Did We All Tie Dye During Covid?

Hello friends!

Thank you THANK YOU for all the kindness and words of wisdom you offered me and Tron last week. We feel ya and so appreciate your thoughts! Tron is home and sleepy and resting easy. I’ve got my hawk eyes on him, but I think he’s on the mend. These little buddies mean so much to us, don’t they?  I’m thankful he’s on the upswing. This is a picture of Tron both sleeping and trying to eat tuna from my salad at the same time.

This past week I spend a few days camping in Arkansas while Tron was at the vet. The hills, the hot springs, the mountain biking that showed me how out of shape I am, the sunsets. It was a very normal summer moment in the midst of a very strange time.

I hope you’ve found some new horizons and fresh air this week – or that you have some ahead of you. Heck, it can even just be a porch sit. We’re making joy out of the very small this year.

The offering this week is below. You’ll take only what you need:

•  There’s a Brutal Crackdown Underway in Belarus. It Should Be a Wakeup Call for America (GQ)

•  This week’s long read is  about the complex and thoughtful glory of everywoman, Earth angel, and humble mogul Dolly Parton as she steers her empire through the pandemic and keeps it growing.  I finally started listening to Dolly Parton’s America on my drive back from Arkansas to Tron this week. It’s pretty wonderful. (Billboard and WNYC))

•  What Really Scares Voting Experts About the Postal Service. I’m low-key dreading November. (The Atlantic)

•  CLAP CLAP CLAP to the Twilight of the Imperial Chef. “He is a man, probably. A genius, definitely. Let’s say this genius is volatile, meticulous, impenetrable, charming, camera-ready. He doesn’t just manage the staff behind a great restaurant. He is the great restaurant.” (New York Times)

•  Y’all, I started worrying about this months ago: Coronavirus is making us all socially awkward. Also – if you’re inviting me over for a party, 1) WHAT, WHY!? and 2) please don’t be offended when I ask how many people are going to be there, if we’ll be outdoors, and then politely decline. (Vox)

•  I loved this. On the shoulders of our parents – the cooks, nannies, and gardeners – we’ve traveled far. (LA Times)

•  A study: When Black People Appear on Seinfeld. (Vulture)

•  I’m take a break from wine and gin for the next few weeks (I really am putting on these pandemic pounds) so I’m enjoying bitters and soda and I’m thinking of ordering these CBD Celebration Bitters to fancy up my hydration. (Cordial Organics)

•  Well… some of us have always been crafty but The Covid-19 tie-dye boom is real. You well know, from Camp Joy, that I’m all about friendship bracelets and clay pressing this summer but it’s not too late to die-dye.  (QZ)

•  Food52 has 19 Sweet-As-Heck Substitutes for Brown Sugar and a little education for us too.

•  Fryin’ Pies. (Joy the Baker)

•  I so miss having you all at The Bakehouse! Usually this time of year we’re planning our big BakeAway weekend.  Since we aren’t able to gather in the same way, we’ve made The BakeAway a 4-week online fall baking series!  This is a baking workshop for all levels – a way for you to make time for yourself and to foster classic fall and winter baking traditions.  The classes will be held over Zoom so you’ll have my full attention and interaction.  I have a team of folks that are making these classes actual high-quality videos (not standard zoom calls) that will also include special guests Erin McDowell and Karlee Flores.  You can find out more here!

That’s all this week.

Have a lovely Sunday!

My love to you!

xo Joy