Your Ultimate Guide to Discovering Life’s Little Pleasures: My Latest Must-Try Recommendations
A curated list of wonderful things to do, purchase, delve into, watch, and so much more, designed to enhance your everyday life.
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It’s that exciting time again for another installment of my “Good Things List”! I’m consistently thrilled by the positive feedback I receive from many of you about these lists. It truly warms my heart to know that you’re enjoying them and, more importantly, discovering new and enriching experiences, products, and entertainment to try out for yourselves. My goal is always to share authentic recommendations that genuinely add value and joy to life, and I hope this list continues that tradition.
This month, I’m particularly excited to highlight some incredible discoveries. I’ll be sharing my absolute favorite, versatile spice (which I’ve mentioned before, but now it’s finally available to purchase easily online!), reviewing an impressive seven books (yes, another month of extensive reading!), and recommending a movie that had me genuinely laughing harder than I have in a very long time. And, of course, there are plenty more fantastic finds awaiting you!
My Latest Good Things: Discoveries and Delights
Learning What’s Growing on Our Farmhouse Fixer’s Property. This spring has brought such a delightful adventure in discovery. When we first moved into our farmhouse fixer, the property presented a rather stark canvas of dormant twigs and branches. Now, as spring unfolds, it’s been incredibly fun to watch the landscape awaken and reveal the diverse types of plants and trees that call this place home. Each bloom and new leaf feels like a little secret being unveiled, painting a vibrant picture of what our yard truly holds.
We’ve found quite a few lovely lilac bushes, including the one pictured above. Curiously, this particular lilac doesn’t carry much scent, which has been a puzzling observation for me – have any of you ever encountered a lilac without its characteristic fragrance? Beyond the lilacs, we also have beautiful flowering cherries that burst into bloom in early March, along with a magnificent large apple tree that’s just finishing its stunning display. Its blossoms filled the air with a delicate, sweet perfume.
A truly exciting discovery was finding a Variegated Weigela (pronounced “why-jeela”—a pronunciation that stumped me for years!). I’m thrilled with this find because I had planted one at both of our previous homes, and it will add its vibrant blooms later in the spring. Even more surprising was a peony that emerged right in the middle of a patch of grass—an area I envision transforming into a future herb garden. While it currently has no buds (likely due to being mowed down, which gives me a laugh!), my plan is to carefully transplant it to a more suitable spot and gently coax it to bloom beautifully next year. This slow unfolding of our property’s natural beauty has been a highlight of the season.
In terms of established plantings, that’s actually about it for the property. There isn’t an overwhelming amount of existing landscaping – certainly not as much as I meticulously crammed into our previous acre lot. Some of what is here, like a randomly placed Laurel bush that obstructs the charming porch views and a sickly-looking tree blocking the upstairs windows, I’m already planning to remove. Anything that impedes a beautiful view is definitely going to be repurposed or relocated, allowing the natural light and scenery to truly shine!
Anthony’s Arizona Chipotle Spice. Oh, how I adore this spice blend! I have “all the heart eyes” for its perfectly balanced smoky, incredibly flavorful, and subtly spicy profile. It’s a game-changer in the kitchen, and I can’t recommend it enough. We first stumbled upon this culinary gem during one of our early trips to Arizona, and ever since, it became a mandatory souvenir. Every subsequent visit meant stocking up, often leading to comical situations—once, my carry-on was thoroughly searched by airport security because I had strategically stuffed wrapped bottles of this precious spice into my shoes! I even first shared my obsession in a “Three Things” article years ago because I simply couldn’t keep such a fantastic discovery to myself. It truly elevates everything it touches—salads, eggs, meats, vegetables—making every dish taste uniquely delicious.
The problem, for a long time, was its elusive availability. I couldn’t find anywhere to purchase it outside of the few specific stores in Arizona I knew about. Amazon occasionally listed it, but at a ridiculous price coupled with exorbitant shipping fees, and eventually, it disappeared from their listings entirely. To my dismay, on our last few trips to Arizona, even the usual stores weren’t stocking it! I started to feel desperate; we were down to our very last bottle, and the thought of cooking without it was genuinely disheartening.
Fueled by necessity, I searched for the website of the maker, Anthony’s Spices. To my immense relief and excitement, there it was, readily available for purchase directly from their site! (To clarify, I had checked their site years ago, but they didn’t offer direct sales back then). And the best part? When I ordered three bottles, the shipping cost was significantly more reasonable, bringing the total price down to even less than what I used to pay in Arizona! What a victory!
So, no more creatively stuffing spice bottles into my footwear. What a relief! If you appreciate robust, flavorful seasonings with a pleasant kick, I wholeheartedly urge you to try this. It’s truly exceptional, and I’m confident it will become a staple in your kitchen. Click here to explore and order (be sure to scroll down to “Arizona Chipotle”—I haven’t tried their other flavors, so I can only vouch for this incredible blend).
L.A. Colors Matte Eyeshadow Palette in Brown Tweed. I was in dire need of a new eyeshadow palette, but I simply couldn’t justify paying the exorbitant prices of the large, trendy palettes that are so popular right now—often ranging from $20 to $50 for eyeshadow! My beauty routine is quite low-maintenance; I typically use one neutral shadow palette until it’s completely used up, then replace it. I also find that less choice is often a plus for me; I don’t need 20 different shades to feel overwhelmed.
With this practical approach in mind, I decided to order this matte palette from L.A. Colors in the shade “Brown Tweed” on Amazon. I’ve been genuinely delighted with my purchase, especially considering it cost less than $5! The quality is surprisingly good for the price point, offering a nice range of neutral, blendable matte shades that are perfect for everyday wear. This small, efficient palette will undoubtedly last me a couple of years, which is an excellent return on my investment that I’m more than happy with. It’s a fantastic example of finding quality and value without breaking the bank, proving that good makeup doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.
April Reads: A Month of Literary Adventures
When I tallied up the books I managed to read and listen to last month, I was genuinely surprised to discover that the total reached seven again, just like the previous month! It seems I’ve been on a fantastic reading roll, and I’m certainly not complaining. This impressive count was largely thanks to diving deep into a couple of captivating book series—one I finished up with a pair of shorter, engaging books, and another I enthusiastically started, which then compelled me to listen whenever and wherever I could. Many of these were audiobooks, and with spring in full swing, I’ve been spending significantly more time out in the garden. For me, more gardening time perfectly translates to more audiobook listening, and thus, more books consumed! It’s a wonderful synergy.
Here are the absolute best of the bunch that truly stood out:
Golden Son, by Pierce Brown (Book 2 in the Red Rising Trilogy). I previously shared my thoughts on the first book in this phenomenal trilogy here, and I can confidently say that this second installment was even more compelling and intense than the first! It’s an absolutely thrilling read, packed with incredibly deep and complex characters whose motivations you truly invest in. The plot is rife with unexpected twists and turns that neither Brian nor I saw coming (we’re enjoying this series together via audiobook, which adds another layer of shared excitement). While there is a significant amount of violence, it is always balanced by profound, real emotions, and you find yourself wholeheartedly believing in the cause for which the characters are fighting. We are both on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating the start of the third book. We’ve been listening with the help of these fantastic car adapters on every trip we take, even our short 20-minute commutes to town! I recently discovered that the author is writing a brand-new trilogy set 10 years after this one, so it seems our car listening material is happily decided for quite some time.
At Home in the World, by Tsh Oxenreider. This memoir has been circulating for quite some time, and I’ve noticed a number of fellow bloggers enjoying it, so when I saw it on sale for Kindle, I immediately grabbed a copy. It’s a fascinating account of the author’s ambitious trip around the world with her husband and their children. I thoroughly enjoyed Oxenreider’s fluid writing style and her vivid descriptions of the diverse places they visited, which truly transported me. I was particularly impressed by their meticulous planning and the sheer scope of what they managed to accomplish as a family. However, I found myself a bit unsure how I felt about her exploration of a sort of “faith crisis” and how it was woven into the narrative. The book leaned a bit more introspective for my personal preference; I had anticipated it would focus more on the “experiences traveling with kids” aspect. But that’s just my subjective take – it was undeniably an interesting and thought-provoking read, offering a unique perspective on global travel and personal growth.
The Selection Trilogy, by Kiera Cass: The Selection (Book 1), The Elite (Book 2), The One (Book 3). Okay, let’s be clear: this series is pure, unadulterated entertainment – delightful fluff and good, clean fun! I had actually seen this series listed in my local library’s Hoopla App for quite a while but consistently passed it by until Sherry from Young House Love enthusiastically recommended it on their podcast a couple of months ago. Her genuine love for it convinced me to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed: a light, easy-to-read story, completely clean, filled with pleasant characters, and without being overly deep. While the plot is largely predictable and you’ll likely foresee the ending early on, Cass skillfully throws in just enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. More importantly, there are subtle yet meaningful life themes woven throughout, prompting a bit of thought without heavy contemplation. If you’re searching for something enjoyable, straightforward, and wonderfully escapist, this trilogy might be precisely what you’re looking for.
Beyond these, I also wrapped up the Port William series with Remembering (which, admittedly, wasn’t my favorite entry in the collection) and The Memory of Old Jack (which I unexpectedly enjoyed more than I thought I would, as it provided rich backstories for many beloved characters). Additionally, I managed to squeeze in a valuable business book. It makes me wonder what literary adventures next month will bring!
Watching: Screen Time Delights
Game Night with Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. This hilarious film was released a few months ago, but we were lucky enough to catch one of its last showings during a recent date night. We have a soft spot for 90s movies like The Man Who Knew Too Little starring Bill Murray, and “Game Night” seemed to promise a similar brand of witty, situational humor. However, both Brian and I were absolutely blown away by how much we adored this movie! We laughed so incredibly hard throughout the entire film, but what truly elevated it was the smart script balanced with genuinely great relationships and relatable real-life situations, especially the fantastic chemistry between the lead actors. I’m a big fan of Jason Bateman in virtually anything he does, and he shines here. We’re now enthusiastically recommending this to everyone we know – I’m sure it will be widely available for home viewing very soon. It does contain some language (though it’s not gratuitous or excessive like in some comedies) and a fair amount of fight-scene-style violence, but nothing that felt over-the-top or unnecessary for the plot.
We also saw Ready Player One. Brian, our daughter, and I had previously listened to the audiobook together and absolutely loved it, so our anticipation for this Steven Spielberg adaptation was incredibly high, especially since the screenplay was co-written by the original author. Unfortunately, for us, the movie was just “okay.” Our main disappointment stemmed from the significant changes made to the book’s plot and challenges, which is always a bit disheartening when you’re deeply invested in the source material. That said, the film was undeniably a visual spectacle; the special effects and immersive virtual world were breathtaking and incredibly fun to watch. I truly believe that if you haven’t read the book, you might enjoy the movie a great deal more than we did, as you won’t have the comparisons to detract from the experience.
On the television front, we thoroughly enjoyed the first season (a concise three episodes) of Unforgotten on PBS. This is a wonderfully crafted British crime drama that centers on a dedicated team of police detectives who specialize in solving old, cold murder cases. The premise explores the idea that justice shouldn’t be forgotten just because everyone involved has seemingly moved on to better lives. The show is incredibly realistic, deeply emotional, and at times quite raw, offering a fascinating look into the intricate workings of police investigations and how they meticulously piece together clues from the past. We were completely captivated by the first “season” – it’s a quick watch at just three episodes – and we’re eagerly looking forward to the new season, which is scheduled to start on PBS very soon.
And if you listen to the Podcast, you’ll already know that I’ve been absolutely captivated by the new Lost in Space series on Netflix. I’m a huge fan of how it portrays family dynamics under extreme pressure, and the thrilling, high-stakes situations they constantly overcome keep me on the edge of my seat. What I particularly love about this show is that it’s a wonderfully produced Netflix original series that *isn’t* rated MA (which, sadly, is the case for almost all of them). This series is rated PG, making it a fantastic option for the whole family to enjoy together, though I should note there are some genuinely scary and suspenseful situations, so it might not be suitable for the very youngest viewers.
That concludes another exciting edition of the Good Things List! I genuinely hope you’ve found some inspiration or discovered something new to add to your own list of favorites. If you’re curious to explore more of what I’ve been enjoying in the past, you can easily check out all previous Good Things Lists here. I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts – whether you’ve tried any of these recommendations or if you have some wonderful “good things” of your own that you’d recommend. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and share your insights!
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