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Welcome to the weekend, my friends! This cooler weather has been glorious this week, hasn’t it? Hopefully you’re enjoying it wherever you are too! Unfortunately, I caught the flu this week, for the first time in many years. (I don’t even remember the last time I was sick!)
So, I’ve spent the past few days on the couch napping and hoping to sleep this bug away. I am taking alllll the book recommendations at this point! So, send them my way PLEASE.
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: I am sooo ready for soup season. I can’t get enough of this White Bean Cabbage Soup, loaded with creamy beans, tender cabbage, and hearty sausage. I’ve been making this soup and refining the recipe during soup season over the last several years. And, it doesn’t get better than this for me. This is the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, no matter how cold it gets outside.
When you pull this cheesy and delicious Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole hot and steaming from the oven everyone will be clamoring for a bite. Casseroles make for some of the best options to feed a crowd. I love to not only serve this to my family but take it along to gatherings. The dense cheesy potato casserole holds heat and travels extremely well.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes are pure awesomeness from start to finish. Almost 15 years after making this recipe for the first time and it is still a consistent family favorite. With the combination of creamy, rich sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, and a splash of mildly tart balsamic vinegar, this is a recipe that my whole family loves.
With just a hint of honey to sweeten the deal, this Honey Mustard Dressing is the perfect balance. Mustard hasn’t always been my favorite, but I’ve been pouring this on just about everything from chicken nuggets, salads, and even used it to dip roasted vegetables!
Spice blends are all over the aisle at the grocery store to save us time. But, did you know you can make your own? This Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix is a cozy blend of all the classic fall spices. I love, love, love using it in baked goods and sweet treats!
Classic Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are super soft and moist cake bars, the kind of dessert that melts in your mouth and makes you wonder why you ever waited until fall to start baking with pumpkin. If you’ve never made these before, you’re in for a real treat.
Streusel Pumpkin Pie Bars start with a brown sugar cinnamon streusel crust, layered with a pumpkin pie filling, and finished with a streusel crumble topping. If you’re looking to consume your pumpkin pie this fall in a different form, you’ll want to save this recipe for your fall baking!
What I’m CRAVING: If we’re keeping it true to life this week, I’m craving oatmeal, toast, hot tea, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll work my way up to chicken soup tomorrow. Fingers crossed for an appetite again soon!
My FAVORITE THING this week is my hand cream (yes, I’ve mentioned it at least six times over the years) because I’ve been washing my hands endlessly and this has saved them from drying out this week.
What I’m READING: Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky. I haven’t finished this one yet, but I’m intentionally taking it slow. This is more history book than foodie novel and it’s absolutely fascinating as a simple read. You can take it a few pages at a time and learn something new every day. I’m very much enjoying Kurlansky’s writing style and I’ve already placed a hold on another of his books through the library. (This one is so popular right now, I had to wait months for it to be available.)
And if you aren’t already familiar with the story of why this particular book is trending right now as a #1 bestseller (over 20 years after it was written!) I’ll link you to the viral reel here. It’s worth a watch and I’m willing to bet you too might think the book is worth a read too.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!
Your recipes are delicious, nutritious, and maybe best of all quick and easy!
Every one who has tasted these dishes you have created, is delighted!
Bless your generous Heart,
Judelon LaSalle
Central Coast of California
Thanks so much!
I love your recipes, there easy to follow and I almost always have the ingredients on hand.
I miss getting your email from you every day. I don’t know why I quit getting it. I keep look8ng in spam box and new mail and it hasn’t been in either. I was finally able to go in your website and find this one. You were alway an insuring.
I read Theo of Golden to my husband while he was in bed with a herniated disk. It kept us on the edge of our seats all the way to the end. Great read