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Nine Favorite Things 9 | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

{picking lilacs on a summer night}

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post!

Happy Fathers Day!! What are you all up today? After spending Friday in Aspen for the Food and Wine Classic (which was amazing, more or that later this week), I decided to lay low on Saturday and get some work done and then spend the rest of the day outside. I am so low-key it’s insane, but that’s kind of my perfect Saturday. Not sure what’s in store for today, but I am definitely going to be making my dad a fun dinner and a yummy dessert. Thinking about one of his favorite recipes, Cuban Grilled Salmon and Buster Bars for dessert! What are your guys making today?

We’ve never been big on Father’s Day gifts, most because my dad literally hates gifts. Anyones else’s dad the same way? I feel like it’s kind of a typical dad thing? I’m hoping we can all have a good dinner and hang together. My brothers are all in town at the moment, just missing Creighton and Brendan…ok so I guess that’s not really all of them, but when you are one of seven kids, it’s pretty good to only be missing two!

Coming up this week I have some fun 4th of July recipes, pasta, and one of my favorite cake recipes yet! I’ll be spending the week working on upcoming recipes for the blog, as well as filming some new videos, so be sure to follow along on Instagram for some behind the scenes fun! OH, and I am SO sorry for missing Facebook Live this week, it was just too much to get in with being in Aspen all day on Friday. BUT, I will be back this Friday. What recipe would you guys like to see? Let me know!

Okok and with that, here are my nine favorites this week!

1. Before starting this post, I procrastinated for a good ten minutes or so watching Miley Cyrus on Jimmy Fallon. I know, I know, seriously? But you guys, I grew up with Miley. She is less than a year older than me and as a kid I loved her. I mean, Hannah Montana anyone? Ummm, Disney anyone? <–I loved all the pre-teen shows and the Disney movies. Anyway, I totally lost interest in her when she was in her “crazy” phase, so I have been loving her new, mellower vibe. I cannot believe I am admitting this, but her new song Malibu has been on repeat in my kitchen when I am cooking. When she revealed that she quit smoking marijuana it made me so happy. I love that she wants to have a clear head and focus on what she loves most. OKok and also, does anyone else think she and Liam Hemsworth are the cutest? Yes, I am a total dork.

2. Did you guys read about this whole Amazon buying Whole Foods thing? My family and I use Amazon Prime daily. It’s been a lifesaver since we moved to the mountains and don’t have easy access to a lot of stores. I am really excited to see how Amazon and Whole Foods partner. Hoping for that 5 minute delivery!

3. Summer officially starts this Tuesday and even though it’s felt like summer for that last two weeks, I am excited for it to be official! With the sun shinning, it has me thinking sunscreen, sunscreen, SUNSCREEN. I got so burnt on my last trip to San Diego that I’m not letting that happen again. My skin is super sensitive (I did use 30 sunscreen…and reapplied several times!), so I loved this post on the 9 best summer sunscreens.

PS. here are five of my most favorite summer recipes that are currently on the blog.

Summer Garden Guacamole

Summer Garden Guacamole | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata + Toast

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata + Toast | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Summer Abundance Salad

Summer Abundance Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice

Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

No Churn Ice Cream 5 Ways

No Churn Ice Cream 5 Ways | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

4. YOU GUYS! I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but my family is headed to MEXICO in 11 days (I’m not counting down or anything). Yes, Mexico, the land of blue waters, tequila, and tacos! I don’t know if any of you remember, but my family went to La Playa del Carmen in Mexico last year. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the trip because I was up to my ears working on the cookbook. It was pretty hard to miss out on all the fun, so I am excited to be going this year…even if it’s for a little shorter time than everyone else. We are headed to Puerto Vallarta and I am excited to explore! Has anyone ever been? Any suggestion and what we need to see, do, eat, drink? Let me know in the comments!

5. New videos:

Salty Peanut Butter S’more Ice Cream Cake –> this is summer in ice cream cake form…and SO good.

Simple Roasted Red Pepper Pasta –> with BURRATA. Nothing Better.

Caprese Burrata Garlic Bread –> any day is better with marinated tomatoes, basil, burrata, and toasted bread.

PS. here are five of my most favorite summer recipes that are currently on the blog.

6. I am working on a home project (I promise, more on this very, very, very soon) and have been scouring the internet and Pinterest for inspiration. Here are a few links that I loved.

How to Get That Effortless Expensive California Casual Look, On a Budget –> this post is everything. Not only does it provide amazing and affordable sources for home goods, but it’s also and incredibly honest and raw post. I HIGHLY recommend reading it all the way through.

The 7 Keys to Making Your Foyer Five Star Worthy –> the 5th photo is my FAVORITE. Those rugs are gorgeous.

This kitchen and this tile –> LOVE.

7. The 5 Most Beautiful Crudités Plates from LA Hotspots –> I love crudités more than anything. Next time I’m in LA, I will be visiting all of these eateries.

8. Style Find of The Week: loving this summery dress.

9. This week’s dinners: 

Monday: Cauliflower Al Pastor Tacos

Cauliflower Al Pastor Tacos | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Tuesday (hello SUMMER): Sunflower Seed, Kale and Cherry Salad with Savory Granola

Sunflower Seed, Kale and Cherry Salad with Savory Granola | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Wednesday: Korean Bulgogi BBQ Steak Bowls

Korean Bulgogi BBQ Steak Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Thursday: 20 Minute Grilled Jerk Chicken with Mango-Nectarine Salsa

20 Minute Grilled Jerk Chicken with Mango-Nectarine Salsa | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Friday: BLT and Potato Chip Lobster Rolls with Peach Salsa

BLT and Potato Chip Lobster Rolls with Peach Salsa | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Bonus Summer Baked Treat: Honey Strawberry Peach Pie

Honey Strawberry Peach Pie | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.

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    1. Thank you! I will have more very soon, as I am sure you heard what happened. I am so sad about it, but cannot wait to make more content for you guys!

  1. Hi! You have to eat at the food carts in Puerto Villarta! They’re the best! Early morning you’ll see juice carts on the street that are so delicious!!!! Also, on the streets locals will be making birria tacos in the morning and early afternoons that are amazing!!! Then at night different carts open up and you can try those! Churros sold on the street are SO good! Head up to Sayulita for the day and walk around the downtown area and find the woman selling bbq chicken and rice, fresh squeezed juices and the original smoothie guy (he was one of the original street food people back when Sayulita was a quieter, little town and his space is on the river I believe) before heading to the beach. The street food is so good in PV and you are supporting locals so it’s a total win-win. The architecture is also amazing there, so make sure to walk around the neighborhoods in the hills and check out the cool houses and winding streets. Have Fun!

    1. Oh yes those are on the list to stop at for sure!!
      Your making me so excited, it all sounds so good! Thanks so much for all the places to check out!!

  2. I love everything you write, your marvelous recipes, and all the inspiration you give us. Mexico? Love it. Puerto Vallarta? OMG … the best. I’ve been there many times, and my go-to-thing to do is to go early morning to La Palapa, get the comfortable and luxurious-feeling lounge chair and umbrella right on the beach, then order breakfast. They have an incredible menu for foods and drinks. I always took a Book with me and spent the day there. I had lunch, and snacks throughout the day. The service is great. The beach is perfect for walking, a bit of a swim, and pure relaxation. There are other places, but this for me was pure yumminess and relaxation. The tortilla soup is fabulous. Have a grand time!

    1. Awh thank you so much Coca!! Ah yay your making me so excited for it! That sounds like breakfast in heaven!
      Thank you for the recommendations on where to go! So excited (:

  3. I’ve been listening to Malibu all the time in the car, you’re not alone! I feel like Miley gets so much bad press – you have to give her credit that she’s so unafraid to be herself but I have so much respect for her wanting to be clean and clear headed as she charges forward with her career!

    Caitlin
    wandererandwolf.com

  4. Ok, so FIRST, let me beg you to invite me to visit because every one of the recipes you’re planning this week look amazing. Maybe I’ll just have to follow your plan here in New England! The cauliflower tacos and that crazy granola topped salad especially. My mouth is already watering. Love summer food!!

    Second, I totally get loving the celebs you first loved when you were a kid. I saw the original Star Wars as a junior high student and remember being sad watching Carrie Fisher crash and burn then regroup gradually…and was a HUGE Fan of the original Charlies Angels gang (also junior high for me), which I cringed to remember when I watched it on hulu once as an adult and saw how truly cheesey it was…but you know when the movies based on said series came out in the theater in the 90s I just HAD to go. Ha. So no shame on being a Miley Cyrus fan! I went and checked out the song you mentioned on Youtube, after reading your mention of it above. Pretty cool! So thank you for that too!

    Have a great time in Mexico! Happy sun-blocking! I’m very sunburn prone myself so I can relate. Big hats, cover-ups, and plenty of sunscreen are a must. Be well.