The Sunday Edit | No. 5: Art of a Slow Sunday
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The Art of a Slow Sunday
From the patient brushstrokes of Georges Seurat to the slow-simmered flavors of a classic Northern Italian braise, we're exploring why the most enduring masterpieces are worth the wait.
Thought for the Day
“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
If you missed our issue on the “Language of Love,” you can catch up on No. 4 here.
In This Issue:
The Sunday Journal: Lessons in the Long Game
We live in a world that prizes the “quick fix,” but some of the most enduring masterpieces were born from the quiet, repetitive ritual of a slow Sunday.
- The Patience of a Masterpiece: Consider Georges Seurat. To create A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, he spent two years meticulously applying millions of tiny dots of color. It was a slow, disciplined labor of love that reminds us that beauty often reveals itself in small, intentional moments.
- The Power of the Pause: Even the most prolific creators knew when to stop. Mark Twain observed a strict Sunday ritual of “daydreaming”-resting in the shade of a farm tree to let his mind wander. He understood that a creative reset isn’t a luxury; it's the fuel for the week ahead.
- A Languid Note: George Gershwin's Summertime was inspired by the slow-moving heat and minor-key spirituals he heard while immersing himself in the South. It serves as a sonic definition of a slow afternoon where the world simply stands still for a moment.
For a more personal reflection on finding peace in the pause, you might enjoy my narrative essay, I Can Wait, over at At the Table.
Happy Sunday, dear friends.
From the Kitchen: The Flavor of Time
There is a culinary parallel to Seurat's dots: the slow-developing flavors of a traditional braise. This week, I'm leaning into my Classic Osso Buco.
A Slow Simmer
Much like a great work of art or a treasured relationship, this dish cannot be rushed. It requires the gentle, low heat to transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. As the marrow softens, the kitchen fills with a scent that defines “home.” It's a reminder that the best things in life-the deepest flavors and the strongest bonds-are developed over time, not overnight.
On The Horizon: A Week of Meaningful Moments
As we lean into the ‘Art of the Slow’ this Sunday, we're also looking toward a week of diverse traditions. From a Presidential favorite that requires a gentle simmer to a Lunar New Year feast that values the crisp, deliberate crunch of a perfect almond cookie, we're celebrating the recipes that have stood the test of time.
Coming This Week
- Monday, Feb 16 (Presidents’ Day): Honoring history with a slow-simmered comfort classic: Abraham Lincoln's Chicken Fricassee.
- Tuesday, Feb 17 (Lunar New Year): Welcoming the Year of the Horse with our 20-minute Easy Lo Mein and Award-Winning Chinese Almond Cookies.
- Tuesday, Feb 17 (Pancake Day & Mardi Gras): Beginning the day with these Shrove Tuesday Pancakes with lemon and ending on a savory note with one these Healthier Mardi Gras dinner ideas.
- Wednesday, Feb 18 (Ash Wednesday): If you celebrate Lent, these light and simple lenten recipes are delicious for the season.
Weekly Dinner Meal Plan
Every week, we publish a healthy weekly dinner meal plan to take the “What’s for Dinner” dilemma off your plate. Here are this week’s dinner ideas.
February 30 Minute Dinners Meal Plan (Feb 16)
These February 30 Minute Dinners keep weeknights easy, flavorful, and mostly on the table in around 30 minutes.
Lifestyle Finds: The Slow Sunday Kit
1. The Sip:
Use your favorite Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, a drop of vanilla, and a touch of local honey. It is the liquid version of a cozy blanket.
2. The Music:
I've curated a Slow Sunday Playlist to set the mood. It begins with Gershwin's Summertime, then transitions into soft jazz and acoustic tracks that encourage a slower pace.
3. The Comfort:
When two of my favorites join, Spode teaware and William Morris, it’s terribly hard to resist. And when there is a Presidents’ Day sale at the same time, it’s almost too difficult to resist. In my shopping cart now, as I dream of spring.
Looking Forward: The First Green
Thank you for joining me for this edition of The Sunday Edit. There is something restorative about leaning into the moments of life, whether that be a holiday, an observance, or a shared dish between neighbors.
Next week, we transition from the “Slow Sunday” to “The First Green,” where we'll finally bring those market primroses into the spotlight for our February Afternoon Tea installment.
Stephanie
If you enjoyed today’s Sunday Edit, you’ll love my narrative essays and recipes over on Substack, where we invite you to join us At the Table.
