Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m so happy that the peonies are blooming at last. They’ve been making me grin all week. I can hardly believe that today is the fifth anniversary of The Little Things Newsletter! I’m so glad that I started writing these emails all those years ago – this has become my favorite way to connect with you.
To celebrate 5 years of writing this newsletter, I’m giving away 5 Kindle Paperwhites just for newsletter readers! I’ve been a Kindle fan for over 8 years now and the backlit paperwhite is my favorite Kindle ever. Mine is connected to the library and I keep it filled with stacks of (FREE) books waiting to be read. Best. Invention. Ever.
Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite book/s or telling me the book you want to read next! Thanks for being here with me and being a loyal reader of The Little Things Newsletter.
Must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the U.S to enter. (Unfortunately, this is the law for international giveaways, not something that is in my control.) Five winners will be randomly selected and notified via email on Tuesday, June 1st.
ON THE BLOG this week: Over the years this has become our go-to favorite Classic Potato Salad. The recipe is a combination of several of the potato salads on the site and it’s perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, and weeknight dinners throughout the year. (Can you ever really have too many potato salad recipes? I don’t think so!)
A crisp shortbread crust is topped with a chewy gooey layer of pineapple and coconut to make these Pineapple Coconut Bars. Not too sweet and slightly tart, these bars are a fruity tropical drink in bar cookie form.
What I’m CRAVING: All things grilled! Have you tried spiral cut hot dogs? They’re awesome – and they make a heck of an addition to the Hot Dog Bar: Chicago-Style, Hawaiian, Green Chile Queso, and BBQ Sundae hot dogs are all fantastic!
My friend Heidi’s Garlic Burgers sound incredible, as do these Grilled Steak Fajitas, and the ever-popular Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Crema.
What I’m WATCHING: The Mentalist – Anyone else a fan of this show? I’m pretty hooked!
What I’m READING: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I’m breaking my own rule here and talking about a book before I have finished it. I’ve barely begun this one and it’s already so good! As a Holocaust survivor, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.
“Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.” – Viktor E. Frankl
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
Congratulations to the lucky winners! Enjoy your Kindles!
Dayna Hemmelgarn says
I like reading Nora Roberts books, and mystery books by other Authors! Would love to win a Kindle Paperwhite!
Marsha Lynne says
My favorite book is the last book that my husband has just read. I order books by several different authors that he appreciates. Every book read is a few hours of adventure and getaways..
Brandice says
I am new here, but have loved reading about you and your cute family, and perusing your recipe posts. One of my favorite books is 11-22-63 by Stephen King, which I bought as a gift and was just flipping through it, and then I found myself sucked in by it and I read the whole thing and had to give the gift recipient another copy so I could keep the now dog-eared one for myself. I also just recently read Eternal by Lisa Scottoline and loved that. It was about WWII from the Italian Jew perspective and very interesting! I’d love a Kindle. There is nothing better than hundreds of books on your “want to read” list and knowing you could just pick any of them and they would probably be great!
Colleen says
I loved’ the Alice network ‘and I just finished ‘news of the world ‘enjoyed it very much – using my Kindle and being connected to the library has been a lifesaver during the Covid shut down
Cathy Andrews says
I loved “Where the Crawdads Sing”. Thank you for sharing your life and recipes with us.
Paige Davis says
I just finished The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Great book! Just started The Last Thing He told Me and can’t put it down!
Eileen Marx says
Hi, Mary. You asked about my favorite author and that would be Charles Martin. His books are about hope and goodness. And he manages to do all this without gratuitous sex, violence or vulgar language.
A truly inspiring author. He is the king of novels of life. He creates a person, people actually. Then he takes them from existence into real life through healing, forgiveness, redemption, love—whatever is needed in their lives. Knowing how much you enjoy reading, I know you will love Charles Martin’s books.
Joellyn says
I love Stephen King books… need to do some re-reading!!
Rebecca A Wright says
I love reading books on the Kindle.Its so convienient to pop into my purse an go.My hubby has a better idea,he has 2 and goes back and forth between the 2 so he doesnt have to stop reading a good book in the middle just to recharge.
carrol Reid says
Love my Kindle. So handy to have my own library if books available when I want them.
Molly says
Hi, lately my book have been whatever my kindergartner brings home. We read every night before bed and I’m trying to instill that in her. My book of choice when I have time is “Untamed”
Thank you!
Maria Ferri says
I want to read Sibley’s Guide to Birds.
Marilyn B Jumper says
I enjoyed reading the Mitford Series books. I would not have started them if not for your telling of reading the books. I truly enjoyed them and still have some to read. Thank you for recommending them!
Lauren S says
I really loved Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning , I think everyone should read it.
After being in Gettysburg recently, I recently reread one of my favorite books, Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. In all my years in a book club, it was the only book that everyone agreed was a a really good read.
Mary, you have one of my favorite food blogs! Keep up the great work, I plan to make the pineapple coconut bars soon. Yum!
Anh says
What a kind gesture to your readers. I think I’d like to check out the Viktor Frankl book you’re reading at the moment. Going to check it out on now…thanks for sharing!
Julia Sackett says
I just love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and the Mrs. Pollifax series. I am currently reading today and tomorrow, The Guest List by Lucy Foley. It goes back to the library automatically on Wednesday. I am half way thru it and now it is time to read until bed time!
Julia Sackett says
Forgot to say how much I use your recipes. I cook in the classroom and your recipes are yummy and so easy! Congrats on your anniversary.
Christeen Miller says
I am looking forward to reading the new Elin Hildebrand novel.
Monica Archer says
I don’t really have a favorite book, but right now I’m reading The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain.
Jill Ellsasser says
I look forward to every news letter and try at least one recipe ( occasionally everything listed ). Spring is great, but something about the fall recipes just resonate so much more with me. I love it means cooler weather, slow down, and read a book buy the window with the sun coming in!
Dana says
Congratulations on your 5th year! I enjoy your newsletter very much. Right now I am reading “The Girl in the Window”