Weekly Delights: Sweet Recipes, Family Adventures & Must-Have Kitchen Finds
Welcome back to another edition of A Sweeter Wednesday! Life often throws curveballs, but sometimes, all it takes is a moment of pure joy to brighten your day. Instead of diving into “good news” headlines, I wanted to share something truly heartwarming that recently brought a big smile to my face. I hope this adorable video of a toddler walking a dog in a stroller through a supermarket does the same for you! It’s a delightful reminder of the simple, unexpected moments that make life so charming.
Freshly Baked & Brewed: New Delights from Salt & Baker
We’ve been busy in the kitchen, and I’m thrilled to share a couple of new recipes that have already become firm favorites in our home. First up is my husband’s all-time favorite summer dessert, a simply named but incredibly flavorful creation we call Peach Dessert. Don’t let the basic name fool you; this dessert is anything but! It features a wonderfully thick cinnamon graham cracker crust that is utterly irresistible. Seriously, it’s so good that I often make 1.5 times the crust recipe just so we have extra to crumble over the top for an added layer of texture and spice. The juicy, sweet peaches baked to perfection with that buttery, spiced crust create a symphony of summer flavors that you simply must try. It’s the kind of dessert that gathers everyone around the table, eager for seconds, and evokes memories of warm, sun-drenched afternoons.
Also new to the blog are our sensational BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. What sets these apart? A completely homemade BBQ sauce that’s bursting with rich, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. Crafting your own sauce elevates these sandwiches from good to absolutely phenomenal. You control the ingredients, ensuring a fresh taste without any artificial additives. We love making a big batch of the shredded BBQ chicken, as it’s perfect for meal prep, easily adaptable for wraps, salads, or even loaded baked potatoes throughout the week. The tender chicken coated in that delectable sauce, piled high on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings like crisp coleslaw or zesty pickles, makes for the ultimate comforting and satisfying meal. It’s a game-changer for your summer cookouts and weeknight dinners alike.
Life & Luck: Unfiltered Moments and Unexpected Turns
Life has been a whirlwind lately, filled with a mix of cherished family moments and some truly unbelievable luck (or lack thereof!). It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been three months since we had our beautiful family pictures taken. I’m finally getting around to the exciting task of ordering prints! There’s something so special about seeing those fleeting moments captured forever. I’ve included a sneak preview of some of the images below, and I absolutely cannot wait to get them framed and hung on our walls, turning our house into an even warmer home filled with these precious memories. It’s a wonderful feeling to pause and reflect on how much our little ones are growing and changing.
Speaking of unbelievable, you truly wouldn’t believe our recent string of bad luck on the road. My husband has been involved in a car wreck twice in the past three weeks! And just last week, I witnessed a car in front of me get into a wreck. It’s absolutely true, and incredibly frustrating. The most baffling part is that both times my husband was hit, neither incident was his fault. In fact, his car was completely parked on both occasions when someone ran into it. Thankfully, he’s fine, and they weren’t “huge” wrecks (thank goodness!), but it’s still infuriating to witness the sheer number of people who simply do not pay attention while driving. The amount of distracted driving on our roads is alarming.
So, consider this my heartfelt public service announcement: please, everyone, put down your phones, avoid multitasking, and pay full attention when you’re behind the wheel. Distracted driving is a serious issue that puts everyone at risk. And on a slightly lighter, yet still very real, note—if you think driving is bad where you are, try navigating the roads in Houston. It has waaaaaaaay worse drivers than Utah, which is saying something! My Utah readers will definitely know just how bad it can get, hahahah!
Adding to our list of thrilling (and slightly terrifying) experiences, we went to an Astros game with some friends earlier this week. It was such a blast, full of energy and cheering! But on our way there, we witnessed yet another mind-boggling incident: a car cutting off a moving metro train. The metro *barely* missed hitting the car. Like, what?!!! 😳 It just reiterates the point about drivers needing to be incredibly vigilant.
On a much sweeter note, I have a story that truly melts my heart every morning. My four-year-old son, Bronson, wakes up early every single morning—sometimes as early as 6:30, but usually around 6:50 AM—just so he can eat breakfast with Alex before he heads to work. After they finish breakfast, he puts on his shoes, walks into the garage, and waves goodbye as my husband backs out of the driveway. Bronson then comes back into the house and hops back into bed (my bed, of course, so by this point, everyone is awake, ha!). This routine happens every. single. morning. It’s undeniably the sweetest ritual, a testament to his love for his dad. The only downside? He never, ever sleeps past 6:45 AM, which means my chances of sleeping in are pretty much non-existent!
What Caught My Eye: Smart Solutions & Style Inspirations
Beyond our daily adventures, I’ve been keeping an eye out for interesting finds and practical solutions. This casserole tote, for instance, is absolutely genius! If you’ve ever tried to transport a hot dish to a potluck or family gathering, you know the struggle. This tote not only keeps your food warm (or cold!), but it also prevents spills and makes carrying those heavy dishes so much easier. It’s a true lifesaver for anyone who loves to entertain or bring their culinary creations on the go.
I’ve also been browsing the internet for unique earrings. While I haven’t made a purchase yet, I’ve bookmarked a handful that truly caught my attention. There’s something fun about expressing your personality through accessories. My absolute favorite pair has to be these adorable ones inspired by ice cream cones – perfect for any dessert lover! For those who prefer bolder statements, these vibrant flamingo earrings are pretty intense, or perhaps cute unicorn earrings are more your whimsical style? It’s amazing how a small piece of jewelry can add so much character to an outfit.
On the more practical side, an herb savor has moved to the top of my “NEED this badly” list. I go through so many fresh herbs for cooking and baking, and it’s always a battle to keep them fresh for more than a couple of days. This gadget promises to extend their life significantly, which would not only save money but also reduce food waste. Imagine having vibrant cilantro or fragrant basil ready whenever you need it!
We’ve also reached a critical point with our kitchen glasses. We’ve had the same plastic set for about seven years now, and one by one, they are breaking, leaking, and being tossed in the garbage. It’s definitely time for an upgrade! I’m currently eyeing this particular set, but I am absolutely open to suggestions! What do you all use for everyday kitchen glasses? I need recommendations for something durable, attractive, and kid-friendly that will stand the test of time.
Finally, for our weekend entertainment, we settled in to watch Secret Obsession on Netflix. Yikes! It turned out to be quite the nail-biter. I’m not typically one for thriller movies, but this one really hooked me. Brenda Song did a phenomenal job in her role, keeping us on the edge of our seats. If you’re looking for a suspenseful movie to keep you guessing, this might be worth adding to your watch list.
My Go-To Kitchen Favorite: The Towels I Can’t Live Without
When it comes to kitchen essentials, some items just stand out for their quality and performance. I absolutely adore these towels from Crate and Barrel! They are truly exceptional. They wash incredibly well, maintaining their softness and absorbency use after use. Unlike many other kitchen towels, they don’t develop that lingering “stink” that can be so frustrating, and they have a luxurious feel to them that makes every task a little more enjoyable. I’m so impressed with them that I’m planning to add more of them to my collection. Investing in good quality kitchen towels might seem minor, but it makes a huge difference in daily kitchen efficiency and comfort.
Salivating Over: What’s Cooking & What’s Next
Food is always on my mind, and I’m constantly either making something delicious or dreaming about the next culinary adventure. This past Sunday, I whipped up my famous Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, and as expected, we absolutely devoured it! Seriously, if you haven’t tried this recipe yet, you need to. It’s a decadent, creamy, and wonderfully comforting dessert that never disappoints. The layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and rich pudding are pure bliss. Make it – you won’t regret it!
Looking ahead to the weekend, I’m super excited to try making this peach crisp cake. Combining the best elements of a classic peach crisp with a delightful cake texture sounds like a dream, especially with summer peaches at their peak. I can already imagine the warm, fruity aroma filling my kitchen!
And for a savory treat, I’m heading to the store soon to grab all the ingredients for this spicy honey crispy chicken tenders recipe. The sweet and spicy combination sounds utterly addictive, and I’m always on the lookout for a fantastic chicken tender recipe that satisfies both adults and kids.
With heirloom tomatoes gracing our markets right now, I’m also planning to put them to good use with this vibrant heirloom tomato pizza. There’s nothing quite like the diverse colors and incredible flavor of fresh heirloom tomatoes, and pairing them with a perfectly crisp pizza crust sounds like a match made in heaven for a light summer meal.
Finally, I have to give a shout-out to one of my favorite food photographers of all time. Her work is truly inspiring; I could stare at her photos all day! Just look at this exquisite herby rice salad with market vegetables. 😍 The way she captures the freshness and vibrancy of ingredients is simply breathtaking. It’s a constant source of inspiration for both my cooking and my own food photography aspirations.
Well, that wraps up another edition of A Sweeter Wednesday! Thank you so much for taking the time to read, for your wonderful comments, and for following along with our adventures and recipes. Your support means the world to me.
❤️ Whitney
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