Have a Restful Weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? We’re going to Central Park with the boys to jump in the leaves. Also, I’m going to take a bath tonight. I haven’t taken many baths since I was a kid, but nowadays they feel so calming. Hope you have a relaxing few days, and here are a few fun links from around the web…

This one song reduces anxiety by 65%.

How to start a cookbook club. (Or, near and dear to my heart, an articles club.)

9 times when it’s totally fine to put ice in your wine.

Activewear designed to encourage Muslim female athletes.

Damn, now THOSE are balloons.

Whose mom is this? Can’t stop smiling!

A little flowers go a long way.

A year and a half later, I’m still laughing at this New Yorker essay.

21 great documentaries.

How to have an (actually) chill Thanksgiving.

Plus, two reader comments…

From Erin: “Years of counseling have taught me one thing: Never underestimate someone else’s reality. A person may tell you the sky is orange, when, in fact, they have only ever seen a sunset.”

From Cat: “I have two boys, and the saying that sticks with me from when they were babies is, ‘Going from one child to two is like going from owning a dog to running a zoo.’ ”

(Photo of Toby and Anton from Instagram. Song via Jocelyn Glei.)

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Hena

November 17, 2016 2:11 pm

beautiful picture.. if only my boys could sleep like that.. one usually ends up on top of the other and then lands on the floor

you have some very insightful readers.. both great comment.s

Christina

November 14, 2016 1:53 pm

That song that reduces anxiety is just what I needed. They have an entire Spotify list of anxiety-reducing songs too – Amazing!!!

Christina | http://www.cuddlepill.com

Sandy

November 14, 2016 1:20 pm

I wanted to get the playlist that was posted about music to relieve stress. But the link in last weekend’s blog doesn’t work now.
Can you specify where that list of songs is accessed?

Cynthia

November 14, 2016 12:31 pm

Thanks for the link for Muslim athletes. My daughter doesn’t wear hijab, but the hardest thing is finding modest, long enough shorts for her- and my son!

Catherine

November 14, 2016 8:13 am

Great comment describing what it’s like going from one to two children.

I love the saying;

One’s a pet, two a zoo, three crowd control & four hostage negotiations.

I’m about to enter crowd control early next year ! Wish me luck !

p.s. I am a new reader to your blog and I love your content.

Hanna

Reply to Catherine

November 14, 2016 12:23 pm

This just made me laugh out loud…maybe going to three is like working at a wildlife reserve…trying to keep everyone alive, even when you can’t see everyone at once! Love the positive energy coming from you and the team over the past week.

veronica

November 14, 2016 7:00 am

Tip – instead of ice cubes, freeze grapes and put them in the wine to cool it down. this way it wont water it down but is chilled.

Agnes

November 13, 2016 2:08 pm

Hi Joanna and team, I love the joy you are sharing here.

Deirdre

November 13, 2016 9:49 am

Dancing lady!!! You totally ROCK!!!

Erica

November 13, 2016 8:12 am

When I read Playground Purgatory a year ago I laughed. Today – in the wake of the election and discovery of the percentage of female Trump supporters – I saw the commentary differently. Exaggerated of course but it paints an accurate picture of how North American women view women and men differently. Intimidated by fellow a woman’s perceived success we turn to fear instead of love. It’s a serious problem, not one I believe we women created on our own, but we need to move to love before we’ll be able to make the strides we so desperately need.

November 13, 2016 5:33 am

Love the athletic hijab idea! As a hijab wearer who has loved and followed A Cup of Jo for many years, it made me smile to see this. Thank you! :)

Lorelei

November 12, 2016 11:05 pm

Thank you Joanna for helping us to keep our spirits high. I think this belongs to everyone.

This land is your land, this land is my land,
From California, to the New York Island,
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf Stream Waters,
This land was made for you and me.

Ashley Prillaman

November 12, 2016 4:36 pm

Are you still going to do Gift Guides this year???

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Ashley Prillaman

November 12, 2016 9:54 pm

Of course!! starting after thanksgiving xoxo

laura

November 12, 2016 2:54 pm

I love everything about this blog and the tone about these times. But:

Why is everybody assuming that woman is “a mom”?

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to laura

November 12, 2016 9:55 pm

I think it was just a funny way to describe her, like many of us have seen our moms dance like that :) not that she is necessarily a mother.

Joanna

Reply to laura

November 14, 2016 9:23 am

I had the same thought. Totally funny…and asking myself why. Is it poking fun at moms or the lady? Or neither.

Jamie K

November 12, 2016 2:15 pm

I had that same stuffed monkey as a child. Where did you find it? I’d love to find one for my son!

Louisa

November 12, 2016 12:57 pm

I love documentaries. And what I need right now are some that inspire me – a woman. Of the 21 documentaries in that link, only one was about a woman – Nina Simone. So can you help a girl out and find some movies that might give me hope right now?

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Louisa

November 12, 2016 9:57 pm

First position was amazing — about young ballet dancers. I’ll think of some others too!

Erin

Reply to Louisa

November 13, 2016 9:41 am

I just saw this documentary, Iris, on Netflix, which is about a woman and SO inspiring – highly recommended!

Amanda

November 12, 2016 12:13 pm

My chill rule for entertaining is that I will get you your first drink, then after that you are on your own. It is amazing how much for comfortable people feel when they know they can just open your fridge for a beer or go ahead and open the next bottle of wine. You are automatically family. And, as the hostess, it’s one less thing for me to worry about :)

Sarah

November 12, 2016 11:17 am

Joanna, I wanted to write you and let you know that we did a meatball night at our house last night! After such a sad week, I invited a bunch of friends over for spaghetti and meatballs and wine. It was such a happy evening and everyone left feeling lighter and rosier. We ate Barilli pasta, Food Lion garlic bread and frozen meatballs because #Friday but the sauce was homemade and the company was amazing. Thank you for sharing the article this week…<3 <3 <3

Alex McKellar

November 12, 2016 7:56 am

oh my goodness the sunset quote made my heart stop for a moment!
Another great documentary worth watching is “Chasing Asylum” by Eva Orner, about Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.

Lola

November 12, 2016 1:59 am

Oh my goodness, I have that same white monkey Anton is cuddled up next to from 1985! She’s a little more worn out than his, but her name is Hazel and she has traveled the world with me, from the East Coast to South Korea to Arizona. Durable little rascal…I think I need to make her a mermaid crown!

Char

November 12, 2016 1:56 am

I have two sons, a two year old and a newborn. I’m bracing myself! ?

Liz

November 12, 2016 12:17 am

That song just made me antsy. Apparently I’m the exception to that rule :). My friend’s husband calls the playground “the land where time stands still” which cracks me up and I totally agree with!

mae

Reply to Liz

November 13, 2016 8:16 pm

I came to the comments to see if anyone else felt the same way! It made me feel uneasy and I had to turn it off.

Jenny

November 11, 2016 11:59 pm

Great round-up! Tonight my husband and I put the baby to bed, made the mac & cheese recipe you posted a few years ago (our go-to; so delicious), cracked open a bottle of wine and watched The Crown. It was the perfect escape from
an awful week- and refreshing to observe a depiction of respectful and polite leadership!

blg

November 11, 2016 11:19 pm

Well that is just absolutely adorable.

My friends who had kids at a younger age say to me, I wish I could smell their shampooed heads and give them big hugs again…these times are so unbelievably special aren’t they?

Paige

November 11, 2016 10:53 pm

I’m actually doing a musical in NY about a women’s cooking club in the 1950’s! Shows how much progress we’ve made…and how far we have yet to go. Love the idea having that type of group now. Xx

Reem

November 11, 2016 9:37 pm

thanks for sharing info about the Muslim hijabs – so cool! I wear hijab and would love a sporty one :)

shannon

November 11, 2016 7:13 pm

I can’t stop thinking about Erin’s comment on the orange sky. Beautiful.

Erin

Reply to shannon

November 14, 2016 7:48 am

Thank you. :) It came to me while driving with my husband and trying to explain my thoughts to him.

Bites for Foodies

November 11, 2016 7:03 pm

Yep, that song definitely made me feel more relaxed, and Lord knows, I need to learn how to relax! I even just posted a new post on my Blog about that! http://www.bitesforfoodies.com/blog/10-ways-to-slow-down-and-enjoy-the-moment/ And on a side note, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of a cookbook club!!

November 11, 2016 6:54 pm

Not sure why but I feel the need to shout (on this comments page):

I LOVE YOU, WORLD!

Jen

November 11, 2016 6:20 pm

“Years of counseling have taught me one thing: Never underestimate someone else’s reality. A person may tell you the sky is orange, when, in fact, they have only ever seen a sunset.”

THIS. Something we need to all keep in mind as we try to bridge the gap between ourselves and others, this week and going forward…

Nicky

November 11, 2016 6:13 pm

The dancing woman at the game was fantastic!!! I bet you the Ellen show is looking for her right this second. :) haha

Kassi Chapman

November 11, 2016 6:00 pm

Haha! “You’re a grandma” is my favorite reason for putting ice in wine! Hilarious! We put frozen grapes in ours! We usually stock up when they go on sale, pick them off the stems/vines, and freeze them in a large ziplock bag.

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Kassi Chapman

November 11, 2016 7:08 pm

that’s brilliant!

belen

November 11, 2016 5:49 pm

After a sad week this is without a doubt my favourite place in the interwebs :) Have a great weekend!

Lindsay

November 11, 2016 5:40 pm

The mom dancing at the basketball game has brought me so much joy this week. Much needed!

Lindsey

November 11, 2016 5:26 pm

Unreal!!! I was actually remembering and laughing about that New Yorker article with my husband the other day. :)

Amanda

November 11, 2016 5:24 pm

Goodness, that’s a sweet picture.

maggie

November 11, 2016 5:19 pm

thank you for posting about asiya. i’m friends with one of the founders and just think it is the coolest. i’m so proud of her and the work that they are doing.

MihaBalan

November 11, 2016 4:54 pm

The one with putting ice in your wine is funny. I actually used to do that a lot in the summer. Also, I am sure not many are doing it , but if I don’t like the wine I put Pepsi or cola on top to cut the taste. But that’s just me..

http://mihabalan.com/2016/11/11/a-day-in-your-life-how-to-have-the-best-me-day/

Lendy Salazar

Reply to MihaBalan

November 11, 2016 10:43 pm

Its called a Kalimotxo in my culture. Wine and cola :)

Lisa

November 11, 2016 4:53 pm

How funny, I’m in Seattle and a co-worker brought me one of those little flower bouquets from The London Plane (sister to Sitka & Spruce as mentioned in the article),as a sweet gift because of the sadness of the election results this week. They really do brighten up my whole desk!

Katie

November 11, 2016 4:37 pm

My friends and I started a cookbook club almost a year ago, and we love it! So worth the effort for the return in awesome food and time together.

Gloria

November 11, 2016 4:20 pm

Love the precious pic of the boys. Have a great weekend!

http://www.lipsticksandwich.com

Mary Beth

November 11, 2016 4:07 pm

That picture of Toby and Anton melts my heart.

Christine

November 11, 2016 4:03 pm

That song! It reminded me that I used to listen to beta waves before bedtime which is very reminiscent of this song! I love science.

Kara

November 11, 2016 4:01 pm

That New Yorker essay is the absolute BEST. Thanks for re-posting it – reading it brought a huge smile to my face :)

Britt

November 11, 2016 3:47 pm

that mom at the basketball game absolutely rules.

xo, brittany
http://www.notablob.com

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