You know what’s a good combination? ย Fried chicken and cupcakes.
You know what else is a good combination? ย Me and you. ย You and me.
Thank you for bringing your smiling, shining faces downtown on Sunday. ย I don’t know exactly how to tell you how much this picnic meant to me. ย Let’s see…. how can I relate this to you?
About a year and a half ago I cried… sometimes. ย Not a sad cry. ย Oooh no. ย It’s just that I was working two tragically minimum wage jobs as a barista and as a baker, finishing up college, driving a car that was worth less than my camera, running from job to job to class to study group, writing papers in a daze and falling asleep in the library weekly. ย I would cry just because I was so dang tired. ย Do you ever get the tired cries? ย Yea… it happens.
In the midst of all that, I started this here blog. ย It’s turned into the thing that I can’t wait to sit down and do every night. ย You all have become the people that I look forward to connecting with everyday. ย It’s just so much a part of me… and now you are too!
So… this picnic. ย Well, it was the opposite of the tired cries. ย You all made me so happy. ย It was so fantastic of all of you to come out to share the love. ย Thank you to each and every one of you who came to share the day with me.
Adrianna and Caroline are the darlings behind A Cozy Kitchen. ย They’re super sweet. ย Seriously. ย Ladies. ย I like you.
Deanna! ย Ooooh dearest Deanna! ย Deanna and her friend Sandi drove all the way down from Oregon for the picnic. ย Drove…. from Oregon! ย Deanna, your dress was super cute. ย For reals.
Katie and kids had their own rooftop picnic on Vancouver Island, BC with a dozen cupcakes and… do I see a Cabbage Patch Kid down there!? ย Awesome. ย Doin’ it up right. ย Well played.
Lynne threw an indoor picnic in Ottawa. ย They baked the Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cake and wore super cute dresses. ย What more could you want!?
It was just the most lovely afternoon ever, and then…..
You know what’s not exactly an awesome combination? ย Hay bales and AstroTurf that doesn’t belong to you. ย That means a lot of cleaning.
I suppose now would be a good time to thank you… Simon, for literally picking up hay in a sea of hay. ย I couldn’t have pulled this picnic off without the help of Michael (the behind the scenes man with the plan), Rachel (cole slaw maven), my Mom and Dad and sister (for late night cupcake baking and chicken runnin’), Whitney (for the best 5 minute makeup job ever), Simon (for all the hay you got in your face… i’m sorry), and Carsen and company (for graciously letting me boss you around). ย Seriously you guys. ย Thank you from deep down inside my heart.
The next Joy the Baker shindig will have a hired clean up crew. ย No joke. We are doing this again.
75 Responses
Your dress looks like a cupcake – so pretty. And your smile is the sparkle on top!
This is why we Canadians love you Americans – you are a shining example of perseverance and determination. I applaud you and thank you for your wonderful site.
Oh that looks like so much fun! Good job with the event! And your website’s new look is really nice too. :)
Looks like so much fun. Of all the weekends to be out of Los Angeles…can’t wait for you next one. I’ll help you clean up too! You are super nice to have this picnic.
Joy, I love your tattoos! Totally cute. I’m getting my first this weekend, so I’m stoked. I wish our weather in Houston was more accommodating for outdoor events this time of the year. August is our hottest, nastiest month.
Joy, it looks like the weekend was beautiful and a whopping success. No one deserves it more!
I love your pretty dress, pretty ink, and recipes! Congrats on your new site!
Gorgeous new site! And I really love the dress you wore; so cheery and pretty :) Congrats on the successful picnic!
Good to hear (and see) you had a great time.
You have to have one of these in the 1st week of January 2010…why? Because I will be in L.A all the way from Australia that week! Love your work Joy. I haven’t downloaded pix from my picnic on the weekend but I will try tomorrow.
<3 Shannon
your new site looks BEAUTIFUL! it sounds like the picnic was a success! i am coming next time…somehow i will find a way to get to L.A. from Texas! and i will stay and help you clean up all that straw…
boohoo, my comment didn’t want to be a comment but here I go again.
WOW. inspiring. You are living a dream.
cute dress.
awesome tattoo.
yummy looking cupcakes.
great idea.
Hope you are having a good rest!
Caro
Joy, you are awesome for doing this. Can we be told way in advance next time so I can plan college around your picnic? Thanks. Love your dress by the way, you’re cute.
One of these years, I will get down from Alaska to the Lower 48 for one of your picnics. It looks like you had a blast. You looked very cute, Joy! That was a very tired, but happy smile you had on your face. I look forward to reading your blog every day. Oh, and if we ever get down there, Bobby (the hubby), Rachel (the rug-monkey – aka my daughter) will be sure to stay to help clean up! =)
Sorry I missed it – looks like it rocked! Next year – have cupcakes, will travel!!
Looks like an absolute blast!! I’m so glad it turned out well. :) Maybe next time I can at least join in on the virtual fun!!
Joy, thanks for letting us all take a peak at the picnic. Great idea. Love the retro/vintage dress.
Website=thumbs up.
Thank you for having us! It was a great picnic! Loved all the cupcakes.
Girl… I know all.about. the tired cries. I was working 2 jobs, IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES, while taking 19 hours during my senior year of school. Tired Cry was like my Indian name.
I’m so sad I missed the picnic! I would of thrown my own virtual picnic, but I was too busy traipsing around NYC all alone! :D I did eat a f-f-f-fabulous cupcake on Friday though. Does that count?
Loved seeing my friend Deanna and those lovely looking cupcakes! It looks like fun was had by all…..except for picking up hay afterwards.
What a great success the picnic was! I’m TOTALLY in for the next one (will fly down). Let us know if you need any extra help… my BFF in L.A. and I are both caterers. No joke! Love you, love the new site. :)
the whole thing was ador. Although i didnt get any cupcakes :[
OREGON? Holy moly. I thought my trip from San Diego was a bit of a drive, but I stand corrected. We should have had a “who came farthest” contest and I think we know who would have won this time.
Thank you again for the great party! And treats! I love the Bagu Bag. :)