It’ll Keep
I have so many ideas I want to share, experiences that I’m dying to put into words and out to your email. But winter keeps whispering, “Not yet.” Asking me to do not-a-goddamn-thing for a while longer. Let the seeds rest. Let the stories brew. It’ll keep babe, remember it’ll keep.
Here’s what I’m hibernating with:
Books
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey — Came for the naps, stayed for the DreamSpace.
The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor — She had me at, “Dieting is the most potent political sedative in history.”
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros — Big fan of ACOTAR and the fantasy girlies said go here next. 150 pages in, so far so good.
Ps I made a cute Book Club page — if you’re not able to join in person but want to read along with us, you’ll find each month’s pick posted there + I’m always open for discussion here.
TV
Severance — A psychological thriller exploring work/life balance bullshit with a rebellious redheaded female role? Yup.
The Morning Show — Elle Woods + Don Draper = my happy place.
Shrinking — Y’all I’ve always kind of had a crush on Jason Segel but Brian is by far my favorite character in the series.
Loot — If I ever find myself with Molly Wells money, I will also spend it on renovating vacant properties for the unhoused. In the meantime, my donations go to Open Table Nashville and my work neighbor Tonya H. who sells The Contributor.
Bad Sisters — Am I the only one who just learned Eve Hewson is Bono’s daughter? Whatever, really like her and this show. And the Irish accents.
Abbott Elementary — I actually laugh out loud every single episode. Short and sweet and great on the nervous system. Also, Chessy forever.
And I’m about to dive into season 7 of Outlander but maybe I’ll go back to season 1 episode 7 first.
Newsletters
Make Me Good Soil by Sophie Strand
Take Back the Magic by Perdita Finn
The Flowers Are Speaking by Mary Porter Kerns
Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
The Liminality Journal by Kaitlin Curtice
My Dear Queer by Kate McGunagle
In the Garden with Bates Nursery
People’s Pulse by East Nashtivists
Movies
A Lot Like Love. I was reminded of this beloved Ashton Kutcher + Amanda Peet rom-com when I heard this song playing in the grocery store the other day. If you don’t already know it, I’ve got great news — it’s free on Prime! You’re welcome for the introduction.
I’m also burning a lot of this incense + these candles, trying a new bread recipe, and spending extra time stretching my body each morning.
Your turn! What’s on your list? You can send me a little love note about it here.
Coffee Cake Recipe
Coffee cake is a true celebration of cozy season. Little effort, big yum, and leftovers for days.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup salted butter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together room temperature + lightly beaten eggs, oil, milk (I prefer whole), and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well. Pour half of the batter into 9 x 13 baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix packed brown sugar and cinnamon together thoroughly.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter in the baking dish, spread it out evenly (I use my fingers). Then pour the remaining batter over that cinnamon sugar layer. Spread it out carefully and bit by bit (I find using a rubber spatula is easiest). Repeat the sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the batter step.
Bake for 35-40 minutes + enjoy it warm (and with a cup of Tres Banderas if pure bliss is your thing).
Wearing out my Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs record this month.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Love consists in this, that two solitudes protect and touch and greet each other. What we call fate does not come into us from the outside, but emerges from us. I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other.”