The Little Issues E-newsletter #498 – Life, laughter, and many nice meals!

December 6, 2025

Welcome to the weekend, my buddies! It’s a cold one right here in Ohio. I’ve pipes that are likely to freeze right here in my studio, so we’ve had taps happening a gradual drip for days (sure, that’s actually a factor, buddies in Phoenix) and I’m grateful to know to do that now after the primary few years of frozen pipes. 

Anybody with a unique resolution? Be happy to message me, we’ve had plumbers take a look at the scenario and principally shrug or inform us it’s simply an outdated home, so I believe we’re in all probability caught with this methodology. A minimum of the pipes don’t freeze if we go away the taps dripping when we have now single digit temps. Bizarre option to begin the publication, I do know, however I’m hoping somebody may need a inventive resolution we’d not have tried!

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Each time the temperature dips and soup season arrives, I discover myself utilizing my crockpot much more than normal extra. I’m satisfied that this slow cooker white chicken chili is the rationale crockpots exist. No stress. Simply tender rooster, hearty beans, spicy chile, and a home that smells divine.

In the case of dinners which might be lightning quick however nonetheless really feel luxurious, baked pesto salmon is the way in which to go. Topped with a homemade parsley pesto with crunchy pine nuts, this dinner takes simply 20 minutes from begin to end!

Retailer-bought puff pastry simply is likely to be the last word kitchen hack. No extra rolling butter and dough and ready. Simply a straightforward resolution for the flaky, buttery crust all of us crave. And, this elegant chicken pot pie with puff pastry places it to good use, protecting a savory filling that’s loaded with tender rooster, hearty greens, and a creamy sauce.

Leafy greens, crunchy apple slices, and chewy raisins are fabulous collectively on this spinach apple salad with a tangy candy dressing. The salad is a pleasant stability of flavors and textures, making it one in every of my favorites to share with buddies.

Creamy peanut butter, chewy marshmallows, indulgent almond bark, Rice Krispies, and chocolate chips? Cease speaking, I’m already ! However, mix them in a no-bake cookie recipe? Oh, yeah. Signal me up. These unbelievably good avalanche cookies are able to eat in simply 10 minutes.

Decadent fudgy mint brownies are topped with a peppermint buttercream frosting and a heavenly darkish chocolate ganache. I could also be biased, however you received’t discover a higher brownie recipe on the market. And, bonus? They’re means simpler to make than they give the impression of being!

There’s one thing gleefully unrestrained about turning a drink as comforting as horchata into ice cream. You continue to get the candy, creamy flavors of cinnamon and vanilla in horchata ice cream. However, let me inform you, it’s twice as luscious as an indulgent dessert.

What I’m CRAVING: Carne en su Jugo! It’s my oldest son’s twenty second birthday and he’s requested this for his birthday dinner. I’m beginning it now and excited to start out it simmering on the range. It’s going to be a scrumptious day over right here.

What I’m WATCHING: We’ll be watching Die Hard tonight with our boys and some of their buddies. Anybody else a fan of non-traditional Christmas films? I just like the sentimental ones as properly, however classics like Die Laborious and The Ref are at all times on my vacation film watching record. I really like that our children are lastly sufficiently old to look at these with us too!

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are my beloved earbuds. If I’ve talked about them as soon as, I’ve talked about them at the very least 10x in my newsletters. And GUESS WHAT?! They’re HALF OFF TODAY! They usually make the BEST EVER stocking stuffers. I’m giddy to inform you about them at present. I am keen on these earbuds.

I’ve misplaced rely of what number of of those I’ve gifted to family and friends over time and what number of of you’ve gotten emailed me to say how impressed you might be with them. They’re a fraction of the price of the fashionable manufacturers they usually’ve held up amazingly properly over time. And at this worth? It’s no massive deal in any respect if the youngsters lose one. Santa simply pops a brand new pair of their stockings. It’s a profitable deal for positive!

What I’m LISTENING to: Heaven Has Come by Sovereign Grace Music. This has change into my favourite non-traditional Christmas music over the previous few years. I take heed to this album at the very least as soon as a day, if no more continuously. I adore it.

“However when the fullness of time had come, God despatched forth his Son, born of lady, born underneath the legislation, to redeem those that had been underneath the legislation, in order that we’d obtain adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 ESV

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

Mary