Happy Friday, Fresh Cooky Family!
As spring blooms into full swing, I am thrilled to share with you a trifecta of joyous occasions in this edition of Fresh Fridays.
🎓🌷✨ Celebrations & Creations ✨🌷🎓
I am bursting with pride to announce that my son is graduating from Montana State University! 🎓 It’s a momentous milestone, marking not only his academic achievements but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his journey. More on that below!
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve whipped up a few Mother’s Day menu ideas guaranteed to make this special day even more memorable. Shower the moms (nurturers, moms-in-law, or amazing mother figures) in your life with love and appreciation.
Last but certainly not least, I’m thrilled to unveil my latest finds. From innovative kitchen gadgets to hair products that really work.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into this edition and celebrate the joys of graduation, motherhood, and, of course, delicious food! 🌟🍽️
Use the Table of Contents below to discover what interests you most.
🎓 In Real Life 🎓
I thought I’d start with what is most exciting for me! Our oldest is graduating from college, TODAY! I’m a wee bit emotional since he graduated from high school in 2020. 🙁 It consisted of a drive-by, 6-foot-apart handing off of the diploma. So many lost so much in 2020, and yet it built resilience!
I have had to work through a lot of anger and resentment from that time, which is not normal for me; I tend to choose joy, but this has been something that I’ve really needed to process. God has taught me how to let go of that disappointment (sometimes it still rears its ugly head), and see some of the amazing blessings He has brought about because of it! He does that with the hard stuff in life, doesn’t He? He doesn’t waste our pain!
In light of all that, I want to experience every single moment of his graduation weekend, from the ceremonies to time spent with his friends, family friends, and parties, and watch him with such joy and pride at all that he’s accomplished and his amazing resilience. I’ll have pictures next week!
🌷Mother’s Day Menu Ideas🌷
Since we will be out of town over Mother’s Day, I was able to visit my mom and dad last week! It is always so great to see them. I just soaked up that time with her. I need to do that more often, I do not want to take them for granted!
Watch this Mother’s Day video – look at the faces in the audience! 😭
Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas
- Drinks: Strawberry Refresher or these Skinny Grapefruit Lime Mocktails
- Appetizer: 3-Ingredient Cream Cheese Fruit Dip or Strawberry Cheesecake Phyllo Cups
- Main: Hash Brown Crust Quiche or Mock Eggs Benedict
- Side: Whip up these easy Air Fryer Sausage Links
- Salad: Make this fresh and fun Mexican Fruit Salad or this favorite Tropical Fruit Salad!
- Sweet: Orange Scones or Gooey Cinnamon Rolls (tough decision? Make them both!)
Mother’s Day Luncheon Ideas
- Drinks: Enjoy a Strawberry Gin Fizz Cocktail or this Peach Green Tea.
- Appetizers: Make a fun Charcuterie Bouquet and this easy Marshmallow Fluff Fruit Dip.
- Salad: Don’t knock this unique strawberry rhubarb salad, or my personal favorite Maple Apple Pecan Salad.
- Main: Kids can help make Breakfast Sliders or this yummy Chicken Salad Tarragon.
- Side: Crispy Diced Hash Browns with Bacon
- Sweet: Nothing Bundt Cake recipe (white chocolate raspberry), this No Bake Chocolate Pie, or this Rhubarb Dump Cake.
Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas
- Drinks: Pink Lemonade Cocktail or Mocktail or Elderflower French 75 Cocktails.
- Appetizers: Vegetable Crudites with Dip or these Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms.
- Salad: NEW! Broccoli Salad (so good!) or Creamy Apple Coleslaw.
- Main: Italian Braised Short Ribs (they look fancy, but are so easy), this BBQ favorite Shish Kabob marinade or these Olive Garden Stuffed Shells.
- Sides: Try my Cowboy Baked Beans (topped with bacon!)
- Sweet: Choose a make-ahead dessert, like this Oreo Dessert Pudding. You can’t go wrong with this Best Ever Key Lime Pie or this Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake.
As usual, I put more than I anticipated; I just don’t want you to miss out. Be sure to browse my RECIPE INDEX for ideas that fit your needs! Looking for Low-Carb? Gluten-Free or Vegetarian? I’ve got you covered!
What’s New
I’ve got two new recipes for you this week, plus a refresh! I know you will love them!
Easy Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe is just like the real deal—lighter than most, with a sweet vinegar-based dressing.
It’s a spot-on copycat, and it makes a great side salad for potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings!
Warm Philly Cheesesteak Dip Recipe
Philly Cheesesteak Dip is the perfect game-day snack. Simple ingredients, like tender roast beef deli slices and shredded cheese, come together to make the dip version of everyone’s favorite sandwich!
Our taste testers went bonkers over this easy recipe!
Easy Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe (without Jello)
For all the rhubarb lovers out there, this rhubarb dump cake recipe is made without Jello for a tiny bit healthier and oh-so-delicious dump cake recipe. Use fresh or frozen rhubarb, your choice. It is an easy dessert you will make over and over again.
My Favorite Things
Check out my favorite things and more HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!
Do you have a kitchen tool that you just love? What is it? Comment below. I’d love to hear; I might discover something new!
The most frequently used tool in my kitchen is my Santoku knife (on sale!). It’s moderate in size (5 inches) and price, so I don’t feel like I’m wielding a weapon. Chopping, mincing, fileting, slicing, dicing—slicing bread or watermelon are my exceptions. I’ve had it for over 10 years, it’s a great investment!
A blogging friend recently gushed about this rotating cheese grater being a game-changer! I’ll say — plus it’s on sale! I’m so tired of grating fingernails and knuckles on my box grater.
I am in a constant love-hate relationship with my hair too frizzy, too limp, too big. As I gray, it changes in texture, thickness, and everything else! Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for my hair! It’s fine-ish and I have a lot of it — my favorite shampoo and conditioner is this Pureology Shampoo for dry color-treated hair and Conditioner with menthol and mint (love!). And I love my Volo hair towel (20% off), it reduces dry time by 50% and helps with frizz!
Inspiration: Favorite Quote of the Week
I have recently discovered the series, Going Home – exclusively on Great American Pure Flix. I am a huge believer in honoring our dying as much as we do our births. This is a beautiful show honoring those in hospice, their wishes, the hard stuff, and the beauty. I was watching an episode the other night and one of the hospice characters who had a popular podcast had a phrase she loved;
“Add life to your days, not days to your life!”
Thank you for joining me today! Please remember to come back and rate and comment on a post if you try it! Have a beautiful weekend!
Coming soon…Korean Meatballs, Chai Tea Concentrate, Mini Cinnamon Rolls
P.S. If you missed last week’s Fresh Fridays, recipes, sales, tips, ideas, and more!
Check out my favorite things and more HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!
Visit our Updated Amazon Shop
Rate & Comment