Wishlist Wednesday August 2014

Oh man, I have some exciting wishes this month! I've been thinking about this post for weeks now and I almost couldn't wait until August to share it with you. Let's get to it!

A Wish for a Hearty Breakfast:

Black Forest Oats from An Edible Mosaic

As many of you know, I love oatmeal. I have several recipes I rotate regularly but none are as amped up as this and since cherries are in season now it's the perfect time to try this recipe. Chocolate chips, juicy cherries, and toasty pecans combined with rich, nutty steel cut oats are just what I need to jump start my day.


A Wish for a Simple Lunch:

Grilled Pineapple and Chicken Quesadillas from The Girl Who Ate Everything

On to lunch. I want something easy to make, easy to eat, and easy to clean up... oh, and it needs to be delicious too. These quesadillas have three of my favorite foods in them: chicken, cheese, and pineapple. Who doesn't love crispy grilled tortillas and melted cheese? I know I do!

A Wish for a Satisfying Snack:

Roasted Rosemary Almonds from J Chong Studio

Almonds are probably my all-time favorite nuts. I like them raw, roasted, salted, candied, you name it. They're the perfect snack on the go. I pack tiny snack bags with them to carry in Bailey's diaper bag and in my purse for those days when I get stuck somewhere (out shopping, at the doctor's office, etc.) and can't have a meal. These almonds are a nice savory variety with a kick of cayenne pepper. They probably aren't ideal for Bailey, but I'm not likely to share them anyway.

A Wish for a Pre-Dinner Cocktail:

Fairy Dust Cocktail

So... I couldn't track down the recipe for this one exactly, just an image, but I did find it as I said I would last month. Maybe I can just experiment with the ingredients until I get the right mixture. Tinkerbell is my favorite Disney character so I will have to find some way to make this Tinkerbell drink.

A Wish for a Kid Friendly Dinner:

Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken from PBS Parents Kitchen Explorers

This recipe is practically guaranteed to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters. The spice mixture is loaded with fresh ingredients such as fresh thyme and lemon zest and the chicken just looks so juicy, even after being sliced. Served over some simple pasta with a bit of green on the side the meal is well balanced and still palatable for children. Bailey will love this meal, especially the noodles.

A Wish for a New Wallet:

The Perfect Wallet: DIY Fabric Wallet from Color Me Domestic

I have been using the same wallet since I was pregnant with Bailey. That's probably close to 3 years now. I don't mind because I happen to really love the wallet. I ordered it from ThirtyOne to match Bailey's diaper bag and the layout of the wallet is very similar to this one. The tutorial has plenty of specific notes indicating why you should sew things a certain way which is super helpful for beginner sewers like myself. It's a low cost project meaning that I could make a couple of them in different colors as well. I'm actually really anxious to try this because if I do well with it I'll have the confidence to tackle something more difficult such as clothing for an odd body type like mine.

A Wish for Inspiring Music:

Brave by Sara Bareilles

One of my absolute favorite artists, Sara Bareilles is amazing in every way. She has incredible vocal talent. Her music speaks to me. She's not afraid to have fun and be goofy, even on camera. This song in particular is so inspiring. The video encourages people to have the courage to try things outside their comfort zone and never be afraid of ridicule from strangers. Do what makes you happy even if others laugh. Yes to all of that! AND if you like this song you should check out the whole album. We just bought it last month and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

A Wish for a Page Turner:

"Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng on Amazon

This book is on a list of 11 books Amazon recommends for July 2014. So I guess I'm a month behind on it but I'm still interested. It's set in 1970's Ohio and tells the story of a Chinese American family whose daughter is killed and as often happens when someone dies the family discovers she had many secrets. The mystery always catches my attention and I'm intrigued by this one.

I think that's all for this month. I'll be thinking of things for September starting... NOW! Be prepared for another installment the first Wednesday of the month!