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Friday

Five On Friday -- Link Up With Us!

It's Five on Friday time, pretty ladies! As always, I hope you'll join me along with DarciNatasha, and Christina ... playing along is simple. Just write a blog about five things on your mind today, anything goes really, post the logo below on your blog, and then enter your post address below in the link-up section.



O N E
Yay, humanity! I experienced such kindness yesterday at Panera. Definitely one of those "life is good" moments. First, they have a security guy directing traffic now at lunchtime (before him, it was a ZOO) and that just makes life easy. When you pull in, he points at an empty spot for you to go directly towards. So good for pedestrian safety, too. I let him know yesterday how much he is appreciated, and he was just so darn friendly.

Then, standing in line, I was behind a really nice lady who was just treating everyone there like they were her family. Right before her pick-up order was ready, the manager came out with a free cookie for her. So nice to see that. Then, once I received my to-go order and was pulling out of the parking lot, I saw her slow down her car to give that cookie to the security guy directing traffic. It was like my head was exploding from all of the love at Panera! I just wanted to go kiss some kittens!

Choose Happy

T W O
My new candle is perfection. In Charleston this past weekend, Megan and I visited the farmer's market where we saw some locally-made candles. We spent good time at the table but didn't purchase any. Later that afternoon, during lunch at Butcher & Bee, I got in a conversation with a guy whose wife, an artist, used to rent some studio space from the folks that started these Rewined candles. He spoke so highly of this company and all they do to give back to Charleston, and by golly if I didn't leave there and head right back to the farmer's market to pick one up for myself. I got the new scent, Spiked Cider, and it is incredible. Incredible. PS - they are sold all over the US -- check out their website for retail locations in your area.



How It All Started

T H R E E
All I have to say is that these Ciao Bella gelato squares are pure heaven.  Sea salt caramel ... come to mama. Getcha some!


F O U R
For dinner last night, I experimented around with a really autumn-inspired dish. We had roasted butternut squash, apples, and dried cranberries. I based the recipe loosely on this version but added in the cranberries, decreased the amount of honey and butter to 2 tablespoons, and used walnuts instead of pecans. Here it is prior to being roasted and then tossed in the cinnamon honey butter mixture. Yum!



F I V E
This recipe below makes me feel like dancing. I'm going to have to give it a try this season!
Pumpkin fudge

Your turn! If it's your first time linking up with us, please leave a comment and let me know so I can be sure to check your post out. XO!

39 comments:

  1. I am always SO close to buying one of those candles because they smell so amazing, but then I end up talking myself out of it because they are a little pricey. Buuuut, now that I know the people who started it are the kind that graciously give back, I am going to finally let myself indulge!! Yay! And I love all the kindness going around at Panera--so nice to hear!
    Newest follower! :)

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  2. Shoot, my thumbnail pic didn't load in my 5 on Friday. :(. If you can delete it and I will reload! Ps those sea salt caramel bars are to die for!!!!

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  3. Love how sweet everyone was at Panera. I just love seeing things like that. They make my day! Happy Friday! :)

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  4. OMG that fudge sounds ah-mazing!!! Must try.

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  5. I have two of those candles and they are my favorites!!! I love your story about panera :) so sweet!

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  6. LOVE the first story! It's so great when people can actually get along and see each other for who they really are! So awesome that so many people's days were made :)

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  7. I have the champagne one of those Rewined candles and love it!

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  8. oh my gosh! that Panera story just makes my heart feel good!

    also! I think they might sell those candles at Paper Skyscraper. I could be wrong though!

    Have a great weekend, love! xox

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  9. I love it.... "I just wanted to go kiss some kittens"! Ha!! Love those days when you're reminded of how good and kind people can really be!

    And now, after reading the rest of your "five" I'M STARVING and *need* some pumpkin fudge! Maybe an extra cup of coffee will suffice!

    Happy day, sweet friend... hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! XO!

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  10. Rewined candles are the BEST! And make SUCH a great gift

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  11. Nothing I love more in the fall and winter than a huge tray of roasted veggies. You make tons on one night and just have em as leftovers (or scrambled with eggs in the morning).

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  12. So many things I love about this post! Hearing about all of the kindheartedness that was going on yesterday puts a smile on my face..and the kitten comment made the smile even bigger. :) I am always a little reluctant to drop 20 bones on a candle but I can always justify the Rewined ones! Glad to hear that the Spiced Cider smells amazing. WHERE did you find those salted caramel gelato squares?

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  13. What an adorable story about your day at Panera. I'm watching the Today show as I'm reading, just feeling disgusted and saddened with our world and then I paused and read this. Such a good reminder that good exists and is noticed.

    Have an amazing weekend, friend!

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  14. The squash, apple, and cranberry recipe sounds incredible. Would be so good with pork chops. Thank you for sharing!

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  15. love those acts of kindness! I've seen rewined candles before, nice to know the story behind it! omg I forgot fudge existed, mmmm!

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  16. I'm going to have to try the squash recipe!

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  17. Awww, that's so nice to hear you had such a sweet day at Panera! I just love it when people are kindhearted...it's a good reminder to act with grace at all times!

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  18. A security guard directing lunch traffic? Wow, that's awesome. Way to go Panera! Another reason for me to love them.

    What an awesome story about those candles! And where did you find those gelato treats? I must know!

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  19. What an awesome Panera experience and how sweet that lady was- makes me want to be friendlier next time I'm out and about. That Ciao bella looks amazing and so does that pumpkin fudge- yum!

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  20. Love the story from Panera! So sweet!!! I love when I witness people being nice to each other. I have seen a lot of the opposite lately! I dealt with some super rude people when we went to Disneyland this week and I still can't get over why people choose to be mean. Just be nice!

    I need those gelato squares and pumpkin fudge asap! Yum!

    Happy Friday! xoxo!

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  21. How fun! New to blogging and I love this idea to bring everyone together!

    www.theblissfulbrowns.blogspot.com

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  22. I of course loved your Panera story! A close second to a good humanity story is a good Candle-- I light one as soon as I get home everyday! It just puts me in the best mood! Thank you for including the website for the candles-- I will have to order one!

    Jill- youmeandcapri.com

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  23. That Panera story makes me so dang happy! I want to hug all of those nice people!

    Last Christmas, that candle was the MOST "stolen" christmas gift at a girls christmas gift exchange I attended.

    Happy weekend, friend! xo

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  24. I always love hearing a good happy story, restores your faith in humanity with all the other crazy things going on! I need to find where I can get those candles too! I am candle obsessed and have not seen this brand around me! Hope you have a great weekend love!

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  25. holy moly friend...i need to venture to panera to see if mine will be this nice and happy!!! really makes you stop to see that there are still lots of kind people around, sometimes disguised though ;)

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  26. Last week was my first week & I LOVED linking up :) thanks so much! I'm now on a mission to find one of those candles!

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  27. Love the reWINEd candles!!! I was in Charleston this past August and saw the farmers market too! :) I'm so upset I passed them up but was afraid they wouldn't have made it hope on the airplane!!

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  28. You've posted so many things this week that I'm dying to try!...the candle, the gelato squares...THE FUDGE....my goodness!!

    Have a great weekend!

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  29. Love all that love at Panera! Those candles are availabe at Slate on Central Ave...and I have one! So glad to know the story behind the company.

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  30. Oh the Panera story just warms my heart. It's always good to see the good in people! Makes me want to go to Panera now...Ha.

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  31. Those candles look amazing, I hope to find one nearby soon! The Parera stoy is so cute, it's nice to see the good it people!

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  32. What a great story...so nice to see that there are still kind people in the world and sunny days do still exist :) Love the super cute "choose happy" picture too...pinning it :) And those gelato squares look amazing! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  33. My MIL just got one of those candles when she was in Charleston- it smells amazing! I'm def going to get one. Happy weekend lady :)

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  34. Hi April! Just linked up to this fun party! I had to think about 5 things but when I started writing, it all just came together...so much fun for me! Following Via GFC and Bloglovin!

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  35. That pan of roasted fall goodness looks absolutely divine! Brilliant idea that I am going to have to recreate in my own kitchen ASAP.

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  36. Thank you for sharing the Panera story! What an inspiration that is!

    You are giving me a ton of ideas, Rewined candles and Gelato squares! I am in heaven! These sound like they will become my favorite things, I can't wait to try them!

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  37. I just got back from Charleston last night and I saw the candles at the market too. Those are my favorite. I've had two in my house for a few months, and was thrilled to see them elsewhere. They really are the best. :)

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  38. Love "Five on Fridays!" Four young professionals just entering into this blogging world...come find the balance....

    LivingtoBalance@blogspot.com

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