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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

{no fuss lemon tart}

Happy June 2nd! I am so excited June is here and feeling very confident that our weather is going turn beautiful very soon. Postive thoughts!! We’ve had one of the coldest springs, and truthfully, it’s taken its toll on my mood and overall mental state. I truly believe that the weather can have a huge effect on our moods. That was certainly the case this past week. Thankfully, Friday brought along some sunshine with a beautiful sunset that finally showed signs of green grass and leaves blooming on the bare trees. Yes, we don’t even have green leaves on our trees yet, but soon. I know a beautiful Colorado summer is ahead and I am so ready.

Once Memorial Day comes and goes I pretty much declare it officially summer. I’m ready for watermelon, tomatoes, stone fruits, sweet corn, and all the berries. My brother Malachi flew in on Wednesday. We spent Thursday and Friday filming new recipe videos all geared towards refreshing drinks, summertime dinners, and berry-filled desserts. It was a good couple of days. I love spending time with Malachi, and I certainly love ending the week on a productive note. Just makes the weekend feel that much better.

I spent time yesterday catching up on some computer work, planning, and plotting out finishing up the office barn space. Which has really been a long and tedious process. I know so many of you are dying to see the full reveal, but it’s just not where we’d like it to be yet. Hoping to have it finished up by summer’s end for a full reveal in the fall. More to come, and some behind the scenes over on Instagram stories.

Coming up this week, I’ll be kicking things off with one of my current favorite recipes. It’s super family-friendly, pretty, and delicious. I’ll also be sharing a fun snack, buttery shrimp, and a dessert that’s perfect for warm summer days. So all good things. Ooh, and maybe even a cocktail (should I do a Saturday summer cocktail series?).

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Nine Favorite Things!

1. Inspiring Me This Week. 

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

Candace Nelson founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes and Pizzana.

If you’re a cupcake kind of person (or just love desserts), you’re likely familiar with Candace. She is the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes and the all-around dessert queen. She’s also one of the kindest people that I’ve been lucky enough to meet…and have the honor to bake with! I have followed Candace for years, but finally meet her when I was in LA last week. We filmed a really fun video together that I can’t wait to share with you guys very soon. She graciously welcomed me (plus our entire film crew) into her home. We baked a delicious strawberry recipe while chatting away.

In the short time I had with Candace I learned so much about her. She’s incredible and so inspiring. Not only did she found Sprinkle’s Cupcakes, which opened its first bakery in Beverly Hills in 2005, but she recently opened Pizzana, a Neapolitan style pizza restaurant in LA. Both are incredibly successful, and while I’ve personally tried Candace’s baked goods (so delicious!), I am dying to get back to LA to try Pizzana. I know I’m going to LOVE it.

If you love food, you need to be following Candace. She’s such an inspiration to me, and her cookbook is one of the only baking books I swear by. It’s a favorite.

Fun fact about Candace? She is a judge on both Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush. 

Fun fact about Sprinkles? In 2012, they debuted the world’s first cupcake vending machine, which is literally just what it sounds. A vending machine that dispenses the classic Sprinkles cupcakes. It’s genius and the cutest thing you will ever come across.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the video Candace and I shot together. It’s coming in a couple of weeks!

2. The Most Popular Recipe of May.

No Fuss Lemon Tart | halfbakedharvest.com #lemontart #dessert #summer #nobake #easyrecipes

Most popular: no fuss lemon tart

YAY! For the first time, everyone’s favorite recipe of the month is also my favorite recipe of the month! I shared this recipe just last week. In that time it has skyrocketed to the most popular of the entire month! Beyond thrilled that you all love this tart as much as I do. It’s so incredibly easy, so pretty, and most importantly, it’s SO GOOD. If you have not yet made this tart, please do so soon. This is one of those recipes that you will make time and time again. It’s definitely one of my favorite recipes that I’ve developed.

Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com #chicken #instantpot #slowcooker #pineapple #easyrecipes

Runner-up: weeknight saucy pineapple bbq chicken bowls

Good to know you all love some BBQ chicken just as much as my family and I do. This is one of those recipes that can easily be on the dinner menu weekly. It’s easy and so full of flavor, but healthy too! Perfect for any night of the week and kids love these bowls just as much as adults!

Also have to mention: mother’s day menus and entertaining tips

This one surprised me a bit! I didn’t think you guys would care too much for a menu post, but you all seemed to love it. Would you enjoy more posts like this? Summer menus? Entertaining tips and tricks? Let me know, I would certainly love to do more of these types of posts if you all are interested!

3. A Few Favorites from Williams-Sonoma right now…

4. Questions of The Week: 

q: Are you ever tempted to live somewhere warmer?
a: Absolutely. The spring is the hardest because we just don’t have one. It’s cold and snowy till June. BUT my family is here, so it would be hard to leave for good. In my ideal world, I’d spend some of the summer, the fall, and the start of winter in CO, but head somewhere warmer come late winter. Someday maybe!

q: Foolproof hostess gift for any chef?
a: I’d gift a Staub Skillet or Cocotte. I use both every single day and couldn’t get by without them. They make the best gifts!

q: Favorite season to cook in?
a: Late summer through the fall.

q: What is your favorite recipe you’ve created?
a: Right now this lemon tart is my favorite. It’s so good, so easy, and I’m pretty excited about it!

q: Is there anywhere you are dying to travel to?
a: Certainly Italy! Can you believe I’ve never been? Also Spain!

5. Newest Videos: 

3 Cheese Zucchini “Ravioli” with Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce…easy, full of color, veggies, and beyond delicious.

Rosemary Peach Chicken in White Wine Pan Sauce…my go-to summer skillet dinner. It’s the best.

6. Cooking with Hallmark Home & Family.

While in LA last week I filmed a fun segment with Hallmark Home & Family. I shared my asparagus and brie pastries and talked about the new summer series I’ve been working on.

You can watch the full video here.

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

after decades of neglect a 200-year-old house on the island of Hvar is brought back to life…so beautiful.

a Korean skincare expert reveals the products she can’t live without…if you love a good skincare routine.

summer entertaining made simple…with tips from Terrain.

7 books you won’t be able to put down…for your summer reading.

the 29 best NYC landmarks to visit…if you have a summer trip to the city planned.

20 of the most beautiful sacred sites that every traveler must visit…can I visit them all?

60 cabinet hardware picks to instantly refresh any room…loved this budget friend post.

Sakara Life founders morning routine…I love a good morning routine, and this one involves a cinnamon roll.

inside Marie-Louise Sciò’s dreamy New Oceanside resort…please can I go here?

a kid friendly Cacio e Pepe…just add corn. yum.

working girl summer detox…if you need a healthy summer refresh.

the founders project…if you need business inspiration, read this.

an interview with Amy Wilson (the garden designer)…because I love flowers so much.

10 places to buy the skirt of summer…we all need a good flowy skirt.

the cutest towns in every US state…would love to visit Beaufort, South Caroline

is butter healthy…a dietitians take.

8 common mistakes newlyweds make…because it’s wedding season.

8. Favorites from the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

20 Minute Garlic Basil Brown Butter Pasta | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #easyrecipe #tomatoes #basil #easyrecipes #spring #summer

Monday: 20 minute garlic basil brown butter pasta

Tuesday: Thai peanut chicken ramen noodle salad

Spanish Tortilla with Burrata and Herbs | halfbakedharvest.com #brunch #potatoes #eggs

Wednesday: spanish tortilla with burrata and herbs

Sweet Corn Chimichurri Butter Shrimp with Polenta | halfbakedharvest.com #summer #shrimp #easyrecipes

Thursday: sweet corn chimichurri butter shrimp with polenta

Kimchi Grilled Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com #grilledcheese #easyrecipes #korean

Friday: kimchi grilled cheese

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.

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