Hey it’s Sunday, let’s have some cake.
Along with the extra hour that we get today as a bribe for having the deal with months of short days and Winter darkness… let’s just go ahead and eat cake too. This Pear and Pecan Skillet Cake is a riff on the Fig and Almond Breakfast Cake I made a few years back. Obviously what I’m trying to tell you is, pick a fruit and a nut and just go for it. Cake is very approachable.
I’ve had a few restless nights this week. It’s hard to tell if I’m just generally freaked out or if that afternoon cup of coffee no longer serves me. Likely a combination of both. I need to check myself.
Here are some of the articles that filled me up with all sorts of emotion and knowledge this week. For your consideration:
• Sometimes it feels like really horrible and tragic things happen, we have a moment where we lose our breath, collectively… then we move on and carry on and buck up and keep going and it all happens all too quickly. Events in New York this week have us facing that gasp yet again: Old friends from Argentina reunited in New York; five died in a terrorist attack.
• Well. It comes down to believability. Let’s hear from Anita Hill on Weinstein, Trump, and a watershed moment for sexual-harassment accusations. I feel like we’re really fickle folks.
• Ok health care and gun control are a mess of a mess. Let’s see what’s up with this tax reform. The House Republican Tax Bill, explained.
• This is a really interesting conversation: Why We Pretend To Know Things, explained by a cognitive scientist.
• You had me at ex-Real Housewives husband + Martha Stewart: Notable New Yorkers Visit Their Old Apartments
• On last week’s episode of The Splendid Table they explain how to make fancy, restaurant-style brussels sprouts at home… in like 15 minutes. I tried it. IT WORKS. How to cook brussels sprouts.
• How would you feel about a pie kinda crumble thing with vegetables? Roasted Vegetable Winter Crumble
• This week I was on The Kitchn talking about My Healthy Morning Routine. Also, I know my morning is pretty luxurious and that’s just where I’m at in my life right now.
• My friend Jessica gifted me The Great British Bake Off Cookbook and I’m already experimenting with a quick (“quick”) laminated yeasted dough. Tomorrow I’m going to bake one of these cream cheese coffee cakes with cherry jam. It might be the best day of my life. I’ll let you know.
• About a year ago I started investing my spare change with an app called Acorns and I told myself that I’d save it up for a yoga retreat. Turns out, after a year of investing spare change… I’ve almost got my yoga retreat money! Here’s a referral link to Acorns. I think it’s pretty cool.
• The Fruit of Japanese Fairy Tales. I LOVE persimmons but always end up taking them straight to the face. Oh, hold up… I made this Persimmon Prosciutto and Brie Grilled Cheese.
• I’m very excited for Friendsgiving this year! Plans are already in the works… mostly for how we’re going to the racetrack in clever hats before our big meal. The Kitchn has some tips for How to Plan Friendsgiving 10 Days Out.
• You bet your bottom dollar I’m making a version of this vegan Giant Peanut Butter Cup for the blog soon.
• Have these / Like them very much.
• In Bakehouse News: this Thursday November 9th I’m hosting a PIE and TODDY Happy Hour! And just before Thanksgiving we’re having a PIE PREP Workshop where everyone will leave with the makings of a Sweet Potato Pie! Classes are being set up for December too with lots more to come!
Enjoy this day! More soon. Like soup and pies and other good things.
xo Joy
m
I’m so excited to see your home tour on Apartment Therapy! You are so inspiring
Rachel
Hey Joy,
You mention in your Kitchn interview that you put collagen powder in your smoothies. Can you explain why that is and how it tastes/what it adds to the smoothie? Thanks!
Stacy
Huzaa! I literally just bought Brussel sprouts at the grocery store and was wondering how to best cook them that was quicker than roasting them! This is happening for supper tonight!
The yoga studio I go to always does a retreat in Costa Rica at the Casa Vista Azul resort every January. I’ve yet to be able to go, but I’ve heard amazing things. Hopefully someday I can go!
Nancy J.
And now another gasp – this time it’s Sutherland Springs. Thank you for your constant grounded presence, Joy. Most of us know what deep loss feels like, but not this kind of loss from senseless violence. And most of us wish there was something tangible we could do to wrap our arms around those left behind, but we’re far away from Sutherland Springs and New York and Las Vegas and a never-ending list of incidents of unspeakable evil. Quilters often get together and create memory quilts for survivors. I’m just a home baker, like many who read your blog. If I were there, I would be baking bread morning and night, and handing it out with hugs and listening ears and heart. What can we do to help? Any suggestions, besides the thoughts and prayers we already offer?
Sara
Is there a certain yoga retreat you have your eye on? My husband and I went to this place in Jamaica for our honeymoon and 5 year anniversary that is known for their yoga and they sometimes have retreats (https://www.jakeshotel.com/). Really I just want to live vicariously through you since we aren’t going back for two more years.
Katie
I love your weekly round ups just as much as your recipes! Keep it up Joy. Your mornings sound glorious- trying not to be jealous and find some good love in my mornings too ;)
SCgal
Joy, These are indeed trying times we are living in; some faring better than others, but definitely a palpable sense of anxiety envelopes me almost weekly. Thank you for being a calming voice in these times. I find myself reading your Let It Be Sunday blog for inspiration, insight and yes, entertainment too. Keep it up! And blessings to you.
Kimberly
Love this list. I haven’t been over to a Sunday list in a while, but I’m so glad I did:-) I think my Thanksgiving guests will be getting that pear and pecan cake! Thank you for all you do!
Virginia
The sweater you’re wearing in The Kitchn article is beautiful. Where did you get it?
Whitney
I haven’t gotten through the rest yet, but way to go Martha! Tom is totally deserving of her comments ;)
Susan
The tax bill has me worried. The repeal o the medical deductions especially. I am Power of attorney for my father. I manage all his accounts and investments. He is currently in a private memory care facility. The cost of his care (room & board, prescription meds, and other needs like toiletries) is over $7500/month. The medical deduction has made a significant impact on his taxes, meaning he basically breaks even and I don’t have to cash out an investment to pay taxes. (Although I do occasionally have to cash one out to pay his expenses.) It currently means all his $ is going strictly to his care. Not having the deduction could mean running out of $ earlier and not being able to keep in the fantastic place he is at. A place with a superior level of staffing (all CNAs, LPNs, and RNs) as well as a higher ratio of staff to patients. A place where the staff is committed to caring for elderly and dementia patients and love what they do. A place that is so caring that they have set up an accounting station for Dad so he can “go to work” every day. A place where the staff sends me pictures and video of him on days I am not there. A place where the staff and other residents and families have all become friends and family to us.
So yes. I’m scared of how this tax plan will impact us.
michalbird
Joy–I made your roasted vegetable winter crumble for my boyfriend on our first really cold Fall day in Detroit. Huge hit!! He loved it so much! Thank you for your amazing recipes–especially the ones that could convince any meat-eater to love a vegetable entrée!
Peppermint Dolly
That skillet cake looks magic!!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
2pots2cook
Symphony of tastes. Keeper it is. Thank you much for sharing !