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

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

Have I discussed these days how a lot I like Ohio? I hope I by no means take with no 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 recent 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, crimson 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 recent 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 may 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 straightforward recipe, mates. Whereas the instructions look prolonged at first look, I promise you that it is a fast and easy recipe.

With layers of candy vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers tucked below 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 rather more delicate and complicated than its business counterpart.

And should 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 good friend Christi’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. In case you love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about pretty much as good because it will get. I may very fortunately eat this whole batch myself. These cookies actually are THAT good.

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are these pens. I simply opened a recent 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 should you haven’t tried them but, you’re lacking out. Not solely are they the most effective 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, superbly clear writing gel pens I’ve ever used. The writing dries nearly as quickly because the ink leaves the pen. In case you give it even a few seconds, you possibly can’t smear it. And at barely a greenback every, they’re not solely the most effective 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 discovered 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 mates, this guide is a must-read. I used to be only some chapters in once I realized what a treasure this guide is. I purchased copies for my boys and I’m wanting ahead to studying via it as a Bible examine with them.

“You don’t have to unburden or gather your self after which come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to come back. No cost is required; he says, “I will provide you with relaxation.” His relaxation is reward, not transaction. Whether or not you’re actively working exhausting 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 will provide you with relaxation. Take my yoke upon you, and be taught from me, for I’m mild and lowly in coronary heart, and you will discover relaxation on your souls. For my yoke is straightforward, and my burden is gentle.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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

Mary