Hello, my fabulous foodie friends!
I hope you enjoyed a nice long weekend! I finally got to my summer planting, and my hubby and I did a lot of yard cleanup as well. That’s hard work!
Lately, I’ve been struggling with the “dinner-time blues.” Can you relate? When you think about dinner do you draw a blank? Even food bloggers get stuck! I went through my own recipes and came up with a week of my favorite easy dinners! Since I made a meal plan for myself, I thought you might enjoy it too!
We are preparing for a big family vacation! HINT: Think fairy-tale castles, scenic Alpine vistas, and delicious food! I’ve been scrambling to get the blog tidied up, gardening done, packing and more! What are your favorite packing and travel tips? I’ll do the big reveal next week! But be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re up to!
Oh, and I have 2 brand new recipes to try and a recipe reboot: Our favorite copycat cake! ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️
Plus, all of the usual stuff: In Real Life, What Readers are Saying, Favorite Movies, Fresh Finds, and a little Encouragement for the Soul!
Use the Table of Contents below to skip to what interests you most.
New in the Kitchen!
#1 Grape Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat)
Grape salad? I know weird-sounding, right? Butt then, when I was back in Nashville for my blogger retreat, we ordered from Chicken Salad Chick, and I was hooked! You will be too! It’s a dessert masquerading as a salad! WIN!
#2 Old-Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler
Summer = fresh fruit cobblers! Try this easy-to-assemble Blueberry Cobbler recipe! I took it to a potluck last night and it received rave reviews! Check out this darling Pioneer Woman baking dish I made it in!
# 3 Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
I gave this older slam-dunk copycat recipe a little refresh! Do you have a Nothing Bundt Cakes near you? We love them, but now you can bake one in your own home and save $$.
Rate the Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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In Real Life
In addition to planting my spring flowers and a few perennials along with some herbs, I helped my hubby clean up our wood pile and under our dreaded stretch of six 35+ year-old long needle pine trees! We try and do it once or twice a year – I think we got 10 bags of pine needles, for all of you in the South, free pine mulch!! 😉
I have been so uninspired with meal planning. Talking to other food bloggers, it’s common! You cook and bake so many recipes that sometimes you get DP (Dinner Paralysis)—it’s a real thing! I went through my recipe index and jotted down 7 easy weeknight meals – keep scrolling for my ideas!
Today I am thawing my Coconut Lime Chicken — I made two last week we ate one and froze the other; it’s one of our favorite ways to eat chicken!
We went for a walk with our dear friends, and I finally shot my Beginners Sourdough Recipe. I’ve been making this bread almost weekly for 4 years and thought it was high time to get it on the blog! Coming soon!
The biggest news is we are preparing for a big family vacation/trip! But be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re up to!
Weekly Meal Plan
Here is the meal plan I came up with to get me out of the “what to make for dinner blues.” I hope you find some inspiration, too!
Ziplock Baggie Holder
Meal Prep Like a Boss
I love these baggy holders! I use them when I am doing freeze meal prep – like in my Coconut Lime Chicken.
Movie Night Ideas
We enjoy watching a wholesome movie over the weekend, here are a few of our recent favorites!
- A Million Miles Away – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Based on a true story, this is a truly encouraging and inspiration movie of hope, determination, resilience and the willingness to follow your dreams!
- On A Wing and a Prayer – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Also based on a true story, a little cheesy in parts, but a great story about family, loving one another in the midst of the storms of life!
- Miracles From Heaven – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Inspired by a true story, grab the box of tissues!
What Readers Are Saying about…
Chocolate Ice Cream (No Cook, No Eggs)
I use this recipe in my “old fashioned” ice cream maker and it turns out perfectly every time. I double it and use my electric mixer to make sure it is mixed very well. Tricks: I put my canister for my ice cream maker in the freezer before I pour in the ice cream from the mixer. I also like to add Oreos into the ice cream after it’s made, I stir it into the ice cream in a large bowl then stick in the freezer. To keep the Oreos crunchy I put them in the freezer before I stir them in.
Missy via Pinterest
Fresh Finds: Amazon Deals + More
My favorite finds of the week – check them out plus previous weeks HERE!
- These flying insect traps really work! But also check out my popular DIY fruit fly trap post for a homemade version of the same thing!
- These Blackstone Grease Cup Liners are on sale, but I also like these reausable silicone liners too! BTW, a Blackstone Grill makes a great Father’s Day gift!
- Hey smoothie lovers! Have you seen these Beast Mini Blenders? I love that you blend, add the straw and go! Also available (same price) on Amazon.
- It’s iced tea season! Love these large silicone ice cubes, great to chill things quickly without watering down! Freeze with lemonade, coffee, teat, etc.
- I love pretty glasses/mugs, how about these to make your yogurt parfaits or overnight oats a hit! Love this one too!
Summer Finds for Her
- I love this gingham linen shirt (on sale!)
- Large Straw Summer Handbag (love!)
- Do you like these chunky sandals? I think I do!
- Bought this crushable bucket hat for our upcoming trip. 10% off coupon!
- These are my favorite comfortable, walkable flip-flops! 44% off!
- I just got this Anker (favorite brand) mag-safe cellphone battery charger! Pretty in pink — so none of the men in my family steal it from me!
- A selfie stick (yes, I will be that mom!), I am leaving my big camera home and this travel flat-iron (5% off coupon)!
I put a whole lot more in my weekly finds — be sure to check it out!
Fresh Inspiration: Unsung Hero
I haven’t seen the movie yet (but I so want too!!!) but I sure do love the song, Unsung Hero by King & Country about their mom (and I think their dad too!) — enjoy this music video! As we’re in the season of celebrating moms and dads, reach out to yours (or a parent figure) today and let them know how much you love them!
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NLT)
I am so happy you joined me today, be sure to come back and rate and comment on a post if you try it! Have a beautiful weekend!
Coming soon…Iced Chai Latte, Hot Chai Latte, Lemon Lime Bars
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!
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June Young Schiff
Unsung Hero and Sight are excellent movies-true stories are always the best!
Looking forward to seeing them both!! Thanks June!