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

Welcome to the weekend, my pals! I’m in Arizona for just a few days and as I write this, I’m having fun with a cool morning on the porch at a buddy’s cabin just a few 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 currently how a lot I really 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 earth 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 develop into your new summer time 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 somewhat 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. It is a deceptively simple recipe, pals. 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 beneath 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 way more refined and complex than its industrial counterpart.

And for those who’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 package deal of them this week and I nonetheless love them greater than every other pens. I’ve talked about them greater than as soon as over the previous few years and for those who haven’t tried them but, you’re lacking out. Not solely are they the very best 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, snug to carry, fantastically clear writing gel pens I’ve ever used. The writing dries virtually as quickly because the ink leaves the pen. In the event you give it even a few seconds, you’ll be able to’t smear it. And at barely a greenback every, they’re not solely the very best pens, however the best deal ever for a fantastic writing pen.

What I’m LISTENING to: I’m all about some traditional Smash Mouth this week. I found their Smash Hits album and I’m loving it. So lots of my favorites plus a few songs I wasn’t conversant in 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 pals, this guide is a must-read. I used to be only some chapters in after I realized what a treasure this guide is. I purchased copies for my boys and I’m trying ahead to studying by 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 come back. No fee is required; he says, “I provides you with relaxation.” His relaxation is present, not transaction. Whether or not you might be actively working laborious to crowbar your life into smoothness (“labor”) or passively discovering your self weighed down by one thing exterior your management (“heavy laden”), Jesus Christ’s want that you just discover relaxation, that you just 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 can see relaxation in your souls. For my yoke is straightforward, and my burden is gentle.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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

Mary