The Little Issues Publication #467 – Life, laughter, and plenty of nice meals!

Welcome to the weekend, my buddies! I’m in Arizona for a number of days and as I write this, I’m having fun with a cool morning on the porch at a buddy’s cabin a number of hours north of the already very heat Valley of the Solar. Each time I go to Phoenix, it makes me recognize the great thing about cooler climate and altering seasons all of the extra.

Have I discussed recently how a lot I like Ohio? I hope I by no means take without any consideration what a present it’s to get up to my favourite place on the planet each morning.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: It’s pasta salad season over right here and I’m fairly pleased about it. Al dente tiny pasta tossed with beneficiant quantities of cooked shrimp, crunchy contemporary greens, and a citrus-spiked creamy dressing all mix to make this Shrimp Pasta Salad irresistible. It’s about to change into your new summer season favourite!

Mozzarella cheese, salami, tomatoes, bell peppers, pink onion, and black olives are mixed with bite-size pasta and tossed in a tangy, garlicky, French dressing to make this Salami Pasta Salad. My boys went a little bit bit loopy over it the primary time I made it.

Oh how I’m loving contemporary asparagus proper now! Asparagus wrapped in bacon is an impressive-looking facet dish that’s each bit as superior to eat as it’s to admire on the plate. I might fortunately make a full meal out of this asparagus.

Tender pasta, shrimp, bacon, and asparagus are tossed with garlic in a creamy sauce to make this irresistible Shrimp Asparagus Pasta. This can be a deceptively simple recipe, buddies. Whereas the instructions look prolonged at first look, I promise you that this can be a fast and easy recipe.

With layers of candy vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers tucked underneath a fluffy layer of whipped meringue, this Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding is successful each time it’s served.

Wealthy, candy, and infused with whiskey that has been mellowed by heavy cream, Homemade Irish Cream is dreamy. It’s far more delicate and complicated than its industrial counterpart.

And in the event you’re a fan of Bailey’s Irish Cream: this Irish cream infused Bailey’s Ice Cream goes to make you weak on the knees!

What I’m CRAVING: My buddy Christi’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. In the event you love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about pretty much as good because it will get. I might very fortunately eat this complete batch myself. These cookies actually are THAT good.

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are these pens. I simply opened a contemporary bundle of them this week and I nonetheless love them greater than some other pens. I’ve talked about them greater than as soon as over the previous few years and in the event you haven’t tried them but, you’re lacking out. Not solely are they the perfect pens I’ve ever used, they’re unbelievably low cost.

I’m a pen snob. I’ll admit that freely. These are the smoothest, most smudge-free, comfy to carry, superbly clear writing gel pens I’ve ever used. The writing dries nearly as quickly because the ink leaves the pen. In the event you give it even a few seconds, you possibly can’t smear it. And at barely a greenback every, they’re not solely the perfect pens, however the best deal ever for a fantastic writing pen.

What I’m LISTENING to: I’m all about some basic Smash Mouth this week. I chanced on their Smash Hits album and I’m loving it. So lots of my favorites plus a few songs I wasn’t accustomed to too. It’s such a enjoyable pay attention!

What I’m READING: Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund. Oh my buddies, this ebook is a must-read. I used to be only some chapters in after I realized what a treasure this ebook is. I purchased copies for my boys and I’m trying ahead to studying by way of it as a Bible examine with them.

“You don’t must unburden or accumulate your self after which come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to return. No cost is required; he says, “I provides you with relaxation.” His relaxation is reward, not transaction. Whether or not you’re actively working laborious to crowbar your life into smoothness (“labor”) or passively discovering your self weighed down by one thing outdoors your management (“heavy laden”), Jesus Christ’s want that you simply discover relaxation, that you simply are available in out of the storm, outstrips even your personal.” ― Dane C. Ortlund

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I provides you with relaxation. Take my yoke upon you, and be taught from me, for I’m light and lowly in coronary heart, and you will see relaxation on your souls. For my yoke is simple, and my burden is mild.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Wishing you a stunning week stuffed with little issues that make you smile!

Mary