The Little Things Newsletter #514 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

March 28, 2026

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m spending a couple of days in Arizona with my brother and sisters (the favorite siblings of the moment – since they’re here with me) visiting my mom. When you’re one of 8 kids, it’s fun to play favorites with whichever siblings are near you at the moment. I’m looking at you, Georgia, Oregon, California, and Nevada, since I haven’t seen you guys in approximately one million years. 

And yes, I know, sisters are prone to a wee bit of exaggeration when they want their brothers to come visit. The countdown is on to our family camping trip in June, here’s hoping most of us will be able to make it this year!

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK:  Crunchy tortilla chips, spicy sausage, gooey cheese, and a plethora of great toppings make these Breakfast Nachos a guaranteed hit at my table. I cannot get over how easy they are, too! This meal is on the table and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.

Break up with the boxed mixes forever and say hello to the macaroni and cheese of your dreams. This Stovetop Mac and Cheese is creamy and cheesy comfort food at its best.

Craving something quick, flavorful, and just a little spicy? This ground beef and cabbage stir fry comes together in minutes—with crisp vegetables, savory beef, and a subtle heat that keeps you coming back for more.

Sweet peas, salty bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese coated in a creamy, tangy dressing add up to an easy, tasty summer side dish. This bacon pea salad is a timeless favorite that is a great addition to any meal.

As the weather starts to warm up, I’ve been dreaming of weekend afternoons spent sipping cold drinks on the front porch. (My favorite part of living here in Ohio!) Fresh mint and lemon combine  to make this fresh Mint Lemonade. It is a refreshing, ever-so-tasty summer drink that my whole family loves.

Pineapple angel food cake is a soft, fluffy, fun treat that takes nearly no effort to make! And even better, it’s made with just two simple-to-find ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. That’s right; just two ingredients!

Delightful layers of flaky pastry balance airy texture with a satisfying crunch in these simple, buttery Palmier Cookies. These are hands-down one of my favorite sweet treats. It is also one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever made. Coincidence? Probably not!

What I’m CRAVING: These Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells! Lynne made them for us while she was in town last week and my guys are still talking about them. They were so tasty! 

My FAVORITE THING this week is this little silicone case. I don’t even know exactly how to describe it, except to say that it’s exactly the right size to hold my laptop cord perfectly. Like, exactly the right size and that thrills me. Sometimes it’s the little things that just make me grin. 

I don’t know if it will be exactly the right size for your cord holding needs, but man, it’s perfect for me. It’s really slim, less than an inch thick, 7.8″L x 3.15″W. Technically it’s listed as a pencil case or cosmetic bag, but it’s such a perfect little storage bag for cords, it just makes me happy.

What I’m LISTENING to: Great God Who Saves by Laura Story. The entire album is a peace-filled gift, and it’s earned a solid place on my morning playlists over the past couple of years.

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV

Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!

Mary

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