August 31, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 9

Welcome to the final Summer Saturdays! Yes, I missed the last two weeks of this series but all we can do is move forward. I know that summer technically ends in a few weeks, but this year it’s over for me as of August 31st (today). Autumn will start as usual on September 22nd, but I would like the first three weeks on the month to remain seasonless. I can decide that, right? I have no desire to prolong summer and I refuse to start buying pumpkins. I intend to use this period of time to focus on myself and myself alone. The most self-involved three weeks I can imagine. But for now, here’s how my final week of summer went.

BAKING

These bran muffins are so incredible with added blueberries.

COOKING

Corn-on-the-cob is perfect right now, so it’s the only reason I turn on my stove these days.

CRAVING

One final lap swim of the season.

DRINKING

Nathan got this peanut butter coffee that’s actually delicious.

EATING

I had this perfect baked haddock when we were upstate that I’m still thinking about.

EXPERIENCING

Jeez, so many things have happened in the past few weeks. My dear friend Marla came to visit me and we had such a great time. Nathan and I also went to Cooperstown, NY this week, which was last minute but so nice. (There are highlights from that trip over here.)

LISTENING

Since there was a roadtrip, I made this playlist for the drive.

LOVING

The gluten-free restaurant Thyme & Tonic on the upper west side. The noodles and the popcorn chicken were unholy.

SHOPPING

The autumn candle trio from Bath & Body Works.

WATCHING

Saw Longlegs in theatres and Nic Cage was great (duh). Love an original horror movie. My only notes? Legs could’ve been longer.

WEARING

I will continue to dream about this Dior skirt.

The previous Summer Saturdays Vol. 8 can be found over here and I have a summer highlights section over here.

Thank you for caring about any of these summer posts! I’ll likely be back for Fall Fridays on September 27th.

August 10, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 8

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

I made these blue sky bran muffins because Nathan loves a bran muffin and they turned out great! Will add walnuts to the next batch.

COOKING

I was walking through the farmer’s market and was hit with the greatest idea of something to make: CAPRESE SCONES. So I found a recipe and it’s happening tonight. I’m going to use my already-made basil pesto (I use walnuts instead of pine nuts) instead of just plain basil leaves, so I can’t wait to see how it goes.

CRAVING

The baby tomatoes this time of year taste like candy. They are incredible.

Baby tomatoes from the Union Square Green Market, NYC

DRINKING

I made peach daiquiris for us and the only time I love an alcoholic frozen drink is at home. They’re so easy to make and it’s completely satisfying to just have one.

EATING

I tried a sample of the Tropicana orange soft serve at Milk Bar and wow was it gross. What is happening with Milk Bar? No Thanksgiving croissant last year and now this?

EXPERIENCING

I went to the restaurant Hillstone (my first time) and I have fallen in love (thank you to Irene for introducing me!). The service was outstanding and the food was ridiculously perfect. (And if you’re from Ontario, the vibe is extremely Canyon Creek-y, which obviously made me happier than I can express.) They bring you a chilled glass midway through drinking your cocktail and the salad plates come chilled, too. Is the secret to a perfect restaurant just chilling stuff? IT MIGHT BE.

LISTENING

It has been so rainy and windy this week, it’s been amazing. My desk is right between two large windows so I keep the windows open wide mainly to hear all the wild weather noise. It’s a nice change from the garbage trucks and horns that are usually the norm.

LOVING

I cannot get enough of the RFK jokes. Haven’t seen a bad one yet.

Can we please make, “Looks like the worm is at the wheel” a common expression when someone is acting insane?

SHOPPING

I stopped by the best post office in the city in Union Square and got an insanely good stamp haul. I’ve been looking for those Lichtenstein ones for months.

A beautiful stamp might cure depression?

WATCHING

Saw Trap in theatres and liked two thirds of it! I also watched the horror movie Thanksgiving, which was actually pretty great. Surprising for me because I don’t love Eli Roth.

WEARING

I’ve abandoned my pink nails in search of something new. ‘Seas the Day’ by Essie is a minty-blue that I’m kind of loving.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 7 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

August 3, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 7

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Found this old recipe from an 80s desserts book and there’s no human way it isn’t the greatest tasting thing of all time.

COOKING

Looking up every way possible to make the most of these perfect summer heirlooms.

CRAVING

The new M. Night movie Trap came out yesterday so we’re going on Tuesday (the cheap day) and I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a movie.

DRINKING

Making this frozen peach rose slushy tonight.

EATING

The pink lemonade flavoured Oikos yogurt is surprisingly good. Whoever is in charge of their seasonal flavours needs a raise.

EXPERIENCING

There’s something about my parent’s backyard that just makes me feel like I know who I am, I’ll never not love every single season back there.

LISTENING

Don’t get me wrong I love her, but I have a theory that Taylor Swift solely makes certain songs that she thinks people will use over TikToks (ie. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys… c’mon! There’s no way that’s meant as a real song and not dog-owner-bait).

LOVING

Another week of too many things to love:

The phone game Heads Up, perfect for passing time with someone.
I finally got Baby Dog in a kiddie pool and the girl can swim! Might have been the cutest thing I’ve seen on this green earth.
Michaels always puts their Lemax Halloween display up this time of year (someone explain why?) and it sells out within weeks so by the time September comes around that area is (ironically) a ghost town. That being said, I still love getting to see the displays in all their glory.

The extremely dog-friendly Pearson airport (in Toronto) pet relief area - honestly, it’s the best one I’ve ever seen. It’s eons better than the horrid urine-closet they call a pet relief room at LaGuardia.

Pet relief area in Toronto Pearson airport

SHOPPING

The DVD section at suburban thrift stores remains magical. Insanely good finds.

WATCHING

My 13 year niece Maya stayed with me for awhile so I made her watch Creep, I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Craft. It’s called parenting.

WEARING

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A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 6 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 27, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 6

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

I made individual blueberry cakes from a reel I saw and they were perfect.

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A post shared by Food Blogger • Kelley Simmons (@thechefsavvy)

COOKING

Incredibly soft ricotta meatballs.

CRAVING

Wild blueberries in season right now.

DRINKING

At-home mimosas because SHE FANCY.

EATING

Spinach and (fresh) corn quesadillas. Truly a perfect way to use fresh corn.

EXPERIENCING

Fantastic thai at Nimman Thai in Etobicoke.

LISTENING

The Dr. Mario theme is on a loop in my head right now, it’s offensive how good I’ve become.

LOVING

Freshii frozen yogurt, playing basketball behind the school, playing Jenga with the kids, night food markets, orange moons, constantly swimming, there are too many things to love this week.

SHOPPING

Excited to try these Ordinary products.

WATCHING

I saw Twisters in theatre and it was surprisingly good. Little annoyed that there was no Helen Hunt but what can you do. And <spoiler> they really did rob us of an incredible kiss scene.

always remember what they took from us https://t.co/bnZaDe9eJV pic.twitter.com/YYzsalplza
— Sarah | glen powell summer 🌪️ (@sydglenx) July 20, 2024

WEARING

The closet in your childhood bedroom might have some gems.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 5 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.