Hello sweet friends!
What a beautiful spring day! I’m in New York this weekend to speak at Cherry Bombe Jubilee and everyone, (almost literally everyone) is outside in the soft sun. We’re blooming in every which way. There’s such a bright energy to this time of year which make the shifts and changes these last few weeks feel more exciting than daunting. There’s a lot swirling, isn’t there?
Back home in New Orleans I’ve got some construction going on in my pantry and laundry closet – trying to give myself a smarter pantry and more functional laundry space. Thank goodness for perfectionist contractors and their talent and tools. I’ll share a photo with you next week. Do I know how my mountain of pantry items are going to be organized? Nope, but now I’ll have the shelves to figure it out.
The offering this week is below – I hope you find what you need:
• I have to good fortune of interviewing one of my absolute idols tomorrow morning at Cherry Bombe Jubilee: Dorie Greenspan. (The Fine Line)
• A fascinating interview with courtroom artist Marilyn Church – her work is captivating: Murder, She Drew. (Topic)
• A case for keeping our bodies moving – big strong hearts: The Heart of a Swimmer vs. The Heart of a Runner. (The New York Times)
• The Case For Very Long Recipes. I think Deb from Smitten Kitchen writes some of the best, most descriptive long recipes around. A long recipe is part long pep talk and part function and success. (Taste)
• Here’s news that resonates with me: Millennials Are Sick of Drinking. (The Atlantic)
• I’m currently re-reading Steinbeck’s East of Eden (it’s EPIC and so beautiful if you haven’t read it yet). I love reading more than one book at a time so this is my second selection: I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott (Amazon)
• I’m very curious about Sour Fried Chicken. (Tasting Table)
• I’m a sucker for curry in a soup: Creamy Curried Carrot Soup. (The Kitchn)
• Is your heart ready for Chocolate Marbled Italian Easter Bread? I bet it is! (Joy the Baker)
• Summer is coming and I’m ready to dress. (Reformation)
• Ok I’m not sure if we still shop at Urban Outfitters but I do really love this butterfly shirt. We can make an exception this once, right? (Urban Outfitters)
Enjoy this day! I hope it’s a good one.
My love to you!
xo Joy
Crystal Petersson
Love East of Eden…my favorite Steinbeck book by far. I grew up in Monterey and the Salinas Valley so reading his books is an ultimate return to home for me! There is even a brewery in town called “Yeast of Eden”.
Also, Smitten Kitchen is the best, lover her website and cookbooks!
Betsy Aiello
Thank you
Stella
Hi Joy,
Thanks again for sharing your recommendations; they never fail to enlighten me. I’m so glad to see you’re reading Steinbeck’s, East of Eden which is my favorite book of his. I know many are critical of Steinbeck’s lack of fully rounded female characters, but the beauty of his prose and insight into the human condition cannot be denied.
I really appreciate all you do and look forward to any and all your future endeavors.
lynn
I went to Urban Outfitters recently and the guy at the front called me “ma’am” and it was a major reality check
Sasha L
Great reads Joy! Thank you especially for the sick of drinking article. I do a little happy dance everytime I see something like this shared. Being sober (a decision I made 23 years ago) was the single most happy-making decision I’ve ever made for myself. I have saved thousands and thousands of dollars, saved my health, learned to deal with my feelings in real and positive ways, been able to support my partner in his sobriety, haven’t done foolish or dangerous things while drunk that may have endangered myself or others. It’s helped me build the *I can do hard things* muscles, so that I’ve tackled other problems in my life. It helps me keep a healthy weight and active body even though I eat whatever I want.
If you are a person who worries about giving up alcohol because you think it makes you more fun, you’re shy, socially awkward, have social anxiety, like dogs better than people……. Alcohol is a big day lie. You don’t need and I promise, you will be happier if you give it up.
Oh, alcohol causes cancer. How come we aren’t all talking about this? Alcohol kills 90,000 Americans EVERY YEAR. For reference, 70,000 die from opioids. 14,000 from guns. Have you heard about the alcohol death epidemic recently? Me neither.
Christina
I love waking up each Sunday to these wonderful posts. Thanks so much for sharing them. Today the contents of my fridge matched the ingredients for the curried carrot soup. I’m eating it now for lunch and it’s so good I had to leave a comment to recommend it!
Hope Leyenhorst
Hello Joy, thanks for the great input this week.
Loved Murder she Drew, what a fascinating job but wow she must be fast!!
Also I am a runner and not a swimmer (never really got the skill of swimming with contacts), very interesting article about my heart.
Long Recipes always turned me off, but I will try to branch out and not be so stuck in my ways.
I have a couple Millennials as children so good to know about the drinking, not so great about the drug use! LOL
Not a fan of butterfly clothing but for you, I will allow it.
Have a wonderful week and thanks for taking the time to share, don’t now how you manage your life so well, But, you do and you challenge me in mine.
kelley
I am ALSO currently reading east of eden! must be the weather.
Linda Wannamaker Woods
Hello, Dearest! Read Journal of a Novel: East of Eden. Steinbeck’s diary of the writing of the novel. Also, try Travels With Charley in Search of America; you won’t be disappointed … I promise. LWoods
Sara Davis
I look forward to your Let it Be every Sunday. It’s my morning read with a cup of coffee before I start my day.
Thank you!
Kate Mai
Happy Sunday, Joy! I can’t wait to read your interview with Dorie- she is such a delight. I assume you will show me how to find it. Thanks for showing up here every Sunday. You make them even better.
Cookie
Easter bread alway reminds me of my grandmother. In the late 1960’s, Grandmom made dozens of rings of Easter bread, each year, complete with dyed eggs and sprinkled with colorful nonpareils. Once baked and cooled, she gifted them to family, friends and neighbors. She passed in 1981. Although I am an accomplished baker, I’ve never made Easter bread and have no clue as to why. Thank you for your post and the memory it triggered.
Rena
Thank you especially for the link to Smitten Kitchen! Happy Sunday!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Joy
I always love reading your stuff joy, keep inspiringly!
Also have you heard/checked out the organizaadies at The Home Edit ?? They are neurotic about organizing! Love them too!!