1. 40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World. I'm not a map-lover by any means, but a lot of these were so interesting!

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2. I couldn't resist the Nordstrom half-yearly sale a few weeks ago and bought this fleece wrap cardigan (in the bright pink, of course!). I absolutely love it...it's insanely soft and cozy but still looks polished, even if it feels like you're wearing pajamas. Because of the cut, I can wear it now with my giant preggo belly, but will also be great postpartum (note-it's not a maternity sweater!). 

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3. Over the years, coffee has slowly grown on me. I don't know that I'll ever be one to drink it black, but trashed up with cream and sugar?! Count me in! Bailey's is actually my "creamer" of choice, but since that's off the table for a few more months, I was pumped when my mom introduced me to this So Delicious Coconut Milk creamer. I've got a carton in the refrigerator at work and find myself going for a cup of mediocre-at-best work coffee, simply so I can add this deliciousness to it!

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

4. Heading to a Christmas party this weekend? Bring the host some cinnamon sugar pretzels on a pretty dish (they take just minutes to throw together for the oven) or maybe some chocolate peanut butter dipped pretzels decorated with holiday sprinkles....you know everyone else will be bringing cookies, so go for something different! (and if you really want to bring cookies...here are a few of our favorites!)

One Year Ago: Ginger Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Two Years Ago: Banana Espresso Crumb Cake
Three Years Ago: Nutella Pocket Cookies
Four Years Ago: Chicken Enchiladas

Emeril's Tomato Soup

As I described in my cookbookedition of Odds & Ends a few weeks ago, I’ve had a recent influx of new cookbooks to review and enjoy. I was particularly excited about Emeril’s Cooking with Power because even though I don’t have a pressure cooker or a deep fryer, I’m always looking for new ways to use my slow cooker.

I’ve made a few different tomato soup recipes over the years because if there’s anything that screams comfort food, it’s tomato soup and grilled cheese. When I saw Emeril had a tomato soup that could be made in my crockpot, I couldn’t wait to give it a try! The book recommends serving this as a first course at a dinner party, a suggestion I don’t at all disagree with. While tomato soup is often considered simple and homely, this version is made fancy with homemade croutons and a freshly made basil oil. I wasn’t serving for company and was more interested in packing it for lunch, so I skipped the basil oil (recipe included below still!) but did make the homemade croutons.

The soup manages to be spicy and hearty, and I can see why it would be a good inclusion at a dinner party. Me? I was just happy to take it for lunch, even though throwing together a grilled cheese in the middle of the day wasn’t possible!

One Year Ago: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies and Cranberry, Pear, Walnut Salad with Manchego
Two Years Ago: Christmas Cookies Galore and Crunchy Peanut Butter Mix
Three Years Ago: Cranberry Coffee Cake and Chocolate Mint Puddles
Four Years Ago: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas