The Sunday Toast, 31

Outside it feels like summer, but inside it feels like fall. And since my internet just crashed and lost this entire post, I’ll keep it brief.

• The podcast that stuck with me most this past week was Brené Brown’s Becoming Us: Brené on Day 2. It helped put a lot in perspective in this season, and I will definitely be listening again.

• Listening to Elizabeth Day’s interview with Ovie Soko on How to Fail was like meeting someone for the first time and instantly knowing you want to win them over.

• Ted Lasso is a show that ticked all the boxes. It’s an absolute treat from start to finish — earnest and funny, full of hope, and finding kindness/softness in even the most unsuspecting people.

• I absolutely poured over the beautiful illustrations in The Storm Whale by Benji Davies. Straight to the heart, this one.

• From now on I’ll be asking myself why it took me so long to try the Pumpkin Body Butter at Trader Joe’s. I’m obsessed. Ob. sessed.

Sending you love and, if you’re able, I’ll see you at the polls this week.

xoxo,

Sally

The Sunday Toast, 30

The air is crisp, my coffee is sufficiently tasting of pumpkin, and the worst of that first back-to-school sickness is behind me. We can only hope, you know? I think that’s where we’re all at in the hurly-burly and that’s okay for now. And so it’s time for another Sunday smattering…

• Reading a physical book has remained a struggle since the pandemic began. But this week I turned the last page on Good Evening, Mrs. Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes. It was easy to escape in the domestic lives of Brits in hard times such as these. As satisfying as anyone constantly craving literature with a very English flavor could hope for.

• My new weekday morning ritual is sipping my coffee while I read The Morning Newsletter from The New York Times while listening to the Becoming Jane soundtrack. This one might be here to stay.

• I was so moved by John O’Donahue’s poem Time To Be Slow after hearing it read on a podcast this week. I continue to be moved by moved by it.

• I waxed poetic about Young Wallander a few weeks ago and while I sadly finished that series, my obsession with one of the songs from it, “Feel Fine” by Emilie Nicolas, is still going very strong indeed.

• Last week’s lunch of choice was Joy the Baker’s Marrakesh Carrots and I’m not ashamed to say it was just so delicious that it’s 100% my lunch again this coming week.

• If I ever forget to immediately go out and do exactly what my big sister says, I can safely say her recommendation of Seattle Chocolate’s Coconut Sea Salt Truffle Bar ensured that that will absolutely never ever ever happen again.

Drink in the fall air, be well, be kind.

xoxo,

Sally

The Sunday Toast, 29

Oh, hello. How are you? I have to tell you, in complete and total transparency, that this is truly the only thing that has my complete attention this week…

• The new season of Great British Bake Off. They’re doling out episodes one Friday at a time, but I don’t care. This heartwarming gooey chocolate center masterpiece is just what we’ve all been needing and craving in this pandemic. Thank the baking gods!

Until next week, be safe, be well, and don’t have a soggy bottom.

xoxo,

Sally