Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things.

Welcome to June everyone! We’re exactly two weeks out from the official start to summer (and Father’s Day). But I think most everyone is already feeling the summer vibes. After what’s felt like weeks of mixed weather, dark clouds followed by sun. We had the nicest day of the year on Friday and it finally felt like summer. It was so nice. And while I couldn’t get outside too much, I did make a point to sneak outside and soak up some sunshine…even if I was just grabbing some herbs or flowers from the garden.

Yes, we finally have the garden going. Well, greenhouse, But if you remember from last year I love the sound of a garden more. I’m excited for this year’s “crop”. In previous years we’ve only planted herbs, but this year, we’re doing flowers too. Many of them edible, so I am really, really excited. Right now the violas, pansies, and cosmos are all blooming and pretty…and they make me so happy!

Anyway, it sure is nice when the sun comes out and reminds me just how lucky we are to live here. Some photos below! But moving along…

My mom, Asher, and Oslo headed to Cleveland last minute on Thursday for an impromptu visit with family and friends. My brother Creighton was heading back home after nine months away and convinced my mom and Asher to join him. My dad, who normally always, always travels with my mom stayed back since it was so last minute and there is so much to do around here.

You know, it’s funny because growing up my dad and I really didn’t get along. I would have given anything to be in Asher’s position with just my mom on a trip all to myself. It’s what I wanted the most. But in the last ten or so years, my dad and I have become so close. There really is something so special about a father/daughter relationship.

Speaking of which, Fathers Day is two weeks away! My dad isn’t really the type who gives two cents about Father’s Day. But this year I’d love to find something fun to give him. He’s not one of those dads that cares about grilling. And any tool he needs, he usually just grabs himself, so I’m still scratching my head. If you have suggestions for a good Father’s Day gift for a dad who really doesn’t like gifts, let me know!

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ve got lots of summer-inspired recipes with plenty of color. For Monday we have a fun new chicken dinner that’s healthy and perfect for hotter days. Tuesday is yet another childhood favorite (loving recreating my favorite “kid” foods). And we’re keeping things light and sweet come Friday.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful, very chill Sunday. My suggestions? Do something you love today, then light your favorite candle, and take the night off. Or maybe indulge in an afternoon at-home spa day…Asher’s and my go-to.

and then a few photos from this week…

1. Things I’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…

loving…almost everything from Zara Home’s new arrivals. especially this summery sunflower duvet (and matching pillows) and this woven basket that’s perfect for picnics.

watching…my aunt suggested Rush – Beyond the Lighted Stage. A documentary on the band Rush. This one is a little before my time, but Bohemian Rhapsody was good…so maybe I’d like this one too.

loving…this Stunning Vancouver Family Home. wow, all the flowers alone. and that kitchen farm table and chairs are something I’ve dreamed of owning. I need to know where they sourced it. I am so in love with this pretty home. 

listening to…Vanessa Fitzgerald On Adderall Addiction & Holistic Healing. super interesting if you’re interested in health and wellness. I really like Vanessa’s well-rounded approach.

eating…Moon Juice snacks. all of their snacks are addicting. so the turmeric pepitas are my favorite and rainbow seed crisp are my favorites.

reading…Gossip Girl’s New Stars Share a Peek Inside Their World. so excited for this. I love that Kristen Bell is still the voice of Gossip Girl.

loving…Boy Smells new Pride collection. through the month of July, Boy Smells will donate 10% of online sales from the pride collection to The Trevor Project. all the new scents smell incredible. ordering this one, or this one, help, I can’t decide.

loving…the new Alo x Frankies Bikini’s collab. such cute suits. love this checkered piece. ordered this ribbed bikini top + bottom for Mexico and then these shorts too.

excited to try…Drunk Elephant’s new Protini Polypeptide Cream and Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum. I already love vitamin C serum (just emptied it entirely).

making…my creamy vegan chocolate fudge pops. . oh how I love these so much. just shared the how-to video on Instagram too.

watching…the Friends reunion. I never got into friends, but I feel like everyone is talking about this. have you seen it yet? is it a must-watch?

obsessed…with summery candles. normally I’m all about fall candles, but loving the summer scents.

2. Lazy Recipes to Celebrate June.

Brown Butter Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon “Toast” Brioche Crumbs

Easy Sheet Pan Tomato Herb Pizza

Marinated Goat Cheese Strawberry Crostini

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones

Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas

Melon Basil Burrata Salad with Crispy Prosciutto

Blueberry Chamomile Galette

3. Fathers Day Gift Ideas.

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: have you ever tried homemade baby food for your younger brother? 
a: I haven’t! but my mom was asking me about maybe making some for Oslo. Would anyone be interested in that?

q: do you ever get writers block when coming up with new recipes?
a: Yeah! All the time actually. I always try to push through it. If I do a little outside of the box thinking, I’m usually really excited about whatever I come up with at the end of the day…sometimes it’s just a lot longer of a process

q: what’s you process for coming up with new recipes?
a: It varies depending on the day! I’m not very planned out in terms of creating recipes. I find I work better when I come up with a recipe concept, then work on it that very same day. Sometimes I’ll have an ingredient I want to use, or a cuisine I want to make. Then I build off of that. It always starts small, then builds up. I use colors a lot as inspo too, but it’s a hard process to explain!!

q: do you ever get stressed or anxious about running out of new recipes?
a: Nope! For one, I don’t really think about that. And two, there’s always a new way or a new twist on a recipe…always. I just have to think outside of the box sometimes.

q: any playlist when you cook?
a: Ugh. no! I need help in the music department. I’m horrible about finding new music. I listen to Spotify religiously between podcasts and music though. I’m currently listening to the oddest mix on repeat…T-Swift and Fleetwood Mac ??‍♀️

q: do you like to travel?
a: Yes and no! I love to see new places and I love traveling. But I get stressed before any trip. It’s the anticipation of everything that gets to me. Sometimes it worse than others, sometimes it’s barely noticeable. I’ve been getting better the more I travel though! but I hate the lead-up time to any trip.

q: how do you balance being happy with how far you’ve come/setting goals?
a: This s a big struggle for me. I’m always looking forward and never feeling like I’m far enough. I’m trying to work on it, but I’m really not great at it. I need to learn to celebrate the small and big things before jumping to the next. My mom is always on my case about this. I’m pretty horrible at it.

q: one must have expensive kitchen item for someone living alone?
a: Personally I love my Breville espresso maker.

q: your pics are gorgeous! do you use a camera or take with your iPhone?
a: Both! Most of my in-feed photos are shot on my camera. All of my reels and IG Stories are shot with my iPhone.

q: do you ever get tired of cooking and want someone to cook for you?
a: I don’t love having other people cook for me. I’m a control freak and I’m always like “I’ll just do it myself”. Unless it’s my dad. I love his cooking. It reminds me of being a kid.

q: how many acres are you on? so beautiful!
a: 11 acres. I can’t wait for the grass to be tall and the wildflowers to be overgrown. Please summer…come quicker.

q: sibling you’re closest to?
a: Asher of course 😉 but honestly, I love my brothers. They’d do anything for me, and each of them offers something different. So while Asher and I have a super special bond (we’re the girls of the fam, so it’s guaranteed), I’m just as close with my brothers.

5. A trip to Charleston…or anywhere in the South.

Over the last couple of months, I have been dreaming of planning a trip to Charleston. I follow a few people on Instagram who live in Charleston. The photos of the gorgeous blooming flowers, brick roads, and stunning sunsets over the ocean have made me think I need to visit this cute little town soon.

And then, the food! Charleston seems like they have some incredible places to eat.

Have you ever been? Do you have recommendations on places to stay if we do end up planning a trip?

18 Best Hidden Gems in Charleston, SC to Visit in 2021

question: what’s your favorite place to visit? It can be in the US or abroad! I would love to hear your favorites. And the hotels you love to stay at. I am such a hotel snob.

6. Inspiring me on Pinterest…garden edition.

(all photo from our Pinterest boards)

 girl and her magic)

7. Favorite links I’m loving…

This Is How to Air-Dry Your Hair (With Minimal Frizz)…all about this easy look.

6 of the Easiest Fruits To Grow in Your Garden…if you cook and have the space, a small herb garden is a summer must.

A Trick to Keep Your Pantry Organized for the Long Run…I need to put this to the test.

7 Best Rosé Wine Brands—for All Kinds of Wine-Lovers…welcome to summertime rosé season.

Why Vitamin C Is More Important Than Collagen For Healthy Skin…love vitamin c. My skin has a nice glow now.

The Ultimate Vegan-Approved Grocery List…going to try this sprouted quinoa.

Eat Like A Farmer: 10 Fresh-From-The-Dirt Recipes For Summer…love, love, love these recipes and this story. And so pretty!

Your Guide to What’s in Season for Summer…and exactly what to cook with it.

The 9 Best Shows to Stream This Summer…love a summer show. What are you watching?

A Stylish Beach Trip…5 pieces every fashion girl owns.

The Best Vanilla Ice Creams From the Grocery Store…which is your favorite? I love Tillamook.

How To Get Longer, Stronger Hair (Hint: It’s All About Your Scalp)… taking notes.

Dr. Aviva Romm: 10 Things I Wish Women Knew About Their Health + Hormones.

The 8 Best Coffee Table Books…if you’re in need of some new ones.

Two Leading Air Travel Companies Team Up to (Finally!) Deliver Urban Air Taxis…wow, this will be pretty cool.

8. Shorts of Summer…

also, a few fun summer accessories (more of these next week)…

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats…

Monday: Sheet Pan Cheesy Poblano Corn Enchiladas

Tuesday: Panini Style Chicken Gyros

Wednesday: 20 Minute Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs

Thursday: Sweet Potato Fry Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Butter

Friday: Better Than The Snack Bar Baked Chicken Nuggets…with all the sauces

Saturday: Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita

Sunday: Simple Strawberry and Cream Rye Pretzel Tart