Hello my dear friends! Welcome to this Sunday. I hope the weekend is treating you well. This week was plenty. The world is plenty, you know? In the news we know that Trump is picking thin-skinned and unpresidential fights with professional athletes, North Korea thinks it’s time to flex its muscles and we’re all like… REALLY?, the earth is shifting and shaking and collapsing buildings and lives, wind and island destruction, displacement in Myanmar, UN business, Facebook political ads… it’s all very much.
The list this week reflects that you know what’s going on and maybe need an apple pie bar about it.
Here we are:
• I’m going to leave these hard truths right here for you because GIRL (I mean that in a non gender specific way)- this is some real real: I’m terrified of getting married.
• Is there a single food that we can survive on forever? French Fries!!! Sort of, because… potatoes. In a related, not very important story, I watched The Martian with Matt Damon on the plane yesterday. Here’s the plot (with a spoiler): Matt Damon is an astronaut that gets left on Mars by other astronauts who had to scoot because shit was going down and they thought he was surely dead. He’s not dead. He’s alive. He has to figure out how to survive and part of that is growing potatoes in poop in a tent on Mars alone. Yadda yadda yadda. He goes back into space, Jessica Chastain catches him in a space chair and everyone cries because they literally caught Matt Damon in the middle of space. The end.
• SPEAKING OF MARS! Did you know that 6 people are living under Mars-like-conditions on a remote volcano in Hawaii to figure out if we can live anywhere besides this beautiful planet we’re destroying? This is bonkers. Do read.
• This recipe has re-entered my mind this week. From the Queen: Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars.
• VERY IMPORTANT: The Battle of the Real Housewives Cookbooks. Also, Carole and Adam just unfollowed each other on Instagram so there goes the neighborhood.
• Nigella Lawson says what we’re all thinking about Instagram food. Instagram can make a cook despair. Food is brown sometimes… can we just go with it?
• Five Things To Cook While Watching ’30 Rock’ Before It Leaves Netflix.
• Outside of New Orleans you might know Big Freedia as the voice of “I did not come to play with you hoes, I came to slay, bitch” in Beyonce’s Formation. Here, we know what’s up with the corn bread and collard greens. Adding this to my reading list – Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva.
• Let’s watch Lady Gaga, ya know? Five Foot Two.
• We’re just going to prance around the topic of death real quick. What Your Future Burial Outfit Says About You. Mmmmkay. I swear to god if you put me in my church clothes in a wooden box I will haunt you for all of your days. Please cremate me in my yoga pants THANK YOU.
• In a bout of wishful, staying-out-of-the-grave thinking… I already bought a set of flannel sheets for this winter. I. Am. Ready.
• Very into Carhartt-chic this Autumn.
Above is a picture of my friend Suzonne‘s paper rose mantle. Today we’re going to work on olive branches and brainstorm poinsettias. I’m all the way into it and I’ll show you soon (as soon as I sort of know what I’m doing).
Enjoy this day,
xo Joy
Nosizwe
Wow Joy! Gotta take a deep breath here…
You’ve put into words what I’m feeling about the global situation, which feels like everything is spinning out of control very scarily! I have two teenage sons, and this isn’t the world I want them to inherit. Maybe they can work towards fixing some of it…if political world leaders give them half a chance!
I was terrified of being a mother, not marriage …that heavy responsibility for the next generation, you know! So we got married when I fell pregnant, and so glad that he’s a good father for the most part – we’ve all got our faults, but I wouldn’t have wanted to parent alone!
Thank you, Joy, for bringing something to look forward to on Sundays! Just need more teen-appealing food ideas!?
Debbie
Love you, Joy. Just love you.
Vaughan G.
Love the roses on the mantle. What is the larger rectangular black piece behind them??
Suzonne
Vaughan, it’s a vintage display/message board. I find them occasionally on Ebay.
JoanieB
Flannel sheets for the winter win! Surprised they wouldn’t be too warm for y’all in LA, but yay!!!! Love your Sunday musings, always, thank you!
Ellen
Joy – These paper flowers you have been making are fabulous! Are you using a kit? I scanned the internet and had a hard time finding templates I liked. I did purchase a kit and plan to make some (inspired by you). But do you have more details to share ???
By the way, I myself have been a bit snobby about Nigella’s (LOVE HER) Instagram – now I see she is showing us food the way it really is. LOVE HER even more.
Kim V.
Despair or Disappear? I think its a typo on your Nigella link.
mg
I enjoy all your posts, but Sundays make my day! Thank you.
Can’t wait to learn more about your flowers. They are gorgeous!! I’m playing with making some… mine are cute, one small step from kindergarten…. need your help! Do you or Suzonne recommend a book for beginners? Is Suzonne writing one?
Joy, you are a treasure!
Suzonne
MG, if you’ll send me an email (SPStirling@gmail.com), I’ll send you the resource list I hand out at my workshops. There are a lot of wonderful resources available now, but I can guide you based on the materials you’d prefer to use (tissue, crepe, or both). In the meantime, keep playing! Once you get accustomed to handling your materials, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you progress.
Gail Hardie
In this crazy world, where I have more in common with a professional football player than the leadership of our nation – and I don’t even watch professional football- I still get my Sunday morning joy from you – sending you love from Charleston – xx
Mary Ann
The Martian movie was ok but the book was fantastic. Highly recommend reading it.
Mary
The Gaga documentary was kind of boring to be honest. Lots of fake crying and diva behavior that I wouldn’t have expected from her. Had a couple of good moments, but thinking the Super Bowl was a peak moment in her career was lame.
Jess
Did not realize 30 Rock was leaving Netflix! My favorite go-to funny show (I’ve probably watched the whole thing 3 times through). The NYTimes list is good, but how could they leave off a reference to Cheesy Blasterz? Or muffin tops? Or Sabor de Soledad? Liz’s love of junk food is perhaps her greatest food love, even outweighing her love for sandwiches, in my opinion. :)
John Popovich
Just thought I’d mention that in your comment on Nigella it say”Make a cook disappear” instead of despair. I always enjoy your Let it be Sunday. Sorry if I’m being picky.
Anne
Receiving this in my inbox each Sunday morning gives me a glimmer of hope that the entire world has not gone crazy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Have a wonderful week!
Michaela
Adam and Carole unfollowed each other?! This is NOT good news — what will all the Baby’s do?!
As always, a wonderful list of wonderful reads. Thank you, Joy!
Jeann
Instagram may make cooks want to DISAPPEAR, but I think the Nigella story was actually about cooks DESPAIRing….Love these Sunday posts!
Rena
Personally I never thought I would marry – but then I even did it twice. With my second husband now I am happily married more than 12 years :) And I am still very surprised.
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com