Welcome to the weekend, my friends! Has it warmed up where you are? The snow is almost completely gone here in our corner of Ohio and it’s been fun to see green grass around us this week. My friend Lynne has been visiting us and I’m not at all sad that she’s “trapped” here with us while Rhode Island is buried in snow and she can’t get home yet. It’s going to be a real hardship for all of us. #sendallllllthesnowtoRhodeIslandkeepherhereforever
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: A little bit hot, a little bit sweet, and utterly savory, this Spicy Broccoli delivers big impact with next to no effort. I fell in love with this broccoli almost 15 years ago and I’ve been making it as often as possible ever since.
This Ham and Cheese Quesadilla is the perfect fast snack or lunch, combining smoky ham and creamy cheese in a crunchy, golden shell.
Confetti Rice upgrades the average skillet of rice from a side without much personality to the star of the show. I made this again recently and remembered just how much I love it.
Savory ground beef mingles with the earthy goodness of carrots and peas beneath a warm blanket of cheesy mashed potatoes in this Irish Cottage Pie. I love serving this kind of hearty dinner. It’s the perfect way to feed my crew after a long day.
Ready in just minutes, this classic Italian Dressing is the perfect blend of olive oil and Dijon mustard with garlic, oregano, and red pepper, brightened with fresh lemon juice. This classic zesty dressing makes everything from pasta salads to plain greens totally irresistible. (It’s a ton of fun on this Pizza Salad too!)
Chewy coconut filling layered onto a buttery shortbread crust; my Grandma’s Coconut Chews are so simple to make I have been making them since I was 10 years old.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this Foot Massager Machine. Sigh. There really are not enough words for this one, friends. This darn massager is one of my favorite things I’ve ever bought for myself. It’s pretty rare that I mention something here that is over $20-30. For the most part, my favorite everyday things are usually $5-10. But this massager? It is everything I had hoped it might be. I’ve raved about it to friends and family for months now. My sister tried it, bought it, and made me promise that I would share it with you all soon.
I have to admit that it is incredible. If you spend a good part of the day on your feet, deal with any neuropathy or plantar fasciitis, or in general could use a great foot massage, this is a gift that keeps on giving. I have mine under my desk and I use it multiple times a day. It’s almost unbelievable how much relief this foot massager provides. (FYI It’s on sale for $129 right now, which is what I paid when it was on sale a few months ago. I don’t know how long it will last this time though.)
What I’m LISTENING to: Walk Through Fire by Ben Fuller. This album is a great listen from start to finish, and again on repeat. I listen through it several times a week and start most of my days with it. It’s a beautiful reminder of what Jesus has done and continues to do in my life.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary
The post The Little Things Newsletter #509 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food! appeared first on Barefeet in the Kitchen.
