Some fragmented thoughts on learning to eat fufu, being in the kitchen, Jesus cooking for his friends, failed Yorkshire puddings, and transformation amid COVID-19
Kitchens are safe haven for introverts. No eye contact necessary, busy hands, tiny respites from conversation to focus intently on chopping, ability to walk away from chitchat to fetch a pot...just perfect amount of human interaction for us.
I think of you every time I manage to germinate my first crop of carrots for the season...which was just this past week up here in Vancouver. My go to read in the spring is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.
I’m grateful for this weekly email, thank you for the work it takes.
It's been a while since I looked at the Kingsolver book. I know it's a lot about growing things... Do you remember if she does much with the cooking aspect?
I've read this and I like it! I just wish it focused more on the baking aspect than on the eating, especially because I know that Kendall is an excellent bread maker.
Hearing your thoughts on the theology of compost has been life-changing. Looking forward to what will come out of the theology of the kitchen. Osheta Moore’s prayer of Reconciliation Soup is just 👌🏼
Jeff, I am a new follower of your writing, an avid amateur gardener with a love for composting and vermicomposting and a love for preparing food for my family. Each blog post of yours brings tears to my eyes (still trying to figure that out!). Thank you for your writing. Have you read Margaret Feinberg Scouting the Divine or Taste and See?
Thank you. I’m sitting with these beautiful images and leaning into the theology of cooking. I’ve felt and experienced it, but have rarely read about it, and have never preached on it.
Some of the worst cooking failures I've had came from subbing in whole wheat flour. I need to skip the gluten now, so maybe that earlier experience was trying to tell me something!
I loved everything about this letter, Jeff. Thank you.
Being Home by Gunilla Norris - I also thought of Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. The fact I own these and can't find them gives me deep angst. My organizational gene is in deep mourning. I looked on Amazon and Being Home has a chapter on Cooking, so maybe it has something of what you were wanting.
Thank you for that insight into Jesus and the receiving of the men's fish. I love when a familiar story is brought clearer and more meaning is worked out of it.
I look forward to and always enjoy your newsletter. Thank you so much for suggesting Marilyn McEntyre’s book, Where the Eye Alights several weeks ago. It is lovely. Her mix of poetry and theology is beautiful. Please keep sending your newsletter. It is always such a bright spot in my day. Thank you for reminding me through the John story that we all have something to bring to the table.
Kitchens are safe haven for introverts. No eye contact necessary, busy hands, tiny respites from conversation to focus intently on chopping, ability to walk away from chitchat to fetch a pot...just perfect amount of human interaction for us.
I think of you every time I manage to germinate my first crop of carrots for the season...which was just this past week up here in Vancouver. My go to read in the spring is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.
I’m grateful for this weekly email, thank you for the work it takes.
It's been a while since I looked at the Kingsolver book. I know it's a lot about growing things... Do you remember if she does much with the cooking aspect?
Yes, she includes some seasonal/family recipes.
We will feast by Kendall vanderslice
I've read this and I like it! I just wish it focused more on the baking aspect than on the eating, especially because I know that Kendall is an excellent bread maker.
Hearing your thoughts on the theology of compost has been life-changing. Looking forward to what will come out of the theology of the kitchen. Osheta Moore’s prayer of Reconciliation Soup is just 👌🏼
Tasting Grace by Melissa D'Arabian
Jeff, I am a new follower of your writing, an avid amateur gardener with a love for composting and vermicomposting and a love for preparing food for my family. Each blog post of yours brings tears to my eyes (still trying to figure that out!). Thank you for your writing. Have you read Margaret Feinberg Scouting the Divine or Taste and See?
I have not read any of Feinberg's writing! I will put it on my list. Thank you. Sorry to make you cry!!
Tears are not bad... :-)
I popped over to suggest Feinberg as well. I really enjoyed Scouting the Divine but haven't gotten to Taste and See yet.
Take This Bread by Sara Miles. I haven't read it, but Preston Yancey's book Out of the House of Bread has always looked interesting to me as well.
THANK you! Jesus preparing the meal in John 21! Never have I considered this.
Thank you! Sending to my friend who spent the better part of a year in Ghana!
I need to be more invitational in my kitchen. I love that picture of the disciples giving Jesus a fish.
Bless your tomatoes and may Fusarium stay far away!
Babette’s Feast, if you haven’t seen it!
Thank you. I’m sitting with these beautiful images and leaning into the theology of cooking. I’ve felt and experienced it, but have rarely read about it, and have never preached on it.
Some of the worst cooking failures I've had came from subbing in whole wheat flour. I need to skip the gluten now, so maybe that earlier experience was trying to tell me something!
I loved everything about this letter, Jeff. Thank you.
Being Home by Gunilla Norris - I also thought of Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. The fact I own these and can't find them gives me deep angst. My organizational gene is in deep mourning. I looked on Amazon and Being Home has a chapter on Cooking, so maybe it has something of what you were wanting.
Thank you for that insight into Jesus and the receiving of the men's fish. I love when a familiar story is brought clearer and more meaning is worked out of it.
Two suggestions: MIRIAM'S KITCHEN (https://www.amazon.com/Miriams-Kitchen-Elizabeth-Ehrlich/dp/0670869082/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) and, for kids, CHEF ROY CHOI AND THE STREET FOOD REMIX (http://www.readerstoeaters.com/our-books/roy-choi-and-the-street-food-remix). Both showcase cooking with love to feed hungry people.
Jeff,
I look forward to and always enjoy your newsletter. Thank you so much for suggesting Marilyn McEntyre’s book, Where the Eye Alights several weeks ago. It is lovely. Her mix of poetry and theology is beautiful. Please keep sending your newsletter. It is always such a bright spot in my day. Thank you for reminding me through the John story that we all have something to bring to the table.
I am always grateful when I take the time to read your Notes. I always feel spoken to and come away with fresh thoughts on a subject.
Also, I would totally tune in to a Jeff Chu cooking show ;)