My parents are watching the boys this weekend (my mom was kind enough to come in town last night and my dad will be flying in on Saturday morning) and all Chase talked about all week was Mae and Pop’s visit. They haven’t been up to our house in North Carolina since the summertime and we’re all thrilled to have them in town, especially since Sunday is Ryder’s dedication at our church as well! It will definitely be a full weekend but hopefully a great one.
In the meantime, let’s dive right into my weekly roundup of recent favs, shall we? Below you will find a few of the things I am loving this week and, as always, I’d love to hear about something that is making you smile lately in the comments section of this post.
Have a fantastic weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving
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Coconut Milk/Whole Milk Tea Lattes
Every morning I have a cup of coffee with frothy coconut milk (from a can) but lately I’ve been loving tea lattes later in the morning as well! They’ve been a go-to for me around 10 a.m. and I love making one after preschool drop off once I get Ryder down for his nap. It feels like a little treat to sip on a frothy latte as I crank out some work and since I’m all about noticing and appreciating the little things that bring me joy in this weekly roundup, my tea lattes had to make the list this week!
To make them, I typically make myself a cup of hot tea using less water than I’d usually use for a more concentrated tea flavor (maybe 6 ounces or so of water?) and then let the tea steep for the specific tea’s recommended steeping time. I then add a swirl of honey to the tea (I normally HATE any kind of sweetness in my teas but when I make them into a latte, I do like a little sweetness). I finish off the latte by pouring 1/2 cup of whole milk or coconut milk from a can into my Mixpresso electric milk frother and then I pour the milk over the tea, stir it lightly and sip away. Sometimes I’ll add a little sprinkle of cinnamon, too! So delish!
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Marco Polo App
Have you guys heard of this app? My friend Krystal texted our group of college friends about it and since we live all over the country from each other, we’ve been using the app to share random videos to a group feed to stay in touch. It is AWESOME (like of it like FaceTiming but not live) especially since it can be hard to connect over the phone as often as we’d all like to be able to do these days. Seeing short videos of my friends regularly helps us all feel more connected than a simple text and I actually just convinced my best friends from high school who also live all over the place to download the app as well. If you’re struggling to find time to chat with your friends and family as often as you like, I highly recommend this free app! It’s also nice that it’s completely removed from social media so you can just watch messages created specifically for you and your groups.
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THE SECRET LIFE OF VIOLET GRANT BY BEATRIZ WILLIAMS
I highlighted this book briefly in Tuesday’s blog post about 10 Books I Recently Read and Loved but wanted to briefly call it out in today’s post since I try to highlight books I’m reading and loving as I finish them in my Friday posts as well!
Having previously read and loved A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams, I turned to Amazon to check out some of her other novels and The Secret Life of Violet Grant immediately caught my eye. I finished reading this book earlier this week absolutely loved the main character, Vivian, because she really is acharacter. She’s funny, kind of ridiculous, intelligent, unconventional and her voice is amusing and fun.
The book follows Vivian Schuyler, a recent college graduate and member of a wealthy New York City family, as she works at a magazine and goes against the Schuyler family grain. Vivian’s life takes a turn when a package containing her aunt’s suitcase from 50 years ago — an aunt thought to have murdered her husband before she mysteriously disappeared — shows up on her doorstep.
The book goes back and forth from following Vivian’s life in 1964 and the life of her disappearing aunt Violet Schuyler Grand, a scientist who moved to Europe, entered into a disastrous marriage with a notable scientist and went missing. Vivian is determined to figure out what happened to Violet and her curiosity takes her on a road that unveils secrets, mysteries and relationships that have a direct impact on Vivian’s life today.
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Mug Cakes
Mug cakes! Have you guys made any you love? I’ve been attempting a few recipes I found on Pinterest and various food blogs but none have knocked my socks off yet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still thoroughly enjoying mug cakes (Chase and I make them together to share as a special treat) but I’d love to hear your recommendations if you happen to have a go-to mug cake recipe you make over and over again. My only real requirement is that the mug cake recipe contains some kind of chocolate whether it be chocolate chips or a chocolate base. Part of me wonders if the reason all the mug cakes I’ve been trying lately are falling short because of a lack of icing. I’ve always been on Team Icing vs. Team Cake so maybe I just miss the thick smear of buttercream!?
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70 Degree Weather in February
The weather in Charlotte this week was unbelievable. Temperatures in the 70s and sunny!? Heck yes! We spent a lot of time at the park this week and playing around outside. Clouds and chilly temps are set to roll in this weekend but we absolutely made the most of what felt like a little glimpse of spring in the middle of February.
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Friday Flashbacks
5 Day Healthy Meal Plan + Food Prep (A breakdown of how I planned and prepped 5 weeknight meals)
High Protein Hemp Oatmeal (A dairy-free protein-packed breakfast with 14 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber per serving!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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This isn’t a mug cake recipe, but I am kind of obsessed with the Kodiak Cakes Flapjack cups! They’re so delicious and all you do is add 1/4 cup water and microwave for 1 minute. My favorite is the blueberry but they have some chocolate flavors that are very good as well! I’ve found the best selection at Target but I’ve also seen them at Harris Teeter and Publix!
I still have yet to try anything by Kodiak Cakes but always hear the BEST things about them!
This is the best mug cake I’ve ever made- I typically double the vanilla (always) and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top. I’ve substituted half/half for the whole milk and I’m sure other substitutions would be fine as well.
https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/chocolate-cake-in-a-mug/
You cannot go wrong with The Pioneer Woman’s recipes! Thanks for sharing!!
I love the Pioneer Woman’s chocolate mug cake. It’s pretty indulgent, but SO delicious. If you find others you end up loving, maybe you could pass them along — I’d love to try some other yummy ones!
I definitely will!!
This is my go to chocolate mug cake recipe: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/11/06/one-minute-chocolate-cake/
I usually just substitute more conventional ingredients for her more exotic ones since it’s what I usually have on hand. If you cook it for a little less time the center stays nice and gooey. It’s also good with chocolate chips or peanut butter swirled in. I also sometimes add a scoop of collagen powder for some extra protein.
I love a good mug cake at he end of the day!
Enjoy!
We stayed in Arden a few years ago. Highly recommend Rocky’s hot chicken shack if you have time. Their Mac n cheese and fried chicken are so good!
Yum!!! Thanks for the rec — sounds delish!
I actually just downloaded the Marco Polo app yesterday! We moved from CLT recently and its such a nice way to stay in touch with my friends who are still there!
I haven’t made it in forever, but for my favorite mug cake I do 3 T peanut butter, 1 T plus 1 t sugar, 1 egg, a splash of vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a handful of chocolate chips – mix together well in a mug and microwave for about 1 minute. Your lattes sound so good – I need to try that! Lately I’ve been looking forward to a mug of tea and a couple of lactation cookies and energy bites during my daughter’s late afternoon nap – it is a nice treat 🙂
Oh yum!! No flour or anything else needed!? Sound so good!
Nope, no flour or anything else! And really the vanilla and salt are optional. I hope you like it if you try it!
My brother works for the same company Ryan and was also at a conference, probably the same one! Anyway, this was the first time my sister in law got to go with him since their kids are old enough. Maybe that will be you one day and you will get a break!!
My husband & I just saw our first Broadway show last night (Wicked!), & I had the most delicious watermelon agua fresca at dinner beforehand… holding on tightly to how happy those things made me as I try to wake up at my desk this morning! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Wasn’t Wicked fantastic!?!? I love that musical!
I’ve made this mug cake two days in a row! https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2018/04/09/keto-mug-cake-recipe/ !!!
Just curious, what is a marriage conference?
I love London Fog lattes – early grey tea, whole milk, and vanilla! So so good.
Yum! Sounds fabulous! And the marriage conference is a Christian based conference led by Paul Tripp, a pastor and marriage counselor — here’s more detailed info if you’re interested: https://marriage.paultripp.com
Is coconut milk from a can different from coconut milk from another container? (Honest question!)
Yes! A lot of brands sell coconut milk in cartons these days and it isn’t nearly as creamy & more watered down!
Yay for baby dedication! Such a sweet and special occasion 🙂 Barrett’s was a couple weeks ago and it makes me feel all the emotions! And YES to the Marco Polo app. We use it all the time haha, especially my husband and I when we’re away with both kids splitting duties – like if I’m home with B and he’s out with A, it’s fun to send them back and forth. Our 3 yr old loves to do them as well, she thinks it’s so fun. I love that you can tune in real time too!
Another vote for the Pioneer Woman’s chocolate mug cake! Best I have ever had! I have made it with almond milk and I always only use 1 tbsp of oil instead of three, it still comes out fabulous! I cook for 1 minute instead of 90 seconds.
Have you ever tried No Pudge Fudge brownies? You mix the batter with plain greek yogurt in a cup and microwave. Best served with peanut Butter on top!
https://www.amazon.com/Pudge-Fudge-Brownie-Original-13-7-Ounce/dp/B000GZYAN2?th=1
This is my favorite mugcake:
https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2018/04/09/keto-mug-cake-recipe/
I always add chocolate chips & sweeten with organic maple syrup.
Totally trying out your milk tea latte recipe later today! I always hit a mid-day slump and it sounds like the perfect change-up from coffee! Also, jealous of your weather! I live in Southern California and it’s still in the mid-50s this week. Can’t wait for things to warm up again!
What is a marriage conference?
The marriage conference is a Christian based conference led by Paul Tripp, a pastor and marriage counselor — here’s more detailed info if you’re interested: https://marriage.paultripp.com Just all about nurturing a strong & healthy marriage
Do you use regular or light canned coconut milk?
Buttercream frosting will last for several weeks in the refrigerator. You could make a batch and use as needed.
We are due to get a snowstorm in Seattle this afternoon and overnight. I think I may download The Secret life of Violet Grant, make that tea latte, and park myself in front of the fire. I loved A Hundred Summers.
I’ve been making this mug cake for the past four years and I never get sick of it..it’s SO GOOD. Came from a post from Immaeatthat many years ago….
2 1/2 tbsp oat flour
2 tbsp milk (I use almond)
3 tbsp apple sauce (or can sub banana)
1 tbsp nut butter
1 tbsp chocolate chips (or however many you like!)
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt if none in nut butter
Microwave 45 sec – 1 minute and as “icing” i usecoconut butter !!!
It’s so so so good I hope you try it!
Sounds perfect!! And I love the coconut butter icing idea!
A friend recommended the Marco Polo app when I was going to be on an extended business trip away from my daughter (and in a time zone three hours behind). It was a good way to send “Hellos” throughout the day without having to schedule FaceTime. Plus, she was 2 at the time and videos are easier than talking on the phone or texting (two year olds can’t read). 😛
Milk frothers make tea lattes so easy, don’t they? I started to make golden milk lattes and chai tea lattes (using herbal tea bags and adding cinnamon and cloves with almond milk) at night at it’s so comforting and feels like a treat.
I shared some favorites on my blog, too – it’s nice to sit down and reflect on the positive parts of a week (especially when they feel extra long). The gorgeous weather and a nice long walk with my pup definitely made me smile 🙂
Put about a tablespoon of peanut butter in the mug cake batter before you microwave it. When done turn the mug upside down in a bowl and it is like a lava cake!
I am so excited to try the tea! I’ve been wanting to drink more tea. My ninja coffee bar has a frother. Will have to try warming up the coconut milk and frothing it. I love your what I’m digging Fridays. Downloaded Marco polo excited to try with family out of state.
We make lots of mug cakes over here. They’re perfect toddler “baking” too if she doesn’t have the attention span for a full length recipe. This is the one we make all the time: https://thecuriousfrugal.com/healthy-single-serving-banana-bread-gluten-free/
Peanut butter frosting, butter, peanut butter, a little powdered sugar and splash of milk. Slap that on a mug cake and your are golden, plus I tell myself hell its got way more protein then any other frosting I make!!
On mug cakes- I’m with you. I’m team frosting for life so they never really do it for me. But I really love a good cookie in a cup. I like #2 pencils recipe.
I love carrotsncake chocolate chip mug cake!
https://carrotsncake.com/warm-chocolate-chip-cookie-bowl/
just added your book to my list. thanks for the recco!!