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

December 6, 2025

Welcome to the weekend, my pals! 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 sluggish drip for days (sure, that’s actually a factor, pals in Phoenix) and I’m grateful to know to do that now after the primary few years of frozen pipes. 

Anybody with a special resolution? Be happy to message me, we’ve had plumbers take a look at the state of affairs and principally shrug or inform us it’s simply an outdated home, so I believe we’re most likely caught with this technique. At the very least the pipes don’t freeze if we go away the taps dripping when we’ve single digit temps. Bizarre approach to begin the e-newsletter, I do know, however I’m hoping somebody may need a artistic resolution we would not have tried!

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

In terms 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 could 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, masking a savory filling that’s loaded with tender hen, 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 steadiness of flavors and textures, making it one among my favorites to share with pals.

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 gained’t discover a higher brownie recipe on the market. And, bonus? They’re method 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 begin 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 pals. Anybody else a fan of non-traditional Christmas films? I just like the sentimental ones as properly, however classics like Die Arduous and The Ref are all the time on my vacation film watching record. I really like that our youngsters are lastly sufficiently old to observe 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! And so they 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 depend of what number of of those I’ve gifted to family and friends through the years and what number of of you may have emailed me to say how impressed you might be with them. They’re a fraction of the price of the stylish manufacturers and so they’ve held up amazingly properly over time. And at this worth? It’s no large deal in any respect if the youngsters lose one. Santa simply pops a brand new pair of their stockings. It’s a successful deal for positive!

What I’m LISTENING to: Heaven Has Come by Sovereign Grace Music. This has grow to be 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 find it irresistible.

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

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

Mary