Sunday Brunch Round-up | Sept 6-12th

This week’s feast for your senses.

READ

• Early voting in Virginia begins on the 18th. More information can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections’ website and below.

  • From the Virginia Department of Elections, “You can vote early at your local registrar’s office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day. Before visiting your local registrar’s office, you may wish to check your registration status or call your registrar’s office. You can find your registrar’s phone number here. To vote early in-person, do the following:

    • Starting 45 days before Election Day, visit your local registrar’s office or a satellite voting location in your county or city to vote early. Remember, the Saturday before Election Day is the last day to vote early.

    • You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early.

    • At the registrar’s office or satellite voting location, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit our Voting In-Person page. If acceptable identification is not provided, you must sign an ID Confirmation Statement or a provisional ballot will be offered and you are allowed until the Friday at noon following the election to provide a copy of acceptable identification to the electoral board or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. Provisional voters receive a notice to remind them of the deadline and right to attend the electoral board meeting.

    • Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.”

• I came across a quote that caught my attention a while back and saved it on my phone. I’ve reread it over the last several months and after a recommendation to read bell hooks’s “All About Love: New Visions”, I’ve found the origin. bell hooks unpacks what love is and how it impacts all of our relationships—with our family, friends, and romantic partners—as well as with ourselves, spirituality, and our community. I strongly recommend you find a copy at your local library, small bookseller, or even online.

  • “Love is a combination of six ingredients: care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust…One point that I would emphasize to people is that it’s the combination of the six ingredients that make love, because so many of us have one of the ingredients in our life—like we may be deeply cared for, but we may not be in a situation of trust. To me what’s great about these definitions is that they’re just very helpful for people in daily life trying to engage in a practice of love.”

• I subscribe to a handful of newsletters, and one recently shared this article, “How Can You Foster Vulnerability in Your Relationship? Take More Risks.” Vulnerability certainly doesn’t always seem to pay off, but this was an excellent reminder of the importance of trying time and time again.

  • “Though everyone reacts to it differently, closeness is necessary. Vulnerability helps you facilitate closeness. But trying to form a connection while remaining closed off doesn’t work. So, while it might feel like you’re exposing yourself, fostering vulnerability will encourage you and your partner to ultimately protect one another.”

WATCH

• I may be the last one to finally watch the documentary, Knock Down the House, but in case I’m not here is a suggestion to put it on your must-watch list this weekend! I cried throughout (was I the only one or…?) as I was reminded of how heart-wrenching it is to put your faith, hope, and hard work into something that may not, or may, pan out how you plan. I feel simultaneously inspired and challenged to not let failure be the final resting place for any of my dreams, but to also take the time to grieve when you get knocked down. It’s a truly American story.

LISTEN

• Work has been a bit stressful as of late, so having the right background tunes has been my go-to way to help keep me motivated. My favorite recent find is the Earth, Wind and Fire radio on Spotify. It plays all of the oldies I grew up loving and a dance break every so often is a an excellent mood booster.

TASTE

• I’ve recently gotten back into making smoothies often. I've found that they can be a good way to get your vitamins and nutrients in the middle of a busy workday. I came across this recipe for a Salted Caramel Chocolate Tahini Smoothie and I’m looking forward to trying it this week! Tahini (sesame paste) is a good source of protein, vitamin B and vitamin E and chocolate is, of course, always a great idea.

  in joy,