Hello friends, good morning!
I hope this finds you with a few good minutes for yourself.
The week after Thanksgiving feels similar to me every year. There’s a glow from a few extra days of rest (and maybe for you, a few extra family hands around the help with the kids), there’s a settling from all the stuffing and gravy leftovers, and there’s a hint of mania as we tumble towards the gifting holidays.
I feel like my feet are heavy but my head wants a strong push to the end of the year.
Speaking of heavy feet. I played tennis for the first time a few weeks ago. Was I terrible? Of course I was! Did that stop me? Almost (hahahha) but, no. My boyfriend/patient/ just-do-what-I-do tennis teacher said “you need to be lighter on your feet”. My question “LITERALLY HOW!?” I want to be light and fast everyday but some days it’s a real question of where to pull that energy from. Let’s hope that just trying counts for something.
How are you feeling about the holidays? I’m splurging on care packages as holiday gifts this year. I won’t be able to see all the people I love, which… pandemic or not, is usually the case, so a thoughtful care package feels extra important this year. My packages have shaped up to be a mixture of baked goods (I’ll show you how I preserve them next week), a few of my favorite things from around New Orleans, a little something from The Bakehouse, and a note + picture of me and the recipient from years past. Really, whatever feels thoughtful goes into the box. That’s my work this week.
How are you this weekend? Light on your feet? Even if you’re working towards it, you’re in good shape.
This is the 300th installment of Let It Be Sunday which means I’m nothing if not stubborn. Thank you for being here this, and many other Sundays. I love this little ritual between us.
The offering this week is below. Take it easy and, as always, take only what you need today:
• “The world belongs to those who shape it.” (Time)
• Our long read of the week is also the most interesting read of the week. The science of the space we create around ourselves: How close is too close? (Aeon)
• I’ve recently embraced half-caff and decaf coffee as a way to enjoy all the coffee I want to drink without overcaffeinating myself into anxiety oblivion. I’ve always associated decaf coffee as a sign of aging and sure… here I am getting older but maybe also wiser about how to live this good life? Turns Out It’s Pretty Good: Aging. (The Cut)
• Saved by Dolly Parton, again. (The Guardian)
• I’m SUPER inspired by these twelve holiday cookie recipes from The Washington Post. If you’re been looking for some uniquely delicious cookies, you’ll join me here. I’m going to make Rose Wilde’s Amaretti Dipped in Ruby Ganache (The Washington Post)
• This was one of my most delicious baking days. I highly recommend a quality baking day followed by quality couch time with these Chocolate Babka Pull Apart Muffins and fresh coffee. (Joy the Baker)
• This week Drake launched a line of candles that smell like… Drake. He’s taking humility to new levels and I suppose we’re into it, because the candles are sold out. I’m toying with the idea of bringing back Drake on Cake. I mean… no one asked and no one needs it but I wonder if the inspiration is there. (Page Six and Instagram
• Our friends at Cherry Bombe have a new issue out and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
• I usually make this decadent homemade egg nog with rum (can you see me smiling?), but this year I’m going to try Minimalist Baker’s (we love her) Vegan Egg Nog. (Joy the Baker and Minimalist Baker)
• The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw is going to be my read for the holiday break as recommended by Samantha Irby. (Parnassus Books)
• Ok. We can all handle 11 minutes a day. (The New York Times)
• This is not wholly important but I’m still going to talk about it. I’ve never been a person who knows how to blow dry my hair or do my makeup very well but this year, with no hair cuts and makeup help (and also, nowhere to go, so the stakes are low) I’ve had to figure it out. Two things have changed the game for me: Revlon’s Hot Air Brush and Ilia Makeup (especially the tinted serum and multi-use blush cream). (Amazon and Ilia)
• Take it back to December 2018 with Let It Be Sunday, 200! There’s an article about shopping for your Dad-In-Law that i’m going to revisit. (Joy the Baker)
I hope you enjoy this Sunday!
My love to you!
xo Joy
(If you’re curious, pictured above: sugared cranberries.)