The Lost Supper Club, Issue #36: on being social when you tend towards solitude, fun supper club ideas, printable recipe PDFs, 3 new recipes + a recipe from the new cookbook, reading recommendations
While reading through the comments so far here, I see a common thread running through everyone. Even though we like to socialize, there comes a time when we need to go into solitude and recharge. I can see myself in each one of you to some degree. Being in the dental field I was interacting with people for 8+hrs a day and would go home and not talk the rest of the evening. I was mentally spent. That aggravated my husband because I didn't talk to him much at all. I was tired of talking. The weekends were my time to stay home, rest, regroup in order to go back to it on Monday. I don't like crowds so I avoid huge crowds. I've learned to find a balance between social life and solitude, favoring solitude more over social events. I never want to stop learning, either. Life is full of experiences, never endless. Who knows what is going to be around the next corner.
Hi, I’m Judy. I live in Desert Hot Springs California (near Palm Springs). Used to own a mineral water spa in DHS but sold it and retired 5 years ago. I love to cook and travel, I’m actually writing this as we cruise away from Dominica, heading toward Martinique. I’m 70 years old and am still learning. Like from Rebecca’s post today about allowing myself to be an observer, not always acting a part. Never stop growing and learning!
Love so much about this Rebecca! I read once that extroverts get recharged and replenished by being around people while introverts need solitude to do so. And I find that to be true. Like you, I love meeting people and talking talking talking but there is a tipping point where my social gas tank is empty and I need time by myself to fill it back up. Have you read the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain? It’s so informative and a great read!
Also, those chimichurri steak fries!!!!! Must have now. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the marmalade and kimchi. Both of these recipes are going on my To-Make list! I love your delicious creativity!
Those jars of marmalade and kimchi were so, so good! As you can see, they didn't last long! The tartness of the marmalade was so good in the sweet muffins and I loved the amount of heat in the kimchi. Thank you so much for those!
I haven't read the Susan Cain book but I've heard about it from a couple of people. It's funny - the consensus about whether I'm an introvert or an extrovert changes depending on who you talk to. I've been accused of being both. 😂 I tend to be very focused on the outside world, an extroverted trait, but I also have a social battery that's easily drained and absolutely require long stretch of time to be by myself.
I AM interested to see if I can change my relationship to social interactions... I read somewhere that it's useful to ask yourself, "can I change the metrics here?" That's where my mind is at these days... accepting the world (and myself) as it is, but seeing where I might shift my relationship to it.
I loved this post so much, Rebecca, and you are a kindred spirit. I felt like I was reading about myself! I too am an introvert who needs open spaces to come back to center, and I too am working on being more authentically me in every situation. I loved the line about asking what we can receive from social situations - I'm going to hold onto that. Very glad to be supporting your work!
Nicki! Your generous support and kind words mean a lot to me. What is it about people saying, "I get it. Me too." that is so affirming? Maybe affirming isn't the right word... but there is comfort in knowing that our experiences are shared. So thank you for your words here. I believe we are kindred spirits and I'm very happy to have you here.
Hello, Rebecca! Purely enjoyed this newsletter. I am a retired dental hygienist of 52 years and live in Indiana. Retirement has been great so far. During this winter I have been hibernating quite a bit, reading, cooking and tending to houseplants. One hobby I started this last fall was making miniature plants. It's tedious but fun to me. These recipes look yummy. Can't wait to make them.
Hello Claudia! Thank you for being the first to introduce yourself! I adore the idea of spending hours reading, cooking, and tending to houseplants. That sounds blissful. Have you read anything good lately? Also, tell me more about making miniature plants... kind of like little bonsai trees?
I like to read books that have meaning to them, about people, nature, history, things of interest to me, and some good fiction. I totally avoid romance novels. Some of the books I read last year were 'The Situation Room,' 'An Unfinished Love Story,' 'Symphony For the City of the Dead,' 'The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.' Just to name a few. The miniature plants are made of paper, glued together into a small clay pot. It is a monthly kit from a woman in the UK who designs them and supplies you with all the wires, pots, stones to put them together. The plants could be anthuriums, pathos, ferns, etc. Then I put them in frames to display them around my house. During the summer I work with real plants in my garden and landscape.
I added all of these to my reading list. Thank you! I read Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah last year which was centered on the Leningrad seize, and was very good. Would you mind sharing the name of the woman who sends you the supplies for the miniature plants? I know a couple of people who would love something like that.
While reading through the comments so far here, I see a common thread running through everyone. Even though we like to socialize, there comes a time when we need to go into solitude and recharge. I can see myself in each one of you to some degree. Being in the dental field I was interacting with people for 8+hrs a day and would go home and not talk the rest of the evening. I was mentally spent. That aggravated my husband because I didn't talk to him much at all. I was tired of talking. The weekends were my time to stay home, rest, regroup in order to go back to it on Monday. I don't like crowds so I avoid huge crowds. I've learned to find a balance between social life and solitude, favoring solitude more over social events. I never want to stop learning, either. Life is full of experiences, never endless. Who knows what is going to be around the next corner.
Hi, I’m Judy. I live in Desert Hot Springs California (near Palm Springs). Used to own a mineral water spa in DHS but sold it and retired 5 years ago. I love to cook and travel, I’m actually writing this as we cruise away from Dominica, heading toward Martinique. I’m 70 years old and am still learning. Like from Rebecca’s post today about allowing myself to be an observer, not always acting a part. Never stop growing and learning!
You are one of the best examples in my life of someone who is always open and eager to learn new things. I'm so glad to have you hear.
Love so much about this Rebecca! I read once that extroverts get recharged and replenished by being around people while introverts need solitude to do so. And I find that to be true. Like you, I love meeting people and talking talking talking but there is a tipping point where my social gas tank is empty and I need time by myself to fill it back up. Have you read the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain? It’s so informative and a great read!
Also, those chimichurri steak fries!!!!! Must have now. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the marmalade and kimchi. Both of these recipes are going on my To-Make list! I love your delicious creativity!
Those jars of marmalade and kimchi were so, so good! As you can see, they didn't last long! The tartness of the marmalade was so good in the sweet muffins and I loved the amount of heat in the kimchi. Thank you so much for those!
I haven't read the Susan Cain book but I've heard about it from a couple of people. It's funny - the consensus about whether I'm an introvert or an extrovert changes depending on who you talk to. I've been accused of being both. 😂 I tend to be very focused on the outside world, an extroverted trait, but I also have a social battery that's easily drained and absolutely require long stretch of time to be by myself.
I AM interested to see if I can change my relationship to social interactions... I read somewhere that it's useful to ask yourself, "can I change the metrics here?" That's where my mind is at these days... accepting the world (and myself) as it is, but seeing where I might shift my relationship to it.
“Can I change the metrics here”: Love that!
I loved this post so much, Rebecca, and you are a kindred spirit. I felt like I was reading about myself! I too am an introvert who needs open spaces to come back to center, and I too am working on being more authentically me in every situation. I loved the line about asking what we can receive from social situations - I'm going to hold onto that. Very glad to be supporting your work!
Introverts unite! 🙌
Nicki! Your generous support and kind words mean a lot to me. What is it about people saying, "I get it. Me too." that is so affirming? Maybe affirming isn't the right word... but there is comfort in knowing that our experiences are shared. So thank you for your words here. I believe we are kindred spirits and I'm very happy to have you here.
Hello, Rebecca! Purely enjoyed this newsletter. I am a retired dental hygienist of 52 years and live in Indiana. Retirement has been great so far. During this winter I have been hibernating quite a bit, reading, cooking and tending to houseplants. One hobby I started this last fall was making miniature plants. It's tedious but fun to me. These recipes look yummy. Can't wait to make them.
Hello Claudia! Thank you for being the first to introduce yourself! I adore the idea of spending hours reading, cooking, and tending to houseplants. That sounds blissful. Have you read anything good lately? Also, tell me more about making miniature plants... kind of like little bonsai trees?
I like to read books that have meaning to them, about people, nature, history, things of interest to me, and some good fiction. I totally avoid romance novels. Some of the books I read last year were 'The Situation Room,' 'An Unfinished Love Story,' 'Symphony For the City of the Dead,' 'The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.' Just to name a few. The miniature plants are made of paper, glued together into a small clay pot. It is a monthly kit from a woman in the UK who designs them and supplies you with all the wires, pots, stones to put them together. The plants could be anthuriums, pathos, ferns, etc. Then I put them in frames to display them around my house. During the summer I work with real plants in my garden and landscape.
I added all of these to my reading list. Thank you! I read Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah last year which was centered on the Leningrad seize, and was very good. Would you mind sharing the name of the woman who sends you the supplies for the miniature plants? I know a couple of people who would love something like that.
You can go to nicolesjungle.com to subscribe to her plant plan. She is also on Facebook under the same name, Nicole's Jungle.