Health(ier) Hamburger Helper, New Favorite Shirt, a Great DIY: 5 Quick Things

image via Half-Baked Harvest

We made it! It’s Friday! Oh, and it’s October! RABBIT, RABBIT! This day really crept up on me and I totally forgot to plan a giveaway. I’m so sorry! I’ll see what I can cook up next week. Aside from that, I feel this week kind of flew by. Last week was one of those spans of times I had to “get through” because there was so much on my calendar work-wise, but these past few days felt a little lighter…until I realized all the projects I had been ignoring. Whoops. Well, as I’ve learned, it’ll all get done at some point. I can guarantee I won’t look back in any given amount of time and think “man, I wish I stressed *more* about that work” so it’s fine.

Any fun plans this weekend? I have two Zoom engagements tomorrow: one is a gender reveal for a cousin of mine in Puerto Rico, and another is a friend’s wedding. Other than that, I plan on continuing my weekend streak of tidying and organizing some small nook in my home…maybe I’ll tackle my dining room credenza. Ooh boy, wish me luck.

Here’s what I liked or had my eye on this week:

Quick Thing #1

Every night, I wrestle with the edge of my bed while poking around kind of blind for my phone charger cable that’s always on the ground. Well, I’ve had enough, so I bought these handy little cord holder uppers. I stuck one to the side of my nightstand, and my days of fishing for a charger in the dark (or without glasses) is over.

Quick Thing #2

I woke up last Sunday with the desire to smell some spices wafting through the air of my apartment. I had one (expired) can of pumpkin left in my pantry that I gambled on and made half batch of these chocolate pumpkin muffins. They were great, super easy and I’m still eating them today. I’m not a huge fan of cloves, so the next time I make these, I’ll likely use half the amount suggested, but the flavor did mellow out once the muffins cooled. Oh, also, I found mine didn’t require the same amount of time recommended, but everyone’s pans and oven are different. Just a heads up to check them maybe around 15-18 minutes.

Quick Thing #3

Another recipe I made this week: homemade hamburger helper made a little more nutritious by sneaking in some grated zucchini. I love mushy, gushy pasta dishes that remind me of youth. Basically, if I can eat it out of a bowl and it has cheese, I love it. Anyhow, this was simple and super yummy, but a few notes: I had to cook my pasta almost twice as long as the recipe calls for while I kept adding milk/liquids so the pasta had something to absorb to soften. Also, I’d probably double the zucchini next time because I think it could take it and I just like eating vegetables. Oh, and I added in a healthy squirt of some more ketchup at the end on top of the original 1 tablespoon. But that’s just me.

Quick Thing #4

Last week, I got a package in the mail of some things I recently ordered, and I’ve already worn this easy-breezy peasant top about three times. Pairs perfectly with a heaping bowl of hamburger helper with a side of chocolate chip pumpkin muffins… 😉 (Oh, and it’s 30% off until Sunday).

Quick Thing #5

I love a very satisfying before & after, especially if it involves a DIY. Blogger iSpyDIY has been documenting a built-in banquette she’s been building and the most recent picture was so dreamy and beautiful. It’s a great reminder of the power of built-in furniture and thinking outside the furniture box.

That’s all friends. See you Monday, FOAS!