Wishlist Wednesday June 2014

This is still a work in progress. I haven't completely nailed down the details of this feature yet so here's how it's going to work until I have it all figured out.

I'll post my wishlist once a month for now, probably on Wednesdays. I'll be including pictures and links to things I find interesting. I'll try to include a variety of things, not just recipes. Since I love to craft I'll probably be featuring knitting and crochet patterns, handmade jewelry, and possibly sewing instructions (even though I haven't quite mastered sewing) as well as some cute kids crafts.
I love to read so I'll probably mention some books. I'll probably share the music that fuels me to get through my days chasing and cleaning up after Bailey along with the music that helps me relax at the end of a long day, and of course there will definitely be some recipes I just can't wait to try.

So, now you know what to expect from Wishlist Wednesday. Let's give it a try, eh?

How about we start with some recipes, since that's my usual and I'm most comfortable talking about food.

A wish for indulgence:

German Chocolate Cake Cookies from A Dash of Sanity

These remind me of German chocolate brownies which are one of my absolute favorite desserts. They look so gooey and probably sweet enough to make my teeth ache, but I'm dying to try them!

A wish for breakfast:

Maple Cornbread Waffles from Girl Versus Dough

I've been drooling over these waffles since I first saw them on Pinterest. I used to order the corn cakes at IHoP until they discontinued them and I'm really hoping that when I finally get to try these that they taste similar to the corn cakes.

A wish for bread:

And not just any bread, Chocolate Chip Challah Bread from Taste of Home.

Challah bread is one of my favorite kinds of bread. It's buttery and eggy and firm, perfect for French toast and bread pudding. Also, how beautiful is that braided dough?

A wish for crunch:

Crunchy Black Bean Tacos from Endless Simmer

This is probably one of the first recipes I ever pinned. I've been staring at the pin ever since, wishing my family liked black beans, crunchy tacos, and vegetarian food. These just look and sound so fresh and crunchy and amazing it drives me crazy! I think I'm going to finally try them for lunch this week.

A wish for pasta:

Pasta all'Amatriciana (pasta with spicy tomato sauce and pancetta) from Pink Parsley.

I dream about pasta. Perfectly al dente pasta, spicy tomato sauce, salty pancetta, and a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan. Wow! This one is definitely near the top of my list.

A wish to be full and satisfied:

BBQ Beef Stuffed Potatoes from Budget Bytes

I'm always looking for a truly satisfying meal. Something that will give me sustained energy and keep me full between meals is a must, but I don't want to sacrifice flavor. I've compromised with protein bars enough to know that taste is still important to feel full. These baked potatoes look absolutely packed with flavor and because the recipe comes from Budget Bytes I know exactly how much it will cost to make them. Bonus!

That rounds out the food. Let's move on to the rest, shall we?

A wish to be more environmentally friendly:

Easy $6 Composting from The Frugal Girl

I saw Martha Stewart (and David Hyde Pierce) make a composting box and I've been wanting to do it ever since. She said you could keep it under the sink because if you put the right stuff in them they don't smell, but I'm not so sure about that. I wouldn't mind having one on the back steps though. We eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies in this house and I always feel awful throwing out strawberry hulls and potato peels when I could be composting them for Yaya's garden.

A wish for a kitchen helper:

Helping Tower for Kids from Makezine.

Someday soon I'm going to have to get Admiral to help me build one of these for Bailey. She loves to stand on her little step stool in the kitchen while I cook or do dishes but it's not very safe. She keeps almost stepping off the edge when she gets excited. One of these towers would be so much safer for her.

A wish for a gadget:

Toshiba Satellite 2in1 Laptop

Actually, this one really is at the top of my personal wishlist. I need a new laptop in a bad way. First my CD drive went out, then my SD card reader, and now my wireless card is on the fritz. Sometimes I can't get my computer to connect to the internet at all. If/when I get one, this is the one I would like.

A wish for a peaceful evening:

"All Fall Down: A Novel" by Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner is a fantastic author. A friend recommended "Good in Bed" to me several years ago and I absolutely could not put it down. I happened to catch Jennifer Weiner on the a morning show this week and heard that her new book is out. It's next on my list after I finish "Allegiant" which probably won't be much longer.

And finally...

A wish for joy:

"If I Were a Ship" by Hey Ocean!

A little music to round it all out. Everything by Hey Ocean! is amazing, but this is by far one of my favorite songs. It speaks to my soul. I hope you love it as much as I do. 

Enjoy my wishlist!