Friday Things
1. Duke is continuing to grow like a weed! I’m knocking on wood like a mad woman, but I think we have finally gotten over the hump with house breaking. He’s been going to the door for over a week now and has only had one accident (which was fully our fault – he was at the door and we didn’t let him out in time).
2. One of the trees in our backyard started dropping what looked to be some sort of fruit. We’ve been cursing that tree because, of course, Einstein and Duke are absolutely obsessed with these things on the ground and we’re constantly pulling them out of their mouths and trying to round them up and throw them over the fence everyday. We finally broke one open this week and, lo and behold, they’re actually PECANS! What?! I didn’t even know that pecan trees grew in this area! Apparently Einstein and Duke have pretty advanced palates ;-) Now we’re going out in the yard and picking them up instead of trying to get rid of them!
3. The new treadmill that we got has a TV attached to the top of it, so I’ve been watching Beverly Hills 90210 reruns while I walk each day. It seems as though it’s on pretty much all day, every day. Ahh, high school memories! I was totally a goody two-shoes Brandon Walsh girl. What about you? Were you in the Brandon camp or the Dylan camp? Steve or David?
4. October sky sunsets are beautiful!
5. I have a ridiculous amount of Valrhona chocolate sitting in my Amazon cart right now. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I need an enabler to help me ;-)
6. What I did pull the trigger on this week, though, was a pair of Frye boots.
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
I have had my eye on Frye boots for the better part of two years, and after spending two winters with various pairs of less-expensive boots that I really didn’t like, I finally decided to make the investment. They should be here later today and I can’t wait to slip them on!
7. I am finally caught up on the first two episodes of Homeland… ahhh, such a great show! Now I just need one more episode of Boardwalk Empire and I’m all ready for Sunday night. I still need to catch up on all of the new episodes of Parks and Recreation, too. So much sports to watch lately, TV has taken a back seat!
8. I just got my StitchFix shipment for October and it may have been the best one yet. I kept four out of the five pieces. Really loved this month’s selections; I am working on a post to share the clothes with you, since I know many of you have been curious about the types of clothes that are sent and the price points. Stay tuned!
9. I am probably WAY late to this party, but I just discovered the fabulousness that is the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company this week. They make some outrageously delicious popcorn flavors and rotate different “flavors of the week” throughout all of their locations. They have the standards, which includes a chunky chocolate caramel (oh my God, delicious! I’ve been eating it all week!), but their flavors of the week are so genius. I’m talking s’mores, cinnamon toast, vanilla cashew, thin mint, jalapeño popper… and that’s just the beginning. If you don’t live in Pittsburgh, you can still buy online.
10. TGIF! I hope you get to enjoy some wonderful fall weather this weekend!
So are you liking the boots?? I have been eyeing those myself, and I even have $200 of zappos gift cards, but I can’t decide if I should buy those and still spend $200, or look for cheaper boots that my gift cards would basically cover the cost of. Did you find they fit true to size?
I absolutely adore them! I wear a 6 or 6.5 shoe, depending on fit. I ordered the 6 and they are slightly tight in the heel/ankle, but I’m wearing them around the house for a bit, since every review I’ve read said that Frye boots definitely need breaking in and might seem tight at first.
Working out on the treadmill without TV is nearly impossible. Its when I keep up on food shows :). How cool that you have a pecan tree! One of our neighbors has a walnut tree. Beautiful sunset photo!
That’s what I’m saying!! Pull the trigger already!! Get that chocolate!
Your dogs are sooo cute especially Duke, He makes me want to go out and get a dog but I can’t have them where I live now.
THE BABY DOOOOG!!!! omg I die haaha, thanks for sharing!
Do you always bake with Valrhona, Michelle? I did once about 30 years ago, can’t remember the results. I’d be very interested to know if you love it and why. I absolutely love your recipes (my husband just wolfed down 5 Pepperoni Pizza Bites!) Thanks so much for all you do for us. BTW, your dogs are gorgeous!
Hi Kitty, I love the flavor, I think it’s superior to supermarket brands of chocolate, but it’s not readily available unless ordered, which is why I don’t use it regularly.
Lovely photo. Did I miss the wedding photos?
Cheers from the warm Philippines. ;)
Both your dogs are beautiful! You made me laugh since we are picking up our choc lab pup next Sunday, Cardan. We have a 10 yr old female, Caliper and 7 yr old male, Camber. Been quite a while since we’ve done the puppy thing.
Hmmm….seems to be hidding the belly while huggin the dogs. Naaaa….couldn’t be….or could it? Is there a need for an ultra sound?
Love that pic of YOU with the dogs! Good to put a face behind the blog…youre gorgeous :) Have a good rest of your weekend!
Those boots are terrifically sexy. I am envious.
Life is too short not to buy Valrhona chocolate, but before you pull the trigger you might check out the Chocosphere website and do a price comparison (www.chocosphere.com) to be sure you are getting the best deal. Prices are usually favorable and selection is excellent. Do you ever buy the wafers (Les Feves)? Such a joy to work with and no need for chopping if you are melting them. Also the perfect snack size (this can be a con with a hubby in the house).
How did I not know about this Chocosphere website?! Thank you for introducing me! Checking prices right now! Yes, I was planning to get the les fever pieces.
Michelle
I always looked forward to your Friday posts to see Einstein, and now with Duke in your family too – I can’t even tell you how much I love it! He is so sweet looking that sometimes I get a lump in my throat – he’s the epitome of a puppy in general, and also a golden puppy! Thank you for sharing him with us!
And you chose well on your Fryes! I have three pairs, all very different in styles but I love them. My one pair are a low suede boot that I’ve had at least 8 years and they are my fave and probably the least recognizable as being Frye. They are quality boots and the style you chose is classy and versatile. Have lots of fun rockin’ your killer boots!
LOVE those boots and the photo of you and your little fur baby boys! Have a fabulous autumn weekend, girl! xo
I hope you enjoy your Frye boots as much as I enjoy mine but let me give you a tip. I had some trouble getting them on the first time (oh it was a scene) but then I read that putting plastic grocery bags on your feet help you slide in and out easily. Put a plastic grocery bag on your foot, pull the boot on, pull the handles of the bag up over your leg (bag is broken at this point obviously). After doing this about three times my boots were broken in. You will LOVE those boots! Totally worth the investment.
Hi Kate, They were a little stiff putting on for the first time, but I had read that they can take a bit to break in, so I wasn’t too worried. Thanks so much for the tip!
The boots and the last pic! Love them both!! So cute!
I have 20 episodes of the old 90210 from Soapnet waiting on my DVR! The last season–I’m working through that one before I start over at the beginning again (which were the best ones, of course). I was and still am a Dylan girl (but only when he’s with Brenda–boo to Dylan and Kelly ;) ). Have you seen Luke Perry lately? He’s probably like 45 years old and he STILL looks good! But seeing a few minutes of one of the episodes from the second season earlier today reminded me just how hot he really was in his heyday!
Love those boots! I bought what I’m sure is a knock of version of them but you are seriously making me want to get this pair :). And very cute pic of you and your dogs! I can’t wait to get a puppy!
Aww….I am your biggest new fan. My mom and I are so loving your blog. Thanks for all you do! P.S. The pumpkin oat bars are cooling off right here in Philly as I type…cannot wait to try them! :)S
I always enjoy your Friday Things! Very cute pup! Hang a jingle bell from a piece of ribbon on the back door knob, low enough for pup to reach. It took us only three days to teach our Cocker Spaniel pup to ring the bell to go outside. You can hear the bell even if you are in another room. Nine years later, our pooch still rings the bell to go outside! Good luck!
i can’t wait for your recap of your stitchfix order. i’ve already told my hubby i want this for christmas. i hate shopping and desperately need some cute things to just show up on my doorstep!
I, too, love your Friday Things because of the updates with Duke and Einstein. This weeks picture looks like Duke has been waiting for this day to come because he knows his picture is going to be taken. It looks as though he is posing.
I live about an hour from the Pittsburgh airport (Atwood Lake) on the Ohio side and I did not think that pecan trees would survive this area either. How wonderful for you. The popcorn sounds inviting too. It has been a while since I’ve made a trip down to “The Strip” and to Robinson Towne Centre. I miss it tremendously. I need the 4watt light bulbs that only Ikea carries and they won’t let you order them online either. Bummer!
Thanks for all the great things you post. I’ll keep tuning in!
Happy TGIF and thanks for another great read, love the Friday Things! I love your Frye boots, those are great looking boots. I was wondering if anyone out there watches Cedar Cove? I LOVE that show! The season finale is on tomorrow night and I will be so sad to see it end, it was renewed for a season 2 but not until next year sometime. :( I have never tried that chocolate but thanks for the information, I’ll have to buy some. Is it cheaper on Amazon? I want to try your brownie recipe sometime, there are a lot of ingredients to buy though! :) Have a great weekend!