Hello dear friends!
We’re in deep. Deep into this year. Deep into this summer.
This morning I got deep into my pantry for a major cleaning. The state of my pantry is often the state of my brainspace and these past few weeks I’ve just been shoving things everywhichwhere hoping to remember it, hoping to keep track of it, hoping it would all sort itself out. It only got worse until I took a pause, a breath, and several hours so sort, purge, combine, and label.
We’re back baby. Clear eyes, full hearts, clean pantry.
Except we’re still deep in it. It’s ok to be just ok sometimes. There are moments of crisp, clear, OKness and this is one that I will revel in.
How are you? How’s the coffee? How’s the quiet?
The offering this week is below. I’m so glad you’re here. Please only take what you need.
• Barack Obama on John Lewis “He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect.” I’m definitely, definitely crying. Here, if you need a reminder, is who John Lewis is to us. (Medium and New York Times)
• The Pandemic Could Get Much, Much Worse. I just…. we are a problem. (New York Times)
• I always enjoy Marian Bull’s writing but this especially delights me: On Judging A Jumpsuit. (SSense)
• Gosh. This year is like a cleansing. There’s No I In Jam. “Mine” can be such a loaded word. (Eater)
• Friendships are intimate relationships and we don’t always think of them that way and I love when people are honest about their friend relationships: There’s a divide in even the closest interracial friendships. (The Cut)
• I found this important read by Tunde Wey on Twitter at the beginning of the week (what legit feels like three weeks ago but was in fact last Monday.) White food media and the commodification of resistance (GQ and Scalawag magazine)
• Charles Bukowski on writing. His words are like a bell rung. (Instagram)
• The Art of the Uncooked Summer Dinner . Helen goes for cold soup and popsicles. I eat smoothies for breakfast and sometimes dinner. (My dinner smoothie is basically a milkshake don’t @ me.) (The New Yorker)
• This Art by Jessica Spence feels bright and true. (Instagram)
• I’m deeeep into a friendship bracelet making phase (you’ll see in episode 3 of Camp Joy) but here’s what I’m thinking for my fall craft: a cross stitch purse! (Hello Bargello)
• Thank you for all the love you showed to Camp Joy this week! I hope it inspires you to enjoy the little things this summer. Episode 2 is up this coming Tuesday! (Instagram)
• Other very keen camp inspiration: a peanut butter bird feeder. (Instagram)
• Next week we’ll have a new episode of Camp Joy as well as a recipe from @theboywhobakes‘ new book One Tin Bakes! Add is a friend and such an incredible, knowledgable and curious baker. I think you’ll really enjoy his book! The US version comes out September 1st!
That’s all for today! Please enjoy this Sunday.
My love to you!
xo Joy
Samantha
Amazing as always!
Lu
I loved the story about interracial friendships. I have been in the company of “acquaintances” and persons that were in my life because of my community service and volunteering. Once , we had a luncheon at a rather wealthy person’s home. A we all arrived, I was shocked to come face to face with two lawn jockeys, black and in red/blue attire. Quite stark compared to the front of her white home. I was frozen in my tracks. Some of the other ladies came to stand next to me and all we could do was stare! For some ridiculous reason, all I could think about was Tara in Gone with the Wind! As our hostess came out to greet us, she looked straight at me and proceeded to tell me there was nothing wrong with collecting antiques! Are you kidding me? Her explanation was that an antique dealer was coming by to have a few of the areas in these “antiques” redone. In the front of her home? She also proceeded to tell me that she did not want to hear my diatribe on the Southern Law Poverty Center or the Civil War, or Civil Rights. They are just antiques! Needless to say, she kept trying to explain herself the whole luncheon and apologize if I was offended. I am not Black, I am Latina. I am a community volunteer. I am involved in in several social justice causes. I imagined myself being photographed, along with my colleagues, in this unforeseen situation. How would any of us explain a picture like that? It came to me that there had been conversations shared with her that begin to explain her off- handed comments and the fact that no one ever said- whoa- wait a minute here! There are just some things you can’t erase from your mind. On another occasion, I was discussing our recent visit to one of the detention centers to visit with some of the children and their families. We had been taking personal items, dvd movies, and clothes to help out in our own way. On one occasion, we met up for lunch and I began to discuss the current DACA situation. I was going on and on about how important it was to keep our eye on this particular issue, especially for the children. To my surprise, and later indignation, some of the attendees begin to look glazed over about my subject. I decided to leave it alone for now until one of my acquaintances turned to me and stated- I am with you on the kids thing, as long as my maid is not deported! Now, having read my first story, you have to begin to wonder exactly what kind of company I am keeping! When I went to respond and explain exactly what DACA was about, my good ole girlfriend explains to me that her maid has not been hired illegally and she did pay into FICA. But she needs her maid. Besides, it’s not like I give her my old clothes and make her eat at a separate table! So what is the moral to these stories? I believe there are MANY! First, I had no idea any of them felt that way. Secondly, I must have been asleep at these luncheons because it never dawned on me that I would ever be faced with questions about friendships and colleagues that would deem it okay to make comments like that! It gave me pause! I found myself in the middle of uncomfortable conversations. I have put it to prayer a lot! I can see the dilemma in friendships when you literally feel frozen in time. Makes you wonder- is it me? Blessings to all. Stay safe.
Hannah
Hello! Please forgive me, this is probably very trivial because you’ve posted some amazing articles (as always)….but I love the way you’ve labeled your pantry. Is that craft paper or a special type of tape?
Jennie
I am obsessed with this too! I searched for kraft paper tape and only came up with industrial type box tape :(
Chelsea
I’m relatively new reader so you may have done this already but would you consider a post on how you “do” your pantry? Organization, storage, (storage) products, etc?? Mine needs some help and yours is so pretty!
joythebaker
You haven’t missed it! I haven’t done one yet because it seems a little daunting and everyone’s pantry is so different. Deb from Smitten Kitchen recently put up a great one though!
Gail Hardie
Great reads today, Joy. Thank you for provoking our brains and stretching our hearts. The birthday party story was close to home and Barack Obama’s wisdom and compassion always shines a light on these days. How we are going to miss John Lewis! Stay well – November is coming. Thanks for sharing your Sunday with me – xx
Prissy
Cheryl, NYT and WaPo do give readers a limited amount of free articles to read. And anything to do with Covid19 is read without limits.
Joy, looking forward to seeing Camp Joy for ideas before we pack up for Yosemite! Also I’m interested in the article from The Cut. My bff happens to be a Black woman, 11 years older than myself.
The pictoral WaPo did for Sen Lewis made me cry. We’ve lost one of the greats. I couldn’t hold back the tears seeing the photo of Pres Obama putting the Medal Of Honor on John Lewis. I have had the pleasure of meeting them both during the times I spent in DC.
Hope everyone has a safe and fulfilling week. I’ll tidy up the garden, it brings me peace in these trying times.
joythebaker
Thank you for the comment Prissy. It’s incredible you got to meet John Lewis. He’s taught us all.
Stephanie Piazza
Your pantry looks incredible! Inspired to spruce mine up a bit :)
Cheryl Gordon
Just want to say, it’s frustrating to see something I want to read and find I can’t unless I subscribe. Can’t subscribe to everything, so no NY Times or Washinton Post. So at least half your suggestions are not available to me and probably others as well.
Kourtney
Maybe check your browser or device settings? Out of the 13 bullet points, I was able to access all of them, including the two NYT items.
joythebaker
Hi Cheryl. Both news outlets should give you five free articles per month. I cite the sources of the articles so you can decide whether or not you want to use one of your free articles or not.
Martha in KS
And if you clear the History of your browser, you can access more articles. The only exception are Recipes, which cost extra each month.
Stacey K Polak
Hello Bargello’s “Stevie Nicks-Knack Tray” kit is exactly what my stressed 21-yr-old daughter needs right now, thanks!!
joythebaker
Hahaha! I love that so much Stacey.