Friday Faves

Hello and happy four day work week Friday!

Did the long weekend leave you feeling invigorated to get things done (like gardening, cleaning, and cooking the best clams ever) or feeling like confined with nothing to do and just plain bored?

I am definitely in the first camp and literally do not remember the last time I was bored.

It may have been in college. I remember sitting in my parent’s backyard during summer vacation, doing a lot of reading and thinking during that weird time of life being back home from my big, busy, new college ways, returning to the slower, familiar, memories of home. Since I wasn’t really close to my old friends from high school, there was plenty of time to just and wait to be notified of my next shift packing Twinkies at the local Wonder Bread bakery. Yep. I was a Twinkie packer, and it’s still the hardest, most physical job I’ve ever had.

Since the pandemic hit, I’ve heard of a lot of folks who’ve discovered the silver lining to this weird time, forced to slow down and soak in the less frantic pace. Because I work for myself at this job called food blogging (is that even what we call it anymore?), I haven’t been dependent on going to an office, or other people’s Zoom calls, or anything other than my own, usual routine.

My days haven’t slowed down at all. But the other day I had a flickering but fleeting sense of boredom. And let me tell you, it was sort of surreal. And it felt good. I still get up early and go to bed late, but my bottomless checklist is getting shorter, I’m getting outside more than before, and I’m not in a pressured panic to get things done.

Three years ago I made a summer bucket list and shared it here on the blog. While my getting out and about circumstances have changed (I’ll be continuing a fair bit of social distancing because that’s where my comfort zone is), my desires are largely the same. And to be honest, 90% of the things on that 3 year old bucket list are still 100% conducive to where we are now—and like so many things, still on my list.

Maybe this time that feels so confining will actually free me up to truly enjoy the things I can do, and get to do.

So I guess that means just one thing: I have no excuses. What I do have it more incentive to make the time for a great, fulfilling summer ahead.

How about you? What’s on your bucket list?

Okay! Enough of all that, let’s get into why you’re here and dig into this week’s list of Friday Faves.

Recently watched on Netflix: This father/son relationship movie my mom recommended, and Jerry’s return to stand-up special that makes me wonder how I can’t remember what’s on the grocery list but he can perform a perfectly exectued comedy routine for over an hour.

12 random acts of kindness you can do right now.

Soooo, what did you do to keep busy while on lockdown? Probably nothing as cool as these.

43 fun things to do this summer while social distancing.

and…

If you’re looking for more family-time-what-to-do, try one of the 50 best board games of all time.

Beyond basil: 25 global kitchen garden plants to grow and eat now. 

and…

Easy DIY to building and planting a raised garden bed.

This baked ziti is prepped and primed for eating all summer long.

So smart since yeast is a prized possession: No-rise pizza dough. Looks so good.

I have my favorite key lime pie, but may need to add these key lime bars to the list.

M-m-m-m-m-mango ice cream.

and…

My favorite Thai dessert: Mango with sticky rice.

Great idea: How to freeze avocados.

Yum. Spicy peanut tofu bowls.

Hot damn! Nashville hot chicken tenders in the air fryer. 

A major side dish mash up: Mexican street corn potato salad.

or…

Go Mediterranean with these Greek potatoes.

OMG these biscuits are just calling out for a big pat of butter or sausage gravy.

Rhubarb is still going on strong in these berried bars.

Are you dialed in? The 9 most popular houseplants on Instagram.

The cutest modern birdhouses!

5 mistakes you’re making with your succulents.

Did you know your web browser has hidden games you can play?

Yo Cinderella! Your old VHS tapes could be worth more than $15K! 

90’s sportswear is the official uniform of quarantine and I am 100% in because maybe I never left?

but…

This workout trend is back and it’s one you WILL NOT see me reliving.

8 summer handbags for if you ever go out again.

These favorite beauty brands are now making hand sanitizer too.

Is it safe to go to the pool?

and…

So.Many.CUTE!!!Beachtowels.

Allure‘s 2020 reader favorite beauty award winners.

Good news for us copycats with wishful thinking: Halle Barry’s workout takes no time at all.

From teaching how to check your oil to how to tie a tie, this is the guy to turn to when you need dad advice.

I’m seriously vying to buy a new bike and I love this one.

Everything you need to know before renting your first RV,

for…

13 best road trips according to Travel and Leisure.

LOOOOVE this sling chair and just wish the beach came with it.

I’ve been looking forever for the perfect little camp/picnic table and I finally found it.

Love, love, love these counter top canisters. 

Disney World is set to reopen, but it won’t look like it did before. Sorry Minnie.

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