Things are dissolving into wildness these days as I get ready for book events and travel, and it seems all my thoughts are coming in lists. So today, a list!
I’m finding the idea of the kitchen uniform to be very helpful these days. I put on an apron, and then I’m kitchen me. I bought this new one for my Craftsy class last month, and I don’t seem to want to take it off. But when I do, I wear this one.
In two weeks, this! Tickets still available! This is also my only NYC event, so if that’s where you are, I’d love to see you.
Joey wrote a piece about his crazy and brilliant Aunt Esther’s Amazon reviews. I know I’m biased because I’m married to the guy, but really, read it.
My love letter to the town dump is in this month’s issue of Taproot. If you’re a subscriber, it’s there towards the back, with a really gorgeous illustration by Hannah Rosengren.
There’s a piece in the NYT this week about vegan glam, and I think it’s a worthwhile read. Pondering this, especially: “Being a vegan is still a political act in America. But having all these beautiful people rebelling in this way is really compelling.” Thoughts?
Kizzi won an early copy of The Homemade Kitchen! Thank you to everyone who entered. I loved reading about all the ways you’re doing your best and letting go.
I bought a bar of this soap at the Big E and it’s making me love my kitchen sink more. It’s a good soap moment in my house all around right now, because in the shower I’ve got this amazing one from my newest site sponsor.
I just rediscovered this, which I loved when I was a teenager. Sadie bought some too, and now we both smell like roses.
A few funny things on kids and school lunch this week. Is this really news? 1. On the choices they make, and 2. On the time we give them to make them. Can we give our kids a little more credit here?
I always love the MacArthur Genius announcement because I learn about new people doing wonderful things. I went down a wonderful hole when I went searching for Ellen Bryant Voigt’s poetry, and I’m glad I did. Especially this one.
And now I’m officially a Jessica Biel Fan. Yes to this.
Happy Wednesday, friends. Feel free to add to the list in the comments! What’s happening out there in your little corner of the internet?
Classes and workshops
Occasionally I teach workshops, and I have one coming up this fall. Join me and stellar novelist Courtney Maum for RISK MORE, WRITE BETTER, an empowering weekend in a gorgeous old B&B that will jumpstart that project you've been wanting to work on. Space is limited, so apply here!
My latest book!
Learn more about my latest book, Eating from the Ground Up. It's perfect for all you vegetable lovers out there.
Reading those articles and the associated comments about school lunchtime these days was just depressing. And absurd. How does anyone who’s ever met children think that keeping them in classrooms all day with no real breaks to speak of is going to improve anything? Heck, adults wouldn’t do well under those conditions, and we generally have longer attention spans than kids. Yikes. I’m beginning to really understand people who choose to homeschool.
Yup. The system is so broken. There’s got to be a way out though.
Do also check out the wonderful photographs of LaToya Ruby Frazier, another MacArther recipient. She’s from Pittsburgh, so she was on my radar before this, but her images are still lovely.
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/29/444222920/with-her-camera-macarthur-genius-tells-an-african-american-rust-belt-story
Thank you, Michelle. Really wonderful.
I’m going to try to make this as coherent as possible and try not to step on any toes…..I think that our food choices are personal and should never be the realm of fad, gossip, or pressure. I also think in this discussion of food that people would do well to remember to take into account the effort it takes to get our food to us. The farther away a food comes, the less sustainable it is and in this day and age I believe that accounts for alot. Where do the beans come from, the nuts, the vegetables, the meat? I also believe that my health issue fix shouldn’t necessarily be yours. We each need to find our own way using respect for our environment and the people who produce our food. I tried to read the whole article about “vegan glam” but I must have missed the line you quoted. I’m not certain what “veganism is still a political statement” means and I have to admit that the second half of that quote gave me the heebie-jeebies. Nothing like using the word beautiful people and compelling to turn me off!
Well said, Jennifer. I think the reason why I latched onto that phrase in particular was that I was especially drawn to the question of how beauty is a tool to recruit others into a diet. In truth, I think we all have unique paths to finding the foods that make us feel good in the world, and as you say- the factors that go into those food choices are really complicated.
That article by Joey brightened up what had been a very rough day. I laughed out loud and read it to my husband who also chuckled. That movie review is the best review ever!
Oh I’m so glad!
Do you think they will restock those aprons? All the pretty colors are sold out. Its such a cool looking apron.
You know- she makes them by hand and she’s super nice! I’d send an email and see if she’s got the fabric you want. She’s very easy to talk with.