The Little Issues E-newsletter #501 – Life, laughter, and plenty of nice meals!

Welcome to the weekend, my mates! We’ve had a splendidly peaceable Christmas break to date and I’m able to dive again into the final week of labor earlier than the brand new yr. (Carry on 2026, I’m sooooo prepared for it!) The children are having fun with their break from faculty and our climate right here in Ohio has been a wild journey of chilly, then heat, then tremendous heat, and now it’s purported 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?

For those who haven’t tried it but, this balsamic glazed meatloaf is about to vary your meatloaf recreation. 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 suggest that you simply put this one in your checklist to attempt asap. This has change into one in all my favourite lunches over the previous yr. It’s about so simple as it will get and it’s my type of consolation meals too. 

I’m making room for yet one more implausible 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. For those who’ve ever had a molten lava cake, then the expertise is deliciously comparable.

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 beloved it a lot, I wound up giving it to a number of folks 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 beloved 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 may 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 motion pictures, and it was plenty of enjoyable to observe. Whereas these aren’t all “good” folks, you’re left with hope in the long run. I genuinely favored it. So, in case you loved the opposite two, I extremely suggest this one. I nonetheless preserve that the primary film is the very best, 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 chanced on it a month or two in the past, however I’m listening now and it’ll certainly be on repeat subsequent Christmas too.

“He’ll cowl you together with his feathers, and beneath his wings you will see that refuge; his faithfulness might be your defend and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

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

Mary