Hello friends!
This week I’ve had the incredible fortune to have an adult lady sleepover with one of my baking heroes Erin Jeanne McDowell. Erin stayed with me at The Bakehouse and we really dove directly into talking about ghosts and astrology, refilled each other’s wine glasses, sharing plates of Chinese food, crying over Beyonce together, and of course standing around the kitchen counter rolling a big pile of chocolate-studded dough into ropes for Easter Bread while brainstorming baking adventures. To say it was the actual best would be an understatement.
My mom is visiting me now in New Orleans (another quality lady sleepover) and she’s taken on the difficult task of teaching me how to sew. It’s such a pleasure (for both of us, really) now that I’m finally developing a curiosity for all of her many many crafting skills. It’s so fun to have her as a teacher (I mean always, but especially in crafts), and she’s got the patience of a saint, that one – amen.
It’s lucky time. It’s a wealth of fortune. I hope you’re experiencing the same.
The offering this week is listed below. Take what you need, nothing more:
• Henry Montgomery won a Supreme Court case that paved the way for hundreds of juvenile lifers to be released from prison after demonstrating rehabilitation since their crimes as youths – yet his very own exoneration has been denied: After 55 years in prison, Baton Rouge man key to Supreme Court ruling again denied freedom. (The Advocate)
• Related: Every BakehouseNola workshops donates a portion of each purchased ticket to the Louisiana Parole Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping juvenile lifers released after U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana reintegrate into society after years, often decades in prison. (Parole Project)
• Stop what you’re doing and watch Beyonce’s Homecoming. I know I know I know, you already have at least twice. Can you BELIEVE? Supplemental reading includes: Beyonce’s Black-Intellectual Homecoming. We thank her. (The Atlantic)
• This week’s long read is a humdinger: “He looked like Sammy Hagar, preached like Billy Graham, and brought a 350-pound tiger to church. Then he shot heroin with his son and was busted at the border for running drugs for a Mexican cartel.” The Church of Living Dangerously. (Vanity Fair)
• Why I Take All My First Dates to Olive Garden. Kristen Arnett makes a very strong case that mainly has to do with warm, free breadsticks. I respect it. (Bon Appetit)
• I’m going to leave this strong and honest piece of writing here for you: I Wanted to Fall in Love With Men. I Also Wanted Men to Leave Me the Hell Alone. I mean if those words aren’t relatable I don’t know what words are. (Glamour)
• The persistent myth of finding love on a plane. Mmmm hhmm. I look generally pretty unfriendly on a plane as a protective measure. I’m also likely crying over literally nothing/everything which I’m not alone in. (Vox and The Atlantic)
• I ran across this video of Jessica from Sqirl and me making jam together. We were babies and I’m acting ridiculously – it’s embarrassing and I’m sharing. Someone give me a TV show, AMIRIGHT!? (YouTube)
• Things you didn’t know you needed: gold safety pin earrings. (Bauble Bar)
Enjoy this beautiful day!
Happy Easter!
My love to you – xo Joy
L
I know the exact Olive Garden she is referring to in that story. Loved it.
Susan
It’s so cool that you donate to the Louisiana Parole Project. My daughter works in Colorado with teens going through the justice system. She’s a social worker, so her work consists of working with the family, the teen, and getting them any help they need. (Many times the kids have undiagnosed mental health issues and the parents need to learn the skills to deal with those while the kid also needs help.) She has gone to court for her kids quite a few times and successfully testified as to the changes she sees in them and the family since she’s worked with them. She’s been successful at getting a few of the teens to be tried as juveniles instead of adults. She’s doing the work needed because she sees hope in those kids and families. Hope that they can learn and change with the right help. That they can go on to live a better life.
Heather
Happy Easter, Joy! I’m so happy you get to spend time with your mom. :) The jam making video is awesome! Thank you for the thought provoking reads and being you! Xo
Kristy
I love that video! Looks like it wasn’t a one off? Was it a series? I’d like to see more!!!
Amanda
Yes to a food show hosted by “Joy the Jammer!” (And yes to that red lip!)
Dani H
Happy Easter, Joy!
It’s so nice that your mother can be there.
Gail
Thank you for supporting the Louisiana Parole Project. We are our brother’s/sister’s keepers. xx
Shams
Its a great moment for you!! Mother is the best thing in the world.
Taylor Schackmann
My parents’ first date was at an Olive Garden in 1986!
Claire, UK
I enjoyed the video. You’re great on camera! It’s strange to see you moving, when I’m so used to seeing still pictures :-D
Rezalia
Happy Easter, Joy! Enjoy your visit with your mother!?
Rena
Have a wonderful time with your mom!
Happy Easter!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com