Worthy Stuff

Susan Edition

Hello! Last month Cynthia shared a few things she’d recently found to be worthy of her time, so I figured I’d chime in with a few of my own. It’s been a busy week or so, transitioning from my summer digs to my winter ones, then turning around and heading to SLC for a bunch of fall events, including our own upcoming gathering. I decided this morning was a good time to catch my breath and reflect on a few things I’ve loved lately…

But first —

If I’m in SLC, I’m going to be at Hires Big H getting a root beer freeze sometime in the first 24 hrs, and yesterday was no exception. I hopped off the freeway and headed straight there.

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Since we’re talking about food,

When I land in AZ (as I did last week) I always head directly from the airport to Gadzooks’ Tempe location for enchiladas (try the cornbread filling on the 50/50 tortillas. What? Enchiladas stuffed with cornbread? Trust me.)

I go for the enchiladas, but I stay for the pumpkin cookies, which are available year-round. I spent several months perfecting my own version after the first time I tasted one. Not to toot my own horn, but I think mine are actually slightly better, and they’re perfect for fall:

Susan’s Bootleg Gadzooks’ Pumpkin Cookies
with Browned-butter Maple Glaze

1/2 c softened butter
3/4 c granulated sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Cream together butter and sugars. Add pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Drop on parchment paper by tablespoonfuls. Bake at 350 for 10-12 mins. or until edges are lightly browned. Makes 3 dozen.

Glaze:

4 Tbsp butter, melted & browned
1/4 c pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
3-4 c powdered sugar

Stir together butter, maple, vanilla, and 3 c powdered sugar. (Add additional powd sugar if needed to achieve very thick glaze/thin icing consistency.) Spoon on generously to cover each cookie. (It will thicken weirdly while mixing—thin with a small amount of milk. I use pure maple syrup—you could probably add some maple extract if your syrup isn't as strong.)

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But what about important things, you ask?

I’m not always thinking about food. I’ve recently fallen in love with Sarah Bessey—I know, I’m literally the last person in the world to have this experience. I started with Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible's View of Women, almost wholly devoured in one sitting. You’ll hear more about that in an upcoming episode, I’m sure!

After that, I moved onto A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal,

for which Sarah Bessey contributed the intro as well as editing the collection. It’s stuffed with goodness from people like Barbara Brown Taylor and Nadia Bolz-Weber, so I was sure I’d like it. Actually, I loved it and I’ll be returning regularly. Here’s a snippet from the intro:

While we’re talking prayer, over the summer I ordered myself a copy of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, where prayer meets poetry in a way I’m not used to in my church life. Beautiful language soothes me, and if you’re drawn to psalms ‘n such, you might find some prayer words to love in it, too.

(Also note the new addition to my cross collection, handmade for me by a kind listener. Can you believe it? You know who you are…thank you!)

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Go where your best prayers take you.
—Frederick Buechner

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When I get stressed, which I have been*—

*see also Fall Gathering, seasonal transitions, air travel, et al.

I watch (and rewatch) period costume dramas. I’ve been surviving this week by re-bingeing The Forsyte Saga, an oldie-but-goodie featuring deliciously sordid family plot lines, my favorite of which involves a female protagonist who is completely over it with people telling her what to do:

If I can get The Forsyte Saga AND a pumpkin cookie, well…that is the definition of a perfect day.

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actual OnBeing-walk footage, 10/2023

To reenergize yourself after too much time in front of the TV,

check out the season premier of the On Being podcast, 9/21/2023, where Krista Tippet and Kate Bowler have a conversation packed with take-note-worthy lines from start to finish. What could be better than eavesdropping on two wise women discussing everything while you kick your way through a sidewalk of fall leaves? Nothing, I say. Especially if you can get a blue sky while you do it.

Whew! That’s what’s keeping me going this week. How about you?

— Susan

ps: Speaking of things I’m loving, don’t forget to join our ALSSI Friday Chat, where we’ll be discussing Episode 155, To the Children of the Mothers in Zion. I’m finding Substack chats to be more substantive than social media, and therefore more satisfying. Hope to see you there!