This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Welcome to the weekend, my friends! It’s been a fabulously cool and breezy week here in Ohio. I know the rest of you might be ready for summer, but I’m loving every minute of this weather while it lasts. The trees are covered in leaves and brilliantly green, the flowers are in bloom, and my peonies are about to make their appearance. I’m ready for all of it, but still loving the cooler weather.
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: This Smoky Grilled Chicken and Bacon Sandwich is a fantastic blend of grilled chicken, salty bacon, and a rich beer cheese sauce. Topped with a fresh tomato and crisp lettuce, these flavors are incredible together.
Did you know it’s possible to make Baked Potatoes without Foil and have them turn out to be the best you’ve ever tasted? Baked potatoes with crispy, salty skins are delicious with just butter. Load them up with all your favorite toppings and the potato easily becomes the entire meal. (We love ours topped with barbecue chicken!)
Mango Corn Salsa is a sweet and spicy treat boasting a satisfying crunch of fresh corn and mild jalapeno heat.
This classic Cheddar Cheese Ball is the snack everyone reaches for first at get-togethers and game nights. Creamy, sharp, and rolled in chopped nuts, it’s a homemade winner that puts every store-bought version to shame.
Fresh mint and lemon combine for a sweet homemade lemonade. Mint Lemonade is a refreshing, ever-so-tasty summer drink that my whole family loves. It’s a refreshing balance of tangy and sweet deliciousness. It’s perfect for summer porch sitting.
Rich, decadent chocolate is on full display in this easy to make, old fashioned Chocolate Cobbler. Picture a traditional cobbler filled with chocolate instead of all the pesky fruit chopping! For me, that makes it a chocolate loving dream come true.
Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream is an old-fashioned favorite that proves simple ingredients can still shine. Strawberries, sugar, cream, and milk add up to a summer treat that I simply cannot get enough of. Everyone loves this one. You will too!
What I’m CRAVING: My friend Vinny’s Pistachio Cookies are a super fun twist on classic Italian Pignoli Cookies and I absolutely love them. They’re unexpected and slightly savory, a little bit salty and truly awesome.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this BladeSafe (storage for my kitchen knife.) I’d never heard of one before, but I decided to see if I could find a better way to store my Chef knife when we’re traveling this summer. I typically slide it into its sleeve and wrap it in a towel before packing it in the tub of kitchen gear for our camping trip.
This storage case is fantastic! The quality is great and it locks in place around the blade. I’m thrilled with it. Whether you travel with kitchen tools or just want to know your knives are protected when you toss them in a kitchen drawer, these cases are a terrific find.
What I’m READING/LISTENING to: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – the full cast audiobook is just as incredible as the first book. I equate it to an old fashioned radio show. It has been so much fun to listen to the books this way with the different voices, (hundreds of actors were involved in this production!) the sound effects, and the full orchestra.
What I’m LISTENING to: Jamie MacDonald. I first heard her song, “Desperate” when the single was released last year and I’ve been not-so-patiently awaiting the release of the full album. The album has been a great addition to my morning playlist.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary
Oooh, I can always count on you to have amazing recipes for me to share at Memorial Day picnics, as well as any potlucks throughout the summer months! Thanks, Mary!