1.) I finally finished Big Little Lies.
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I loved it. Oh, and I listened to it on Audible. The reader was absolutely phenomenal. I find that with audiobooks, the reader can make a big difference in the enjoyability of the book, and this one was excellent. (I also highly recommend the Harry Potter audiobooks. Jim Dale reads them and he is excellent!)
2.) A few weeks ago, I got in to see a pain doctor. He was super nice and completely emphatic that he would help solve my issues and relieve my pain. He said there were three medicines he could think of to try, and we’d test them one at a time to see if any worked. The first one destroyed my stomach within about 24 hours, even though I stuck it out for 72 hours. The second one made me a weepy, emotional mess for the week I took it. The third one has made me feel exhausted and intensely depressed. I’m casually waiting to see what’s next, but I don’t think any of these is the magic pill.
3.) I think we’re planning a couple back-to-school traditions over the next few days, and I love that I still have those even as a college student. My mom and I always head to the Velvet ice cream factory and get pedicures before the school year starts. We know the 45-minute trip to get ice cream essentially makes no sense, but it’s tasty and we enjoy the little road trip. And who doesn’t like having freshly painted toes? 
4.) Donuts are easily one of my favorite things to bake. They’re generally simple to whip together, they seem somehow more impressive than muffins, and I love piping the batter into the pan. I have a mini donut pan, so each pan bakes in under 5 minutes. Oh, and dunking them in glaze is messy and fun. Make these Maple-Glazed Spice Donuts!
And if you don’t… at least make the glaze, okay? It’s sweet and flavorful and would be excellent on pancakes, graham crackers, pretzels, and ice cream.
5.) I think I’ve said before that I’m not a huge pasta person. Well, I like it, but I never really crave it and it’s not what I’m going to choose most nights of the week. However, last night I made Lindsay’s 15-Minute Shrimp Scampi and added some sautéed asparagus, and it was really tasty.
See, I do like pasta! 
Also, I love shrimp a lot.
And, hm, I think that’s it for me for today. I hope you have a fabulous Thursday!
Did/do you have any back-to-school traditions?
Have you ever made donuts?
Do you consider yourself a pasta person?
Any other Thursday randomness I should know about?
It is so sweet that you guys get pedicures together. I wish I had a cool mom…I have never made doughnuts, but they are in my cookbook which I am baking my way through…That pasta looks really good. Have a great day
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Baking your way through a cookbook sounds like a fun project!
I suddenly have the biggest donut craving — thanks for that
I bought a donut pan a couple of years ago and only used it a few times. I think I need to change that, stat. And I love that you and your mom have that tradition! 45 mins for ice cream makes total sense to me.
I don’t make donuts often enough but they’re so fun and easy! I should definitely put my pan to use a little more often, as well!
I really need to get a donut pan. I said I was going to last year but never did!
I don’t use mine as often as I should (because I should obviously use it all the time
), but I’m glad I got it. Baking them is so much less messy than frying!
Hehe, I just ate some doughnuts for breakfast this morning
I always keep some frozen ready to heat up!
THAT is smart.
those donuts look amazing! I have never made donuts but I think I may try!!
Do it!
I listen to audiobooks, too, and I agree about the narrator. Although, even if it’s not one of my favorites, I get used to them and they just become that book. One of my favorite narrators is John McDonough, although I haven’t listened to a lot read by him. I have heard several though!
Waaa! We don’t have a doughnut pan. And I love doughnuts. Maybe I’ll have to try that glaze…it sounds yummy!
I *really* hope you find something that helps your pain! I think you should come up to Washington and see our Naturopath.
She’s the best doctor ever, no joke. 
But I’m glad you found someone down there who actually listens to you, and wants to figure it out! Praying that you are able to figure out something that works…
You can make the donuts as muffins, too! Don’t despair!
Thanks so much, Abbie! <3
The Harry Potter audiobooks are soooo good! The voices he does crack me up!
Yes! He’s so funny!
I’m dying over how good those donuts look. With Fall coming up, I can’t help but be more in the mood for festive eats and ANYTHING involving maple and holiday spices is right up my alley! And pedicures and ice cream are always a good idea
. Yum! (to the ice cream, not the feet haha!)
I’m getting into the festive spirit, as well! I’m going crazy for apple and pumpkin and cinnamon right now!
Wow, when I get home, I think those doughnuts are going to be on my ‘must make’ list. Do you think I should buy a doughnut pan? Or can I get away with just cutting out the holes myself?
Hmmm I might just make them into muffins or mini muffins if you don’t want to buy a pan. That said, I don’t think the pans are too expensive and they’re kinda fun
How cool! What a fun tradition! I was homeschooled, and we schooled year-round, but one of the great things about that was we could take a break on random days. I guess you could say we had a school-related tradition in that we got off school any day my dad took off work. We got to spend more time with him, and it made it feel extra-special because it was unexpected.
I always thought it would be interesting to try using a donut pan, but I’ve never made donuts before. I am most certainly not a pasta person, the only kinds of pasta I like are stuffed (bring on the ravioli and the tortellini…I’m 100% there!) and angel hair. Even angel hair, I have to be on just the right mood for. That said, I don’t hate it to the point where I’d refuse a dish made with pasta. Just I don’t like it as well as, say, a sandwich of pretty much any sort.
I totally agree about the narrator thing. My siblings and I all have very strong (sometimes differing
) opinions about narrators, but especially with certain books, the narrator IS the book! 
I know exactly the feeling of people trying to find a pill for you to take to feel better, but realistically there not really being any magic cure. Still, I hope you find something, whether it be a supplement, lifestyle change, new habit, what have you, that improves your condition at least a bit. It makes my heart sad to think of the pain you have to live with!
It’s nice that you got to spend some extra time with your dad on random days off! That’s sweet.
Donuts = fun. Sandwiches = life. Yes.
Thanks for the kind thoughts, Hannah! <3
I need to try that book – I love her other stuff. And I MUST have those doughnuts!
I’m planning to read some of her other stuff now! That was my first one, but I think The Husband’s Secret might be up next.