The Little Issues E-newsletter #467 – Life, laughter, and plenty of nice meals!

Welcome to the weekend, my associates! 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 admire the great 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 as a right what a present it’s to get up to my favourite place on this planet each morning.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: It’s pasta salad season over right here and I’m fairly completely satisfied 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 turn out to be 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 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. It is a deceptively straightforward recipe, associates. 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 a success 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 business counterpart.

And if you happen to’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. For those who love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about pretty much as good because it will get. I may 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 recent 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 if you happen to 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. For those who 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 basic 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 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 associates, this e book is a must-read. I used to be only some chapters in after I realized what a treasure this e book 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 have to unburden or gather your self after which come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to return. No cost is required; he says, “I offers you relaxation.” His relaxation is reward, not transaction. Whether or not you’re actively working onerous 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 need 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 offers you relaxation. Take my yoke upon you, and study from me, for I’m light and lowly in coronary heart, and you will see relaxation to 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