Welcome to the weekend, friends! I spent the past few days in Rhode Island, exploring my friend Lynne‘s favorite part of the world. The foods we enjoyed this week were truly amazing; from lobster rolls to oysters, stuffies to clam chowder, scallop rolls to dough boys, chocolates, doughnuts, popcorn and Del’s frozen lemonades on repeat.
As much as I enjoy travel, it’s great to be home again. I’m looking forward to a fun weekend with all of my boys.
ON THE BLOG this week: Have you tried Hot Buttered Rum? A warm mug of hot buttered rum brings about a full body coziness that feels like you are being wrapped in a thick warm blanket. (You can make a non-alcoholic hot buttered “rum” as well!)
These chewy, richly spiced Hot Buttered Rum Cookies are the happy result of what can I do with the extra buttered rum batter I don’t want to freeze?
Chicken Enchilada Dip is a creamy, cheesy, spicy chicken-filled enchilada dip, a hit with everyone who tries it. Hearty enough for a main dish, this was an enormous success for our family movie night.
This skillet is a delightful combination of sweet potatoes, fresh corn, asparagus, and bacon with a drizzle of balsamic. It was something unexpected that I pulled together for a dinner side dish a few years ago, using odds and ends from the refrigerator. What resulted was a skillet full of magic. I know that sounds like I am exaggerating but I promise you I am not. This dish is so good it qualifies as a company coming over meal.
Espresso Ice Cream is quite easily one of my favorites. I love a simple, smooth yet rich and creamy authentically coffee-tasting ice cream. This is a simplified and egg-free version of my Cafe con Leche Ice Cream – and we LOVE it.
What I’m CRAVING: Lobster Rolls! (Thanks a lot, Lynne.) I’m loving this version from my friend Heidi. She combines the buttery awesomeness of a hot lobster roll with the creamy dressing that I love on a cold roll. I need to try these lobster rolls soon!
My FAVORITE THINGS this week are these cheap little cork coasters. I have them all over the house. I originally bought them because my coffee was cooling way too fast when I set the mug down on the kitchen counter. (FYI stone countertops often work as a heat sink and quickly cool just about anything hot that is placed on them.)
Turns out I use these little coasters all the time in a bunch of different ways. Humid day? They’re a great basic coaster to absorb moisture from an iced tea. Other times, I set a few of them on the table and they’ll hold a hot roasting pan nicely. At less than a dollar each, they’ve been a useful bargain find.
What I’m WATCHING: a friend sent me this youtube video link and I’m here for all of it. This is a Caroline Winkler video called “You’re doing home organization WRONG.” Every single thing in the video is approachable and not at all a sales pitch for things to buy. She gives so many great every day tips that you can immediately do in your own home.
What I’m READING: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar. I could not put this book down. I started reading it on the way home from Rhode Island and stayed up way too late to finish it last night. I asked on FB last week for book recommendations and this was one that sounded interesting. I loved it.
This is a fictionalized story based on the biblical account of “the woman with the issue of blood” found in the gospels. The author never contradicts scripture and in fact, points the reader back to reading the Bible for the original story. This book is rich with historical detail and it brings to life the culture and society of those times.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
The post The Little Things Newsletter #330 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food! appeared first on Barefeet in the Kitchen.
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