We have a system around here, don’t we?

I bake something every few days, take pictures of it, and post a handful of those pictures in this little wedge of the Internet.

What would it look like if I showed you a whole bunch of everything?  The chocolate.  The cake.  The clock.  The hike.  The traffic.  The indecision.  The bourbon.  The whole dang day!  Well… it would be at least mildly entertaining, but more importantly… it would satisfy my need to over-share.  And that’s really why we’re all here, right?

8:18am.  What an utterly obnoxious time to wake up.  The baker in me… the baker that used to have to wake up at 3:15am is disgusted with my current self.

Like it or not, the first thing I do in the morning is flip on my computer.  There’s email and blog comments and… Twitter, duh.  It’s important and frankly, I can’t help myself.

You should see this.  It’s a view of my bedside and well, under my bed.

One:  I have cherry sheets.

Two:  I store sprinkles of various colors under my bed.  Don’t judge me.

Three:  What you can’t see under my bed is the stack of cake pans I also have stored there.

Four:  When in need of nighttime reading, I can either reach for The Bible or The Pioneer Woman Cookbook.  It’s true.  It’s real life.

Let’s hit the road.  In a car.  This is Los Angeles City Hall.  I think it’s a pretty building.

These are my stairs.  I took the liberty of naming them after myself.  They’re called the Kick Joy the Baker Right in the Arse Stairs.

These are the stairs that tame my cake lovin’ thighs.  It’s about 200 stairs in Echo Park that I climb a few times a week.  It’s hard every time.  It never gets easier.  My thighs hate/love it.

The view at the top of the stairs is a combination of beauty and muck.  The same can be said for most things in Los Angeles.

Look at that, Los Angeles.  You’re lookin’ mighty precious.

But seriously, it’s time to get down to business.  There’s a Chocolate Bundt to bake… and it’s not going to bake itself.

Oh wait… I’m really going to need some coffee first.

Cocoa powder and coffee.  The beginning of the best Bundt in the world.

Dishes seem to be a byproduct of any kitchen venture.  I still haven’t gotten used to that part.

I wanted to drink this batter.  It was the consistency of hot chocolate made with heavy cream.  Ooooh snap.

Once I stopped myself from bathing in the cake batter I checked my mail.

Jury Duty.  Civic responsibility.  No comment.

Oh!  Did I tell you?  My Mom got me a book.  A relationship book… by Steve Harvey.

Steve Harvey writes about intimacy and commitment!?  Lord help us all.

And just like that… I’m never dating, ever EVER again.

Also, what’s with the awkwardly placed hand Mr. Harvey?  Do Not Trust.

My sister sent me a bit of relationship advice as well.  Bourbon.  Bless that girl.  For life.

But back to the chocolate.  We have chocolate glaze to make while the cake bakes.

I should mention that this chocolate glaze has sour cream in it.  It’s perfect.  I’m thinking of using it as an edible face mask in the future.

Yes.  This just became quality entertainment.

Now it’s time to hop into some cute clothes, pack up the cake and get off to a dinner party.

This bed tells you several things.

One:  I can’t decide what to wear.

Two:  I’ve packed up the cake, but if I don’t set it next to equally important personal items, I will… no doubt, forget it as I run out the door.

Three:  I make my bed.

Hollywood.  Traffic.  Always and forever.

This picture is obtuse.  Please take note of Asher’s tasteful v-neck shirt.  Please also take note of the fact that I was finally able to decide on something to wear.

Jeremy made an aaaaaamazing taco dinner.  I should have asked for leftovers to take home, but I was shy.  Dangit!

Cake.  Generously sliced.  Entirely appreciated.   Nevermind the salsa still on the table.  We just couldn’t wait for cake!

And then we turned to the topic that we always turn to at the end of an evening full of food and drinks:  The Biggest Loser… and how amazing that show is… and how it requires a box of tissue… oh the pounds and the tears shed.

And the night ends.

Just so you know… this is about as well as I can see at night.  I need new glasses.  On the real.

Let’s talk about cake.  This is the most moist and delicious chocolate bundt cake I’ve ever encountered.  The batter is very loose.  It might make you worry.  Don’t fret.  It bakes up like an absolute dream.  The glaze… with unsweetened chocolate, coffee, and sour cream adds that final touch of delicious glamour to an already stellar cake.  It’s a Bundt.  It’s a dang good Bundt.

Some things I make for the love of others. I’ve been known to gaze lovingly at ingredients. Wrap cookies in little bows, and present a friend with box of still warm chocolate chip cookies at just the right moment.

Other things I make because I’m a selfish hungry girl. These doughnuts. Oh my God! These doughnuts I made because I’m a selfish girl who loves loves loves doughnuts.

Three facts about this, my first doughnut making experience:

These puppies took me about 3 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. I started craving them after my morning run, and sunk my teeth into my first warm doughnut bite around 2pm. Worth every minute! Seriously.

I burned my mouth, yes, four times eating donut balls that were just too fresh from the fryer. Worth it. I’d do it all over again.

If I didn’t get the what was left after the “Joy vs. Doughnut Throwdown 2008″ out of my house, I might well have eaten every singe one. Not a joke. Fact.

If you’ve never made doughnuts before, here is my advice to you: Oh my God! Take the afternoon off. Turn off your phone. Make these donuts. Eat five to eight, and then promptly walk over to your neighbors house and beg them to take the rest off your hands. If your neighbors aren’t home you might even want to call the cops, they’ll be able to stop you from eating the remainder. You’ll need handcuffs.

Want more options for doughnut glazes?  Chocolate doesn’t float your boat?  See if any of these toppings fit your fancy!