Welcome to the weekend, my mates! I’m in Arizona for a number of days and as I write this, I’m having fun with a cool morning on the porch at a pal’s cabin a number of hours north of the already very heat Valley of the Solar. Each time I go to Phoenix, it makes me recognize the fantastic thing about cooler climate and altering seasons all of the extra.

Have I discussed these days how a lot I like Ohio? I hope I by no means take with no consideration what a present it’s to get up to my favourite place on this planet each morning.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: It’s pasta salad season over right here and I’m fairly blissful about it. Al dente tiny pasta tossed with beneficiant quantities of cooked shrimp, crunchy recent greens, and a citrus-spiked creamy dressing all mix to make this Shrimp Pasta Salad irresistible. It’s about to grow to be your new summer season favourite!

Mozzarella cheese, salami, tomatoes, bell peppers, purple onion, and black olives are mixed with bite-size pasta and tossed in a tangy, garlicky, French dressing to make this Salami Pasta Salad. My boys went somewhat bit loopy over it the primary time I made it.

Oh how I’m loving recent asparagus proper now! Asparagus wrapped in bacon is an impressive-looking aspect dish that’s each bit as superior to eat as it’s to admire on the plate. I might fortunately make a full meal out of this asparagus.

Tender pasta, shrimp, bacon, and asparagus are tossed with garlic in a creamy sauce to make this irresistible Shrimp Asparagus Pasta. This can be a deceptively simple recipe, mates. Whereas the instructions look prolonged at first look, I promise you that it is a fast and simple recipe.

With layers of candy vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers tucked underneath a fluffy layer of whipped meringue, this Outdated-Original Banana Pudding is a success each time it’s served.

Wealthy, candy, and infused with whiskey that has been mellowed by heavy cream, Homemade Irish Cream is dreamy. It’s rather more refined and complex than its industrial counterpart.

And in the event you’re a fan of Bailey’s Irish Cream: this Irish cream infused Bailey’s Ice Cream goes to make you weak on the knees!

What I’m CRAVING: My pal Christi’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. Should you love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about nearly as good because it will get. I might very fortunately eat this complete batch myself. These cookies actually are THAT good.

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are these pens. I simply opened a recent bundle of them this week and I nonetheless love them greater than another pens. I’ve talked about them greater than as soon as over the previous few years and in the event you haven’t tried them but, you’re lacking out. Not solely are they the very best pens I’ve ever used, they’re unbelievably low cost.

I’m a pen snob. I’ll admit that freely. These are the smoothest, most smudge-free, snug to carry, fantastically clear writing gel pens I’ve ever used. The writing dries nearly as quickly because the ink leaves the pen. Should you give it even a few seconds, you may’t smear it. And at barely a greenback every, they’re not solely the very best pens, however the very best deal ever for a incredible writing pen.

What I’m LISTENING to: I’m all about some traditional Smash Mouth this week. I came across their Smash Hits album and I’m loving it. So a lot of my favorites plus a few songs I wasn’t conversant in too. It’s such a enjoyable pay attention!

What I’m READING: Light and Lowly: The Coronary heart of Christ for Sinners and Victims by Dane Ortlund. Oh my mates, this e book is a must-read. I used to be just a few chapters in once I realized what a treasure this e book is. I purchased copies for my boys and I’m wanting ahead to studying by way of it as a Bible research with them.

“You don’t have to unburden or gather your self after which come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to come back. No fee is required; he says, “I offers you relaxation.” His relaxation is present, not transaction. Whether or not you might be actively working arduous to crowbar your life into smoothness (“labor”) or passively discovering your self weighed down by one thing outdoors your management (“heavy laden”), Jesus Christ’s want that you just discover relaxation, that you just are available out of the storm, outstrips even your personal.” ― Dane C. Ortlund

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I offers you relaxation. Take my yoke upon you, and study from me, for I’m mild and lowly in coronary heart, and you’ll discover relaxation to your souls. For my yoke is simple, and my burden is gentle.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Wishing you a stunning week stuffed with little issues that make you smile!

Mary