Hello friends, welcome!
You’ll forgive me this Sunday, won’t you? I don’t have a lengthy Sunday post for you today but I feel like we have such a tradition here every week, I didn’t want to leave you with an entirely blank space.
I spent much of last week in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania helping a dear friend adjust to a big life change. That means I was mostly in her kitchen simmering red beans and rice, baking bread, and making cookies. Sometimes just presence and friendship and a hot meal can change the game.
Time away in friendship means I spent virtually no time reading the Internet or keeping up with the news. What I did glean from the week is something I already knew firmly; that no one deserves to be killed while buying groceries. I know we all mourn with those ten families and their community. It’s just… there’s no way to make sense of it.
This weekend,Will and I are finding some stars and sand somewhere on the gulf. It will be still and quiet and I’ll come back smelling like charcoal grill smoke.
All of this is a long explanation for a short post.
Here are the tabs I have open to deep dive and quickly skim this coming week. Maybe you’ll find a few things you need here, too.
โข An important opinion piece, I Survived 18 Years in Solitary Confinement and a long read A Bestselling Author Became Obsessed With Freeing a Man From Prison. It Nearly Ruined Her Life. (The New York Times and The Marshall Porject)
โข It was a weird week for Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (Buzzfeed)
โข This is pretty amazing. Here’s How People From The Past Imagined The Future. (deMilked)
โข Anya Taylor-Joy: The Queen’s Gambit Star on Life Before and After a Smash. You have seen The Queen’s Gambit, yes? If not, it’s fantastic!! (Vanity Fair)
โข I splurged on this pearl necklace collaboration from two of my favorites: HonestlyWTF x Ariel Gordon Jewelry. (Ariel Gordon Jewelry)
โข Are you gearing up for Easter baking? May I humbly suggest this week No-Bake Carrot Cake or these very baked Italian Easter Breads? (Joy the Baker)
โข Pictured above is a snippet from a joyful place called Randyland, Pittsburg. (Randy.Land)
I hope you find some ease today. Thanks for the kindness. I’ll have more for us next week!
My love to you!
xo Joy
16 Responses
Thank you Joy! Enjoy your quiet weekend. There is nothing better than time by the sea to recharge your soul.
Thank you, and no one will ever need to apologize to me, for taking care of a friend in need, or of themselves.
Lovely post, in a hard, hard week.
Thank you, and Be Well.
Duitch Sloane
I hope your friend finds the strength and sense of humor thatโs sometimes necessary when faced with a major life change. Certainly she appreciated you coming to our grey city of Pittsburgh to support her. Randyland is a colorful diversion, thatโs for sure! How odd is this? I baked your Browned Butter Carrot Loaf Cake on Friday. Having the last of it now for breakfast.
A Sunday is always better when time is spent with Joy the Baker! Reading today’s post, I cannot help but think of some words that I came across long ago that were attributed to William Shakespeare. I have been unable to verify that claim so I always attribute them to unknown. No matter the author though, the words are worth repeating. ” A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” – Unknown. Thank-you for adding “Joy” to my Sunday!
Thanks for the quote! I will be using it.
Love, stars and sand are a spectacular combination ?. An author I read, voraciously, has a common element in her books. She sees the beauty in all things. Iโm trying to do that each day. Iโm also reuniting, through letters and cards, with dear high school friends. I definitely see the beauty in that.
Happy week to all ??
What books are you reading with those themes? Would love to take a look!
How’s that “still and quiet” working for ya?
What a great friend you are. It is absolutely true what you said; sometimes it’s just the company and home cooking that make the difference in someone losing their ever loving mind when life throws a curve ball.
Just a quick note so that you know for next time….Pittsburgh PA is spelled with an “H” on the end….from a former Pittsburgh-er!
Your friend is lucky to have YOU…. I admire and commend you for taking time for what truly matters.
This is the highlight of my week. Thank you!
Hoping to make your brown butter carrot cake for brunch on Easter. Best to you! Be safe and well.
????
Don’t know if you’ve read about this. I was a big fan of Water for Elephants and was surprised to hear how the author’s life has taken quite a turn. Just in case you are interested in reading the article as well. https://www.vulture.com/article/sara-gruen-charles-murdoch.html
Hope your friend is well now, thank you for your time!!
You are a lovely human being and an amazing friend, I hope you know that. It all.