We really just need to accept the fact that every Wednesday (or around that day), I will more than likely post about watching The Bachelor with my lady friends. I think that if we can all just come to terms with this, it’s going to make things a whole lot easier for everyone involved. Because let’s be honest, Bachelor-watching is the only interesting part about my day, and while I whole-heartedly oppose the entire premise of the show, you’re probably much more inclined to read a post about food, friends, and television than one about me organizing my inbox or Clorox-wiping my desk. Maybe…

Anyway, another lovely evening with Juan Pablo and the girls (both his and mine) has come and gone. As is our custom, we enjoyed a delicious gluten-free dinner, good conversation, and plenty of laughs. Tonight’s specialty was Quinoa Noodle Mac and Cheese à la Danielle, along with a delicious salad à la Liz, and Panna Cotta topped with fresh berries, made by yours truly. Admittedly, the Panna Cotta was my second attempt this week. Luckily, I had the foresight (really, I’m just aware of my capabilities) to start testing recipes three days in advance. When Bon Appetit’s Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Apricot and Candied Fennel (I was never going to use the fennel, lets be honest) ended up being a complete and utter disaster, I still had two days to evaluate the situation and then ultimately abandon the original recipe altogether and go for a simpler version, found here.

Nights like this remind me how wonderful my friends are and how important it is to spend quality time with those you care about. Can I get an amen?! The end of college was a challenging season for me as many of my friends moved away from San Diego for various reasons. There was a period of time where I felt almost friendless. But what I slowly began to realize was that it wasn’t that I didn’t have any friends, I just wasn’t being intentional about pursuing relationships with them. And then suddenly, almost magically, all these friends that I thought I didn’t have started coming out of the woodwork! Pretty crazy, right?

Anyway, the point is, now, more than ever, I’ve come to place a very high premium on good friendships. (I don’t know why this wasn’t as much a priority to me before??) Of course, it doesn’t hurt that my friends are particularly great. I hope you take the time this week to appreciate the people in your life who bring you joy, encourage you, pour into you, pray for you, love on you, and simply make you a better person overall.

“As iron sharpen iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17