who doesn’t wish they were rocking on a yacht?]
Okay so that’s it for this week! Wishing you a great weekend of cooking and enjoying.
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.
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What a great letter from Margot with such an important and simple message. We need to be reminded that it’s okay to slow down and enjoy important things in life…everything and everyone will wait for us. Thanks for sharing, Heidi.
Hi Heidi!
Thank you for including Bijouxs summer tomato recipe.
Best,
Lynn
Ohh my goshh! today i must try this receipe. Its look so healthy and tasty..