Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!
1. First order of business… I’m sure you guys are dying to know who won the box of Quest bars from the giveaway I announced last week. Well, the lucky winner isssssss….
Congratulations, Kim! I’ll be e-mailing you for your contact info and I’ll get your bars out to you, asap!
2. Second order of business… have you checked out my latest recipe over on Savory Style?
It’s a deeeeee-lish Chocolate Chunk Orange Bread that I kind of incorrectly labelled as banana bread in yesterday’s post. Oops. But if you’re looking for chocolate chip banana bread, then I have a recipe for that too!
3. Since we’re talking baked goods, let’s talk about the umpteenth batch of soft and chewy protein granola bars that I whipped up yesterday morning…
… because I didn’t already have enough sweet treats lying around, right? Actually… I’ve been having some pretty good luck with managing to pawn things off to family, friends, and coworkers lately so there wasn’t too much hanging out in my kitchen. And these bars are probably one of my favourite recipes here on Spoons — I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve whipped them up already.
4. I’ve also lost count of how many times I’ve accidentally started filling out my password in the website field of comment boxes…
… but it’s kind of an automatic reaction for me to start typing my password as soon as I finish typing out my e-mail… as if I were logging into my account. I think I’ve managed to catch my mistake every time, but one of these days I have a feeling it’s going to get me.
5. Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the Spoons household…
What’s that? You were expecting a puppy or kitten? I wish. Instead, we have Spike the Aloe Vera Plant. He was a gift from my mom, who apparently has more faith in my plant-keeping abilities than I do. I’m going to try though, you guys, because I have enough plant blood chlorophyll stains on my hands, and Douglas could really use a baby brother.
6. I, on the other hand, could really use an eye mask… or a nice set of blackout curtains. I don’t know how thing are over in your neck of the woods, but up here in mine it’s still pretty bright out at 10 PM…
… which makes going to sleep at my regular bedtime a little more challenging. Summer… I like you, but you exhaust me. Then again, I have been enjoying a fair bit more energy lately, which I’m totally crediting to the fact that I’ve been eating a whole heck of lot more of what I feel like… which oftentimes includes dessert twice a day 😉 But again, more on that in my upcoming post body image, which should be going up on Monday.
7. So the other day I was sitting in Starbucks, when I overheard the most fascinating exchange… A lady was at the till about to order her drink, and when the barista asked her what she wanted, she simply replied: “surprise me.” This is either incredibly brilliant or incredibly stupid — I haven’t quite decided which, but I have to admit that I’m tempted to try it myself. Should I? Would you ever do it? I have no idea what she ended up with, but she seemed happy. Not a bad way to spice things up a little, eh?
8. The surprise I got, on the other hand, was not a pleasant one… I was munching on dates the other day, when I bit into one that tasted a bit off. I was tempted to just shrug if off and keep eating, but I’m so glad I cracked that sucker open and checked it out because…
… oh.em.gee… double-you.tee.eff! Don’t even tell me. I don’t want to know 😯
9. And in case you want to know what kind of Disney hero/heroine you are, or what classic Disney movie your life is most like, you can find out here and/or here, respectively. This is me…
And this is my life…
Two of my favourite movies. And I especially love the bit about being willing to be imprisoned for food 😆
10. And last but not least, you guys rock my socks off… Almost exactly one month ago, Spoons hit 1000 likes on Facebook, and just the other day I noticed it was over 2000. Mind = blown. Thank you guys so much for your continued love and support — it really means a lot to me.
No questions… just tell me whatever comes to your mind! 😀
More places to find me!
E-mail — [email protected]
Twitter — runwithspoons
Facebook — runningwithspoons
Pinterest — runwithspoons
Instagram — runwithspoons
Bloglovin — runningwithspoons
I’m Ariel!! My favorite princess!
You bet I checked out that banana bread and it looks amazing! Oh my gosh, I had the same thing happen to me while eating dates once! It was seriously gross and I think it took me quite a while to get over it because after that time, I didn’t by dates for a while.
So what does it say about me that I threw the bad one away and just kept eating them? 😆 Apparently I’m not too easily skeeved.
Saying “surprising me” at Starbucks IS quite bold and daring. I wonder how much she was charged? LOL Spike I like him… I need a plant or two in my apartment, at least to make it feel more home-y.
Black-out curtains would be such a good investment! Right now my husband and I are living in my parents’ basement and our bedroom doesn’t have any windows and it’s amazing! I haven’t slept so well in awhile and it’s so nice to sleep until 8 or 9 on the weekend without being woken up by the bright sun coming through the windows!
I might just try that surprise me option. As long as there’s coffee in it, I will likely be happy at Starbucks!
As much as it is hard to go to sleep when it’s light outside, I love it. The long days give me so much more energy and I get so much more done. It sucks in the winter getting off work and about 20 minutes later its pitch black outside..ahhh..summer love. 🙂
That Aloe plant looks wonderful! I had one for years that started off of just a piece of someone else’s plant. They’re pretty low maintenance so I’m sure you’ll be fine. I loved mine since I unfortunately get sunburns easily.
I got that I was like Woody! I’m definitely not opposed to that. I never get how those stupid surveys get their answers!
Just started following your FB, Twitter and Blog a month ago! Love it, great writing and honesty.
Arlene
Thanks Arlene! I really appreciate it 😀
Wow you must legit be close to the North Pole if it’s still light at 1opm. That is insane. Definitely invest in blackout curtains, grandmas like us need some rest!
No joke… My sister and brother in law have a plant named spike that I happen to be babysitting right nowwhile they are in Thailand!
That bread…may I please have a slice? Maybe a loaf? Delicious looking! Happy Thursday 🙂
I don’t know about that whole “surprise me” thing at Starbucks… it’s kind of exciting for her, but it could also be detrimental… & it seems a bit of an A-hole type move, especially for that poor cashier that has to decide what to punch in for her order. Kind of put them on the spot. At least I wouldn’t like it if someone did that to me, but who knows…
Your baked goods look AMAZING, as always!! Yum!
Actually the cashier seemed pretty excited about it too. I kind of got the feeling that the lady was a regular so they sort of knew each other.
“Surprise me”?! Huh! That’s… surprising.
Heyyy Douglas is still going strong? There’s hope for Spike yet 😉 .
I feel like you’re dangling your scrumptious granola bar under my nose while my hands are handcuffed. Sighhhh… I foresee a – reluctant – appointment with the kitchen.
Bright at 10pm? That’s madness! 10 pm is my bedtime panic time, like if its 10 and I’m not like IN BED, something is wrong!
Once in a while when we’re out, I’ll order for Eric – he’ll go to the bathroom or something when the waiter comes, and I’ll pick something out for him so he has no idea what he’s getting until he gets back. That’s not quite as badass as the lady at Starbucks because I know his tastes, so the Starbucks lady wins. I say you do it sometime 😉
I just took the quiz and…ALADDIN! 😀
Thanks for the link up!
I might say surprise me if I knew that I would like every option and that I wouldn’t be disappointed. I often tell my husband to just surprise me when he gets taake out for dinner!
Hey, I just got a pet aloe vera plant too! What should I name it? I’m going to try and convince Lauren to make the strawberry cheesecake for me. Heh heh heh
Call it Olaf or Hans. I was listening to a thing on the radio this morning about who those names became a lot more popular ever since Frozen came out. Craziness.
Hey did you snatch that succulent from my AZ desert? Haha…you won’t kill it. It’s almost impossible to kill cactus. They can love forever without water. Mine are still alive! 🙂
That’s what I hear! Maybe that’s why Mom got it for me…
So many awesome link ups already 🙂 Happy Thursday!!
I pretty much want to eat the picture the orange bread looks that good!
Seeds = my babies.
Plants = my friends.
Congrats on the new Aloe Vera plant, I know you’ll be very happy together.
(and congrats on the FB Likes, very awesome indeed….you’re a very genuine person and it shows)
I have the magical talent of killing even dead plants, it seems. I blame the air in my apartment. And my cat. But it is probably me.
I kill plants too. I have zero green thumb genes. Aloe is awesome, though! You can eat it…can’t you?! 🙂
I think so! I’ve heard of people putting it in smoothies.
I am equally interested and terrified of allowing the Starbucks barrista to select my drink. Plus, I think a big factor is which barrista you get. Some would be able to pick something good, while others would stand there like a deer in headlights and hand you a grande blond.
Wow 2000 likes? Congrats!
I don’t know if I could ever tell someone to surprise me at Starbucks or any restaurant really. I wouldn’t complain with whatever they chose but if you do it, def let us know what they chose!
I guess I didn’t successfully talk you out of making the granola bars yesterday! Oh, and remind me to mention this later – the Digg digg bar doesn’t sit correctly on my site. It blocks some of the words on the left and I haven’t a clue how to adjust it. Maybe you can help.
Well I think a lot of congratulations are in order: for your SS recipe whether it be banana or orange, your FB likes (rock on with yo’ bad self) or your freakish date. Alright fine, scratch that last one from the record. Ouch, that had to hurt.
Good luck with the plant. I’ll be here should you need advice, but maybe it’s best f you don’t get too attached. Perhaps you shouldn’t name it right away. :0 Oops, did I say that. 😉
Ooh do you guys get Terry’s chocolate over there? It’s the best orange chocolate out there, in my humble opinion :-)! Love that Starbucks lady’s order- way to push the boat out. If I wasn’t patria to my Americanos, I might have to follow suit! You have me itching to bake something over the weekend- I’m edging towards blueberry muffins!
We do have those! I remember getting them around Christmas when I was younger and my favourite part was smashing them open. Well, okay… eating them was probably my favourite, but smashing was fun too 🙂
All I know is I am NOT the type of person who could say “surprise me” at starbucks. But that’s pretty cool that someone did.
Nothing worse than a nasty date – does it put me off? Heck no!
With you on the need for blackout curtains – so bright at night now here in Scotland – actually I think we only get about 4 hours of darkness a night now!
Totally going to check both the Disney quizzes out – well done on Aladdin!!
Always enjoy your random (and food porn) but I’m commenting on something you mentioned in your WIAW post. “Long gone are the days where 90% of my thoughts revolved around food”. Earlier this week I realized this is exactly what I do! Not counting calories or anything like that but what I eat seems to be all consuming. Ugh! I’m realizing it and I have an idea why and how it happened. Now I need to stop it!
It’s so crazy easy to fall into that trap, eh? And the worst part is that you don’t even see it happening. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’re bombarded with so much info about what we “should” be eating, that it becomes way too easy to constantly worry about doing the “right” thing.
I took those quizzes 😀 For the first one, I got Peter Pan. For the second one, I got The Little Mermaid. Those Buzzfeed quizzes are addictive.
Chocolate chunk orange bread – hello – chocolate orange is such a winning combo! We have an aloe vera plant oo – I am so tempted to whack some in a smoothie as I hear they have pretty bad man qualities!
CONGRATS on your new addition – that aloe plant can sure come in handy -last night I singed my forearm on the broiler of my oven, aloe would have soothed it so well -a functional and pretty plant 🙂
We have light till 8.45ish, wow – it sure is bright in your neck of the woods till late!
Congrats on the likes – but I am not surprised!
Is it strange that I think I would feel guilty for wanting to hack up my aloe? But I would TOTALLY send you some for your arm — ouch!
I tend to flip flop my email and website when filling them out but can totally see how you would go to insert your password there! It’s habit thats in us first email next password. I’m actually surprised I haven’t ever ended up doing that! I will totally be taking those two Disney surveys! Its way to interesting to not and plus….it being Disney related it enough to want to! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite classic Disney movie. Hope you have a great Thursday!! 🙂
Congrats on the likes Babe!! You definitely deserve it!
And can you let me know how you do it – all that baking? I am craving some healthy sweet stuff like your bars or banana bread, but I CAN’T get my butt into the kitchen and make anything else than the minimum food I need to eat. SO LAZY. I would really appreciate if you would take the job as my personal baker here…..
I LOVE that idea of the person at Starbucks!! I need to do that!! Brilliant, not stupid at all!
At least you’ve been on top of all your meal prep! How about this… you make dinner, and I’ll make dessert 😀
PERSIAN dates don’t have those things inside. Geeze.
You are Aladdin? Well that’s something to be proud of…..I think? He was my doppelganger growing up! And big props to the Spoons hitting that number- here’s to one day reaching that too 😉