Pink of Imperfection
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in.
–Leonard Cohen
The name of this site comes from a Hayley Mills Disney vehicle from the ’60s I was awfully fond of as a kid called Summer Magic. In it, a well-off Boston family loses their fortune and has no choice but to sell their house and move to the country and in with a relative. (How odd it seems to me now that the plot of this movie should so accurately predict what would soon happen to my own family.) When a snobby, redheaded cousin comes to visit from the city, Hayley and her brother sit down at the piano and roast her in a song called “She’s the Pink of Perfection.”
Strange perhaps then that I would name this site — a place that honors life in all its imperfect charm — Pink of Perfection. I would certainly hate for anyone visiting for the first time to think at first glance it’s a place where we chase the elusive dragon of everything being just right. In that sense, maybe the name is misleading. But “the pink of” something is the very best of it. The “pink of perfection” then, to me, is the very best of perfection, which, ironically, isn’t perfection at all.
You still with me?
I’m writing this post today as a reminder to myself (and you, too, if you need it) to not strive for perfection. Not only because it is elusive — nay, impossible — but because it can be pretty boring, too. All that pressure! It’s suffocating and, for me, the opposite of inspiring.
When I opened up my iPhoto recently, I couldn’t believe how many pictures of failed recipes there were. I make so many dishes that never make it on to this site: the burned, tasteless granola, the healthy entrèes that taste like hell, and the many, many dinners that fall into the underwhelming category of meh. I don’t post those recipes simply because I want this site to be an ecstatic celebration of The Awesome! I try here to focus on the good and to forget the bread that doesn’t rise. But believe me, I have an entire Hall of Fail. I’m reminding myself today that the failures, though not as fun, are as much a part of the process as the successes. I have learned, for example, to watch granola more closely, to not cook kale to a watery mush, and to not expect everything I touch to be the work of Genius. It is, instead, the work of me. Imperfect? Definitely. But uniquely possible to come only from these hands? For sure.
The Dishwasher: Lovely and encouraging thoughts to start my day off with! Thank you!
Also, check out how awesome Haley Mills outfit is in that scene! Tres chic!
PS- I love Leonard Cohen.2 years ago
Couldn’t agree more about Haley’s outfit!2 years ago
Sara Rose: Wasn’t Mrs. Dalloway’s life “perfect”? Well, we all know where that ended up for her, now don’t we . . . That’s not really something one should strive for.
However, FAIL blogs to make us laugh is just one more thing that does make life pretty darned awesome.2 years ago
Lisa (dinner party): Somehow the name of your blog always made sense to me, but I’m happy to finally figure out where it came from.
Thanks for the reminder about process. Sometimes I have to be reminded that it’s okay to mess up from time to time–it’s how you learn.
Also, nice LC reference. That songs gives me chills. We were lucky enough to see him live in February and oh, it was just so magical.2 years ago
Mandy: One of my favorite all time movies! I loved Mr. Hamilton. I also loved when the redheaded cousin comes and the little brother says, “She’s not knock kneed, Nancy.”2 years ago
Sarah: I also love the hilarity of this song.2 years ago
Karen: Awesome post — letting go of the search for perfection is so key. Finding bliss in the imperfections of life is so much more rewarding!
2 years ago
Joy: Great sentiment Sarah as ever. I have recently been trying to perfect a crumpet recipe and have gone to bed every night with a tummy ache after sampling the gluey messes that I’ve produced (but can’t resist eating). Everyone has their hall of shame!2 years ago
Monna: Sarah, Thanks for this lovely post explaining the title of your blog. I adore the Leonard Cohen lyrics you quoted. Have you ever seen the animated film “Meet the Robinsons”? There is a lovely bit where the Robinsons congratulate Lewis on his failure. A nice twist!2 years ago
Joy, Yes, maybe you should settle for an imperfect crumpet and no more tummy aches!
Monna, I never have seen Meet the Robinsons, but I shall check it out. I hope I remember this when I have kids — maybe there’s a fun, unique way to honor your kids when they try and fail rather than only when they succeed.2 years ago
Lindsey: I totally needed to read this today. Thanks!2 years ago
nothing like getting what you need, right when you need it.
2 years ago
Margaret: I really like the feel of your blog, Sarah! I had to send this entry along to a friend because last week, when I first discovered PoP, I emailed her and her response was “I’ll try not to be envious of this Perfection Woman.” But really, that’s not what the title is about, and I was tickled to hear the explanation of the title. Ah, Hayley Mills.
However, after listening to the Youtube clip song, my mind has decided to “faire un coup” and I keep playing “She’s the *beat* Pink of Perfection, she’s the …” to the tune of Eye of the Tiger. Hmm… You did include Rocky on your list of recession beating activities…2 years ago
Hahahaha. Oh my god, I wish we could do a cover of Eye of the Tiger and change the words to your version! How awesome would that be???2 years ago
J. Money: you know something funny? I think i actually have that LP in my collection! haha…i sometimes buy piles of records and i’m pretty sure i came across that one
2 years ago
Brooke: I just read Mark Bittman’s article about percieved perfection in TV cooking shows and I thought I should share the post here: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/tv-cooking-vs-real-cooking/?hp
Those older cooking shows were definitely more realistic… Hooray for Julia Child!2 years ago
kerry: I loved this song as a little girl. I had the 45 (showing my age) and I wore it out. Thanks so much for reminding me of this. What a wonderful memory.2 years ago