1. If you're anything like me, you run your dishwasher frequently but you STILL find yourself always.doing.dishes. I remember when I used to just pile dishes onto dish towels laid out across the countertop, where they'd soak the towels and create a wet mess all over my countertops. Then my friend introduced me to this drying mat which instantly became my new favorite thing (I'm easy to please). Not only is it huge (it does come in smaller sizes), but its super absorbent meaning no more soaking wet countertops! It's pictured below, covered in dishes, as per usual!
2. It's fun to be reminded of old posts and recipes when readers comment on them months later. I'm going to start featuring them on these Odds & Ends posts occasionally because chances are if I've forgotten about them, you have too! And if readers are making them and saying good things, it's probably a little more convincing than me just spurting off my love for them, right? Like this Split Pea and Barley Soup, which reader Allison said "This was amazing. Definitely a two-nights-in-a-row kind of recipe, the kind where you just crave the leftovers. The barley in it stays really chewy, which I really liked but if someone wanted a softer texture, I'd put the barley in a bit before the peas! Thanks so much!" There's a little bit of soup season left...plenty of time for you to give it a try!
3. This blog post on The Adult Pacifier convicted me. Guilty as charged! 4. Have you seen this Peanut Butter Cup Cake from Williams Sonoma? My sister Renatta posted this on my Facebook wall and said "you could totally make this, hint hint!". Naturally I've taken that as a challenge and I need to find time to try a recreation...especially because I have no desire to spend eighty-five dollars on the one from Williams Sonoma. I think I can handle the cake layers...it's the whole making it look like a Reese's Cup thing that's the hard part. I'm not exactly known for my cake decorating skills!
