Nuts and Bolts

{image from here.}

Happy Friday, everyone!

Do you have big plans this weekend? It’s another bank holiday weekend for us, the second in a row! A girl could get used to four day weeks around here! In fact, this girl has gotten quite used to four day weeks! Uh oh!

Michael’s headed off to Amsterdam for a few days with some friends for Queens Day, so I have the whole weekend for gardening, crafting, baking, writing, and long coffees (or glasses of wine!) with girlfriends.

But before I head off for the weekend, there are a few nuts and bolts I wanted to share about From China Village.

First, I’ve been getting tons of spam, so I’ve changed the comments setting so I need to approve them first. So if you don’t see your comment straight away, just bear with me! I’ll approve it, don’t worry! Unless you are spam, in which case, please leave me alone!

Second, I’ve got a new Facebook page where I’ll be sharing new posts on From China Village, fun tidbits, blog news and a couple great give-aways in the coming weeks. If you could, click over to Facebook and “like” From China Village? Thanks!

And finally, in case you missed From China Village this week, here’s what we got up to!

Extra sweet treats on Monday.
On Tuesday, I pretended we live in a warmer climate.
Jackie O. visited on Wednesday.
And my husband earned major points on Thursday!

Now, here are some fun recipes and links I bookmarked during the week.

I spent way too long drooling over this blog last night. Really, would you check out that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake? I really wish that was in my freezer waiting for me to kick off the weekend!

And then there is Heaven and Hell Cake. You know what I’d be tempted to do? Lick all the ganache off the top. All of it. That is some shiny, dreamy-looking ganache.

In other, chocolate-free news, I think my weekend needs to involve drinking at least one of these.

Have you seen these cheese pairings? Another amazing, mouth-watering one right here.

Don’t you just want to walk your bare feet all over this? (Scroll down a bit!)

I thought this broad generalization was very interesting. Does it make you want to move here? Move away? Have babies?

Do you ever wish your husband could whip up custom furniture with little/no experience? I do. Often.

This lovely lady has a lovely book in the works! And did you know she’s originally Irish? I love her photos – they’re beautifully medieval or something. And also chocolate cake. We’re back to chocolate again. I think that means it’s time for the weekend, no?

Enjoy your two or three day weekend, darlings!