Welcome to the weekend, my friends! Ohio teased us with some wonderfully warm days earlier this week but then sent a bunch of rain and chilly weather our way. Regardless of the temperatures at the moment, spring is definitely on the way. The trees on our property are flowering, there are sunshiny daffodils in the yard, and the sun continues to shine through the clouds.
Our Easter traditions are pretty laid back. We’ll be at church tomorrow morning, followed by dinner at home, and then, if I’m lucky, there is likely to be either a walk or a long walk in my future. I’ll happily take either option!
ON THE BLOGS this week: Do you like green chile chicken enchiladas? Do you like chicken pot pie? Do flaky buttery cheesy biscuits make you grin? If so, this Spicy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is going to make you very happy.
Creamy slow cooker ham potato soup with soft chunks of buttery potatoes and salty-sweet ham is perfect with a salad or just some crusty bread.
Korean ground beef is the kind of dish that both beginning and experienced cooks need in their life. The meal comes together in minutes and is full of fantastic flavors. It is easier to make than ordering take-out, saves you money, and tastes better too!
Creamy, rich, chocolatey Nutella Ice Cream with a melt-in-your-mouth swirl of Nutella mixed throughout is a dreamy way to satisfy your sweet tooth this summer – or this fall, or winter, or pretty much any time of year, if you’re me.
Crunchy, tangy, sweet pepper cabbage slaw is a welcome variation on classic creamy coleslaw recipes. Last year, a reader emailed me this recipe for pepper cabbage (thanks, Amy!) and I’ve had it on my must-try list ever since. I finally had a chance to make it last week and it was a hit.
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.
Ground beef fried rice is both savory and slightly sweet with a subtle touch of heat. Best of all, this is a dinner anyone can make in under 20 minutes!
If you could put sunshine and sugar in a jar, I am convinced it would taste just like this strawberry compote. If you have access to perfectly sweet and ripe Florida strawberries right now, you need to make this asap. And if you’re still waiting for strawberries to come into their season where you are, put this on your list to make this summer.
Speaking of strawberries, you’re going to want to set some aside for this buttery sweet strawberry coffee cake. Layers of juicy strawberries with a crunchy, pecan and brown sugar topping add up to a dessert I enjoyed so much – I had it again for breakfast with my coffee.
What I’m CRAVING: My friend Tricia makes the prettiest Cottage Pie I’ve ever seen. Have you ever seen a lovelier one?? I want to try my hand at that gorgeous potato topping.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this travel clothes folder. I was a complete skeptic before I tried it and now? I’ll likely never travel without it again. It holds a stack of shirts perfectly folded and the only creases when you unfold them are on the folds. No wrinkles at all. I am super impressed!
What I’m LISTENING to: The Revivalists. I’ve enjoyed their music for several years now, but I created a new playlist with it this week and now it’s been playing on repeat. They’re a blend of alternative, folk-rock, soul, r&b, Americana, and funk and I like the music a lot.
What I’m READING: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. I mentioned that I was in the middle of reading this one last weekend and I finished it this week. Even though it’s filled with suggestions and tips that add up to basic common sense, I benefitted from the reminders. There were several solid takeaways and for me that makes it a book worth reading.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
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