The Little Things Newsletter #414 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! Lynne is in town and we’re planning to cook and photograph allllll the things over the next few days. There are a whole lot of vegetables, salads, ice cream, and dream bar recipes in my near future and I have no complaints about this.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: This easy chili recipe is filled with beans, tomatoes, corn, and plenty of Mexican spices. I’ve made this chili with meat and without and it’s delicious both ways. For about as long as I can remember, this chili has been my go-to dinner plan when we arrive home from traveling and I don’t have time or motivation to head for the store.

Making blistered shishito peppers at home is so easy! All that you’ll need is a bit of oil, a sprinkling of salt, and a squeeze of lemon. Shishitos are one of those things that I rarely can resist when I spy them on the menu, so making them at home is a guaranteed win.

Steak kabobs are summertime entertaining perfection. They can be assembled ahead of time (pro tip: get the kids to help!) and then grilled when you’re ready to eat. The steak for these kabobs rests in a simple Asian-inspired marinade for a few minutes before being skewered along with slices of colorful bell peppers and red onions.

Baked oatmeal, filled with berries, and lightly sweetened with brown sugar is a great way to start the day. This berry baked oatmeal has been a favorite for over ten years now.

Sweet and slightly tart blueberries mingle with the creamy taste of bananas in these perfectly fluffy blueberry banana pancakes.

Layers of sweet, tender shortcake, smooth whipped cream or ice cream, and fresh tangy blueberries meld together perfectly in this blueberry shortcake.

Pistachio ice cream? Oh, yeah. Picture a creamy scoop of freshly churned ice cream with a nutty pistachio kick and then picture me trying to resist going back for “just one more taste” all day long. That pretty much sums up this batch of ice cream.

What I’m CRAVING: I have a weakness for sweet potatoes, so these Mexican Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes need to be on our meal plan asap.

What I’m LISTENING to: Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves. I’m still playing this album on repeat with little sign of that changing anytime soon.

What I’m READING: Building a Non-Anxious Life by Dr. John Delony. This book is a little different from my usual recommendations. A friend suggested I read this one because she was reading it and learning so much. Initially, I was a little hesitant to read it, as I’ve never considered myself to be particularly anxious. Having just finished it, I am so very glad that I went ahead and read it. It is excellent.

I honestly think the book’s title is misleading, as it is helpful for a great deal more than just helping control the anxiety alarms in your life. (Though that itself is no small thing!) The author has a very straightforward, no-nonsense approach to mental health and it’s refreshing. I can’t think of a single person who might not benefit from reading this book.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV

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

Mary