Friday Faves

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Hi, Friends! Christmas is less than three weeks away and I can hardly believe it. I love this time of year (who doesn’t?!) and having a kid makes the pre-Christmas excitement even more intense. Just as my husband. He started begging to decorate for Christmas BEFORE Halloween. I refuse to be those people. Haha. The day after Thanksgiving, though? Hell yes. Christmas explosion at our house.

Despite all the seasonal giddiness going around, our house has been one of sickness. I mentioned this earlier in the week, but I have been battling one of the worst colds I’ve ever had. It just keeps going on and on and on. I go to bed every night thinking “maybe tomorrow will be the day I finally feel normal again.” Every morning is a disappointment in that regard. Plus! Kieran had his first stomach bug this week. I had been dreading the first bout of vomiting for months now. I knew it was coming. Knew it was inevitable. But damn. Watching a 2-year-old go through it without really understanding what’s happening to his sweet little body…it’s just heart wrenching. He would get sick and look up at me with these huge tear-filled eyes with a look of fear and betrayal, like I had been the one to inflict such horribleness on him. UGH. Rip my heart out, kid!

Thankfully, today seems to be the first day he’s on the mend. We’re gonna stick to the BRAT diet for one more day to be safe, but I think the worst is over. Thank goodness.

SO! Once all this sickness leaves our home, I can get back into the holiday spirit. I have about half my shopping done, none of my wrapping done, and some of the baked goods figured out. Still so much to do!

In the meantime, let’s go over my favorite links of the week. SO much incredible stuff these past couple weeks!

I have been dreaming about this pear sangria all week. I can’t wait until I’m well enough to consume a cocktail. These will definitely be happening for Christmas!

I loooooove the idea of these salted caramel scotcheroos! Salted caramel in my rice crispies could never be a bad thing, after all.

This creamy pasta with sausage and kale sounds like the perfect thing for my ravaged sore throat. WANT. No, NEED.

I adore simple, classic side dishes that have been declared the “perfect/best/ultimate” version, and these buttery parsley potatoes so look like they fit the bill. Yum.

Stuffing is my favorite thing on the Thanksgiving table. These stuffing hand pies look like a wonderful way to use up any leftovers. I mean, if you have any. Stuffing never lasts in our house!

Another thing “sick me” REQUIRES and will be making tonight: this spiced chamomile hot toddy. It sounds lovely, sick or not.

Let’s keep the “sick Molly needs this right now” list going! This maca cacao hot chocolate sounds heavenly. I love this healthier twist!

Laura shared this incredible guide to fool-proof pie dough a couple weeks ago, and I have studied it religiously ever since. I always struggle with pie dough, and she makes it sound so easy.

This is my husband’s dream meal: steak frites with curly fries. I will be making this as a special treat for him soon.

I looooooooove these chocolate espresso thumbprint cookies! Not only are they adorable but they look so rich and yummy.

There is little in the world of desserts that I love more than a good blondie. Add in some coffee like Naomi has done with these babies, and I’m done. Just DONE.

These winter fruit and yogurt bowls with GINGERBREAD GRANOLA look awesome. I am all over that granola, baby.

 

And in case you missed it, I shared this incredible braised marsala pork stew with cheddar cornmeal biscuits earlier this week AND a chance for you to win some fun product. Check out that link for details. Today’s the last day to enter! Oh, and these peanut butter espresso fudge cookies. We can’t forget about those. How could you?

Happy Friday, friends! Xoxo!