Honestly, I haven’t wanted to write this post.
But here we are. And we’re fine, and the coffee is hot, and sugared and creamed… the toast has extra avocado and spice and alright… here are some thoughts:
โข ย This is real and true andย has changed my stressy-anxieties for the past few years… if I can just remember to do it when I need it most. ย Breathe. Exhale. Repeat. The Benefits of Controlled Breathing.
โข ย “We can practice kindness, we can pay it forward, we can volunteer, and we can serve.ย We can respect one another. We can always get each other’s backs. That is what Veterans Day asks all of us to think about.” ย President Obama urges a disgruntled and divided country to practice kindness.
โข ย Denounce the hate, Mr Trump (and all of us).
โข ย Where you put your energy and where you put your money makes a difference in the world. ย That stays true. ย If you feel motivated to put your money in pro-women, pro-immigrant, pro-earth:ย Put your money here.
โข ย I think it’s important to continue looking at both sides of things: ย The Case Against Cats. ย “What makes an animal a petโa creature to which our emotions attach, sometimes in logic-warping waysโis surprisingly difficult to pin down. Cats are a particularly puzzling case.”
โข ย Meet Tito Superdude Jackson.
โข ย 86 burglars on how they broke into homes. Alarm on. Music on. Ferocious Tron on watch.
โข ย I made this Lentil and Ginger Soup a very long time ago and it remains a very fine and good soup / life decision.
โข ย Something from Food52 I want to make this week:ย Pasta e Fagiole. ย Back to basics.
โข ย I made Deb’s Pumpkin Bread this week, added an embarrassing amount of chocolate, and I’m much better for it.
โขย This three-tiered oven rack is a Thanksgiving hack I can get behind.
โข ย I’m not ready for Christmas music but I am ready for a Christmas Candle, I mean… right??
I love you, ok?
xo Joy
97 Responses
I am looking for a fun thanksgiving dessert to make that the “kids will love”. That is literally my assignment from my hostess friend. I found this post of yours to be relevant even a year later. I don’t mind reading bloggers that get political. In fact, I feel as though we are human beings who ought to be sharing dialogue on important matters such as chocolate and who’s running the country! What I don’t understand is the whiplash response to cutting you off because because a Republican reader can’t abide by your comments to “be kind” to one another. You said nothing derogatory or inflammatory and certainly showed restraint at such a difficult time as that week. Since election night, the one lesson that continues to resonate is that we all need to learn more about one another, listen to differing opinions than our own and keep things civil. None of us should change who we are because of this administration but continued dialogue is needed. Thank you for your honesty, humor and love of all things food!
Thank YOU for your thoughtful comment Elana! I really do appreciate you.
Thanks for this post, Joy. Hugs, Kate.
You have such a great platform and you use it and use it well. I come for the food but I always stay for the heart.
I remember making the lentil and ginger soup when you first posted it, the kitchen smelt so garlicky and I’m pretty sure there is still a tub of it in my dad’s freezer! It was such good comfort food, especially covered in cheese :)
Hey Joy, I have a food-related question for you!
One of my favorite ways to eat banana bread is to toast a slice up with some butter in a hot skillet and then top it with a fried egg and a little S&P
I don’t indulge in that treat quite as often as I enjoy myself a slice or two of avocado toast, also topped with egg
I was thinking about the two at the same time and was wondering…..have you ever made an avocado bread? Since it is such a delicate flavor I’m not sure how successfully it would come through in a quick bread, and how it would even look baked up….but then again I don’t know enough about baking to even know where to begin inventing such a thing as avocado bread. I think I wouldn’t want it to be sweet though because I feel like sugar would make it hard to taste the avocado.
I think part of the joy of the usual avocado toast is all the textural contrast — warm runny yolk then cool creamy avocado then crunch exterior of toast then creamy interior of toast … and I guess avocado bread would throw some of that out the window. But new is exciting! Fresh is fun!
Okay I’m done. You’re great, thanks for the inspiration and the love. Keep doin what you do because you do you the best.
Love you too, Joy. Thanks for all the beauty. xo
Tito Superdude Jackson doe.
Hi Joy,
Thank you for spreading love and light and always unapologetically sharing your thoughts. It’s refreshing to see that behind the food is a thinking, feeling, compassionate human.
If you’re ready to channel your sadness into action, there’s still a shot to flip a senate seat in Louisiana. Please vote and share!
https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/campaign/305812-democrats-have-one-final-shot-to-flip-a-senate-seat
https://www.fostercampbell2016.com/
Love,
Lauren
“I made Debโs Pumpkin Bread this week, added an embarrassing amount of chocolate, and Iโm much better for it.” — I love that. You ROCK!
My sister and I love your blog, your perspective and the reminder that sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and focus on a recipe. Thank you, Joy!
Thank you for sharing your humanity as well a your recipes, Joy.
The ground feels less solid after last weeks election, even in my country, Norway. I have always taken democracy for granted, but now see it as the most precious of things that can be lost.
Keep doing you! I’m glad bloggers and people with a platform are speaking out. It would be foolish and false to pretend like we’re not all affected by this election when we are. I think the ones who are glossing over it or staying silent are either pretending we aren’t deeply divided or are pleased with the results and know that it’s an unpopular position with younger audiences. Make yourself known, use your voice to spread good will, remind us to stay alert and speak up when we see injustice. Fight on, sister!
Joy, are you watching Survivor this season? It’s delivering on the extreme escapism I’m apologetically craving right now. The Gex X v Millennials theme may be a stretch, but there’s certainly some big gameplay going on.
I’m torn over the news thing. I’ve always been a newspaper reader and will continue to take the local paper but am finding that following tv & Internet news is too stressful, especially given my job is very stressful right now as well. I’ve decided to take a break from broadcast news for a while and use the time for now to finish up Veronica Mars and maybe reestablish a yoga practice.
Joy, I love your blog, I love New Orleans. It’s my dream home!
I adore your comments, your insights, sand most importantly, the way you can make me get up & go make a pie!
I won’t stop coming, but my lips are forever sealed. My politics & opinions stop at the door.
Thank you, Joy, for acknowledging the week and having the courage to do so. I know it opens the doors to all kinds of unpleasant comments. I really love the link to the list of organizations to help. It is one of the ways I know I can do my little part, either by donating funds or time or even sharing the list. Again, thank you.
Thanks for bringing us the Sunday post that we so often come to crave. Especially in times of trouble.
I wrote a blog post today that ended with ways to help and search for the silver lining (I also might have said a few things that will surely get me un-invited from Thanksgiving). Thanks for linking to the Jezebel article as I went ahead and added it at the end of my post.
Thank you for holding our hands through this whole thing and posting photos of Tracy and Chicken on IG. Now is the time to sit on the couch with our besties and hold on tight.