Happy New Year, my friends! Do you remember that song, “this is the song that never ends?” It just goes on and on, my friends. I’ve had it playing in my mind on repeat all afternoon, with the word “flu” swapped in for “song.” Someone in my family has been sick with one thing or another ever since Thanksgiving and we are all sooooo over it.
I thought we were in the clear at last and go figure, one of the boys spiked a fever yesterday. Super super fun times. However, when I think back to where we were a year ago, with Sean in the hospital and so many unknowns in our future, I’m grateful beyond words for a simple stubborn flu bug. Here’s hoping for a happy and healthy start to the new year for all of us!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3 ESV
ON THE BLOG this week: Roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are pure awesomeness from start to finish. Adding salty bacon and a splash of vinegar makes this one heck of a fantastic side dish.
This simple baked spinach artichoke dip is creamy, rich, and full of great flavors. My family reminds me quite regularly that there is nothing under the sun that is not enhanced through the inclusion of bacon.
Savory ham and cheddar cheese are layered into these fluffy biscuits. Served on their own or with a plate of scrambled eggs for breakfast or alongside a bowl of soup for dinner, these biscuits disappear almost as quickly as I can make them.
This creamy, rich slow cooker potato soup with a sprinkling of rosemary and thyme simmers in the crock-pot throughout the day, until you are ready to eat. I’ve been calling this my “Busy Day Potato Soup” for years.
Spiced pear oatmeal is full of rolled oats, cooked pears, cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. It is a weekday breakfast delight that you can make in just a few minutes. When you have a few more minutes to spare, these Banana Coconut Pancakes topped with butter and syrup are a sweet and tasty way to change up your weekend pancake routine.
Want to know how to make gooey, soft, and chewy Rice Krispie Treats? Whether you’re serving them after dinner, taking them to a potluck, or simply making them for a fun snack with your kids after school, find out how to make rice crispy treats that turn out perfectly every time!
What I’m CRAVING: I love a great Brussels Sprouts Salad (<– I could happily eat that one every week!) and this Asian Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad by Thyme and Joy sounds delicious too.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this MOBI game. The game is similar to Bananagrams, but you create connected math equations instead of words. It might sound a little bit complicated, but I promise it isn’t.
You can keep it as simple as you like with addition and subtraction or mix it up with multiplication and division. The game is designed for ages 6+. However, I played with my 19 yr old and happily used the basic tiles while he challenged himself more by using the more complex tiles and making it more difficult.
What I’m WATCHING: The Peripheral. I love new sci-fi twists and this was an excellent watch. As my husband was quick to point out, the show is very loosely based on Gibson’s book by the same name, however, the book stands alone nicely. I’ve never read Gibson and enjoyed the show, while my husband read and enjoyed the book really enjoyed it as well.
What I’m READING: Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis. I don’t typically recommend stories of abuse, but this book isn’t like many others that I’ve read. It’s a story of survival and the focus is not on the abuse itself.
Nothing is sugar-coated in the book, everything about the author’s childhood was ugly and horrifying. However, her story of how hard it was to navigate the criminal justice system in order to bring him to justice should be mandatory reading for anyone who works with victims of these types of crimes.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
