Happy Friday! I love spring Fridays. Jeans and flip flops are my “Casual Friday” uniform now until the last Friday in May. The weather may still be stuck in winter mode, and my feet may freeze, but I don’t care. Sunshine and sandals are here. The boots are packed upstairs in the loft until October.
This month, my favorites are food, books, and that’s about it. No fashion updates since I’m not buying anything lately. So let’s get started.
1. Book of the Month subscription.
I LOVE THIS BOX!!! I get to pick 1 book each month with the option to buy any others for $9.99. Sweet deal! Many of the books are not-yet-published which are my favorites because I get to try them out and review them for others. I’m not shy about my book reviews and I will tell you if and why they should stay on the shelf. So far, the choices for BOTM become quick bestsellers.
2. Chicken Salad Chick and Southwest Senorita
A few years ago, two new fast food restaurants opened up around here. They were branching out from the flagship store in Auburn and we all forgave them for that small infraction. The story behind Chicken Salad Chick is such a cool one. I can totally get behind a woman who wanted to share her cooking with her community and managed to take the red tape and turn into a thriving business.
Because most of the Chicken Salad varieties are gluten-free, and because they are more dry than wet, I eat here often. My favorites are Jalapeño Holly, Cranberry Kelly, and Sassy Scotty. I like a little spice with my basic chicken salad. This spring’s limited edition is Southwest Senorita which is my absolute favorite one. Ever. I’m on a mission to make it a permanent selection on the menu.
3. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.
I’ve been using my phone Kindle app for reading for years. However, one close call with reading in the tub convinced me to get a Kindle device. I’ve heard great things about the Paperwhite and I have not been disappointed. I love the quick wifi downloads, the touch page turns, easy settings, and NO GLARE outside. This will come in handy for the days on the porch or next to a stream in Colorado this summer.
Chocolate-covered strawberries. These are special because Stephen had a bag of Godiva strawberries waiting in the limo after our wedding. Years later, he still surprised me with strawberries. Peterbrooke is a local chocolate chain that specializes in all things chocolate. My other favorite is their chocolate popcorn. It’s a big brick of sweet and salty that makes whatever is bothering me all better.
5. Trader Joes Fire Roasted Peppers and Onions
This is not a drill.
This bag is nothing but peppers and onions. No sugar added. No weird filler. No “flavoring”. Just frozen fire-roasted peppers. I use these in Sausage and Peppers, crock pot pork and peppers, fajitas, stir frys and on and on. I have bags of these in the freezer because you can never have too many. 
That’s all for April. Happy Friday!