My Five Favorites: August 2018

August was fun.  We actually managed to get the kids to the Nebraska State Fair (something we intend to do every year but never actually make happen), and Riley was the Champion Turtle Racer at Popcorn Days.  He’s pretty tickled about that.  Looking back, it’s been a great month.

Here are my five favorites from August!

#1: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

WHAT?! MUSHROOM COFFEE?!

If you’d told me a month ago that I would not only be drinking this but loving it, I’d have flipped out.

But you guys.  It’s so good.  And good for you.  I’m not even going to attempt to understand why it’s so good for you, but if that’s appealing to you then definitely check it out.

All I can tell you is that it’s delish.  Multiple reviewers on Amazon described this coffee and “velvety” and I was all, “Huh?” Then I tried it and that is defeintely the word that best describes it.

Even better, it’s an instant coffee so you just need to add hot water.  WHICH MEANS I CAN TAKE IT CAMPING.  Woot!

Don’t overthink it.  Get you some.  (If you are just curious about trying it and don’t want to buy a huge pack of it from Amazon, I found these individual packets at Fresh Thyme.)

#2: Canning Hack

It’s canning season.  I shared on Instagram that my kitchen is basically one huge, sticky, dirty mess.

Here’s the real life situation going on right now:

So if I can find a canning hack that makes my canning season even a TINY bit less chaotic, I’m all over it.

When you can (in case you’re unfamiliar with canning), you have to heat the jars prior to filling them.  Usually I simmer them in a pan of water on the stove top, but this just adds to the mess on the stove and is one more thing to monitor as I prep the food.

I came across the idea of heating your jars in the oven and decided to try it, and oh my word.  It totally worked.  ALL THE PRAISE HANDS!

Here’s the procedure I used:

Sterilize all jars and rims in a 225 degree oven for 10 minutes, then keep in the oven, with the heat turned off, until needed so they stay warm.

Worked fabulously!  I’ll totally be doing this again.

#3: Shannan Martin

My new favorite author and Instagrammer.  I can’t stop being moved by everything she writes.  I shared my thoughts about her first book, Falling Free, earlier this week.  Look her up.

#4: Libby App

Do you ever use OverDrive to check out ebooks from your library? If you do, check out the Libby app! Kristina at Fireworks & Leftovers shared it with me, and I’m hooked.

It’s super easy to log in to and navigate.  My favorite feature? It’s SUPER EASY to send the borrowed books to my Kindle.  LOVE.

Plus, Libby is just adorable.

#5:  Clean Bedrooms

This is not a joke.

My parents are visiting for a month, and the kids are spending tons of time at their house, which means I was actually able to get in and deep clean this bedroom.

LOOK!  YOU CAN SEE THE CARPET!

What can I say other than it sometimes really is all about the little things in life.  🙂

I’m totally going to revel in this accomplishment while I can.

Now, if I could just get the basement tackled… (Insert horror face here.)

There it is, the list of my five favorites from August. What are you loving right now?