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Welcome to the weekend, my friends! Are you ready for some downtime? It was a whirlwind of a week over here. My Kindle is loaded up with new books to read (thanks for all the recommendations!) and I’m looking forward to spending the next couple of days cozy on the couch with my feet up.
ON THE BLOG this week: If you haven’t yet tried Baked Oatmeal, you are missing out. This is the baked oatmeal recipe that gets two thumbs up every time we make it. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and full of sweet dried fruit, so much more exciting than your average bowl of oatmeal. Baked oatmeal makes eating oatmeal feel a little like a special treat–a treat that just so happens to be good for you.
Fluffy mashed potatoes with sauteed cabbage and bacon add up to Irish Colcannon – a side dish that everyone loves for pretty much any occasion! This Colcannon Recipe is the ultimate in mashed potato dishes.
Chocolate Crazy Cake is one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make. Like my beloved Cinnamon Toast Cake, this is an egg-free cake, but the Crazy Cake also requires no dairy. This makes it the perfect dessert to make on a whim with little more than a handful of things from the pantry. Topped with Creamy, Not-Too-Sweet, Absolutely Perfect Fluffy Chocolate Frosting, it’s a treat for any occasion.
Sweet, spicy, and absolutely finger-licking delicious, Honey Garlic Meatballs have become a go-to EASY dinner plan. This recipe is awesome for the days when I just don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen – or when I simply don’t feel like cooking.
What I’m CRAVING: These Oyster Crackers! My friend Rebecca brought a bag of them when she visited a few weeks ago and I devoured them. They’re an awesome snack and a great addition to salads. You know me, I have to have that crunch. I’m betting they’d be fantastic on soup as well, if I ever get around to that.
My FAVORITE THINGS this week are my Pyrex food storage containers / baking dishes. I have them in the 6-cup size linked and the 11-cup as well. I’ve been using them for probably close to 15 years and they get used daily. I just bought a new set of each size, so that I can more easily freeze meals made ahead.
What I’m READING: Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon. Can you feel my grin from where you are? I’m so very happy to be reading another Mitford novel at last. I’ve done my best to stretch the series out because I just didn’t want it to end. This 12th book has been a gift and the timing couldn’t be better. I’ve smiled so many times reading it.
Don’t be surprised if I decide to read books 13 and 14 in the next few weeks. Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, all of the characters feel like family at this point. I’m just about ready to finish the series and read it all over again.
What I’m LISTENING to: Hymns of Worship by Fernando Ortega (link HERE) If you’d told me 20 years ago that listening to the old hymns would bring me so much peace and joy, I honestly wouldn’t have believed you. Hymns have always been the music of my parents and grandparents. Well, apparently I’ve arrived at a new point in life because these hymns are pure joy every morning.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
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