The Little Issues E-newsletter #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 pal’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 admire the fantastic thing about cooler climate and altering seasons all of the extra.

Have I discussed recently how a lot I really like Ohio? I hope I by no means take as a right 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 joyful 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 grow to be 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 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 aspect 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 straightforward recipe, buddies. Whereas the instructions look prolonged at first look, I promise you that this can be a fast and simple 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 way more delicate and complex than its industrial counterpart.

And when 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 pal Christi’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. When you love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about nearly 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 when you haven’t tried them but, you’re lacking out. Not solely are they one of the 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. When you give it even a few seconds, you possibly can’t smear it. And at barely a greenback every, they’re not solely one of the 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 chanced on their Smash Hits album and I’m loving it. So a lot 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 buddies, this guide is a must-read. I used to be just a few chapters in after I realized what a treasure this guide is. I purchased copies for my boys and I’m wanting ahead to studying by way of it as a Bible examine with them.

“You don’t must unburden or gather your self after which come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to return. No fee 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 just discover relaxation, that you just are available in out of the storm, outstrips even your individual.” ― 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 study 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