Five Favorites

 
It's that time again.  Time for me to wax poetic about 5 of my favorite things.  Compelling.  I know.  But I stand by the idea that maybe you'll discover something in my silly little list that becomes one of your favorites too!

Or maybe you'll just laugh at my ridiculous pictures.  I'll take either.

1.  Canva  
I have to start with a new favorite online toy I just discovered.  Canva.com.  I love it!  My nifty "Five Favorites" graphic at the top of this post is courtesy of Canva.  Consider it super easy graphics for the non-graphic artist types out there.  So, design for the rest of us.  Lots of free templates & it's so fun to play with all the options.


 
2.  Cheddar 
You know this list wouldn't be complete without something food related.  I'm having a long-term, semi-monogamous relationship with a certain brand of cheddar cheese: Tillamook extra sharp cheddar.  It's from Oregon.  And as I was writing this post, I learned that you can visit the cheese factory!  Holy hell, yes!  I'm head over heels in love with their sharp and extra sharp cheddar.  When you first open a fresh package?  Ohhhhhh, Lordy.
 
4.  Green Beans

Okay, this is another food favorite.  It's an excellent, complexly flavored green bean recipe that's become a back pocket side dish for me.  It's terrific.  It's a recipe for green beans with caramelized onion vinaigrette from Real Simple.  Such a depth of flavor.  I use balsamic vinegar instead of sherry vinegar because I always have balsamic in my pantry.  And the magic is in that little zip of orange zest.  Don't skip that part!  Recipe can be found here.   

3.  Olive Brine
 And of course there must be something booze-related on my list too.  Naturally.  One of my recently discovered favorites has become a necessity in my at home dirty martini experimentation: Dirty Sue.  It's basically olive brine.  It's billed as a "premium olive juice," and I won't dispute them.  Makes for a tasty dirty martini in my book.  But I have overdone it with the brine on a few occasions.  Less than tasty mishaps, but lesson learned!  Easy on the brine. 

5.  Cloud Star's Buddy Wash
This one's a long time favorite. Specifically the lavender and mint scent.  What a great company.  Made in the U.S.A., shampoo plus conditioner, natural ingredients.  They also have quality dog treats.  Love 'em. Nothing gets a Pugbull freshened up and smelling purdy better than a bath with lavender & mint Buddy Wash.

So sad.

So there ya have it. My second iteration of five favorites.  Good stuff! Go try one of them!

Ta-ta for now.