Despite most calendars sticking the Sunday box at the beginning of the week, Monday marks the true start for me. I (used to) head into work for midterm grading, group meetings, and cleaning piles of my dirty glassware. Monday meant the chaotic end to the quiet calm of the weekend.
Regardless of whether you see Sunday as the start or end of the week, I still think you deserve an extra smile or two! So I’m beginning this Sunday Funday Series to share some little finds and lighthearted tidbits. Enjoy!
1. How Starbucks Saved My Life
My mom lent me this book 3 years ago, and I reread it again this past week. The author, Michael Gates Gill, was fired from his 6-figure-salary job, screwed up his family life, and spent nearly 10 years in denial whittling away his savings until fate—in the form of Crystal—offered him a position at Starbucks. His story about his new working class job and reevaluation of life’s priorities is inspirational, motivational, and almost tempted me to file an application at our own store downtown!
2. Chocolate Brownie Pancakes (GF, SF)
I made these pancakes a second time on Wednesday evening. Because who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? And despite their dark chocolaty fudginess, they’re still healthy enough that I felt no guilt eating a cookie for dessert too!
3. XHIT Daily Ab Workouts
I really felt the burn from these 7-Minute Ab Exercises with Rebecca and Cynthia for 2 days after trying them for the first time. They’re really effective—I already see my tummy toning up after a few sessions of doing them! Highly recommended, especially if you only have limited time for workouts.
4. Acorn Pillow Fall Craft
You only need linen, felt, and a little glue for this cute pillow! (Plus a sewing machine to finish much faster.) With such straightforward directions, even I can handle it. I may make a maple leaf themed one too, if I can find (or sketch) a pattern!
5. Papaya Granola Trail Mix
I found this trail mix at Safeway, thanks to a “Good for one free bag” coupon. Oh my goodness… I am a granola addict, and I immediately picked out all of the cinnamon and brown sugar granola balls. YUM! And the dried pineapple, macadamia nuts, and cashews tied the whole mix together. Worth every bite!
6. Guinness Basketball Commercial
With postseason baseball, football, and hockey all airing on TV right now, I watch a lot of commercials. (I’m a bit of a sports girl.) This one brings a big smile to my face and warms my heart every time.
7. Averie’s Creamy Vegan Corn & Red Pepper Blender Soup
I spend most of my day brainstorming baking ideas and always forget to plan meals, especially dinner. As the weather cools down, I could use a few more of these comforting 5-minute savory soups like Averie’s newest recipe!
8. 3 Favorite Free Fonts
I collect free fonts for layering on photographs for blog posts and Pinterest, and these were my 3 favorites from last week. Click on the links below to download them yourself!
9. Food Photography: Finding Your Style
Poking around Pinterest, this article popped up and caught my eye. Meeta of What’s For Lunch, Honey? describes the most important aspects of food photography—lighting, backgrounds, props, and atmosphere—all while encouraging you to develop your own style instead of imitating talented well-know bloggers. Really informative and inspirational, especially with her many composed and classy shots!
10. Spiced Pumpkin Muffins (SF)
I baked 4 batches of these muffins in a week, and I’m making another for my first catering “gig” this Wednesday. They’re so moist, perfectly spiced, and 100% addictive. You need this recipe in your repertoire!
I love your Sunday funday spread! A little of everything. I need to reread the Starbucks book, too. And I cried for the Guinness beer commercial.
How often do you do the ab exercises? Time for me to get cracking!
I do those 2 7-Minute Ab Workouts 3 times a week (sometimes 4, if I’m feeling motivated!). But they also have a 5-Minute Abs that I try to do every day. It’s only 5 minutes and a little easier to talk myself into! I’ll be sure to bring your Starbucks book back the next time I see you too!
Funday is so FUN! I’ve been wanting to read “Starbucks…” so this was just the encouragement I needed to finally get around to it! Mmmmmm … and Averie’s soup!?!? Gonna go check that out right away! Hey – and congrats on your first catering gig! That’s really exciting! 😀
Thanks Shelley!! It’s a pretty low-key gig, especially because the people aren’t that picky and I was encouraged to choose the menu myself. The hardest part will (hopefully) be transporting everything! And I’m sure you’ll love the “Starbucks” book — it was hard for me to put it down!
A catering gig?!?! So exciting!!! I can’t wait to hear about it!!
I LOVE this idea for sunday! Definitely fun(day)! 😉 I think my mom told me about that book- I’ll have to put that on my must-read list.
Thanks Andrea! I’m excited too — I’m literally halfway through baking everything as I type. I’ll finish the rest of it in the morning! I wonder if your library would have the book?…