Hello my dears!
Another steamy Sunday, welcome to it!
I spent this week home in New Orleans, watering and talking to my outdoor plants and watering and talking to my indoor cat. This weekend I’ve been in Austin Texas learning the art of pretzel making from the head dough-pincher at Easy Tiger. And while I find ease and excitement in travel, this weekend has kinda handed me a slice of humble pie. So many little travel things have gone sideways it’s a good reminder to be early and gracious and flexible. And to carry a small bag and a no-nonsense attitude, really.
I hope you’re well this week. Finding some rest where you can. Rolling with the changes as necessary.
The offering this week is below. I hope you find something unexpected. For now, I’m off to bed and off to make more pretzels tomorrow. Next week, cookies!
• What Americans Do Now Will Define Us Forever is writing that stems from another ugly week in politics and we must get together and insist we be and do better. (The Atlantic)
• Here’s our long-read for the week (and the old images are beautiful, too): Ed Dwight Was Set To Be The Fist Black Astronaut. Here’s Why That Never Happened. (The New York Times)
• About the future tho. The Future of the City Is Childless and The Future of Fitness is Together But Alone. (CityLab and The Verge)
• This might feel like it’s coming out of left field but I watched The Book of Eli for the umteenth time last week which spurred a dinner conversation where I professed my deep love and appreciation for Denzel Washington. Do we need to talk about Glory? Man on Fire? Malcolm X? Flight? I’m ready to talk about all of them and more: The Denzel Washing Compendium. (The Ringer)
• Can a Mustard Bath Mend a Broken Heart? I firmly believe a bath solves most if not all problems and I do realize we’re going through a heat wave but bath season is always. See also: Warming Mustard Bath. (The Cut and Joy the Baker)
• Can our lady bodies (PLEASE) catch a break? Urinary Tract Infections Affect Millions. The Cures Are Faltering. Mmmkay would a mustard bath help though? (The New York Times) .
• I’ve been experimenting with these ‘sourdough’ chocolate chip cookies from Food52 recently and I’m working on my own version to share with you soon!
• Evan Kleiman is here to help us with our tomato cravings: Sun-dried tomatoes, the Mickey Rourke of food, get their second act. (Los Angeles Times)
• This week I made Vegan Parmesan Cheese and hey, I loved it. (Minimalist Baker)
• We work really hard at The Bakehouse to teach you and make you smile and it’s really the best thing I’ve done with my little career so far. We’re hosting another BakeAway weekend this coming Labor Day holiday and you’re welcome – very welcome! (The BakeAway Nola)
• Here’s a summer cupcake moment: Double Chocolate Sunflower Cupcakes! (Joy the Baker)
• My google search history is a wild ride but here’s a gem from this week: “Craig’s pillows, Southern Charm”: Does Craig from ‘Southern Charm’ Still Make Pillows? He’s Proving All The Haters Wrong. (Bustle)
• Brussels sprouts sun, creamed corn rising, celery moon. Here’s your vegetable soul mate based on your zodiac. (The Kitchn)
Enjoy your Sunday!
My love to you!
xo Joy
a
I’ve heard praise for the supplement d-mannose for preventing UTIs. I’ve bought some and am skeptical, but UTIs are the worst and I’m willing to try. It’s being studied; there are journal articles about it.
Rebekah Wolf
Re. the UTI article, I had chronic UTIs in my 20s. I got one every couple of months for over a year. It was miserable. Some antibiotics stopped working, and I almost had to start see urologist. But then I found D Mannose. I’ve been taking it every day for about 10 years and have only had a couple of UTIs in that time. I’ve talked to doctors and nurses about D Mannose and no one has heard of it. I’m surprised to hear medical professionals talk about cranberry, as if it does anything, and have never heard anyone talk about D Mannose. In case anyone else out there is suffering, give it a shot. It saved me!
Samantha
Great reads as always!
Anne
Who is this luscious indoor cat that I’ve never met before? Such a cutie.
lee
A simple thank you for the link about Denzel. Not only did I absolutely appreciate the author’s writing style (which provided some good giggles as I read), but also – it’s a list about Denzel Washington. Enough said. =)
I appreciate your weekly offering, and the opportunity to learn more about your perspectives.
Libby
Hi, Tron! Handsome as ever. Man on Fire leaves me in tears every time I watch it. The Atlantic article is a frightening reminder of the hate that is spreading in this country. Thank you for recommending it and for the reminder that we all need to do better and be better to combat that hate. It’s too easy to become complacent, so keep reminding us!
Briel K.
Sending kisses to Tron! He’s so cute! <3
Susan
Gotta love The Times. No subscription, no reading. Grrrr At least I’ll admit there are others who follow the same policy, but still.
joythebaker
I get the online subscription and it feels really worth it to me! I think it’s something like $15 a month?
Alison
Whenever anyone talks about their love of Denzel Washington, this is the first place my mind goes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUVqTzvyudQ
It’s a parody rap tribute to Denzel Washington and it will be stuck in your head forever :)
Maris
Sun dried tomatoes, fond memories during the aftershocks of the big one that tore the freeway in LA. We were all, my neighbors and I, suffering from PTSD, in a state of shock but hung together. Electricity was off, so we gathered what we had to make what I call to this day, Earthquske pasta . The recipe was from Charlie, but asked for fresh tomatoes, we could round up only sun dried. It is one of my favorite pasta dishes still: an interesting shaped pasta, black olives, s.d.toms (soaked in boiled water for a bit and snipped into little pieces), fresh mushrooms sauted with onions in butter, flat leafed parsley, freshly grated parmesan. It’s colorful, and yummy hot or cold. I didnt give quants, cuz that’s up to u. try it, you’ll like it.
joythebaker
Oh gosh Maris, I remember this time too! Thank you for sharing this! It sounds as perfect as it needed to be,
Briel K.
Ooh that recipe sounds really good!
Cate Tuten
Joy, I just want to say shame on you! I started following you years ago because I thought you were a Christian, and maybe you are—I can not judge your heart or anyone else’s, but that is what you and unfortunately thousands of others are doing in regards to President Trump. Because in reality, true facts prove he is not a nationalist, he is not a bigot or racist or woman hater. Yet, the Liberal news spins him that way ad nauseum. And I hate that food bloggers like you condone and perpetuate the lies. Wanting to save babies from being brutally ripped from their mother’s womb does not make him a woman hater, and you as a Christian should understand that. Keeping illegals from entering this country unvetted is not a Nationalist. If you and most of your readers think so, then I suggest you go to bed tonight and do not lock your doors. If you do, then you are a talking out of both siders of your mouth. If Trump finds fault with socialists wanting to change the fabric of this country for the worse, and you see everything wrong with that, than God help us. America will not be the free, equal opportunity country she has been since her founding. If you support radicals who want to get rid of gender identity than I suggest you go back and read where God says in love that He created us male and female. Joy, I do not understand, as a proclaimed Christian, how you can disparage an imperfect man for sure, but a man who loves this country, our religious freedom, and fights daily to protect American children growing inside their mother’s, next to her heart. And fights to let all children into this country under a fair and protective vetting system. I pray our young people, like you, will wake up before America becomes a country ruled by real fools. Sincerely, Cate Tuten
joythebaker
We fundamentally disagree on a lot of things, Cate.
Sasha L
Oh Joy! I’m late to this party but sad and disappointed to see no one commenting to stand up for you.
Well, better late than never, but here I am! Thank you for educating us every single Sunday. Thank you for being a voice of reason, of compassion, of democracy, of decency, of truth and of science. Thank you for speaking up for others who do not have a voice. Thank you for being a shining light in a time of growing darkness.
Sending you so much love Joy. Because of people like you I still have hope for America. Keep fighting and know you are not alone.
Also, I think you called what you do a *little* career – don’t you dare. You are a force and an inspiration, the work you do is enormous.
Karen
The article in the Atlantic is just a heads up to everyone. I also was concerned with the NYT article on UTI’s. I frequently have them, but so far have had treatment that has worked. Both articles are scary. Everyone should read them. Thanks Joy for taking the time to point them out. I always enjoy your Sunday posts.
Nancy
I always love to see what treasures you share with us in Let it be Sunday posts……..thank you so much. I always appreciate reading the articles, or, most of the articles you recommend and I usually learn something new or at least gain a perspective that I may not have considered previously.
But when you post a picture of Tron……..it is the best!! He is gorgeous and reminds me of my cat, Cameron (rip)……… thank you for being part of my Sunday for the last years Joy ??
Regards,
Nancy M
Casey
Well. Now I will be buying a pillow from Craig :) These posts make my weekends, thanks Joy!
joythebaker
Right!? Craig and his pillows…
nancy k
I found the NYT article related to U.T.I’ so scary and so very relevant.
I had an experience a couple of years ago that landed me in the hospital for a week on intravenous antibiotics.
A kidney stone was mistreated in the emergency room and in less than 24 hours later, I was being rushed to the hospital with a serious infection that had migrated into my bloodstream. It was only as I was leaving the hospital…headed for a rehab facility… that I learned I was close to critical for 3 days.
My advice to all woman…don’t wait to see a doctor if you have symptoms that concern you and be sure you ask questions about the treatment prescribed especially if you are seeing someone in the emergency room or a someone who is not a urologist.
Darla
So much goodness! Thank you, Joy. Lots to bake. Lots to read. And yes, creamed corn is my zodiac soul veggie. Yum!
Jo Wiggins
Just a quick love note from England to say thank you for scheduling these so I can read them with my morning coffee, so hours ahead of you all. These little rituals are appreciated!