Intermezzo: Cruel Summer
On processing the fact that Bananarama is actually British and other timely things
Ciao, darling readers! We’re back, and only one day later than planned – to be fair, we did tell you to expect “something a little different” as we test out this new thrice monthly publication schedule. Adding insult to injury, much like Roe, your heretofore unscathed narrator has been suddenly and unjustly struck down, though in her case with novel coronavirus. (The other narrator spent his Tuesday evening loling through a performance of Alison Leiby’s very excellent Oh God, A Show About Abortion; #NotAllMen, amirite?)
In keeping with our love of Italian summer cosplay, we’re very pleased to introduce Intermezzo, an exciting and ever changing treat that comes in the week between our flagship publication formats. Consider it a cleanser of sorts, though perhaps more for us than for you. For our inaugural intermezz’, we’re riffing on a form inspired by the one and only GP consistently in our lives (and that’s on the sad state of healthcare in this country). It’s short and sweet (for us), but we hope that you’ll still find something to spark joy and a healthy appetite.
Best thing we cooked this week:
(SB) Stone fruit salads are on heavy rotation. Inspired by a Bon Appétit round up, I made versions of both this stone fruit & furikake salad (subbing in feta) and a lightly doctored mango salad with crispy shallots. Both were perfect for the end of long, hot days that left my stomach churlish.
(JS) I cannot stop making Jerelle Guy’s strawberry spoon cake. It is unbelievable how good this is for how quickly it comes together, and although you can swap for other berries, I beg you take advantage of peak season fresas and experience all of its original glory. Serve with Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream.
Best thing we ate this week:
(SB) An iced coconut water drink from Thái Son on Baxter. It was so good, so refreshing! I also went to Wellfleet for a whirlwind 48 hours and thoroughly enjoyed the oysters and some tender scallops.
(JS) Roasted clams at Anton’s, which – along with their icebox martini and a lovely filtered Italian orange – were a crucial palliative after a rat ran out from beneath our table. This is Eric Adams’ New York!
Currently Watching:
(SB) Willis and I are midway through season 3 of Borgen, which has admittedly taken a dark turn. I miss the more innocent plotlines about shoring up the welfare state and restoring the spirit of debate in Scandanavian politics, but I guess it was bound to happen. I also started Hacks on the plane home from California and love it!!!!
A brief, mid-COVID update: I am knee deep into season 1 of Amazon Prime (sorry! In my defense, I do steal it from my parents!) reality dating show The One That Got Away and simply must insist that my fellow trash raccoons watch as well. I don’t have much of an attention span at the moment, so I think my marathon viewing will continue with Under the Banner of Heaven and maybe a Showtime trial to watch Couples Therapy.
(JS) I’m half-watching a lot of HBO but to be perfectly honest, nothing has satisfied my smooth brain quite like the first twenty minutes of Real Housewives: Girls Trip. Nature is healing: Jill Zarin is back on Bravo Peacock.
Currently Coveting:
(SB) I really had a nice time browsing this thread of merch directly benefiting abortion funds and repro justice organizations. I’m personally hot on the heels of these fund abortion hairpins, though I hesitate given my history with statement accessories sold in pairs. Longtime readers might recall when I purchased "Defund Police" earrings, only to lose the "Defund" half. I now have one hoop that simply reads “Police."
(JS) After months of making do with a host of oddly shaped and randomly branded notepads, I’m now actively seeking something between a planner and a workbook for task lists and note keeping. Perhaps something from Appointed? Where are we jotting down our to-dos these days, ladies?
Currently Obsessed With:
(JS) This upcoming bake sale for reproductive rights at Archestratus, the rare men's only event we can actually get behind! Interested bakers can sign up to participate here. On a completely different note, I’m furious that I don’t think I’ll have time to make it to this wacky olfactory exhibit in Chinatown by David Seth Moltz (aka DS of DS & Durga) before it closes on Saturday.
(SB) Forcibly resting (-: Also, Jake and I were both influenced by Tik Tok to purchase these mini cams (JS: Or as the instruction manual pointedly called them, Children’s Digital Cameras). They’re just about as plastic and useless as you’d imagine, but I love them!!! So far, we haven’t been able to get the mini SD card reader to work.