I made you some truly despicable muffins this morning. They were full of peanut butter, and oats, and the best of intentions.
They were gross.
So here we are… stuck staring each other in the face. It’s bound to get awkward.
All I have for you is a picture of my desk.
Um. I love you. I doodle it sometimes.
Can I tell you about real life?
I’m one of those girls that wears a ring on her ring finger. I do that. I’m not married. I bought my own dang ring and wear it on my ring finger. And I love it. And it’s not coming off until… well, you know. Maybe it confuses dudes:
Wait… is she married? She has a ring… wait. Is that the right hand or left? Wait. That doesn’t look like a wedding ring. Huh… I wonder if she’d give me her number so I can send her a text late at night, in like 2 weeks, and ask her what’s she’s doing. Cause… Yea.
The ring confuses dudes. I’m ok with that.
I have a letter from my friend Tyler on my desk.
Hi Tyler.
Tyler is currently in Afghanistan being a soldier. I think about him and all the people over there doing brave things while I sit at my desk and complain about bad muffins. I think about them every day… mostly because I don’t want them to get shot, or shoot people, or get hurt, or hurt anyone… but well… that’s tough.
I appreciate them so much.
I’ve got this manuscript on my desk.
THE manuscript. For my book. It’s almost done.
In the meantime… it’s kinda giving me nightmares. Like… oh-my-god-this-is-a-dream-come-true nightmares.
Does that make sense?
I also have this encyclopedia-type food styling book on my desk.
It’s extensive and sufficiently overwhelming.
Wait… is my desk stressing me out? Maybe just a little, tiny bit.
I’m going to go make some vegan cookies, eat too many, and them tell you all about them. Real life.
Alma
Love your blog Joy! And I am SO looking forward to your book. :)
Donna Capozzi Speaks
Sweet post and my favorite picture so far.?
Donna Capozzi Speaks
Silly ?.
joythebaker
not at all.
Kwin Khieng
Congrats! you are amazing! I can’t wait for your book to be completed…
Sheena Bates
I love how you write. It’s simple, conversational, and funny. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your recipes.
Melissa J.
Congrats on buying the ring for yourself and wearing it. I got a sassy little left hand ring that I wear…still confuses the dudes…
Melissa J
meant right hand, derrrrr
Jamie K
My desk stresses me out too. So there are days where I pack up my laptop and move to the sofa. It’s comfier and, bonus!, the dog and the cat like to snuggle me.
Your bad muffins make me feel better about still being in my pj’s at 2.45pm in the afternoon. (I had no idea it was so late!!!!). Also makes me feel better about the times my cooking or baking fails miserably.
The military stresses me out. I can’t think about it too much because it makes me think about not having my fiance (he’s in the military) around anymore which might make me have a panic attack. Keeping your buddy Tyler and all the rest in my thoughts.
Betsy
Don’t worry Joy – I know your book will be great! And in other good news, your desk looks quite clean to me (unlike my own :)
Rebecca
You have a really refreshing style of writing. This probably sounds pretentious and potentially insulting, but I don’t mean it to be.
Becca
Awesome post. I totally feel you on the having-nightmares-freaking-out over dreams coming true. Sometimes things feels to good to be true so it’s hard to let your guard down because things usually are! (too good to be true, that is). But you’ve worked hard and made this your own! When all the hard parts are over, don’t forget to sit back and enjoy the ride! As usual, thanks for putting a smile on my face! You’re awesome.
Kristin @ FoodFash
Love the dude confuser ring!
Sheila
Joy- Thanks for keeping it REAL sista!
Stephanie
In the second photo up there, it looks like the keys on your keyboard are chocolate! I know they’re not, but now all I can think about is chocolate. Sorry about the muffin fail. We’ve all been there. :^)
jen
Woo for confusing rings! My wedding ring is a pink sapphire heart-shaped stone. I get a lot of questions about if I’m married & what kind of ring it is, etc. It probably doesn’t help that I don’t look old enough to be married :0)
zingara
save me a trip to egypt to ask the oracle by answering this question for me: you frequently confess [are you catholic?] to us that you over-eat but when a pic of you is shown, you appear to be thin…how can that be??!!??!!
Sara
Do you have a recipe for vegan ginger snaps (chewy ones)? Please and Thank you!
Nicki Woo
I had a problem like that this morning. I can sometimes make gross food too. Then I sometimes make dynamite food. No the type that blows up in your face. The type that makes your taste buds explode. In a good way. Like when I make Strawberry Basil Lemon Slushes. Crazy, exploding, life changing stuff.
Angela
heheh ‘So here we are… stuck staring each other in the face. It’s bound to get awkward.’
congrats on your manuscript. Im looking forward to buying your book!
Tina Biffle
I hate when I want to make something yummy, and put the effort into making it, and then it comes out tasting like dog poo….that’s when I break out the fruity pebbles…and eat them dry..lol
zingara
yo, tina…i know what dog poo smells like, but what does it tast like?
Nancy
I would imagine it tastes exactly how it smells, but don’t quote me on that one.
Ashley
Do you post vegan recipe? I have been following your blog and haven’t notice any but, I did try the Mini cheesecakes and they were GREAT!
Brenda
I love your honesty! I made zucchini bread this weekend (recipe I’ve used before) and it was aweful. I guess the zucchini were old b/c they didn’t release enough moisture. Glad I’m not alone. :)
Kate M.
I am so excited that you are writing a book! :)
gayle
I totally know how kitchen failure feels. I thought I was such a smarty pants, making 5, count ’em, five, loaves of bread in my new 6 qt mixer. Baked, cooled, wrapped four for the freezer. Slice into the last one, take a bite, and realize I left out the SALT. Big fail that I’ll be reminded of four more times. :(
Adeline
Gorgeous ring!! And I do that too, it’s my sister’s rings and they only fit on that finger. Whatever.
If dudes care, they can ask. (although they usually don’t..)
Posti4
Love your honesty! Love your ring, too! Thanks for sharing.
Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo
I don’t have a desk.
So I don’t have to stress about it.
But I don’t recommend it cause I never know where anything is.
erin
I love hearing about your real life.
I’m excited for when your book comes out.
my desk also freaks me out sometimes.
thank you for sharing :)
Lisa
Joy,
Deep Breath. You have created an interesting (albeit big) career for yourself. Enjoy it. I’m listening and I’m not the only one. Not all muffins are photograph worthy; it’s okay. Light a candle for Tyler – he’s worthy. In fact, light another candle for your manuscript. It makes sense. It’s your baby. You’ve given love, time, sweat and worry over it. It’s worthy.
Lisa
Chris Dickerson
it’s ok Joy, I’m sure the book will be “punch your mother” good!
Cannot wait.
Khushboo @ Two Megapixel Food
Oh Joy! Reading your blog is like drinking morning coffee, I just cannot start my day without it and this post is lovely. So happy that your book manuscript is almost done! I cannot wait for it to come out.
In other news, I got my mom hooked to your blog and she loves all your recipes! :)
Rachel
I wear about 8 to 10 rings all the time. Most never come off, but one or two come and go. Except when making bread, of course. Then I have to shed my collection for the greater good. And I’m okay with that. Most of the time.
Oh! And one toe ring. Because I’m just that kind of girl.
Alex
I like that you are not ashamed to talk about the times when cooking and baking defeats you. It keeps things real.
One in a Brazilian
Like everyone else, I can’t wait for the cookbook!!!
Kasey
My desk stresses me out too, sometimes. Thank goodness for roll tops – I just cover up that stress whenever I feel overwhelmed by it.
As for the kitchen failure: Probably bothers me more than I care to admit. That said… I find making a really good, luscious plate of scrambled eggs on toast with tomato and goat cheese really brings me back. Like I’m in the zone again. That… or I just go to get a burrito. That makes me feel like a winner too. Mexican food: winning.
Stephie
Haha, I’m one of those ring girls, too! Except mine was my great-grandmother’s diamond and sapphire ring from 1929. It’s my favorite piece of jewelry and it totally doesn’t bother me that it probably confuses dudes. They can deal. If they can’t deal with being a little bit confused I probably don’t want them hanging around anyway.
Rachel
Me too! Diamond and Sapphire!! My grandmothers eternity ring gifted by my grandfather. How weird is that!?
Leigh
I wear a ring on my ring finger. It it sterling silver and has (fake) diamonds in it. Totally confuses the guys. Mission: accomplished.
Lizz
I downloaded your podcast ages ago, but I finally put on the first episode to listen to while I was doing the dishes (from puppy chow/muddy buddies… the stomach wants what the stomach wants!) and I have to say- I love it so far. From just the quirky nature of the conversation to the explanation on dishes (I currently only have a set of plastic dishes, from assorted places, mostly IKEA because really, I’m secretly 5, not almost 20), to the stale peeps. I’m totally going to make an effort to seek out fabulous dishes- I need some more food photography in my life anyway.
In this blog post, the bit about your friend Tyler really hit me hard. My boyfriend, also named Tyler, is in Army ROTC at our university. I’m constantly worrying about him and the future. Before I met him, I never thought about the military at all, and now I find myself unable to watch anything on the news about them because I feel so worried about them, all of them, even though I don’t know anyone in a dangerous area.
Also (sorry for the novel of a comment!) I love your ring! I only ever wear rings on my index or ring finger. They never fit anywhere else!
kristen
can’t wait for your book to come out..will definitely be buying it!
Becca
I don’t know why, but I giggled through out this entire post. Not sure if i was ment to be humorous or not, but laugh I did. And it’s a shame about your muffins, usually anything with peanut butter turns out well.
jess? @ Multicultural Melbourne
I giggled too – it made my day :) and congratulations on the book!! I’ve just started working on one of my own!
Rebecca A E
My fiance went to Iraq. I hope you are writing Tyler letters and trying to make him smile and laugh, I’m sure he needs it. And YES PLEASE, vegan cookies, I need a new vegan cookie recipe.
Nicola @ unhip squirrel
I am so excited for your book!!! Congratulations… living the dream :)
Emalee
I am currently eating a chilled beet soup, garnished with chives and blueberry-vanilla goatcheese. The cheese is aMAZing, and the soup is too. I think you’d enjoy it. You should try making beet soup!
Jacqueline
OMG, you have the nicest hands! I can’t believe with all the dishes – they still looks so nice! Jealous :-)
Fiona
Hi Joy,
Can’t wait to see your book, hope it will be for sale in Australia.
Glad to know know you have baking flops too, happens to me too many times! (never with your recipes, of course) Love your blog :)
Alicia W.
My husband just got back from Iraq a couple of months ago, and I can honestly say it means a lot to know there are people thinking of us. :) Thanks Joy! I can’t wait for your cookbook!
Emily
Joy, I too wear a ring on my left ring finger. It’s silver and looks like a wedding band. I’m not married guys. It keeps the weirdos away from me on the train, or at least that’s what I tell myself. Anyway, I just made your vanilla bean and chocolate buttercream cupcakes- you were not kidding. That IS the best buttercream. Dang. Thank you! I look forward to your book!
kellie
loving the realness in the post…
thank you for brightening my day every time i get to read one of your posts!
Anne @ Baking Me
A book, how exciting!!!
Karriann Graf
I laughed a little with the ring finger confusion! Good luck on the manuscript!
sheila @ Elements
We all have flops. But for sure your book won’t be! I can’t wait till it comes out! :)
Brittany
I bragged about Cashew Chicken on Facebook that was in the process of being made – it was not as great as I claimed. Karma is a mean lady sometimes.
BTW, only thing better then legal pads, I think, are legal pads that are actually letter sized.
Anna
love this post. thanks for sharing pieces of your life! oh and i love your ring. i am married, but i was terrified my fingers would swell up and get too fat for my real wedding ring so i’ve been wearing a silver dolphin ring on my left wedding finger. that plus swelling tummy REALLY confuses people! she’s pregnant, is she married? that’s not a wedding ring…is she faking being married so we don’t judge her? no my friends, just swelly fingers.
gia!
” I think about him and all the people over there doing brave things while I sit at my desk and complain about bad muffins.”
I laughed when I read that. Awesome thing to type.
What kind of delicious vegan cookies are you making? Bourbon & chocolate chip? :D
I <3 your blog.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
A book!!!! Joy, that is SO awesome!!! Congratulations!!
Just be true to yourself and you will completely shine through it. I am SO excited for you!!
Yes, it’s bound to keep you up and give you nightmares, but in the end, it will all work out.
I have to admit that I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who make gross muffins. I made Strawberry Carbon Dioxide Muffins one day: https://365daysofbaking.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-86-strawberry-carbon-dioxide.html and those were REALLY disusting!
Looking very much forward to your book!
Ruth
Really excited for your book!! Whoop!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles
Love the ring. Love that you have a book in the works. Love that you appreciate soldiers as much as I do, love that now I feel a little better about my baking flops. It’s got to happen ever now and again!
Also, love that you inspired me to make churro biscotti- a hybrid of your cinnamon sugar biscotti & more recent churro post!
Lori W.
So I’m gonna go ahead and say that dudes don’t check your ring finger. It’s nice to have one on there for when creepers hit on you and you want to wave them away with a simple gesture towards the rock on your finger, but I will say I thought men would stop talking to me when I got married… and it has slowed down… The only thing that’s going to slow down a guy from talking to you is another guy next to you. So rock that rock on whatever finger you like!
Maris (In Good Taste)
Excited for your book!
Cat G.
Joy, please tell Tyler thank you from me and my family too. I appreciate the sacrifices he and our military men and women make every day.
grace m.
joy. can i just say that i love you. i don’t know you but i am madly, deeply, truly head over heels for you. is that creepy? yes. but your blog is so so wonderful. thanks for not being full of precious bullsh*t. i can always count on your writing to keep it real and your food tasting (and/or looking) wonderful.
Michelle B.
Yeah! Joy the Baker cookbook!!! Yeah!!! I hope you do book signings!! (wow that was a lot of exclamation marks…especially for a Monday)
Vanessa
Cannot wait for this book you speak of. And I fully support your ring on your ring finger :-)
taylor
love that shot of san fran. and congrats on being close to finished on your book. can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
Chandra
I wore a ring on my ring-finger from age 15 until I actually got married. I know people who have a hard time getting used to it, but after only 8 years me and my wedding ring are like an old married couple…Very comfortable!
You desk is very clean, mine shows how my mind works… lots of empty coffee cups and paperwork, all very organized… NOT!
I have to say, I love getting your updates and look forward to seeing more of your amazing recipes!
Lorena I.
Sometimes that happens! actually It happened to me many times, waaaay more times than my ego can stand…but love doodles mend everything!!
Aurora
I can’t wait to buy your book.
Sandra
Men are so dumb anyway :) If you wore your cat on your ring finger, they’d wonder if you were married……..because you’re so cute and such a catch, they all wonder if you’re married anyway!!
Can I have your gross muffins? :)
sherry
lol, your keyboard looks like chocolate!
Heather Mulholland
Thanks for the giggle :) I totally do the same thing with the ring. I don’t like rings on any other fingers and why should I have to wait to enjoy a ring on my ring finger? But your thought process of it scaring away dudes is probably the exact same thing that goes through my mind lol
Maggie @MaggieCooks
I’m Excited for your book! yay! :)
Lee Finlay
Yay, a book. I love when you are real about baking projects sucking..That’s real life!! In my book, the guy you should ultimately marry will be the guy who asks you up front, “Um, is that a wedding ring or what?” Best thoughts to your friend in Afghanistan. A friend of mine was just home for leave and heading back there. Positive thoughts for yours.
Lee
Seanna Lea
Sometimes I wonder how long it takes to develop a recipe. And then I remember that I have recipes that haven’t seen the light of my blog. Sometimes it is because they are gross. Sometimes because they are really complicated. Sometimes it is just because they aren’t perfect yet.
Your gross muffins are still awesome. Even if no one can eat them because they are gross and real.
ApexAngie
Thanks for always being real, Joy…and a real joy…huh huh. Can’t wait to see your book!
I’m a ridiculously proud aunt of a US Marine currently serving a tour in Afghanistan while his wife, also a US Marine is currently serving back here in the states raising their baby girl. Yeah that’s right SHE’S a Marine too, how cool is that. But really, it’s hard. What they all do is hard and we can’t forget them, forget why, nor forget to pray “without ceasing” for all our armed forces and their families. It’s what gets them through…
Erin @ Cake Makes Sense
I am with you on the ring business; it can be tricky. But its a ring. And its pretty. And that finger is an awfully good size for rings. So who is to say that you can’t wear a ring on your ring finger that isn’t, (ahem) THE ring? Because, until then, there are a lot of nice rings waiting to be adorned. For real.
homegrown countrygirl
God bless our soldiers.
I’m excited about your book!
Katie
Glad to know that even Joy the Baker makes gross muffins sometimes, and I love that you’re not afraid to tell us. So excited about your book!
iris
I’m familiar with dream-come-true nightmares, or rather this-is-awesome nightmares. Because anything that is *that* awesome, can’t be awesome, can it? Or can it?
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
I have that book too! It’s SO HUGE and big and omg a bit ( a big bit!) overwhelming.
And I just got Helene’s book, from Plate to Pixel. It’s amazing. Probably the best book ever on photography AND food styling and it’s just a gem. Get.It.
“The ring confuses dudes. I’m ok with that.”– not only are they confused by rings, they are confused on how to put the toilet seat down. I mean, of course they’d be confused by the ring when the simple tasks also baffle them :)
tj
…I wouldn’t put to much thought into the whole ring/ring finger thing ’cause lemme tell ya, dudes – as you would say, men – as I would say, are easily confused anyway. So there. I said it.
…You know, I kind of hate to say it but I find great comfort in know that you screw up in the kitchen too. Can I say that word here? :o\ Anyway, sometimes we just need to hear it and know it, that your days in the kitchen aren’t always daisies and sun beams and cute lil’ kittens. Well, the cute kitten part you have…*giggle* But anyway, thanks for fessin’ up about the failed muffins. :o)
…Can’t wait to hear more about the book! Yay! & Congrat’s! ;o)
…Blessings…
Julie
I’m pretty much 100% sure that guys never look at the ring finger.
We think they do.
They don’t.
Guys are kinda silly like that.
Gen
I love this post, so simple but true to life. I’m looking forward to hearing from your book!
And about this “food styling” book, do you have food photography books to recommend?
Ginny
I love how you bury the news about this book in the post. I’m so buying it. And I kind of wondered prior to this announcement if a book was forthcoming because you’ve been posting fewer baking recipes and more savory/thoughtful things.
I was right :)
So excited for you, Joy.
Victoria
oooooh what kind of vegan cookies?? are you doing all the photography for your book?
Baking Holly
I made “Pumpkin Boatmeal” and it totally turned “Titanic”. it was so awful my own father spit it in the trashcan…it was that bad.
Can’t wait for the book, it’s swell it’s almost done.
By the way – Thanks for posting even if the muffins turn out nasty..shows you’re human.
Karen
I’ve made those muffins before. Your’s were probably better than mine. I ate mine anyways. Thanks for a look into your life, and for your blog. You always make me smile, and hungry.
kathryn
I like your ring a lot. I like to wear rings on both my ring fingers and sometimes I pop on a third ring on which ever finger it fits. Rings are my favorite.
I think earrings are great too and so are you. You even share things that don’t work out.
Sending love and kisses I hope your cookies turn out delish.
The Teenage Taste
I am beyond excited for the Joy the Baker cookbook! When will it hit the shelves?
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
I made truly awful zucchini bread on the weekend. It tasted like burnt rubber. No idea how that happened. And the ring finger: it totally confuses dudes! At least that’s what all my guy friends used to tell me when I went through a ring phase. That was until I lost them all. Not good with jewelery haha.
Katy
Legal pads are the best for morning love notes and doodles. Best when left by the coffee machine (with any leftovers from any one of your delightful recipes) for “future husband,” who hopefully won’t be so future if I keep making your cinnamon sugar pull-apart bread (simply the best)!
Erin Louise
I am currently having several oh-my-god-this-is-a-dream-come-true nightmares. I never realized that it could be so scary to actually have dreams come true in a woah-that-is-a rush-sorta way…that make sense? I also have a friend in Afghanistan right now, his wife is in Germany still living on the base away from everyone close to them. I think about them daily and can’t imagine what it would be like to know that my husband is in harms way 24/7 and to essentially be It gives me chills thinking about it. Sorry to be a downer…on the upside, I can’t wait for your book!!!
Mehtap
Hello,
There is a very popular Turkish song about buying your own diamond ring: “P?rlanta” -diamond- by Nil. Your post reminded me that song. If you wanna to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaYXIIfoF9I
Unfortunately you won’t understand the lyrics (if you don’t speak Turkish) but the song is fun.
Love. (from Istanbul.)
Krafty Keely
A Joy the Baker book, I’m so excited!
Hannah
I love your blog. I probably say this every day. And every day you crack me up again.
Philip Geneman
nice post Joy, I think your desk is much more organized than mine, sorry about the muffins it happens though. can’t what till your book comes out!
Bird In Hand Quilts
Don’t worry about the muffins! That delish cinnamon pull apart bread from last Monday makes up for any future baking mishaps. I’m still drooling and forcing myself not to make it every single day.
Tracy P.
Had the same kind of “dream-come-true” nightmares right before I travelled to adopt my little girl. They are omens of the best things to come!
Andrea
I wear rings on my ring finger, too. Why should I let a perfectly good finger go to waste just because I’m not married?
CobyLyn
Your desk looks SO much more relaxed and tidy then my desk. I have desk envy.
*Hugs*
Sophie
Even Joy makes bad muffins sometimes – it makes me feel a bit better cos all your stuff looks amazing so it’s good to know you’re human and have kitchen disasters too. I had a very bad idea once involving sweetcorn chowder and tinned tomatoes. It’s best not to ask.
I have a sparkly thing on my ring finger, given to me by a man I met 1 year ago today. Before that I had a hard time believing it was ever gonna happen – keep believing Joy! You’re pretty and funny and you can bake, when you do meet him he’ll be very lucky to have you :)
– Sophie
Stephanie S
I’m supposed to be working…booking cruises…here at my desk…at home…right now. Instead, I’m enjoying reading your blog. Takes me away from my “real life” for a few. Wish I could come hang with you for a week. That would be fun! OR…maybe we should have a Joy The Baker blog followers cruise! Hey, now that would be really FUN!! Thanks for sharing your life.
misslissa2323
I’d totally sign on for that cruise!
Candice
I used to wear a ring on my ring finger when I was single and my best friend – a guy – told me that it didn’t matter because guys will go up to a girl they’re interested in, regardless of whether or not she has a ring on. Even if she’s wearing a diamond solitaire with a matching band, they’ll take a chance that somehow those are not wedding rings. So any guy worth his salt will not let a ring on a certain finger stop him from saying hello.
Emily
The recipe sounds good at least ;) My prayers re with your friend overseas!
Katrina
When muffins turn out gross it seriously ruins my day!! I HATE it! I think about eating them all morning, the batter tastes ok, and then… disappointment. Tell us more about this book coming out. Exciting news!
misslissa2323
2 things…1, you have nice hands. is that weird for me to say? well yes, it might be, but i look at my hands a lot and therefore I notice the hands of others. and 2, I lost my bestfriend/boyfriend to the whole Iraq fighting/war/huge mess thing so.. yeah I’m not down w all the fighting either. Sucks. On a positive note..I heart U 2!! :o)
Nikita
if I eat more vegan cookies vs sugar cookies will I not gain as much weight? BTW I love how your keyboard looks chocolate.
Kimberly
I love that you are so real and accessible. God bless your friend (and everyone else’s loved one) who is overseas. I have to keep reminding myself that whatever I might have going on today that is putting me in a foul mood does not come close to comparing what those brave people are facing every moment they are in that awful place.
Thanks again, Joy.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
Love keeping it real – it is what it is! Can’t wait for the cookie recipe :) Congratulations on the book. What a wonderful undertaking.
Bee Maione
I think you are the greatest thing ever….and I can’t wait for your book, am buying copies for all of my friends!!
Shelby @ Lady Gouda
Thanks for that snapshot of your life, via your desk. I loved it. Though I have become a pretty regular reader, I think I missed the fact that you’re writing a book. This is awesome news. I can’t wait to get my hands on it and devour every word like I do here.
jenna
hi, just wanted to say i love your blog. the posts make me very happy. i looked at the picture of your desk as i was sitting at my kitchen island and it was earily similar. right down to the yellow pad of paper! :) up to a few month ago my husband and our friend tyler were fighting in Afghanistan. i hope all goes well there for your friend! also, love the confusing ring! very pretty and i agree, boys are silly! hope you have a fantastic and fufilling day!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
I totally rocked the ring on the ring finger thing until I was actually engaged. I enjoyed the awkward stares of people trying to figure it out. Sometimes we’d make eye contact when they’d be staring and I’d purposely offer no explanation ;)
Anna
I’m glad I’m not the only one who sports the “it fits my ring finger but now, I’m not married yet” ring. Let the dudes be confused, keep them in suspense and guessing, because it’s your ring, and it’s cute. Thanks for the good intentions via muffins. ‘Preciate it. Also, thanks for sharing about real life. Real dreams and stories are scary, but the scarier they are, the more epic they are. ANd who doesn’t want to be in the midst of an epic, ya? Stoked for your book, girlie. xx
sherri lynn
I’m so excited for your cookbook! I think I’m putting it on my Christmas list for whenever it is out next year :)
Apron-clad Warrior
Dear Joy:
as an old Doll I can tell you now that yes, one VERY special guy in your life is great & awesome….most of the time but Honey ‘ya gotta enjoy YOU. When even the love of your life DRIVES YOU NUTZ you will CRAVE the just yOu moments.
I wish I had worn a ring like yours more often when I was younger. Must feel VERY empowering ‘kinda like saying, ” Ya, so Buddy you can just keep GUESSING if I’m not on the market and if you want to make yourself vulnerable enough to find out then maybe, just maybe, we can have a coffee together….for starters!
Can not WAIT for you in print. WAY TO GO!
mireya
I’m so excited to hear you are working on a book!!! I’m rooting for you.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
You desk looks so neat, I am kinda jealous. We should all send thoughts to the guys and gals overseas because they really, truly deserve it. Life simply wouldn’t be the same.
Sarah
Ahh i can’t wait for your cookbook! I made awful muffins the other day too. I wanted rhubarb muffins with all kinds of healthy things in them. They turned into rocks that tasted like rocks. Anyway good luck de-stressing!
Three-Cookies
Ring – man/woman with rings are no less attractive than those with rings. Sometimes they can be more attractive. Would you dine in an empty or full restaurant? We humans are not rational:)
Emily
I love this post…so honest and beautiful. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has baked goods turn out poorly. It happens! I usually just blame the recipe!
-Emily
hollycakes
my baby brother just deployed to afghanistan this weekend, :’/ your thoughts sum it up…
thanks for your real life blog… i just found you, i am hooked… i relate
thanks for sharing about your failed muffins :)
i made your cardamom upside-down cake & the upside-down part stayed in the pan… i was crushed… so i ate half, fed half to my sister & made another one that came out beautifully… & me & my sis ate that one too…
delight!!
liz
Work that ring! Fake it til you make it.
shauna
Manuscript! Cannot wait to read it. Now, just remember that if you bake with stress, those cookies or pies turn out gross. (I bet that’s what happened with your muffins.) Relax, girl.
joythebaker
aaahh… you’re probably right.
Wardrobe Block
I’m gutted about the peanut butter muffins which didn’t turn out well, BUT. I also wear a ring on my ring finger. It’s usually a massive plastic thing. I like a bit of confusion.
Sandi
I think that if you are buying the jewelry you get to wear it anywhere you like. Guys will always have something to get confused over.
shana m.
Oatmeal and peanut butter are a good combo; to bad the muffins were gross. Looking forward to cookies!
Jacky
wait. Joy you’re hilarious.. like seriously, can we hang out? the boy texting 2 weeks later thing, SO TRUE. and i love that you combine the baking goodness with the boy-talk, real life stuff. let’s be friends :)
Lis
Congrats on the manuscript! That’s totally rad news!
Beth
Don’t stress out! Do what you do and the book will be awesome. :)
Rebecca
It’s totally normal to wear a ring on your left hand!!!!! I do it alll the time ;) Thanks for sharing your desk with us :)
Megan
Sorry about the gross muffins. I can totally relate. Muffins are sometimes bullies, and that S ain’t right.
P.S. I love your real life! Way to confuse dudes. Way to be awesome.
Michelle
go for a bike ride, it always provides heaps of inspiration and motivation for me. soak up the CA sunshine. have a good monday and the rest of the week. You rock!
Julie
Your desk sort of sums up life, doesn’t it? I’m not sure I could explain everything on my desk. Good luck with the book manuscript – I have one on my desk too! Due Friday! Which is why I’m reading your blog, of course.
joythebaker
get it girl! i’m with you!!
Regina
I think you and your ring are super. Whatever happened to 30 things before 30? Or was it 31? Did I miss it or are we forgetting about that? I can forget about it if asking stressed you out.
joythebaker
i’ll give you an update on the 30 list soon! thanks for asking!
martina
Say hello to Tyler and all the guys over there from me. For me be deployed overseas is a nightmare, a real one. Don’t know how they cope. A big hug for them all
have a good “finishing this damn thing” day (I’m so eager to see your book)
cheers
Martina
joythebaker
love!
la domestique
I think sometimes when the things you really hope for and dream about are happening, it is pretty scary. Why? Not sure. I’ll get back to you on that. :) In the meantime, tell your desk that you are the boss, and put it in its place.
joythebaker
hahahaa! yes!!
jlhpisces
Love the ring and sorry about the muffins! My thoughts and prayers are with your friend Tyler and all others doing a tough job in a hard place.
Alex
Good talk! This was a fun post. I enjoyed hearing about your life. Your manuscript, all edited like that really looks beautiful. I mean, from this perspective. I understand you mentioned nightmares. If I were you, and I were there, nightmarish might be the term I’d use. But from here, it’s beautiful.
Jan
“-What are you doing?
-Sleeping.
-Wanna come over?
-Ummm. No! It’s 3 in the morning.”
or
“-What are you wearing?
-Flannel.
-That’s hot!
-Yes, literally.
-Wanna come over?
-No!”
Love those. Haha.
joythebaker
hahaa! right!? dumb.
Cecelia
Haha love this! Saying no and trying to be as unsexy as possible. So been there.
Kathryn
Your desk is way more organised than my desk. I’m currently have a pile of accounting manuals from the 1980’s cluttering up space for no reason whatsoever. I need to take some tidy-desk lessons from you :/
Silvia
What a lovely ring!
joythebaker
thank you!
Marilyn Yocum
Yes, it makes sense, your oh-my-god-this-is-a-dream-come-true nightmares. Savor them! :-)
bakingepiphanies
“so I can send her a text late at night, in like 2 weeks, and ask her what’s she’s doing.”
SO Annoying!! Seriously.
Love the rest of the stuff on your desk. The manuscript!! Squeeeee! :)))