some things getting me through

some resources / some little moments of joy / the most comforting mushroom soup for paid subscribers

Hey friends,

You don’t need me to tell you that world events are so upsetting. I’ve benefitted from the following resources/actions so I wanted to share them with you in case you find them helpful, too. Below that you’ll find a few things that have helped me find a little joy over the past few weeks.

• This quotation from James Baldwin’s “Notes on the House of Bondage” written exactly 43 years ago today (!!) in The Nation (Nov. 1, 1980): "The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality. Or, I am saying, in other words, that we, the elders, are the only models children have. What we see in the children is what they have seen in us–or, more accurately perhaps, what they see in us.”

• “Explanations are Not Excuses” by Sarah Schulman for New York

• The Ezra Klein Show (NYT): “The Jewish Left is Trying to Hold Two Thoughts at Once” '/ “Grief moves slowly, and war moves quickly.” / “I cannot think of a less Jewish thing than to make another person a refugee.” - Spencer Ackerman

• The Ezra Klein Show (NYT): “Israel is Giving Hamas What it Wants”

• “Hamas’s Shock Attack Should Spark Our Horror—And Our Questions” by Haggai Matar for The Nation / “We have to change course not despite the horror, but precisely because of it.”

• Organizations I’ve been giving to:

  • World Central Kitchen]

  • Anera

  • DoctorsWithoutBorders

• Using the 5 Calls website/app

Okay, this little grid of photos is completely irrelevant to current events, but thought I’d share a few things that have brought me joy over the last few weeks.

Clockwise from top left (if you’re viewing on a computer / I think the pictures end up in a long line on your phone?!):

• Winky in her carseat throne (just a gigantic dog bed shoved into the car seat…she also has a seatbelt not pictured here! fear not!)

• The Vodka Grandma Pie from Ollie’s in High Falls

• A perfect head of Romenesco I got to harvest at Long Season Farm

• Lunch made by my dad: excellent chicken salad on toast with lettuce + tomatoes / store bought almond + poppy seed pound cake for dessert (not pictured)

• CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP!! I made some in my class this past weekend (see here) and each time I have a bowl I keep saying “wow this is good” — it’s so rich and comforting. Recipe is at the bottom of this email for paid subscribers!

Tell me, what’s bringing you joy? What’s getting you through? Something tiny, something big, or maybe something in between?

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12TH / 2P - 3:30P EST: MY CHILDHOOD FAVORITES

Join me to make two of my absolute favorite dishes from my childhood: Jennie’s Chicken Pelau, a one pot chicken-rice-bean-and-vegetable dish taught to me by my childhood babysitter, and Summer Camp Sheet Cake, the platonic ideal of a birthday sheet cake. As always, tips, tricks, and nostalgic stories shared along the way! »»»» SIGN UP HERE! «««««

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26TH / 2P - 3P EST: KIDS COOKING HOUR! SPAGHETTI + MEATBALLS! (JUST $25)

I have loved to cook since I was a little kid. Feeling empowered in the kitchen has made a big difference in my life. I hope to share this feeling with young cooks in this special Kids Cooking Hour! For this class, we’ll be making Spaghetti + Meatballs! Depending on age, experience + kitchen confidence, an adult might be needed to help (grocery shopping, turning on the stove, draining the pasta, etc.). We will walk through every single step slowly and answer questions. This is going to be FUN!!!!! »»»» SIGN UP HERE! «««««

Thanks for being here. xo, Julia

If you’re a paid subscriber, please enjoy this easy, D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. recipe for Creamy Mushroom Soup (only 8 ingredients! 3 are olive oil, salt, and pepper! / vegetarian but can easily be vegan!) — it’s so simple to make and unbelievably comforting. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches, or just some great bread…add a little rice and some greens to turn it into more of a meal….eat out of a mug…do whatever you want!