Non-Candy Easter Basket Gift Ideas

Now, right off the bat: I have no problem with candy. None whatsoever. We eat plenty of it around here, and there will definitely be candy in our kids' Easter baskets.

Just wanted to get that out of the way in case anyone was getting ready to feel judged or looked down on. No sugar-hating here.

But I know lots of parents like to walk the non-candy path for Easter, or add a little toy or gift to their kids' Easter goodie baskets, so I thought I'd gather up a few fun items that we've either used in the past, or are looking at this year, that are perfect for tucking into an Easter basket.

1. I love including Easter outfits in the kids' baskets. They'll be receiving an Easter outfit anyway, so why not fold it up and stick it into their basket so it feels more like a present? I love these striped shorts and this cute poplin top for little guys.

2. I already bought Darcy's Easter dress but can't find it online anywhere (sad!). The one I chose for her looks pretty similar to this darling embroidered chambray dress (LOVE it!), and how cute would it be with a floppy straw hat on top?

3. Of course I can't leave books out. These three picture books are bright, cheerful, and perfect for spring: Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld, My Garden by Kevin Henkes, and Duck & Goose by Tad Hills.

4. I've written a few times about my undying love for Beddy's awesome zipper bedding, and let me assure you, that love burns on (and sizzles yet brighter every morning that Forrest makes his own bed neatly without my help, and my own bed takes like 10 seconds to zip up). You can see their bedding in Forrest's room HERE, and in my bedroom HERE.

Beddy's has just come out with an adorable new product -- Beddy's Buddies. They are soft and squishy plush monsters that come with a hardcover picture book encouraging kids not to be afraid of monsters under their beds. They sent a set of monsters to my kids, and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that their monsters have been dragged everywhere we've gone since the day they arrived.

They're big, fuzzy, and super snuggly, and would be so cute as an Easter basket item! You can save 20% on your buddy + book combo with coupon code BUDDIES.

5. I love giving something that gets the kids outside to take advantage of spring weather (like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, or a big bouncy ball), and this sprinkler looks like so much fun! And it has over 400 5-star reviews, so it feels like a pretty safe purchase.

Do you have any Easter basket traditions in your family?

Friday List: 5 Not-Strictly-Essential but Super Awesome Kitchen Gadgets

While these kitchen tools might not be called absolute necessities, here are a handful of kitchen items that I super duper love. 

Could I survive without them? Yes. But do they make my life in the kitchen simpler, more delicious, and more efficient? Capital Y-E-S.

1. Silpat -- I first saw a Silpat at my in-laws' house, and wondered why the heck they were using that funky plastic sheet on their baking pans. They sent me one for Christmas many years ago, and I don't think I've baked cookies or rolls or biscuits without it since then. My baked goods bake so evenly and nicely, and they slide right off without ever sticking to the pan. I love it more than I ever would have expected.

2. Nutrimill Classic Grain Mill -- Chalk this up as another item I never would have purchased for myself, but have grown to love. My mom gave me this grain mill as a gift a few years ago, and it has turned out to be a really fun gadget to have in the kitchen. I love baking my own bread, so I step it up a notch now by grinding the wheat flour at home, too (so much cheaper than buying wheat flour!). I also use it to grind my own cornmeal and other flours (rice, etc.).

3. Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker -- see my full, detailed review of this item on Twined.com

4. Rival Electric Griddle -- I can actually remember specifically telling Jeff not to buy me a griddle in the past. It seemed unnecessary, especially when we don't have loads of kitchen storage to devote to non-essential tools. But after spending way too long flipping one pancake at a time in a little skillet on the stove, I finally caved and got an electric griddle. It has been way more useful than I ever would have guessed. I love using it for pancakes, but it's also perfect for making larger batches of eggs, cooking burgers indoors, grilled cheese sandwiches, and frying up bacon.

5. KitchenAid Stand Mixer -- see my full, detailed review of this item on Twined.com

Sooo . . . what's this Twined site where you can find some of my reviews?

I'm happy to enlighten you. Twined.com is a new shopping platform that lets you discover detailed, in-depth reviews of products you're interested in, written by experts and curators you trust (like yours truly). When you find an item and a review you love, you give it a vote. And based on the votes, Twined works to negotiate with vendors to get deals on the items you love. It's a new way to access the very best products at the very best possible prices. Check it out!

What are some of your non-essential but very favorite kitchen gadgets?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

7 Favorite Bedtime Picture Books

One of Jeff's fondest childhood memories with his mom was listening to her read to him before bed each night. They read dozens of books together over the years (he remembers Watership Down being his favorite, and his sweet, patient mother read it to him multiple times over the course of his childhood).

He was positive that she read to all 4 of the kids in the family from elementary school through high school . . . but he mentioned this to her recently and she informed him that no, all of his siblings outgrew their nightly reading in their preteen years, and Jeff was the only one who still wanted to be read to every single night, all the way through high school.

If that isn't the sweetest thing you've heard all day, I just don't know what else to tell you.

All that intro to say, I would love to make a tradition of reading to my kids before bed every night. I haven't done a great job of this so far--by the time bedtime rolls around, I'm usually so exhausted that I rush through the bedtime routine as quickly as possible. But for those nights when we do manage to squeeze a book in before I clock out, here are 7 of our favorite bedtime stories.

Goodnight Already! (Jory John & Benji Davies) 

Poor Bear is eager to get to bed and fall asleep, but his neighbor Duck keeps showing up in Bear's bedroom with questions to ask, activities he wants to do together, and games he's desperate to play. And by the time Bear convinces Duck to say goodnight already, he's so wound up that now he's the one who can't fall asleep. It's funny and sweet with adorable, simple illustrations. We love it.

Good Night, Gorilla (Peggy Rathmann)

I don't often read picture books without words (I feel kind of silly trying to make up captions on the spot), but this one is worth the extra effort. The tired zookeeper locks up the animals for the night, but a sneaky little gorilla steals his keys and lets the animals out of their cages. They all follow the zookeeper home to bed, and make themselves comfortable . . . right in the zookeeper's bed.

Interrupting Chicken (David Ezra Stein) 

It's bedtime for little Chicken, but he just can't keep himself from interrupting his dad's bedtime stories to add his own commentary. When he finally takes over to tell his own bedtime story, he finds himself interrupted by his snoring dad. Clever and funny (especially if you have a little interrupting chicken of your own).

There's a Nightmare in my Closet (Mercer Mayer) 

Here's a perfect bedtime story for a kid who's scared to be left alone in their room at night. The boy in the story is terrified of the monster hiding in his closet . . . until he works up the courage to stand up to the monster, who is actually terrified of him. It's so lovable, plus empowering and encouraging to little readers.

Sleep Like a Tiger (Mary Logue) 

This one's absolutely worth your time, even if just for the pictures--these are some of the most beautiful illustrations I've ever seen in a picture book. A lovely and imaginative look at how different animals go to sleep, as told to a very not sleepy little girl by her parents at bedtime. It's gorgeous and lyrical, and even makes me kind of tired.

What! Cried Granny (Kate Lum)

I won't lie to you, folks--this one wasn't my favorite. I wasn't terribly fond of the illustrations, and the story got a bit tedious for me. But I'm including it in this list because Forrest looooves it and thinks it is absolutely hilarious. A little boy arrives for a sleepover at his granny's house, where he finds that she doesn't have any of the things he needs to get ready for a bed (like a bed, a blanket, a teddy bear to cuddle, etc). And by the time Granny gets everything prepared for him, morning has arrived and her grandson never had to go to bed. I think it's a little annoying, but Forrest is its biggest fan.

There Are Monsters Everywhere (Mercer Mayer)

A companion book to There's a Nightmare in my Closet, this one isn't strictly a bedtime story . . . but I think it makes for a great bedtime read anyway. This follows the same basic story line as Nightmare, but with a lot more spunk and attitude. The little boy in this book is frightened of doing the chores his parents assign to him, because of ever-present monsters that he's sure are waiting around every corner for him. So he signs up for karate class, and shows off his moves to scare them off. Another great one for nervous kids, and Forrest loved it--partly because of the goofy looking monsters, and partly because he recently started taking a karate class and can't get enough.

What are some of your favorite bedtime books?

Friday List: Dainty Everyday Necklaces

Recently, I was gifted a beautiful, simple gold necklace by my lovely new friend Kelly of Delicious Reads . . . when she gave it to me, she said something like, "You strike me as the sort of person who would really appreciate a simple, low-key everyday necklace," and she hit the nail squarely on the head with that one. (And perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I really like whatever it must say about me that I apparently come across as a 'low-key, everyday necklace' sort of person.)

I admire big, glitzy jewelry from a distance, but I rarely buy it. I'm not sure where exactly statement necklaces fit into my current stage of life, spending the majority of my days at home with 4 messy, grabby little hands. I love the simplicity of owning a beautiful, dainty, everyday necklace (or two, or three . . . ). It makes getting dressed and ready for the day that much easier--the simple, everyday necklace always goes. 

1. Gold Bar Pendant by Unforgettable Jules // This is the necklace that my friend Kelly chose for me, and I have been wearing it just about daily (which, if you ask me, is exactly the point of owning a sweet, dainty, delicate necklace--it is a no-brainer, no-stress jewelry choice). I have been loving it immensely.

2. Tiny Silhouette Necklace by Le Papier Studio // I love that this necklace--in addition to being adorably simple and sweet--adds an extra touch of meaning with the silhouettes. Perfect for a mother, to carry her babies' silhouettes around her neck.

3. Birthstone Beaded Necklace by Lolabean Jewelry // Normally, I would shy away from color when searching for an 'everyday' type of necklace. But I think this one, with its tiny row of birthstone beads, is perfect. It's simple and personal, and I love that it adds just the tiniest bit of color while still being soft and quiet enough to complement any outfit.

4. Personalized Heart Necklace by E and E Project // Two or three years ago for Christmas, I got my sister a tiny heart pendant with her initial on it, similar to this one (although hers simply had an 'R' for Rebekah, instead of two initials). And many times since then, I've wished I'd bought one just like it for myself (or stolen hers--R for Rebekah could just as easily be R for Rachel). I just love the look of this sweet necklace.

5. Personalized Double Strand Necklace by The Silver Wren // I think double strand necklaces are so beautiful and fun (and I love when they are truly a double strand necklaces instead of 2 separate necklaces worn together). This one, with a simple circle pendant as well as a customizable bar, is beautiful. You can have a name, initials, or a meaningful word stamped into the necklace. I love that it is beautiful and personal.

What's your jewelry philosophy? Small and sweet, or big and bold?

Friday List: Adorable Kids Swimsuits

The joy of swimsuit shopping for myself, as an adult, imploded long, long ago (although this mommy swimsuit post gave me all the happy feels). Let's be honest, though: it was never a happy situation, even pre-pregnancy.

Thankfully, some swimsuit joy does still exist in shopping for the kids' suits. And I couldn't resist sharing some of my favorite picks for this summer.

1. Carters Surfer Dog Rash Guard Set // This is the only one of the bunch that we actually own (so far!). My sister actually found this one, and we ordered it for Forrest this year. It is every bit as cute in person. I love the fresh colors and the rash guard top (because that child is as ivory as ivory can possibly be--he needs all the sun protection help he can get, please and thank you), and he loves the "super cool surfer dogs!!!"

2. Baby Buns Americana Suit // I didn't realize I had something of an Independence Day theme going until I fell hard for this suit as well as #5 below. I love the colors, love that big red bow, and love that it has a loose, flowy cut on top. Perfect for keeping chunky baby tummies breezy and comfortable.

3. Ruffle Butts Polka Dot Rash Guard Set // I wasn't sure about the design of this one until I did a google image search and saw them on actual children. THE CUTENESS! The bums are so ruffly, the poky little tummies are so precious, and the color choices are perfect. Love it.

4. Boys Frog One Piece Swimsuit // I would bet actual money that Jeff would have vetoed this suit immediately, but I can't help myself, I think it's adorable. Stripes? Yes. Cheesy cartoon frog? Yes. ONE PIECE BOYS' BODYSUIT? TRIPLE YES.

5. Ruffle and Stars Bandeau Bikini // I'm picturing Darcy's big round belly poking out of this bikini, and I just can't even handle it. I love the classic colors, love the printed bottom paired with the ruffly top, and especially love the mental image of a sweet baby belly on display.

Friday List: Minimalist Baby Essentials

I got rid of almost all our baby stuff while packing for our move. We didn’t have a lot—mainly outgrown clothes—and I debated whether I ought to lug it along for another couple of moves just in case we decide to have another baby someday, or go ahead and donate it now to save ourselves the trouble of moving unnecessary boxes time and time again. As a fairly serious purger, that inner debate didn’t last terribly long. I ditched the baby stuff (with the exception of one box of sentimental items—a few favorite outfits, handmade baby gifts, etc.).

If we ever decide to have another kid, we’ll basically be starting from scratch. But that honestly doesn’t feel like a huge deal to me, because I discovered that there isn’t a ton of baby stuff that I felt was vital. I know a lot of moms who accumulate lots of baby gear and use and love it all. I definitely walked the minimalist route and stuck to the baby basics, and never really felt like I was suffering.

Without further ado, my minimalist baby essentials:

 Fabric-free high chair: I have to admit, high chairs with cushions and covers baffle me. That’s just more laundry to wash. Am I missing something? Comfort, I suppose? If my baby wants to be comfortable with a cushy upholstered seat, she’s welcome to wash it herself. We went the all-plastic route, and I love the convenience of just wiping the high chair down after meals. When it gets really filthy, I carry it outside and hose it off in the yard. Classy, eh?

Velcro Swaddlers: Forrest and Darcy both slept better when they were swaddled, and were also Houdini babies who could break out of even the tightest blanket swaddle. I loved using these lightweight velcro swaddlers on them—they would stay swaddled all night, and I loved that they were light enough to use even on warm nights.

Exersaucer: This isn’t the exact one we had, but gosh, they all look pretty fun. I loved being able to stick a baby in there and have the freedom to get things done without worrying that baby would get into trouble. With all the little doodads, I didn’t feel like they needed tons of other toys. And once they were old enough to stand, my kids loved walking around the outside and playing with it from a different angle.

Crib Mirror: Possibly the best money we ever spent on a baby item right here. I bought this exact mirror for Forrest when he was about 4 months old, hoping that when he woke up in the night or too early from a nap, maybe it would keep him entertained and happy until he fell back asleep. He loved it, and I can’t tell you how many times I heard him wake up, giggle at his reflection and play with the little toys on the mirror, and fall back asleep on his own. Darcy never seemed quite as entertained by it as Forrest was, but that’s not to say she didn’t like it, too—she just isn’t as obsessed with herself, I guess.

Papasan Cradle Swing: A friend let us borrow this swing when Forrest was born, and thank heavens because it was literally—and I really do mean literally—the only place he would sleep for his first 3 months. He spent so much time swinging, and it was one of the only ways to make that poor colicky child happy. After returning the swing to our friend, we bought our own to keep for future children. Darcy was generally pleasant and didn’t require constant swinging to feel good about her life, so we didn’t end up using it as often as I’d expected. But for angry newborn Forrest, it was a godsend. I loved the option of having the seat upright or fully reclined for sleeping, and that it could swing front to back or side to side.

Friday List: Easy Listen Audiobooks

I’m relatively new to the world of audiobooks. Between household chores and meal prep and running, I have so many opportunities to listen to audiobooks, and I was determined to make them work for me. It took many false starts and failed attempts to figure out the formula of audiobook that clicks for me.

I struggle to listen to books that are very heavy or serious, or anything terribly detailed that requires me to pay close attention. But on the other hand, I often get annoyed by books that are too ‘fluffy.’

Here are a few of my favorite audiobooks that make for great easy listening—they don’t require you to pay oodles of attention, they’re entertaining, they’re well written and wonderfully narrated.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty // I just finished this audiobook earlier this week, so keep an eye out for a more thorough review in my end of the month reading review post. Between a mysterious story line, complicated relationships, and dark family secrets, it has everything I want from an audiobook.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling // If you’ve read and loved Harry Potter, you will love them on audio. (If you haven’t read and loved Harry Potter, you will love them on audio.) This series made me love audiobooks. The narration is perfection, and they are a joy to listen to.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor // Here’s a series I’m glad I didn’t hear any buzz about beforehand. I’m not sure I’d have read it if I’d known what it was about or what a cult following it has . . . but I’m so glad I gave it a go. Such a fantastic series, whether you read or listen (I’ve done both . . . multiple times).

Bossypants by Tina Fey // I tried to read Bossypants right when it came out, and couldn’t make it more than a few chapters in. But friend after friend after friend kept telling me I haaaad to read Bossypants, so I gave it a second chance, this time on audio. Hearing Tina Fey read it herself made all the difference—I loved it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows // In my opinion, some books are markedly better either in print or on audio. This one? I don’t care whether you read or listen to it. I’ve done both, and it is perfectly charming and lovable either way.

I Am America by Stephen Colbert // I don’t think I ever watched The Colbert Report, so I’m not sure what motivated me to listen to this book. But who cares—it is flat-out hilarious, and I was sad to hear it end.

Friday List: Crocheters of Instagram

Well, it has been ages since I’ve crocheted, and now that we’re headed toward summer, it’s probably going to stay that way for a while. Crocheting in the winter? Cozy and pleasant and warm. Crocheting in the heat? Sticky and sweaty and disgusting. But I can still appreciate it on instagram, so that’s something.

For today’s Friday List, I want to share a few of my favorite crocheters on instagram—lots of beautiful crochet inspiration to be found here!

1. EBLittleCreations: Oh, just the cutest dang amigurumi you’ve ever seen. From bears to turtles to mermaids to cacti, she crochets it all, and does it so very well. I’ve only been following this account for a few weeks but I love her versatility and the charm of her little creations. You can also find Erika at her Etsy shop here.

2. CypressTextiles: I’m a little on the boring side when it comes to color choices in crochet, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate amazing color when it’s done well. Rachele’s color choices are always inspiring, and she designs such creative and unique blankets. See more of her work (including patterns) at her site here.

3. DarlingBeBrave: Right off the bat, you’ll love Megan’s bright and minimalistic photography, but of course her crochet is fantastic as well. I love her chunky and cozy designs. Visit her blog here and Etsy shop here.

4. RebekahLaw: I think Rebekah’s cute patchy monkey pictures prompted me to follow her account, but she also does the cutest range of animals and dolls (those dinosaurs?! #cutest). You can find her on facebook here.

5. HeyBanjoPants: I’m not sure how Lauren packs so much personality into her animals. She consistently picks out color combos I would never choose in a million years, yet her work always turns out beautifully and makes me wonder why I’m so nervous around color? Plus she is hilarious and wonderful and quite possibly my soul mate. Find her Etsy shop here.

6. LinaMarieDolls: Michelle’s dolls are always gorgeous, with the prettiest little details from their hairstyles to their accessories. Although her dolls sell in the blink of an eye, you can visit her Etsy shop here.

I’d love to hear some of your favorite instagram accounts, too!

Friday List guest post by Forrest: Favorite Baby Animals

Sweet, tender-hearted Forrest dissolved into a puddle of giggles over a book about baby animals recently, so I thought I’d let him take over for this week’s Friday list. Please welcome Forrest in his blogging debut as he shares his 5 favorite baby animals, presented below with his commentary.

Image sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

1. Baby Pig - “He’s so cute when he’s playing his violin!!” (Me: I think that’s a guitar.) “No, it is a violin, and his favorite music to play on his violin is ‘rocker.’”

2. Baby Cow - “Did you know baby cows like to snuggle with their mama cows?! It is very so sweet, and that is why they are my favorite. I like the white baby cows best!”

3. Baby Kitten - “All the baby kittens are very very cute, but the orange baby kittens are THE CUTEST ONES. That one is having fun playing in the gwass. He is a sweet kitty!!”

4. Baby Fox – (Me: Why do you like baby foxes?) “I don’t know. He is just so cute. I just like him and his big big ears.”

5. Baby Giraffe – “Oh dear, that giraffe is drinking from a bottle?! He is like a real person baby!!! He is like Daw-see!”

 

“Okay, bye!! I am going to watch shows now!!” -- Forrest

Friday Lists: Running Clothes on the Cheap

People always point to running as the perfect budget exercise—as long as you’ve got a decent pair of shoes, you don’t really have to spend much money on anything else to get started. Which is true . . . except that you could easily spend a small fortune on your running wardrobe. $50 for a tank top? Yeah . . . not gonna happen.

I have the same general attitude toward running clothes as I do toward beauty products (and, I suppose, toward almost everything): as long as I don’t know what I’m missing out on, I’ll be content with my budget stuff. Maybe someday, if I’ve got money just burning a hole in my pocket, I’ll be more willing to dish out for higher quality, pricier stuff. I don’t doubt that it’s better.

But for now, my budget-friendly running clothes suit me just fine. Almost all of my running wardrobe is from Walmart and Ross, and I’ve been perfectly happy with it so far.

Here are 5 of my favorite affordable running items (I own and regularly use all but #3, which I tossed in because I’m hoping to buy it soon):

1. Avia Scrunch Back Tank – It is breaking my heart that I can’t find my #1 favorite running tank anywhere online(also made by Avia), but this one comes in at a very close second. I learned quickly that I hate running in snug-fitting tops (especially tanks with a built-in bra—the worst!), and I prefer my tops to be loose-fitting and very lightweight. This tank fits the bill perfectly, and comes in plenty of cute colors (I own it in lime green). The only reason it is my second favorite running top is because after months of runs and trips through the washing machine, the hem is just barely starting to bunch up a bit. Not a big deal at all and it has absolutely been worth the (very low!) price, but my other Avia tank hasn’t had that issue, so it’s my #1.

2. Danskin Now Running Shorts – These give me everything I want from a running short. At under $8, the price is absolutely right. They are super comfortable, I’ve never had any chafing issues while wearing them on runs, they’re lightweight and breathable, and come in a great variety of colors. I own two pairs.

3. Free Spirit Tie Dye Capri – This item is the only one I don’t currently own. I’d like to get a second pair of capris soon—I love the fun print on this one, and it could be paired with any color top so I know it would get a lot of use. I may need to swing by TJ Maxx this week to see if I can find this pair.

4.  Danskin Now Textured Jacket – Jeff bought this jacket for me, and I’ll admit, it took a few runs for me to warm up to it. I already owned a different jacket which I liked, and I didn’t think I would use this one as much. But after a few runs in it, it easily won me over. I love that it’s a bit looser-fitting than my previous jacket, and the double layer of mesh material makes it warm but breathable. My only complaint is that the thumb holes (which I think are an awesome feature!) aren’t usable at all, since the sleeve hasn’t been lengthened to allow it to comfortably reach my thumbs.

5. Betsey Johnson Floral Leggings – I’m including these on this list with reservations. If you click that link to purchase them, you’ll see that they are $54, which I would not consider a budget-friendly price. But since I bought my pair at Ross for $20, I suppose they make the budget-friendly cut. I own another pair of running leggings that I thought were great until I bought this pair, which blow pair #1 out of the water. The fit is fantastic, the material is the perfect blend of firm/supportive without being constricting, and the print—my gosh. Polka dot AND floral?! Be still, my pattern-loving heart. If you have $54 to toss at a pair of leggings, by all means, go for it! But if you’re more in my budget range, maybe keep an eye out on ebay and at places like Ross or Marshalls or TJ Maxx for something similar.

Friday Lists: 5 Tempting Lemon Recipes for Spring

Quick note: in my reader survey, someone suggested adding a weekly ‘favorites’ post, similar to the Pretty Life Girls and their Five Things Friday series. I thought it was a fun idea, so I’m going to start doing a weekly Friday List with a different theme every week, from recipes to products to movies to, I dunno, cutest baby animals? So this is the first round, and we’ll see if it sticks. List theme ideas will be welcomed enthusiastically!

I’ve been craving lemon in a serious way lately (and for those prepared to read too much into things: no, not pregnant).

I was browsing through my recent pins on Pinterest and realized that about 90% of the desserts I’ve pinned recently have involved lemon. You know a craving means business when it completely overtakes your Pinterest boards. For today’s Friday List, 5 lemon recipes that I am very eager to try.

1. Lemonade Chex Mix – Put basically anything into a snack mix and I’m game. This chex mix from Somewhat Simple with white chocolate and lemon zest looks downright addictive.

2. Creamy Lemon Ice Cream – I am totally regretting packing away my ice cream maker to clear up kitchen space for our home showings.  This ice cream from Give Recipe looks so smooth and refreshing.

3. Lemon Sugar Cookies – For most of my life, I wanted nothing to do with homemade sugar cookies (the store bought Lofthouse kind were another story, of course). But in college, a roommate’s perfectly soft and chewy homemade sugar cookies completely changed my tune, and now I can’t get enough. This version from Cooking Classy with lemon in both the cookies and frosting looks delicious.

4. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars – If Jeff ever requests a dessert, it’s cheesecake. These cheesecake bars from Creative Savings Blog look divine, with a homemade graham cracker crust and berry-citrus filling.

5. Glazed Lemon Sticky Buns – I fell hard for the perfect cinnamon rolls from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe months ago, so I’m fully prepared to trust her when it comes to any sweet roll. With lemon filling and lemon cream cheese frosting, these look like the perfect recipe for a spring weekend breakfast.

Do you have a favorite lemon recipe? I’d love to hear it.