The Little Issues Publication #501 – Life, laughter, and plenty of nice meals!

Welcome to the weekend, my pals! We’ve had a splendidly peaceable Christmas break up to now and I’m able to dive again into the final week of labor earlier than the brand new 12 months. (Convey on 2026, I’m sooooo prepared for it!) The youngsters are having fun with their break from faculty and our climate right here in Ohio has been a wild experience of chilly, then heat, then tremendous heat, and now it’s presupposed to get chilly once more.

ON OUR MEAL PLAN THIS WEEK: Grilled cheese sandwiches paired with our favorite tomato soup is the proper lunch for a cold day. Is there something higher than the crunch of toasted cheese stuffed sourdough drenched in tomato soup?

When you haven’t tried it but, this balsamic glazed meatloaf is about to vary your meatloaf sport. Served with chunky, buttery, garlic smashed potatoes, and smashed Brussels sprouts this can be a meal I completely love. 

These juicy, tender pan-fried chicken thighs with a golden-crisp pores and skin are attainable with only a spoonful of oil and a little bit of persistence. Paired with this cheesy broccoli mushroom casserole, it’s assured happiness in your plates.

Italian White Bean, Cabbage, and Sausage Soup is loaded with nice flavors and it’s stuffed with much more greens and meat than broth. I wish to serve this soup with warm, toasted garlic bread. 

Have you ever tried baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer but? If not, I extremely advocate that you simply put this one in your checklist to strive asap. This has develop into one in every of my favourite lunches over the previous 12 months. It’s about so simple as it will get and it’s my form of consolation meals too. 

I’m making room for yet one more unbelievable dessert whereas we’re on our Christmas break. This chocolate cobbler combines a topping of fudgy, chocolate cake over a layer of wealthy, gooey chocolate. When you’ve ever had a molten lava cake, then the expertise is deliciously related.

My FAVORITE THING this week is that this tiny keychain container. It may be used as a journey capsule case or for carrying small jewellery or earplugs. It’s past the most convenient factor I might’ve imagined! I began carrying mine over a month in the past and cherished it a lot, I wound up giving it to a number of folks this Christmas. It’s tremendous discreet and skinny and doesn’t overwhelm my keychain in any respect. I actually like it.

What I’m WATCHING: Oh, how I cherished the primary Knives Out movie. And Glass Onion: the Knives Out sequel was enjoyable too. So, once I noticed Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery pop up final weekend on Netflix, you possibly can wager I instantly deliberate a film evening with my boys. Let me let you know, it didn’t disappoint. 

That is darker and extra twisted than both of the opposite films, and it was a number of enjoyable to look at. Whereas these aren’t all “good” folks, you’re left with hope ultimately. I genuinely appreciated it. So, in case you loved the opposite two, I extremely advocate this one. I nonetheless keep that the primary film is the perfect, however my boys have all declared this one their favourite.

What I’m LISTENING to: Christmas by Sandra McCracken. Wow, in case you’re a Sandra McCracken fan, this album is an absolute must-listen. Traditional songs sung in her uniquely stunning method, oh, I simply like it from begin to end. I want I’d discovered it a month or two in the past, however I’m listening now and it’ll absolutely be on repeat subsequent Christmas too.

“He’ll cowl you along with his feathers, and underneath his wings you will see that refuge; his faithfulness shall be your protect and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

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

Mary