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

Welcome to the weekend, my mates! 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 admire the fantastic 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 earth each morning.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: It’s pasta salad season over right here and I’m fairly completely happy 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, 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 bit of 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 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, mates. 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 rather more refined and complex 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 buddy Christi’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. When you 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 contemporary bundle 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 should 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, fantastically clear writing gel pens I’ve ever used. The writing dries nearly as quickly because the ink leaves the pen. When 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 perfect 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 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 just a few 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 cost is required; he says, “I will provide you with relaxation.” His relaxation is present, 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 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 will provide you with 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 simple, and my burden is gentle.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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

Mary