Friday Five: 5 Things I’m Loving Lately (and a Few I’m Not)

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted things I’m “loving lately.” I can’t believe that it’s almost the end of July and all of the weekends of summer are filling up. I’d better tell you what I’m loving lately before the month escapes me.

5 Things I’m Loving Lately

Picking favorites from Sweets & Snacks and the National Restaurant Show. Even though Sweets & Snacks and the National Restaurant Show were at the end of May, we’re still working through samples. Several brands sent additional products to try, too. Some that we’re loving lately are from the Restaurant Show are Martriark Foods upcycled tomato sauces, Walters Bay teas and iced teas and Maria & Ricardo’s tortillas.

Blossom Word Game. You know I love the NYT Spelling Bee and Wordle. I added Quordle and Octordle at some point and found Blossom. This is a 7 letter word game like the Spelling Bee. The difference is that you have to find 12 words with the highest scores each day. It’s really fun (and kind of addictive!)

Arc’teryx Fun Runs and New Gear. I had so much fun running with Arc’teryx last night and am looking forward to an Ambassador get together next week. Everything’s better with friends – even running on really hot days. I’m also loving my Norvan Hydration Vest and Belt. The belt fits a phone, water bottle, keys and even a jacket!

Duolingo Spanish Podcast. I’ve been doing Duolingo Spanish for 335 days. That’s the longest I’ve stuck with language learning since high school. I also practice some Spanish with Maria Fernanda via text. I’ve recently downloaded the Duolingo podcast thanks to Allison’s recommendation. It’s a great way to listen to a Spanish speaker and have English commentary to enhance my understanding. Listen here.

Swedish 7-11 is my happy place!

Danish and Swedish Candy. I am a wee bit obsessed with some of the licorice and yummy gummy candies I brought home from Sweden and Denmark. I’ve tried a whole bunch and have found some of my fave brands online. There’s one Swedish brand I can’t find. I’m going to go to Andersonville to check and if I can’t find it… I’m going to stalk my the socials to see who’s going to Sweden!

And a few that I’m not…

The smoke from Canadian fires has Chicago air quality the worst it’s been since we’ve lived here. Kind of self explanatory but the smoky skies make for cool sunrise photos and tough breathing for many people.

Humidity. I feel like I never acclimate to it anymore and it gets worse as I age. Womp womp.

The new Hoka Mach X. The Mach X is like the Mach and Carbon had a baby. What could be bad? Well. It’s like they put a carbon plate in the Mach on top of everything else. It’s stiff and just meh for me. I’m going to exchange it for a new pair of Mach 5s. It wasn’t broken. They shouldn’t have tried to fix it!

There are other things of more import that I’m not loving lately, but those big world/life issues are too big to cover here today. What are you loving/not loving at the moment? Please share it in the comments.

I’m linking up with DarleneMichelleReneeJenn and Zenaida, for Fit Five Friday. Join us!

Have a great weekend!