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

Welcome to the weekend, my associates! 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. (Carry on 2026, I’m sooooo prepared for it!) The youngsters are having fun with their break from college and our climate right here in Ohio has been a wild journey of chilly, then heat, then tremendous heat, and now it’s alleged to get chilly once more.

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

If you happen to haven’t tried it but, this balsamic glazed meatloaf is about to alter your meatloaf sport. Served with chunky, buttery, garlic smashed potatoes, and smashed Brussels sprouts it is 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 way more greens and meat than broth. I prefer 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 record to strive asap. This has change into certainly one of my favourite lunches over the previous 12 months. It’s about so simple as it will get and it’s my type of consolation meals too. 

I’m making room for another improbable 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. If you happen to’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 liked it a lot, I wound up giving it to a number of individuals this Christmas. It’s tremendous discreet and skinny and doesn’t crush my keychain in any respect. I actually like it.

What I’m WATCHING: Oh, how I liked the primary Knives Out movie. And Glass Onion: the Knives Out sequel was enjoyable too. So, after I noticed Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery pop up final weekend on Netflix, you’ll be able to guess 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 variety of enjoyable to look at. Whereas these aren’t all “good” individuals, you’re left with hope in the long run. I genuinely favored it. So, for those who loved the opposite two, I extremely advocate this one. I nonetheless preserve that the primary film is the most effective, however my boys have all declared this one their favourite.

What I’m LISTENING to: Christmas by Sandra McCracken. Wow, for those who’re a Sandra McCracken fan, this album is an absolute must-listen. Traditional songs sung in her uniquely stunning manner, 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 together with his feathers, and below his wings you will see refuge; his faithfulness can be your defend and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

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

Mary