Some fragmented thoughts on the sprint toward Christmas, our need for Advent, the story of St. Martin of Tours, breakfast sandwiches, and Wholehearted Faith
you are remarkable. soSO grateful for your life, your work, Fozzie and Tristan. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas…I learn so much from you.
I've been thinking a lot about a longer Advent this month, so this felt like inevitable reading today, but my wife promptly ruined my Deep Thinking, when I read her the bit about Martin and the geese out loud, and she asked me if he'd cooked his goose, said maybe she'd take a gander at your post, and then apologized for her fowl humor. I promise I gave her a very stern look.
I am now a NYC expat in Canada and nobody here has a proper kaiser roll, which is my preferred vehicle for a sausage egg & cheese. The bagels here are too small with too large of a hole, and the rolls are too soft, missing that proper crust. I'm already planning on eating too many egg sandwiches on my next visit home, and probably also just a bunch of plain buttered kaisers as well. And then filling my suitcase with some to bring back and freeze.
For me, one of the keys to appreciating a Montreal bagel is to see it as an entirely different thing than a New York bagel. We had an outstanding Montreal bagel with salmon and cream cheese at Fairmount Bagel. No comment on your wife's "jokes."
My favorite before becoming gluten free was a toasted English muffin with peanut butter and strawberry jam. The pb would just melt into all the little holes and be so delicious.
In the Netherlands (at least in the northern part), St. Martin is a children's holiday. Kids go door to door with lighted paper lanterns. Traditionally you'd sing a St. Martin song and then get a treat. Thanks for this reflection on St. Martin and Advent, that was really wonderful.
I also am always in for a breakfast sandwich. Pre-pandemic Loel and I would go out for breakfast almost every week and that's always what I would get. I can't have cheese so that limits my options but even without cheese there's a lot of deliciousness possible! Egg+avocado+bacon is my favorite.
Obviously a bit slow to read this. But so needed. Your reflections on Advent is where I am. There is so much grief that needs to be processed but in hope. I want to spend this season finding a way to participate in the healing.
Now breakfast sandwiches- Jeff, it’s back bacon not Canadian bacon. And you need quality back bacon -fried till it has crispy edges, a good old cheddar melted under the broiler on English muffins, tomato and of course the fried egg. This literally was my son and I’s breakfast before every 5:45 am swim practice for years.
Giving thanks for your words in our broken world. I am a Kate Bowler fan and have downloaded her Advent guide. Last year I was given “Low” by John Pavlovitz and used it long after Advent passed. And having loved your recommendation at Lent of Marilyn McEntyre, I found her Advent book. Any others you would suggest? Thanking you again for the ways you bring meaning to all our days.
Thank you. Your writing of St Martin took me back to my Catholic upbringing, in which we learnt about the saints and were encouraged to model.
I agree with you regarding breakfast, it's a discussion I often have with my husband who doesn't get my fascination with it. But for me it brings beautiful memories of my family. One of the breakfasts I grew up with, when we lived in Lima, was a sandwich that had scrambled egg with a curated sausage only produce in the town of Huacho. You can't import that to Australia and the Italian sausages don't come close. If you ever get chance to go to Lima and visit the town of Huacho, make sure you try their sausages and grab a Picaron (🍩).
Thank you for being so generous with your warm thoughts.
My husband makes a great B-E-and C. He starts with toasted multigrain bread, crispy bacon and grills the bread to melt the pepper jack cheese. I like my egg over med, my husband likes a harder, less-saucy egg on his sandwich.
1. I've been reading your newsletter since February and just found out that you are friends with Jessica Wright who I grew up with in Jordan.
2. Advent is new to me and I love it. It makes so much sense. Waiting Songs by Rain for Roots is my favorite advent album!
3. For a while during covid I was on a real breakfast sandwich kick and would keep a mayo/siracha/ketchup sauce in my fridge to add to all my sandwiches.
4. I am reading Wholehearted Faith and have recommended it to a few friends already. It is so wonderful to read words that I believe to be so true.
1. I love a breakfast sandwich and this made me want one 😂😂
2. Advent is one of my favorite times of year. Christmas used to be my most dreaded time of year because of so much loss. My parents are gone and my extended family wasn’t showing up for me. Embracing advent really brought a sort of holy magic to my holiday season and made it bearable and then in later years, brought joy.
3. I’m reading wholehearted faith like you would eat a rich slice of cheesecake- slowly. I want to savor each page. It’s a beautiful work of art and you are such an amazing friend to make sure this didn’t go unfinished and unpublished.
you are remarkable. soSO grateful for your life, your work, Fozzie and Tristan. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas…I learn so much from you.
I've been thinking a lot about a longer Advent this month, so this felt like inevitable reading today, but my wife promptly ruined my Deep Thinking, when I read her the bit about Martin and the geese out loud, and she asked me if he'd cooked his goose, said maybe she'd take a gander at your post, and then apologized for her fowl humor. I promise I gave her a very stern look.
I am now a NYC expat in Canada and nobody here has a proper kaiser roll, which is my preferred vehicle for a sausage egg & cheese. The bagels here are too small with too large of a hole, and the rolls are too soft, missing that proper crust. I'm already planning on eating too many egg sandwiches on my next visit home, and probably also just a bunch of plain buttered kaisers as well. And then filling my suitcase with some to bring back and freeze.
For me, one of the keys to appreciating a Montreal bagel is to see it as an entirely different thing than a New York bagel. We had an outstanding Montreal bagel with salmon and cream cheese at Fairmount Bagel. No comment on your wife's "jokes."
My favorite before becoming gluten free was a toasted English muffin with peanut butter and strawberry jam. The pb would just melt into all the little holes and be so delicious.
Korean toast! We just had a small place open up across the street from us. And yes to a longer advent.
In the Netherlands (at least in the northern part), St. Martin is a children's holiday. Kids go door to door with lighted paper lanterns. Traditionally you'd sing a St. Martin song and then get a treat. Thanks for this reflection on St. Martin and Advent, that was really wonderful.
I also am always in for a breakfast sandwich. Pre-pandemic Loel and I would go out for breakfast almost every week and that's always what I would get. I can't have cheese so that limits my options but even without cheese there's a lot of deliciousness possible! Egg+avocado+bacon is my favorite.
Obviously a bit slow to read this. But so needed. Your reflections on Advent is where I am. There is so much grief that needs to be processed but in hope. I want to spend this season finding a way to participate in the healing.
Now breakfast sandwiches- Jeff, it’s back bacon not Canadian bacon. And you need quality back bacon -fried till it has crispy edges, a good old cheddar melted under the broiler on English muffins, tomato and of course the fried egg. This literally was my son and I’s breakfast before every 5:45 am swim practice for years.
Grateful for you, Jeff, and all who love and support you!!
Giving thanks for your words in our broken world. I am a Kate Bowler fan and have downloaded her Advent guide. Last year I was given “Low” by John Pavlovitz and used it long after Advent passed. And having loved your recommendation at Lent of Marilyn McEntyre, I found her Advent book. Any others you would suggest? Thanking you again for the ways you bring meaning to all our days.
Thank you. Your writing of St Martin took me back to my Catholic upbringing, in which we learnt about the saints and were encouraged to model.
I agree with you regarding breakfast, it's a discussion I often have with my husband who doesn't get my fascination with it. But for me it brings beautiful memories of my family. One of the breakfasts I grew up with, when we lived in Lima, was a sandwich that had scrambled egg with a curated sausage only produce in the town of Huacho. You can't import that to Australia and the Italian sausages don't come close. If you ever get chance to go to Lima and visit the town of Huacho, make sure you try their sausages and grab a Picaron (🍩).
Happy Thanksgiving from OZ.
Thank you for being so generous with your warm thoughts.
My husband makes a great B-E-and C. He starts with toasted multigrain bread, crispy bacon and grills the bread to melt the pepper jack cheese. I like my egg over med, my husband likes a harder, less-saucy egg on his sandwich.
Once again, you articulate so well and so profoundly what my heart ponders. Thank you!
So many comments!
1. I've been reading your newsletter since February and just found out that you are friends with Jessica Wright who I grew up with in Jordan.
2. Advent is new to me and I love it. It makes so much sense. Waiting Songs by Rain for Roots is my favorite advent album!
3. For a while during covid I was on a real breakfast sandwich kick and would keep a mayo/siracha/ketchup sauce in my fridge to add to all my sandwiches.
4. I am reading Wholehearted Faith and have recommended it to a few friends already. It is so wonderful to read words that I believe to be so true.
I agree with you, Jeff, Advent is so essential to prepare us for God with us at Christmas 🥰🙏🏻
1. I love a breakfast sandwich and this made me want one 😂😂
2. Advent is one of my favorite times of year. Christmas used to be my most dreaded time of year because of so much loss. My parents are gone and my extended family wasn’t showing up for me. Embracing advent really brought a sort of holy magic to my holiday season and made it bearable and then in later years, brought joy.
3. I’m reading wholehearted faith like you would eat a rich slice of cheesecake- slowly. I want to savor each page. It’s a beautiful work of art and you are such an amazing friend to make sure this didn’t go unfinished and unpublished.
A Filipino pan-de-sal with longganisa and an over-easy egg. Because longganisa makes everything better.
Yes! I love longganisa. Haven't had it in ages.
Is toast a sandwich?!?!