Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Happiest Easter Sunday everyone! I don’t usually put up a blog post on major holidays, but this Easter Sunday is a very different one. I wanted to give any of you out there who may not be able to spend the day with family and friends something to read and enjoy. It’s crazy that we have all been living in “self-quarantine” for weeks now, and even crazier that this is the way we are all spending Easter. I’m slowly adjusting to what everyone is calling the “new normal”. It’s weird, right? How are you all adjusting? How are you staying connected with friends and family during this time?

I’m thankful to be home in Colorado and with family, but it’s weird to not have all of my siblings here right now. For those of us here at home, we really don’t have Easter plans, but as I type this, I’m thinking it would be fun to do a virtual family dinner with all of my brothers and cousins too. Are any of you doing this? I know so many people who have been getting together with friends through zoom and facetime. It’s actually kind of fun and different. Personally, the homebody in me loves being able to be home, being comfortable, yet still being able to enjoy time with friends.

I would love to hear how you all are celebrating today…and what you are making! So far this weekend I’ve seen lots of cinnamon crunch knots, crinkle top chocolate peanut butter skillet blondies, and the original crinkle top brownies too. Lots and lots and lots of baking, that’s for sure.

In other news, I am so happy to share that we have little baby goats running around! Layla, gave birth to three healthy little boys and I have to say they have really brought so much happiness during this time. It’s fun watching them run around, play with each other, and bond with their mom. Layla is the sweetest with them and it’s just nice to see. Always makes you smile when you catch them hopping all over the field.

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be sharing more simple recipes that use those pantry staples. We’ll start off with a sheet pan chicken. Then move on to a fun new Asian inspired recipe. I’ll also be sharing my current go-to Mexican night recipe. And then I’ve also got a couple of new spring-inspired baking recipes that will be perfect for our days at home this month. Is there anything you’re looking to see in the coming weeks? I always love to hear your ideas, so let me know!

Also, in case you missed it, I shared my Shrimp Tinga Tacos and Spicy Strawberry Paloma over on my friend Molly Sims site. Such a fun, easy, and delicious Mexican night menu.

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s # 9 on the favorite’s list).

I hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things and have a wonderful Easter Sunday! I can’t wait to see what everyone is cooking and baking up today on Instagram.

1. A few questions for you…

I have questions for you! I’d like to know what you all are up to, how you are doing, how you are spending your time, how you are feeling, and what you are looking forward to most? I read a post over on A Cup of Joe, which inspired me to ask you all some of the very same questions. You guys always hear from me, but I want to hear from you. So with that, let’s get to know each other a little better today.

1. where are you currently at in the world?
2. are you with loved ones, or are you by yourself?
3. what is making you happy right now?
4. what recipes are you loving most right now? tell me one savory and one sweet.
5. how long have you been following along with HBH? what do you love most?
6. are you working or spending your days at home doing? are you binging new shows, baking…both?
7. what is one product or service that’s making this time enjoyable for you?
8. what are you most looking forward to after quarantine?
9. tell me what in your life you are most grateful for?

My answers…

1. I am home in Colorado.
2. I live alone in my cozy little house (that I love so much), but my parents and little miss Asher are right next door. I’m thankful to have them so close.
3. A few things! One, the string of sunny days and warmer spring temperatures we’ve recently had. Two, you all, and your kindness and gratitude. I say this all the time, but we have the sweetest HBH community. It’s been really fun watching everyone cook and bake so much this past month. And three, working on new projects for HBH that are keeping me inspired.
4. Oh man, there are so many. My two favorites that I’ve recently shared are spicy cucumber margaritas and my hot honey mustard pretzel chicken fingers.
5. Well…since the very beginning of course 🙂
6. I am working…now more than ever. This last month has been busier than all of the holiday season combined. As I said, everyone is cooking and baking up a storm. It’s been exciting to see…but very busy.
7. This is so simple, but, candles. You guys I really love candles!
8. A family vacation. Hopefully somewhere tropical…but not too far off the beaten path. My family loves to pick very interesting destinations. I’d just love somewhere semi-normal and very sunny + warm!
9. So many things. So, so, so many things. First and foremost, my family and their health. We have a very large family and I’m grateful that all of us are healthy. Second, I’m grateful to be working. So many of you have messaged me saying you’ve lost your jobs. I’m just feeling so thankful to be able to work, it’s a blessing during these times.

Ok, your turn! Really excited to hear your answers!

2. If you have some extra time today….

Do some Easter Sunday baking. Here are the top 7 recipes everyone is baking right now.

Crinkle Top Brownies

Chocolate Chunk Coconut Banana Bread

Homemade Pretzel Bagels

Cinnamon Sugar Brown Butter Popovers

5 Ingredient Honey Butter Beer Bread

Herby Everything Cheddar Swirl Buns

Easiest Cinnamon Crunch Knots

Coconut Carrot Cake with Jam Swirled Buttercream

3. the spring kitchen and garden…

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Are there any foods you don’t like, but still cook with?
a: Nope! We actually eat all the food I make, so if I’m cooking it, I like it!! With the exception of something I might make for say one of my brothers. Some of the things they request make me cringe, but I love cooking for them so I do it!

q: Is your hair naturally wavy or do you put a curling iron to it?
a: It’s actually dead straight and more like you see it in this photo, but when I take it out of a bun it has curls…that fall within minutes 🙁 I wish they’d hold!

q: Want to know more about you? Family? Collage major? Hobbies? Anything!
a: My family is everything to me! I am one of 7, so there are a lot of us. For fifteen years I was the only girl, then my mom had Asher (my little sister that you always see). I graduated from high school with an Associate’s Degree. My plan was to work in fashion, but I switched gears and started HBH. I’ve been working non-stop on it ever since…8 years now!

I am 26. And nope, I am not married. And no I don’t live with my family, but we are neighbors. My mom, dad, brother, and two cousins all are a part of the HBH team.

I hike daily. If I wasn’t cooking, I’d be working in fashion styling clothes or I’d be in interior design. I love to make things pretty!

q: Is your barn and house on the same property? Like you can go from one to another?
a: Yes! Very lucky to have my house and our studio/office space all on the same property.

5. Newest Recipe Videos.

Crispy Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes…kind of like potatoes chips, but maybe better?

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies…why have a small cookie when you can have a giant cookie?

And on Instagram stories…

Spicy Cucumber Margarita…my current favorite spring cocktail.

Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp…everyone’s go-to 20 minute dinner.

Everything Spice Cheddar Swirl Buns…simple and delicious.

One Skillet pesto Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups…cheesy pasta. YUM.

6. Quibi…your Sunday entertainment.

I first found out about this all new platform in December when a crew came here to film my brother Red for 5 days. Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and CEO Meg Whitman (eBay) decided on the name Quibi as a short version for quick bites. Which is what this platform offers…7-10 minute shows to be viewed on your phone or iPad. It’s available for download in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Quibi is giving a free 90-day trial to anyone who signs up in April. After that, if you decide to continue, it’s $4.99 a month. Quibi offers 40+ series in a variety of genres. Some shows are movies in chapters (Survive), some are unscripted (Chrissy’s Court) and some are documentaries (Prodigy).

Here are nine of the more talked-about shows:

Prodigy –  Eight episodes highlighting superstar athletes 21 and younger who rose to become some of the best in their sports. This is the trailer for Red’s episode.

Survive – Sophie Turner stars as one of two plane crash survivors who must make their way back to civilization.

Punk’d – Punk’d is back to torment a new generation of celebrities.

I Promise – A documentary following the public school for at-risk youth that LeBron James created in his hometown of Akron, OH.

Thanks a Million – celebrities such as Kirsten Bell, Jennifer Lopez, and more donate $100,000 to an unsuspecting individual.

Chrissy’s Court – Chrissy Teigen presides over real cases in a real court with legally binding decisions.

Fierce Queens – Reece Witherspoon explores phenomenal females in the animal kingdom.

Most Dangerous Game – Liam Hemsworth’s character is in debt and terminally ill with a pregnant wife. To make money to leave his wife he volunteers to become the target in a human hunt.

After Dark – Steven Spielberg’s not yet released spooky series that can only be viewed after dark…like the sun literally needs to be down.

7. a few links i’m loving…

17 gifts you can send to a friend you’re missing…could not love this more.

striking COVID-19 lockdown images from around the world…wow. the empty streets.

follow this 10 minute beauty routine…to look good on every Zoom call.

meet the brand that treats your body like your face…my go-to skincare brand. always.

how to strategically grow out your eyebrows…because I love a thick brow.

the jeans we’re cleaning out from our closet…and 5 we’re adding.

how to help one of the busiest hospitals in New York City…a beautiful way to give back if you can.

all the new jewelry brands…love so many of these.

45 nostalgic movies and TV shows to watch…what is your pick?

how COVID-19 has been impacting your lives…how COVID is effecting those around the world.

a modern farmhouse renovation on long island’s North Fork…love this simple farmhouse look.

what It’s like to live alone…while ‘sheltering in place’.

23 media journeys to embark on while you have extra downtime…Harry Potter for me.

5 natural dye projects to try at home…I have done this and it’s so fun.

32 items to make sheltering in place just a little more enjoyable…adding some of these to my carts.

stories from 7 moms working from home during quarantine…Sunday reading.

17 cooking projects…for a week full of delicious food.

all the cute sweatpants on the internet…never enough sweatpants these days.

8 ways to stay happy in your relationship while staying home together…if you need some advice.

homeschooling is a major learning curve…but these ideas will help you ace It.

put the scissors down…8 ways to make a change without cutting bangs.

how top chef judge Nilou Motamed is self isolating…”I didn’t expect to miss the crowds”.

the best white shoes…are you daring enough to wear white shoes?

10 genius hacks to make you perishables last longer…taking notes.

easy 20 minute recipes…if you need some ideas for the week.

8. work from home fashion finds under $200…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: 20 Minute Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp in Coconut Milk

Tuesday: Asada Mushroom Tacos with Lime Smashed Avocado

Wednesday: Prosciutto Caprese Puff Pastries with Peppery Thyme Honey

Thursday: Greek Lemon Chicken Bowls with Sizzled Mint Goddess Sauce

Friday: Slow Roasted Mushroom Pasta with Crisp Rosemary Chickpeas

Saturday Sip: Creamy Coconut Lime Mojito

Sunday Baking: Crinkle Top Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Blondies

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.