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

Welcome to the weekend, my buddies! 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. (Convey 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 trip 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?

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 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 full of 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 just put this one in your record to strive asap. This has develop into considered one of my favourite lunches over the previous yr. It’s about so simple as it will get and it’s my sort of consolation meals too. 

I’m making room for yet 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. For those who’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 tablet case or for carrying small jewellery or earplugs. It’s past the best factor I may’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 individuals this Christmas. It’s tremendous discreet and skinny and doesn’t overwhelm my keychain in any respect. I actually find it irresistible.

What I’m WATCHING: Oh, how I cherished 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 possibly can 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 quite a lot of enjoyable to look at. Whereas these aren’t all “good” individuals, you’re left with hope ultimately. I genuinely preferred it. So, in the event you loved the opposite two, I extremely advocate this one. I nonetheless keep 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, in the event you’re a Sandra McCracken fan, this album is an absolute must-listen. Traditional songs sung in her uniquely stunning means, oh, I simply find it irresistible from begin to end. I want I’d came upon 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 might be your protect and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

Wishing you a stunning week full of little issues that make you smile!

Mary