I never much enjoyed Labor Day. It feels like the unofficial farewell to summer and I’ve never been very good at goodbyes. You know this to be true if you’ve ever been to a party with me. I’m notorious for the silent peace out. And… the thing is! I realize that it’s not even Labor Day yet! That’s how much I dread it…. it’s already on my mind.
With that in mind, I hope you’re out and about this weekend enjoy the last of these August days.
I’ve put some links together for you. These are them:
• Here’s some information: How are hurricane categories defined? We’re down here hoping that the winds chill and the rain drains away easily.
UPDATE: Since first writing this post on Friday, Hurricane Harvey has devastated Texas, here are some ways we all can help!
• Ok guys! This is that feeling I couldn’t quite put my finger on! August blues are like Sunday blues but for a full month. My advice, say yes to every invitation. We’ll be hibernating in no time.
• Last week we talked about The Golden Record, the ambitious and heart-fortifying record we sent into space with the sounds of Earth. Turns out The Golden Record has gone vinyl.
• I’m adding this book about forgotten African American chefs to my reading list: The Cooking Gene. You too?
• Have you ever made a Carbonara? Let’s give it a shot, dontcha think? As you like it Carbonara.
• A last-bit-of-summer craft project: Ice Dying.
• This is my kind of road trip! There’s banana pudding involved.
• On the menu this week is this incredible chicken from Not Without Salt: Perfect Roast Chicken with Salsa Verde.
• I’ve only been talking about it forever and this weekend I finally started brewing my own kombucha!
• In case you see cauliflower on sale at the grocery store this week: Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cheddar Beer Sauce
• Very important news: Homemade Spreadable and Whipped Coffee Butter.
• I wear lipstick three days in a row and all of a sudden I’m looking up Fall Makeup Trends like I actually know what I’m doing. Here’s what I do know… I’m going to go for a berry lip and maybe something gold? Take from this what you will.
Enjoy today!
xo Joy
David Lopez
I made the whole roasted cauliflower when you first posted it. You had it at John Besh’s restaurant?
I loved it. It was even better out the fridge, it sliced like a ?.
joythebaker
Yes I remember having the cauliflower at Domenica.
Jasmine
Yay to homemade kombucha! Pinapple + ginger for second fermentation is my favorite flavor :)
Leslie Rossi | alifewellconsumed
i dread the end of summer too, it’s too short a season. i would easily be able to live in SoCal or Arizona.
Leslie
https://www.alifewellconsumed.com
Dub Brown
Joy, I was anxious to read today’s ‘Let It Be Sunday’ post. I was sure you would mention the disaster in Texas.
Disappointed…
joythebaker
I’ve held off as it is still unfolding and I write these posts on Friday / early Saturday. So sorry to disappoint.
Martha
That comment is heavy handed and frankly rude.
Lisa
I bought The Cooking Gene, Joy. It looks like a wonderful book =) Thanks for the tip and your voice in the food world!
joythebaker
Thank you for being here!
Bob Cullum
Thanks Joy. Love you
Tina
Just planning my New Orleans to Memphis 10 day road trip..and friends are wondering why I’m not only traveling to the US but also spend so much time in those two states..and I habe trouble to fit everything in!
Sandra
The Cooking Gene looks like an amazing read. What we consider “American Food” is so rooted in the South, and built by our African-American brothers and sisters. It’s important that we acknowledge it!
I have been using culinary therapy these days (I’m a social worker, busy times!), and your cauliflower dish looks like weeknight comfort. Thank you for reposting!
As far as berry lip colors, I strongly recommend the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. I’m not a lipstick girl myself, but this is a nice in-between: https://www.fresh.com/US/lip-treatment/sugar-berry-tinted-lip-treatment-sunscreen-spf-15/h00002481.html/H00002481.html#prevPage=menu&start=9&cgid=tinted-lip-treatments
Lauren Wilson
Love you to the Moon!
Taste of France
Good luck with the rain.
Carbonara is so easy and so yummy. But to me it’s comfort food and has to wait for colder weather. Right now, raw tomatoes with basil and a splash of olive oil is all it takes on pasta….with some mozzarella, of course.
joythebaker
You’re right you’re right!
Donna
Great links as always, Joy!
Here are a few links I’ve loved lately:
111 N.F.L. Brains. All but one had C.T.E. I thought this interactive piece from the NY Times was so timely and really well done!
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/sports/football/nfl-cte.html
My 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Trip. Sooooo good!
https://www.kottke.org/17/08/my-2017-total-solar-eclipse-trip
Also, I was chatting with a friend this week and she raved about these two podcasts and I can’t wait to listen:
Ear Hustle – a podcast all about life in prison produced by two inmates at San Quentin State Prison.
The Ladygang – Each week, the hosts have a celebrity guest on the show. The guest helps the hosts answer listeners’ burning questions about womanhood!
Also, a few of my favourite summer reads:
Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston. This engaging and devasting yet hopeful and empowering YA novel is one of the best books I’ve read this year!! It’s about Hermione, the captain of a high school cheerleading squad who was raped at summer training camp. Johnston focuses on how Hermione deals with the aftermath and fights to regain control of her life with the support of family, friends and therapy. I love that Johnston never portrays her as a victim. Beautifully written, thought provoking, and necessary.
Around the Way Girl by Taraji P. Henson. I devoured this memoir one Sunday. I laughed out loud and cried legit tears. Inspiring on soooo many levels!
Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips. I raced through this thriller in two days!
Currently reading and loving:
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn – a beautiful historical fiction about a network of female spies
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco – a memoir by Obama’s Former Deputy Chief of Staff. It’s hilarious!
Gail Hardie
Have you read THe Potlikker Papers by John T. Edge? The story of the southern food culture, the impact it has had on daily lives. Must reading for anyone interested in the south and the people who have nourished our souls and bodies. xx
Su
I just read the September Better Homes and Gardens article. It was wonderful, the location was gorgeous, the recipes are fabulous and you look awesome in those jeans!
Ellen
Joy you are amazing !
I’ve been looking forward to this post and for a split second prepared myself for dissapointment. And then – you delivered bliss once again! Inspired my you I am slowing down this Sunday and making some bourbon peach jam biscuits with ham ? Be safe from Harvey!
Amanda
I made carbonara several months ago for the first time! And it was so easy and good that I ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner over several days.
Bob Cullum
Hi Joy, I’m sincerely pleased that you’ve finally been able to make money from the blog I’ve enjoyed for years with your brand associations. I really am. You deserve all the rewards your hard work and sweet attitude can give you. But.. having to give personal info to Better Homes and Gardens just to view a recipe from a friend is a little much. Maybe you didn’t know. I hope so.
Stay safe this hurricane season.
joythebaker
You know what, Bob! I absolutely didn’t realize you had to enter your information. I wouldn’t want to do that either! I’m going to take the link down and I’ll share the recipe in the coming weeks here on the blog after I make and photograph it myself. Thanks for your note!