Tortellini Salad, Costco Tuxedo Cake & Oklahoma

Sunday Saves 7.2.2023

When I was little, my favorite VHS tapes were as follows (in no particular order): The Fox and the Hound, Aladdin, Oklahoma, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The Disney movies are an obvious product of my 90’s childhood, but the Rogers and Hammerstein and MGM musicals came from my grandma (her favorite is Carousel). Last weekend, I spent hours sitting with her in hospice care, watching HGTV and letting her rest while I made her oatmeal or got the bathroom ready for her. Taking care of grandma and grieving with family has made for a rocky start to the summer season. On one hand, I’m enjoying sunny days with my vivacious toddler, and on the other, I’m witnessing what end of life care means for a fiercely independent woman succumbing to cancer.

With each year that passes, I feel the inexorable mix of happy-sad, melancholy-joyful, fulfilling-stressful more and more deeply. In spurts and seasons, or just generally all the time because this is life.

That’s a big part of why I love sharing Sunday Saves with all of you—to keep up the practice of noticing simple joys, no matter how stressful, scary, or sad life feels in the moment.

This week’s list is a bit sparse, so will you share your own Sunday Saves in the comments? I love hearing about your current favorites and small treats.

• I shared my go-to summer salad recipe in a new Summer Potluck thread, and the comments are a feast of recipes and friendly food chat. Drop your favorite seasonal recipe or meal idea in the comments!

• My parents celebrated their wedding anniversary last week, so we have this decadent tuxedo cake from Costco in the fridge. YUM.

• Thanks to The Algorithm, I learned that Oklahoma is celebrating 80 years with a special viewing of the 1998 stage version starring Hugh Jackman as Curly in theaters nationwide. Check out the dates to catch the show in your area, and definitely check out the promo video for young, singing Hugh Jackman.

I hope to be back soon(ish) with more book reviews and recipes.

Chelsey