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Summer Tomato and Zucchini Halloumi Bake.
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{my favorite garlic and herb roasted cherry tomato carbonara}
Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post!
Hi everyone! Happy Sunday! Hope you’re all having a great weekend and enjoying these dog days of summer! I’ve been doing a little cleaning up around my house, AKA trying to organize all my junk, aka my photography props and dishes…YIKES! So much to organize and sort through and just not enough space, but we have planes to fix that soon…
Yesterday I took a break from the cleaning and walked down to the farm stand for fresh heirloom cherry tomatoes. These are my all time favorite tomatoes and I am beyond excited that they are back in season. I came home and made one of my favorite summer recipes…enter these marinated cherry tomatoes with burrata + toast, YUMM. If you guys have not made this recipe, I highly recommend making it ASAP. It. Is. So. Good. We have a recipe video for it coming soon, so stay tuned.
Today I’m hoping to spend the afternoon catching up with my mom and little sis, who are just getting back from Cleveland where they have been visiting my Nonnie (and all the rest of our very large family back there). I haven’t seen them in well over a week, which if you know us, is a long while!
Hope you all have a great Sunday, below is this week’s nine favorites. Enjoy the Sunday reads!
PS. don’t forget to check out my weekly meal plan…it’s number 9 on my list!
1. My aunt and uncle just got a new Golden Retriever puppy and it has me in major “I NEED a puppy” mode. Like MAJOR. I’m dying for an Alaskan Malamute, but to be honest things are just so busy right now with work that I fear the time is not there to give to a new furry little friend. But then one side of me says, I’ll make time…because a sweet puppy is the best! What to do, what to do? Any of you guys have good dog breed suggestions? I’m not really a small dog person, I’m much more into the larger breeds.
{my grandpa and that little pup}
2. This house is possible my dream home, so many pretty and unique details.
3. Something SO exciting happened this week and if you follow along on Instagram stories than you already know, on Tuesday night I received the very first advance copy of my cookbook Half Baked Harvest!! Ahh, I literally cannot believe that after almost three years of working on this book I have the hard copy in my hands (I’m half staring at it as I type this). It’s so exciting and also so weird. I mean, you guys…I have my own freaking book?!? How did this happen? I really have no idea, but I am so excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, and also a big thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered. You guys are truly the best.
Just a reminder, if you pre-order now you can gain access to five of my favorite summer recipes from the cookbook…which may or may not include a pasta and an ice cream…wink, wink (steps to pre-order below). Also, a lot of you have asked if any of the recipes in the book are also on the blog, the answer is no. All of the recipes in the book are never before seen and brand new with the exception of one very special recipe.
How To Pre-Order and Gain Access to 5 Summer Recipes from the Cookbook
Step one:Â pre-order the cookbook.
Step Two: follow the directions on this form, enter your information, and download the PDF directly from the site.
DONE. It will take maybe five minutes tops. So easy.
For those of you who have already pre-ordered the cookbook (THANK YOU), just copy the purchase order/transaction number from your receipt and follow the steps on this form, enter your information, and download the PDF directly from the site.
4. Can we talk about social media for a quick second? For the last few months I’ve been doing that whole comparison game that’s truly just the worst, and no good for anyone. I’m thinking about taking some advice from Camille Styles and doing a social media free weekend. Meaning zero Instagram scrolling…ahhhh yeah and yikes!  I feel like this is something I really need to do in order to give my mind a break from all the comparing I’ve been doing lately. I’m curious though, have any of you ever done a social media weekend break? Let me know if you have tips!
5. New videos:
–> farro tabbouleh with burrata and hummus…say hi to your new favorite salad of summer.
–>Â 20 minute Thai basil beef and lemongrass rice bowls…everyone’s favorite dinner.
–> cinnamon grilled peaches with mascarpone ice cream…and honey nut cheerio granola – SO GOOD. These are a must make summer recipe.
6. Favorite Summer Recipe as of Today:
Arugula Peach Ricotta Pizza with Crispy Bacon
7. Some links I am loving right now…
–> this summery outfit…white tee and a jean skirt – you can never go wrong.
–> eggs in purgatory…the perfect Sunday brunch food.
–> summer sangria picnic…totally my kind of picnic.
–> a colorful summer brunch…you know I love brunch…like so much.
–> cool down with these ice cream recipes…yes please!
8. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds:Â
9. This week’s dinners:Â
Monday:Â Rainbow Thai Basil Noodle Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
Tuesday:Â Skillet Grilled Seafood and Chorizo Paella
Wednesday:Â Simple Coconut Mango Chicken and Broccoli Curry
Thursday:Â Simple Summer Tomato Pesto + Grilled Corn Gnocchi
Friday:Â Garlic and Herb Roasted Cherry Tomato Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto + Burrata
BONUS:Â Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream + Video.
Check out all the past Favorites posts here.
Get the puppy, you know you want to!
Just don’t get a husky. I’m not saying this because they are bad or anything – they are amazing – but as an owner of one I can tell you they are high maintenance and need a lot of work and attention.
Ooo thanks for the tip James! Really need to look into what dog would be best for me, but I totally want one!!
Ok, I agree – you totally need a dog! That puppy is too cute! 🙂
Haha right?! Totally want one now!
Many of your “things you are loving” included your dinners and your recipes, which we also love (a lot!!), but it would be interesting for you to tell us more things you like around the web, fashion, other people’s recipes, architecture, gadgets, etc….
Hi Jessica,
Thanks so much for your feedback. Every week these “favorite” post are different and no two is ever the same. I try to include a wide variety of links (this post has 13 outside links) that I have found interesting. I included a mix of my links and others in the post, though this week was heavier on my links because I had a few that I wanted to share out with my readers and other some family happenings that I wanted to share as well. These are the topics that are on my mind at the time of writing the post. Hope that clears things up a bit for you! Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks for reading!
On the dog thing: my brother just got a Shetland puppy. They are like a small version of Australien sheep dogs or Border Collie so smaller but still full of energy. They are smart and learn fast. I’m actually impressed by his dog’s intelligence and how much he has learned over the past 3 weeks or so. My brother is an adventure guy who loves living in the city but is also planning on taking the dog on bike trips and camping. Anyway, if you need a picture of an adorable puppy, I have tons
I also recommend Jack Russells: small, energetic and playful. My mother has one and we got her 13 years ago when I still living at home. I adore her.
Awh they both sound so great! I think a Jack Russell may be too small for what I am looking for but I’ve heard they are such fun dogs! Thanks so much Marie!
We just got a puppy. We were planning to get an adult dog and this one became available, and we went for it. It’s a lot like having a toddler around, so think long and hard before you take the plunge. Maybe you should consider a young adult who is a little bit further along?
Awh what kind?! I think I need to look into different breeds and raising a dog! Thanks so much for the suggestion Lisa! I hope your puppy is doing well! ?
I love the 9 favorite things posts. Such a fun read. I avoid “screens” on the weekends. I try to avoid my phone, tv, computer, ipad etc. However, during the week, I only log into facebook if it’s work-related. I don’t scroll down my personal feed anymore. I’ll also check out instagram for ideas and see what my favorite bloggers are up to. Overall, I’m having a better summer, finishing up some house projects and spending more time in the kitchen trying out new recipes!
That is SUCH a great habit to get into Sara! I really hope to try this and maybe make it something I do as well! Have a great week!
Hi Tieghan, have you really got time for a dog? Seems to me you are super busy with your work and a dog needs a lot of training and attention (as you know from those out of control (untrained) dogs that have been a problem at your property in the past). Maybe you could just borrow someone else’s from time to time when you need some doggy fun?! What about when you have to go away for work or holidays? Just sayin’!
Hey Liz!! It wouldn’t be my dog. It’s my dad looking for a dog to protect our chickens. Even still, we are not sure we have time for a dog. Like you said, they are a ton of work! Don’t worry, we are really thinking about hard before we make it final. Thank you!
Very exciting – it sounds like you will be a wonderful dog mommy! Please please please adopt a rescue dog. There are so many dogs (including puppies! and Alaskan Malamutes!) in need of loving homes like yours. I recommend checking out your local rescue organizations / shelters. You’ll know when you find your perfect match and that dog will be so grateful you adopted him/her.
Yes, I totally want to look around into local rescue organizations! Thanks Emmy!
I have a sweet heeler/shepherd mutt that I adore! She’s a little smaller than I’d like, about 50 pounds, but she’s up for anything – she’ll hike all day in the snow and beg to keep going. 🙂 Mutts are seriously the best. They tend to have fewer health problems than purebreds since they get the best of both parents.
I foster & volunteer with Circle 2 Rescue, a small group in Evergreen [circle2rescue.com] – please check out rescue dogs before going to a breeder! So many amazing dogs out there already, and lots of mountain dogs up for adoption. Small rescues like ours are happy to work with you to find the right pup!
This is so awesome! I will totally check out these dogs, thank you Kate! ?
sighthounds! they’re super chill most of the time and just need a fenced area to run in, otherwise they just like to sleep lol
they’re super sensitive tho so make sure you do your research on either a good breeder or perhaps get a retired greyhound?
I’ll look into those dogs, thanks so much for the suggestion!!
We have had 3 golden retrievers and love the breed. We have purchased them from a reputable breeder near Boulder who checks the eyes, heart, hips back several generations. The goldens have a kind personality and love, love people. They are good with our grandchildren, horses, cats, and small dogs. They do find little baby bunnies and carefully, carefully carry them to me–alive and wet with saliva. Warning: there is a period of chewing while teeth are being cut! Our youngest golden, Orion, is now 19 months, but he has chewed up some amazing (and expensive) things. Orion has also done some landscaping (digging). Our two girl goldens, Joy and Clare, didn’t seem to need to chew as much. They are a delight. Your aunt and uncle are in for a treat!
Awh! Golden retrievers are some of the sweetest dogs! Yours sound so adorable as well!
We adopted our ALASKAN MALAMUTE PUPPY last summer, and he was the perfect addition to our family. He is so playful but still snuggly 🙂 We have since moved out of Colorado, but he LOVED the snow last winter; I don’t know where you’re located exactly, but he made so many doggy friends at the Boulder dog park, and the Evergreen dog park is awesome for hiking. I had pets growing up but haven’t had a puppy on my own and wasn’t sure if it was the right time/if I was too”busy”/how much work it would ACTUALLY be when I was the one taking care of him, BUT it was the best decision to adopt our big guy. It takes a bit to get through raising a new pup, but once we had a routine down, it was so natural to have him as a part of our life. And his fluffy face is the CUTEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN 🙂
They are just the cutest dogs!! This is making me seriously want to adopt one haha. Thanks so much Krista!
Get a dog!!! They are worth every second. 🙂 We have a border collie/black lab mix and she’s the sweetest! She’s energetic, which makes her perfect for hiking, but very calm and friendly at home, so she doesn’t bother me when I’m working. I also love big dogs and I would love a husky if they didn’t shed so much. But honestly, I recommend going to the nearest dog shelter (that’s where we got ours). You can find a dog that fits your lifestyle and you’ll give them a good home!
Awh how cute!! I want one so bad! The dog shelter is probably where I’d go first!! Can get a good feel for the right dog there I feel! Thanks Caroline (:
I have had several wonderful Bernese Mountain Dogs during my life. Just be sure to really do your research on what ever breeed you select. Some larger breed are more difficult than others. Puppies do take up a lot of time so get one when the time is right.
I am looking into it! Want to make sure I can handle the dog I get! Thanks Kathy!
I’ve started volunteering at the Humane Society and dog sitting to get my dog fix in without having the responsibility ALL the time! It’s been a good compromise.
I’m also very pro the social media-free weekend! I did one last month and it was very liberating. I’m sure it’s hard to separate work and personal accounts, but it’s worth it and we your readers will still be around when you come back! 🙂
I’m thinking I really need to try out this social media-free weekend.. sounds so nice! Thanks Megan!
Have you checked out PetFinder.com ? You can narrow down your pet/dog search to breeds, ages, whether or not the animal can get along with other animals in a household… everything! It’s a trusted resource – it’s what gave me my little shelter mutt (don’t worry, the site helps you locate local purebreds as well, haha). Good luck with the exciting search!
I have not, but I headed there now! Thank you so much for the great suggestion! 🙂