Hello my friends. We’re staring August straight in the face and I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t really made the time to treat myself to summer. Of course I’m talking about my Summer Bucket List. How are your summer days coming along? I hope you have a few new freckles on your shoulder and maybe a little sand in weird places. That’s just a sign of good living, right? I’m going to find the beach this week. I’ve got to. We’ll be buying mechanical pencils and eating Sweet Potato Pie before we know it.
Here’s some of the Internet from the week. I wish you a restful and peaceful day, with sunflowers:
• It would be best if you read the following link whilst reclined and relaxing. The reason why exhaustion and burnout are so common. Can’t we just balance our humours and carry on with it? (I guess, no.)
• We’re pushing past the burnout. Here’s a very un-Oprah thought: Don’t Think Too Positive. “Positive thinking impedes performance because it relaxes us and drains the energy we need to take action.” What’s the balance between daydream positive goal thoughts and slight anxiety motivation?
• It’s not just an introvert and extrovert scale. Why Declaring ‘I’m an Introvert’ Limits Your Life.
• I really enjoyed this thoughtful article about What’s It Like To Be a Food Writer Right Now with Food52’s Amanda Hesser and Saveur’s Adam Sachs.
• Have you ever wondered? What’s the deal with the food at TJ Maxx? It’s part treasure hunt vibes and part contrived scarcity. I’m always suckered in with the ‘compare at’ pricing sticker. Who doesn’t love a deal (or the thought of a deal)?
• The Big Business of Birthdays. We live in a Facebook world and birthdays have been Internetted and coded.
• New rule: Brainstorming is Dumb. This is a relief to me. Brainwriting is the ticket.
• Perhaps this will be helpful to you: 7 Shut-It-Down Responses to ‘When are you having a baby?’
• Consider this for the ice cube tray. It’s the Secret Weapon Stir Fry Sauce with spinach and fresh herbs and forward thinking.
• This is just what we need, I’m sure of it: Roasted Corn Chowder.
• I’m making this Italian bread this afternoon. Put your eyes on this beauty from King Arthur Flour: Pane Bianco.
• Lately, the best parts of my wardrobe (which is humble and contained) come from Everlane. This Double Cotton Knit Turtle Neck has me dreaming of sweater weather.
• Brand new Amos Lee is available for preorder and it’s hearty and beautiful.
Enjoy this beautiful day.
xo Joy
Emily @ LIfe on Food
I am all about the positive thinking article. I think it is overrated.
Joy
Thanks for some great reads! Such a nice mix.
Rebeca
Oh man, July has flown by!
I’m really digging the shut-it-down responses. Since I turned 30, it seems a lot more people feel entitled to ask about my reproductive choices. How about you mind your own life? No, not every woman wants to be a mother. Yes, we’re still human beings with feelings and capable of loving. 2016, eh? Sigh.
Now I’m going to check out that bread!
Andrea
Man, I love the food at TJ Maxx! They’re doing something right. Re: Facebook birthdays, I like using facebook to find out (good) friends’ birthdays and put a reminder in my phone to send a card a week before their birthday (and usually make it repeating for subsequent years)! I rarely post facebook birthday greetings, but I appreciate having the knowledge at my fingertips. Real, live birthday cards are the sweetest, in my opinion.
Nadia
Summer always seems to pass by way too quickly.
Brittany @ Brittany Bakes It
My daughter starts school this upcoming week. I can’t believe how fast Summer is flying by, and I’ve maybe accomplished one or two out of the hundred things I meant to do. On a side note: I can’t wait to check out that Italian bread!
Amy Rives
I made a roasted corn chowder last week and it was the bomb. I used coconut milk for a non-dairy update. yummmm
Kara
You’re the second internet celebrity to tell me about Everlane. The Modern Mrs Darcy spoke of it recently but I didn’t pull the trigger. I will now. Enjoy the beach! In this heat even swimming pools are too hot, the ocean is where it’s at.
Heather
Love this every week and I always end up sending your links to friends/family…sent the baby article to my (happily) baby-less sister and I’m hoping she utilizes response #1.
Christina @ The Blissful Balance
I swear I feel like I’ve had my head down and all of a sudden I look up and it’s August. Where has the Summer gone?! I’m not readyyyy.
Jess
Really enjoyed the “contrived scarcity” at TJ Maxx article! I really did think it was an odd hodge podge of items for sale. I’m always on the hunt for good oils/seeds/nuts there. Interested business model!
Tracy
I look forward to your Sunday blog all week, it’s always excellent and a great range of topics. Keep doing what you do Joy, but first, the beach.
Rena
Hope you will really go to the beach as I also recognised summer is coming to the end…
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
francetaste
I love those baby answers. Wish I’d have had them years ago.
writely2015
Bucket list check times a billion…just swam the English Channel on a relay team with five of my best buds…there was force four conditions (big waves), jelly fish stings (me) and lots of sea sickness (not me) so it was pretty epic. Now bake to baking! Something with lots of layers!
Nadia
Congratulations! That is quite a feat. You should have had a big cake waiting for you.
writely2015
Lol…most too seasick