The Little Things Newsletter #468 -Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I had a wonderful time visiting friends and family in Arizona this past week. It’s a little strange sometimes to realize we’ve been away from the Southwest for over six years now, after living all of my life until then in the desert.

I’m looking forward to relaxing with my family as much as possible this weekend. I’m hoping to spend some time soaking up some Ohio sunshine and maybe squeezing in a nap or two as well. It was a glorious 62°F outside yesterday, while Arizona popped back up over 100°F. There really is no place better than home – especially when you live in Ohio.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK:  Tender shrimp, crisp hot vegetables, and a whole lot of flavor come together to make this Shrimp Fried Rice in just 20 minutes.

Spicy ground beef, tender potatoes, bell pepper, and onion come together in a simple Ground Beef and Potatoes skillet meal that will leave everyone grinning around the table.

This chicken salad with grapes and apples is rapidly becoming my family’s go-to chicken salad. (And that says a lot considering how many different versions of chicken salad we make!) Served with crackers or chips, layered in a sandwich or a lettuce wrap, or simply eaten with a fork, this salad is a winner.

With just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes in the oven, Brown Sugar Bacon is a guaranteed way to ensure breakfast happiness. There’s something almost magical in the way a bit of melted butter and brown sugar caramelizes around each salty strip of bacon.

Tender crab meat and a flavorful cream cheese sauce combine to make this Hot Crab Dip taste similar to crab rangoon, but in dippable form! Serve with crostini, toasted baguette, crackers, wonton chips, or whichever dippers you like best.

Thin, chewy, buttery oatmeal lace cookies with crispy edges have proven completely and totally irresistible to every single person who has tried them.

Creamy and sweet with a bit of tang, sour cream ice cream is bright and refreshing when served in a cone, over a slice of apple crisp, or scooped into a bowl and topped with a warm berry sauce.

What I’m CRAVING: These almond butter stuffed chocolate covered dates caught my eye last week and now I can’t stop thinking about them! I must try them soon.

My FAVORITE THING this week is my new insulated shaker bottle. I don’t usually carry insulated bottles, but this one has proven perfect for a protein shake or smoothie. I love how icy cold it keeps my drink. I typically make smoothies for the family around 6-7am and don’t drink mine until hours later. At 9-10am, my drink is a perfect milkshake consistency. I can’t recommend this bottle high enough if you enjoy blended icy drinks or smoothies.

What I’m LISTENING to: Essentials II by Post Modern Jukebox. Oh, how I love PMJ’s music, it’s just so much fun. I fall in love with them all over again when I haven’t heard it for a while. A friend sent me a link to this Timber video the other day and it sent me down a PMJ rabbit hole. I’ve been playing this album on repeat all week.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 ESV

Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!

Mary