The Little Things Newsletter #474 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! It’s a family-filled whirlwind of chaos over here this weekend with lots of family visiting and some very loud games in progress. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK:  Stuffed pork tenderloin is filled with sauteed broccoli, red peppers, and generous amounts of melted mozzarella for an irresistible main dish. It’s gorgeous enough for company, but easy enough for a family dinner.

Tender, spicy bites of chicken are tossed with fresh sauteed vegetables and plenty of Mexican spices to create this easy southwest chicken skillet with corn and zucchini.

All of the flavors in classic chicken parmesan are amplified in this simple chicken parmesan meatloaf. My whole family goes crazy over this dinner and every guest who has ever tried it agrees that it’s amazing.

Tomato pasta salad is the irresistible combination of tender, bite-sized pasta with red onion, super fresh tomatoes, and parsley in a garlicky vinaigrette.

Crunchy rainbow bell pepper salad in a flavorful Dijon mustard vinaigrette is a feast for the eyes and the stomach! Eaten on their own or added to any number of salads or sandwiches, these peppers are a win.

Cottage cheese ranch dip is a great tasting savory snack that just happens to be high protein and good for you, too! Scoop it up with cracker, crudités, bread, or chicken bites, but do make it!

If a thick, chocolate malt milkshake is your kind of treat, just wait until you scoop into this chocolate malt ice cream—it’s everything you love, frozen into pure nostalgic bliss.

What I’m CRAVING: Southern Peach Cobbler holds my heart today. My brother’s family brought a huge box of Georgia peaches with them when they drove up yesterday. These fragrant beauties are destined for cobbler tonight.

My FAVORITE THING this week is this new game. My friend Holly told me about Tapple a few weeks ago, and I immediately ordered it. It has been a huge hit with the family this weekend. YAY for a new all-ages friendly game!

What I’m LISTENING to: In Bloom by Jon Foreman. This album is so relaxing, and while much of Foreman’s music falls into the alternative rock category, the music here is closer to alternative folk with plenty of acoustic guitar. I’m really enjoying it.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV 

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

Mary