Hello friends.
Another Sunday, isn’t it? Alright let’s do it!
Last week some of you said that you had to click away from the NYT Year in Photos and friends, ME TOO. I didn’t want to lead with that because I wanted you to have your own experience. We’ve been through a lot together/apart this year. I feel like I’m just beginning to take a breath to process most of it. There’s sweetness swirled into all the mess and uncertainty. You know? It’s been a disaster with some of the most tender moments. I’m not sure where to put it all yet.
I asked you how you were last week – what you were looking forward to. What a loaded question, right? Thank you for being so generous and honest with your answers. I almost linked to this article about motherhood last week but wondered if it was too… what’s the word? Inflammatory? But I after reading some of your responses last week I think it resonates with so many of you. (Medium)
The offering this week is below. Allow me also offer you a congratulatory handshake for all the cooking, baking, cleaning, and caring you did this week- one of the many weeks in this longest year.
As always, take only what you need:
• Can we just Hang On For 3 More Months? (The Atlantic)
• This week’s long read is a revenge tale and reminds us that you truly cannot underestimate the strength of a mother, every mother: She Stalked Her Daughter’s Killers Across Mexico, One by One. (The New York Times)
• Do I Have to Thank My Weird Aunt for Her Terrible Gifts? I mean… yes, of course. Being misunderstood is a real familt thing. (The Cut)
• Here for this: Death To The Negative Restaurant Review. (The New Republic)
• A few weeks back I got my a** handed to me at a simple game of Monopoly and I’m absolutely not a sore loser but of course I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I’m fiiiiiiine. How to Win at Monopoly. (Medium)
• This is so small and so petty but one of the things I miss about the world is ordering french fries at a restaurant. The simple yet righteous pleasure of meeting a friend for a glass of wine, ordering french fries, and having them brought to the table you share HOT and DELICIOUS. It’s ok we’ll get back there at some point. Until then, let’s make Deb’s cold oil fries as often as we see fit. (Smitten Kitchen)
• The easiest snack dinner in the world is warmed goat cheese and jam. I love a sweet and savory moment. (Joy the Baker)
• Jon has a savory cookie (I suppose it’s technically a cracker) we can add to our cookie tins: Everything Bagel Shortbread Sandwich Cookies (The Candid Appetit)
• Please let this list of the most thoughtful Christmas presents fill you right up. (Bored Panda)
• My everyday necklace. (Ana Luis)
My love to you today! Take good care of yourself.
xo Joy
Katt
FRENCH FRIES!!
How could I forget about perfect french fries?!
There’s a wine bar in my college town (Plonk in Missoula) where my fellow class members and I would meet to talk about our senior projects. Plate of fries with mayo, delicious cheese plates, and wine we could only barely afford. Mmm.
Leanne
I too share your feelings about fries and friends. I have fond memories of many years back when an ex and i were broke and used to splurge on a single beer each and big basket of fries at our local dive pub just down the road from our house. I have a bit of a phobia about cooking in oil though so won’t be trying Deb’s recipe, but Half Baked Harvest has a surprisingly delicious baked version (tuscan fries) that I can’t get enough of. It might be because they are doused in serious volumes of garlic, butter and cheese, but… whatever. :)
RBC
That platter looks amazing! Love it that the bowls with the cheese & preserves are just the right size for getting in a good fast scoop of sweet cheese goodness. Best wishes for the holidays!
Abigail
Literally had the same french fry thought about onion rings while watching DDD this week… tears. Just want some hot crunchy rangs… one day.
Sharene
Hi Joy! I’ve followed you for years, but I’ve never commented. I just wanted to say what a gift it is that you take the time to put this together each week. A favorite part of my weekend is enjoying a mug of coffee and reading your Sunday blog post. Thank you!
Jaclyn D Levy
Yes yes yes to the “Death to the negative restaurant review” article. Yes times 1000! Yes and also apply this to other forms of entertainment journalism! ???I follow a home decor site and this summer they dipped their toes into talking about REAL issues in housing, but now are back to writing about pretty decor. Truly a missed opportunity to talk about real issues we are facing in the housing crisis! Truly inspired writing. Excellent read for this week!
Leanne
Same with Bon Appetit. They got into some interesting journalism this summer. Now its back to 79 cocktails you must try! Yawn (sort of… I love a good recipe but enjoyed the broader focus on food and food culture too).
Zita
Merry Christmas Joy! Thank you for this weeks great reads and recipes. I’m with you on the french fries. They just aren’t the same in take out. I made your Gingerbread Marshmallows this weekend. Just the marshmallows not the cookies. We toasted them on our backyard fire pit last night. Best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. You must take them on your camping trip next week! Wishing you and yours a relaxing and peaceful Christmas. Enjoy your time off!
nancy k
Oh my gosh, your comment about ordering french fries sent me back a number of years to when I used to occasionally meet a good friend in Harvard Square to share “fried potatoes” and a glass of wine at a small restaurant call “Ppm Frites”. It was the best little hideaway and the potatoes were amazing as were all the dipping sauces. Unfortunately, it is long gone but I still have the memories!
Cheryl
Thanks Joy for the gift article, it brought back memories and laughs of gifts from not an aunt but my mil. She also like to flea market shop. One Christmas my two daughters were gifted with roach clips, both were way to young for such a weird gift. I remember the clips having beads and feathers and my mil lives where a lot of Indians live so thought they might have some special meaning in the Indian world. But certainly no idea what use they really had.
Only later did we find out they were roach clips, by someone who would have first hand knowledge. When thanking their grandma for the gifts my eldest ask her how she could use the clips, she was told they were hair clips for their beautiful long hair. Two Christmas gifts that were never used or recycled. But it’s the thought that counts, right?
Gretchen
Joy,
The Aunt with the Weird gifts article could have been written by myself. And seeing that it was NOT written by me gives me a sense of validation, understanding, and comfort.
I’m not one to comment, but I’ve been here every Sunday since your first post. I appreciate you, this list, and all that you bring to the world.
With love, thanks, and all sincerity,
Gretchen
Marsha Gibbons
Merry Christmas Joy!!! Thanks for my Christmas Eve appetizers!!
Melanie
This week was such a joy to read – I went down a bunch of rabbit holes and had a lovely time learning with my coffee. Merry Xmas and thanks for the early Sunday gift!??
Nonnie
+1 on the French Fry comment. I had the same thought just this week and kept it to myself because I also felt that in the scheme it was just not worth uttering. Thank you for saying it for me! As awesome as Smitten’s fries are, I’m still looking forward to the day when I can have a fry that is still glistening with droplets of oil from the deep fryer!
Have a wonderful holiday week!
Cindy
Loved the Christmas present article so much! Merry Christmas!
Darla
Joy, I hope you hear, often, how much you are appreciated. I truly appreciate you each week. Merry Christmas ?. Stay safe
Oh! The gifts article…I equally smiled and cried. I’m okay. I hope you are, as well.