Saturday, how I love thee. You are the one day I allow myself to sleep in, enjoy my pillow for a few moments longer. Thank you.

I had a ton of stuff on my to-do list this week. You know what I checked off? A whole lot of nothing. I had major plans. I was going to get all of the laundry washed and folded. Didn’t happen. I was going to mop, dust, and scrub the house. Nope. Clean the car. Yeah, right.

IMG_1349I cooked dinner a few nights this week. Does that count? I hope so, or else I severely burned my hand for nothing. The smart gal that I am burned herself on the handle of a sauté pan. I retrieved the hot pan from the oven with the proper protection of an oven mitt. I then grabbed the handle with the unprotected hand to move back on the stove. Oven mitt on one hand, yet I still grabbed the handle with the unprotected hand. Make any sense? Yeah, it doesn’t to me either. My brain must have shut off for a brief second. I tell you what, it turned on real quick when it recognized that my skin was melting to the handle of the sauté pan. Ouch! I may have burned myself, but I got to see the cutest little face on Monday because of it.

I had good intentions. Oh well, there’s always next week.

Squirrel and I will be motor boatin’ today. I love being out on the water in the warm sun. Hopefully I catch a fish or two, preferably something bigger than whatever Squirrel catches. I’m competitive like that.

I don’t know if I mentioned this yet, but Squirrel and I are leaving for vacation next Thursday. We’re going to the beach for some rest and relaxation. I’m going to relax like I’ve never relaxed before. I’m going to park my booty right under my umbrella, read a few books, and sip on a cold beverage. Ahh, relaxation.

Squirrel surprised me with 3 new Murano beads for my graduation. My bracelet is quickly filling up: IMG_1363

The lovely folks at OXO sent me a foodie care package. It was full of tools to make hulling strawberries, pitting cherries, or coring pineapples a cinch. I played with the strawberry huller last night while I was preparing my strawberry-basil lemonade for #SundaySupper. I fell in love with it instantly. It makes hulling berries a breeze. I’ll never be able to live without it.

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I found the cutest dress the other day while I was at the mall returning something. It’s chevron. It only cost me $44 at Francesca’s. I love that place. It has nice clothing for a great price. Their styles range from retro to shabby chic. I buy a lot of my trendy jewelry, belts, and headbands there, too.

Isn’t it purdy? I’m taking to the beach with me next week. I’m pairing it with an orange and gold necklace and gold flats.

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I purchased a Thirty One bag a few weeks ago, and it arrived in the mail the other day. I bought the storage tote for all of my cleaning products. My house has three floors, and I got tired of caring armfuls of cleaning products up and down the steps, just to realize I forgot one. The storage tote eliminates all of that. I just grab and go. Plus, I now have more storage space under my kitchen sink. Hmm, a new Le Creuset pot, perhaps?

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Here’s what I pinned this week:

Pinto Beans with Assortment of Toppings by MJ’s Kitchen
Chocolate Frosted Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars by A Kitchen Addiction
Healthy Banana Walnut Chip Ice Cream by Crazy for Crust
Strawberry-Basil Gelato by Pass the Sushi
Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, & Bacon Tart by Cake Duchess

Here’s what I’m craving:

Roasted Sweet Potato Pesto Salad by The Roasted Root- This is new for me. I don’t usually crave salad. It’s more like chocolate and ice cream, but this salad won my heart.
Lightened-Up Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie by Sally’s Baking Addiction- A pie I don’t have to feel guilty about? Sign me up!
Frozen Nutella-Covered Bananas by Treats & Trinkets- Nutella smeared on a banana… What could be better?

Look what I made:

IMG_1362I whipped up a batch of these Fudgy Fluffernutter Swirl Brownies from Chocolate Moosey last night. The batter is uber thick and the swirl is to-die-for. I did my fair share of spatula licking after I added the fluffernutter swirl. Carla sure does know how to bake. The brownies turned out perfect, gooey and chewy on the inside with a thick, sticky fluffernutter layer on top that gets perfectly toasted while it bakes. Yum!

I’m gifting the pan of brownies to my peanut butter loving father. My mom said he woke up this morning all sorts of excited.

Dad: Today is the day I get peanut butter cookies!
Mom: I think they’re brownies. I think Jennie made you peanut butter brownies.
Dad: Whatever, I’m getting peanut butter something today.

The simple things in life. This is a great example of why I bake.