Welcome to the weekend, my friends! The sun is shining once again and I am a very happy camper. I saw the first daffodils in the yard this week and I swear they are smiling at me.
ON THE BLOG this week: Cheese Board Making 101 (a.k.a. How to make a cheese board in 10 minutes or less OR How to make a cheese board without breaking the bank) is simpler than you might think! Whether I’m pulling together a late night snack, an easy lunch, or appetizers for 20 people, cheese boards are my choice for so many occasions.
Saucy noodles, crisp hot vegetables, and tender bites of chicken are tossed together in this easy stir fry. A late-night Chinese food craving inspired this recipe for Stir Fry Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables. This is a one-skillet meal that comes together in about 25 minutes.
With almost a full pound of fresh berries in this Strawberry Frosting, you can taste the berries in every bite. The frosting thickens nicely for a pipeable frosting and it thins out beautifully for a strawberry icing that can be poured over a cake.
What I’m CRAVING: Chef Billy Parisi’s Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad caught my eye this week and like so many of his fantastic recipes, the photos are positively mouthwatering. This sounds so good, it needs to happen in my kitchen very soon.
What I’m LISTENING to: “Why Read Old Books?” by The Literary Life. This was their first podcast that I listened to and it was FANTASTIC. Oh, I loved it so much. It challenged me and inspired me to read more older books and to be more selective with my reading as well. I have a new (technically, old) list of books to read now and I’m excited to dive into it.
What I’m READING: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. My friend Rebecca recommended this book to me and it’s a simply charming read. The book brings together twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and Frank Doel, a used-book dealer, in London.
This was a quick read, at under 100 short pages, and it was a pleasure. The joy that literature brings into their lives made me smile many times and I added several more books to my own reading list.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ― Mark Twain
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
Heather L Kleiner says
Thank you for sharing The Literary Life with me. What a treasure!! Why Read Old Books was super and I am going to go back a listen to many of their other podcasts. I enjoy your newsletter and the little references to your life in Ohio. I moved from Ohio years ago and miss so many things that are different to everyday life than here in Wyoming. I take your advice on many of the books and shows you feature but am still wondering how you get it all done!! Heather
Mary Younkin says
Awe! I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the podcast, Heather. I love to read and it’s so much fun to hear that you’re enjoying the books as well.