I’m not good at this… the whole dealing with the loss of a friend thing. I’m just not. I tend to avoid life and immerse myself in everything but confronting the fact that a friend has died.

This past week, the blogging community has rallied together to remember a dear friend of ours, Joan Hayes. Joan was the southern voice and tremendous talent behind the blog Chocolate, Chocolate and More. Last Thursday evening, word began to circulate that Joan had been complaining of a stomach ache, laid down on her couch and simply never woke up. It seemed inconceivable to me that my vivacious and full of life friend could just be gone. I had chatted with her just a few days prior and she was her normal, cheerful, joking self.

photo courtesy of Shanna Schad

It turns out that Joan had suffered a heart attack. Friends, if you don’t click on any links in this post but one, make it be this. The signs of a heart attack in women are so much different than they are in men. Please read this to educate yourself so hopefully you’ll be aware of the signs of a heart attack if the situation arises. …

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The post Remembering a Friend {Boozy Chocolate Milkshake Recipe} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. ” – You’ve Got Mail

Doesn’t school starting mean it should be fall like? We’ve hit 100 degrees here in Kansas City the past couple days and school has already been in session for 2 weeks! I’m ready to break out the long sleeved tee’s and jeans, but as Kansas would have it, I am still sitting here simmering and sweating in sundresses….

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The post A Cool Pick Me Up {Recipe: Strawberry Cafe’ Shake} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Ice cream, honey and Diamond brand sliced almonds come together to make a milkshake flavor that will surely become a favorite!

 I am such a follower…

Did you see all the Milkshake Week posts last week all over the internet? My friends Julie and Lindsay hosted a week long event dedicated to milkshakes. I wasn’t able to participate because I had too much going on that week, but boy was I influenced! Every single night after seeing milkshake after milkshake, I was craving milkshakes like crazy! …

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The post Milkshakes!!! {Recipe: Honey Almond Milkshake} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Pumpkin is definitley a fall flavor, right? Ice cream, probably more of a summer treat (although my husband would argue this point). Merging the two seasons into a treat appropriate for the Tweason, I decided to use my new Blendtec Blender to whip up a Pumpkin Spice Milkshake. (Sidenote – don’t forget to enter my Blendtec Blender giveaway!)

I’m going to let you in on a little secret to the most flavorful, perfect milkshake, ever. I add 2 Tablespoons of Jell-O instant pudding mix to each milkshake I make. I’m not sure why, but this addition adds such a wonderful, full flavor to milkshakes and gives them a truly great creaminess you can’t get without it. Try it with the next milkshake you make… adjusting the flavors of pudding to whatever you think would go well with the flavor of milkshake you are making.

Are you experiencing the Tweasons where you are or are your feet firmly planted on one side or the other? I’m enjoying the lingering bit of summer but am honestly totally ready to jump head first into fall. Bring it on.

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Pumpkin Spice Milkshakes

A thick and creamy shake with the fall flavors of pumpkin spice.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Spice flavored Jell-O Instant Pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/3 cup crushed Biscoff cookies for garnish

Instructions

• Place everything but Biscoff cookie crumbs into your blender.
• Secure the lid and blend on medium until everything is processed and the mixture is smooth.
• Pour into tall glasses, topping each glass with crushed Biscoff cookies.

The post Tis the Tweason {Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Milkshakes} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Oh my goodness, I’m tired.

I’m not sure exactly what my deal is, but I have had the hardest time focusing on anything this past week. I’ve wanted to sit down and write, but wow… my brain is not working at all. Everything I do is taking one hundred times longer because I’ve been getting so distracted.

I guess I’m glad I’m not alone. In fact, a recent conversation I had with some of you on my Dine & Dish facebook page last week made me feel so much better!

Many of you jumped in, in fierce support, saying we’re in the same boat. Shiny things – well let’s face it, anything – distract us! I’m hoping it is just a little phase and my brain will get back in gear soon. If you are waiting on an email, phone call, million dollars, etc. from me, it will come soon, I promise. As long as I don’t get

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Stop right there. Oh my gosh! So, this is a draft that has been in my blog dashboard since Wednesday. And do you see above? The “As long as I don’t get” part? That was supposed to be the near end of the post and guess what? I flippin’ got distracted AGAIN and didn’t finish it! And I got distracted again and again and again by other things and never came back to finish it until this morning. So, I’m wrapping this sucker up ASAP so I can at least say I finished something I started this week. Then I’m going to go drink a cup of coffee and take a nap, or maybe vice versa. Or maybe I’ll go take some pictures of the rain outside. Or I’ll check my email. Or I’ll take the kids out for doughnuts. Either way, this post is done. 🙂 Have a great weekend everyone!

I’ve been wanting to make an avocado smoothie or milkshake kind of creation for quite some time now, but imagine this… I’ve used up my avocados getting distracted by other recipes. Well, my friends at the California Avocado Commission recently shared a box of avocados with me and I’ve finally had the chance to give this a try. Sweet, smooth, thick… this smoothie is everything I had hoped it would be. I can’t wait to mess around with this recipe to create other Avocado drinks.

PS – Is this a smoothie or a milkshake? I have no idea. Smoothshake? Milkthie? I will not get distracted by google checking to see what it should be called. I will not. Whatever it’s called, it is goooood!

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California Avocado Smoothie or Milkshake

Try something different with your avocado... this thick, creamy, Avocado Smoothie or Milkshake hits the spot!

Ingredients

• 1 Ripe California Avocado peeled and pit removed
• 1 cup ice
• 1/4 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 teaspoon Agave Nectar
• 1 pinch Kosher Salt optional
• 1/4 cup milk

Instructions

• Place the flesh of the avocado, ice, sweetened condensed milk, Agave Nectar and Kosher salt into a blender and process until smooth.
• Add the milk and blend until smooth.
• This is a very thick, pudding like, drink. Feel free to add more milk until desired consistency is reached.

Make sure to check out these other Avocado beverage recipes:

• Jinkzz’s Kitchen has upped the ante by adding bananas to their smoothie Banana Avocado Smoothie
• Skinny Chef says Chocolate is the way to go with their Chocolate Avocado Milkshake
• The California Avocado Commission adds ice cream to theirs to make it a decadent dessert California Avocado Milk Shake
• And you knew it had to be done… the Avo Rita from Endless Simmer

Don’t forget to get your favorite California Avocado recipes in order for the big California Avocado 4th of July Blast. Details can be found on this post.

The post Focus {Recipe: Avocado Smoothie or Milkshake} appeared first on Dine and Dish.