You know what’s a good combination? Fried chicken and cupcakes.
You know what else is a good combination? Me and you. You and me.
Thank you for bringing your smiling, shining faces downtown on Sunday. I don’t know exactly how to tell you how much this picnic meant to me. Let’s see…. how can I relate this to you?
About a year and a half ago I cried… sometimes. Not a sad cry. Oooh no. 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. I would cry just because I was so dang tired. Do you ever get the tired cries? Yea… it happens.
In the midst of all that, I started this here blog. It’s turned into the thing that I can’t wait to sit down and do every night. You all have become the people that I look forward to connecting with everyday. It’s just so much a part of me… and now you are too!
So… this picnic. Well, it was the opposite of the tired cries. You all made me so happy. It was so fantastic of all of you to come out to share the love. 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. They’re super sweet. Seriously. Ladies. I like you.
Deanna! Ooooh dearest Deanna! Deanna and her friend Sandi drove all the way down from Oregon for the picnic. Drove…. from Oregon! Deanna, your dress was super cute. 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!? Awesome. Doin’ it up right. Well played.
Lynne threw an indoor picnic in Ottawa. They baked the Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cake and wore super cute dresses. What more could you want!?
It was just the most lovely afternoon ever, and then…..
You know what’s not exactly an awesome combination? Hay bales and AstroTurf that doesn’t belong to you. 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. 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). Seriously you guys. Thank you from deep down inside my heart.
The next Joy the Baker shindig will have a hired clean up crew. No joke. We are doing this again.
Charlotte
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. :)
Nastassia
the whole thing was ador. Although i didnt get any cupcakes :[
annie
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. :)
angie
Loved seeing my friend Deanna and those lovely looking cupcakes! It looks like fun was had by all…..except for picking up hay afterwards.
Erin
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?
Sheauen
Thank you for having us! It was a great picnic! Loved all the cupcakes.
JK Scaglaione
Joy, thanks for letting us all take a peak at the picnic. Great idea. Love the retro/vintage dress.
Website=thumbs up.
Katy
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!!
Sandy
Sorry I missed it – looks like it rocked! Next year – have cupcakes, will travel!!
Millie
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! =)
Caro
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
Anna
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.
Hleure
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…
ShannonOfDoom
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
Stiffler
Good to hear (and see) you had a great time.
ovenhaven
Gorgeous new site! And I really love the dress you wore; so cheery and pretty :) Congrats on the successful picnic!
Flapper Food
I love your pretty dress, pretty ink, and recipes! Congrats on your new site!
Elizabeth
Joy, it looks like the weekend was beautiful and a whopping success. No one deserves it more!
Jennifer
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.
food librarian
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.
S
Oh that looks like so much fun! Good job with the event! And your website’s new look is really nice too. :)
Maureen
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.
Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)
Joy, the picnic looks like soo much fun! I wish I could be there too! I’d surely have stolen that awesome dress from you :P :P
P.S – I lovee the new blog design! It’s so ummm cheery, it just makes me feel happy!
laura
it was so fun, and the food was magnificent! thank you so much, you are a wonderful hostess :)
Leigh
Your dress is gorgeous! If I wasn’t on another continent, I so would have been there.
Ariel
Your picnic looks like it was awesome! I wish I lived in the area. Thanks for sharing pictures :)
Lynne
love this entry! we had a super wonderful time in our indoor picnic in Ottawa… thanks for uploading the picture! and thanks for hosting this Joy. seriously lots of fun.
Jacqueline
The picnic looked like it was amazing! You throw quite a party, Joy!
Christine
Your party was a success!(of course, I wouldn’t expect anything else). So glad for you, it looks like it was so much fun ~ except for clean up, that is. Definately hire a crew for the next one.
peuple
Next time i’m in LA, i will join you!!!!
Deanna
Traveled all day yesterday to get back home around midnight. Thanks for your hospitality. You have the sweetest spirit, it truly was a pleasure to meet you. Oh and thanks for the compliment on the dress :)
Brent, Kaori, and Alexandra
Joy,
What an awesome party! Your cupcakes are the best I have ever had…. I couldn’t stop eating them. (I think I had 4) The Chicken was really delish too! Even the weater was perfect. It was great to see you, and congratulations on your great success!
Brent, Kaori, and Alexandra
The Purple Foodie
Oh Joy! You look super cute in that dress. I wish I could come as well. And the new blog design? man it’s so so pretty!
Victoria
It looked like so many different kids of awesome (except for the hay cleanup). You are also a very pretty lady and I love your dress!
Christina
Thank you for sharing these great pictures! Next time I plan to drive down from SF and join you :)
But importantly, where did you get that gorgeous dress? I’d love to find one like it…
Megan B.
Joy, thank you so much! We had a great time!
The Duo Dishes
It was all barrels of fun, and we’re happy to have had the opportunity to meet you in person. It all came together so well! We’ve posted up a couple of pics today too. Thanks for hosting! :)
Stef
omigosh joy, it looks like your party was an absolute hit!!!! and your dress is gorgeous, by the way :)
Vicki
What fun you must all have had! The cupcakes are darling and your dress is fab. And I feel for ya with the hay. The back of my Volvo wagon is velcroed with hay from hauling out to the horse barn all summer. Hay and carpet do not mix.
Jaclyn
Wow, it looks like you all had quite a lovely afternoon. Sorry I had to be on the wrong side of the country.
The new site looks great, btw. LOVE the recipe index!
Allie Z
I’m so jealous!!! The cupcakes look delish and the setting was just super cute!
PS- You looked great! Love the big guns (biceps) in the last photo. I don’t know how you bake so much and stay so trim!!
Allie
Kristilyn
This looks wonderful! I really wish I could be there, but Canada is so far away.
Hay in astroturf? Yeah,that would be a pain to clean up! I concur that you should have professional cleaners at the next shindig! LOL!
The cupcakes sure looked yummy! :-)
K
GS
You’re strong. I have had, and still occasionally have, tired crys (crys of all sorts, actually) but I always keep it to myself. Being able to admit your emotions shows a special strength.
Good going Joy!
Elizabeth
Wow that looks super fun! and yummy food is always a plus!
Lemmonex
Sigh…if only I were on the left coast.
Love your dress.
Katy
Joy I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now (I first heard about you in the Times UK) but this is the first time I’ve commented. I absolutely love your blog, it brings some California sunshine to an often wet London, and I check it religiously every lunchtime. I plan to make my first Joy recipe this weekend. But wow – which one to choose?!
Nirvana
Aww this looks like it was so fun :) Congratulations on such as successful event! :)
Andrea [bella aeats]
Aw Joy…what a fabulous party! I can’t wait until you throw the next bash, I will virtually be there, for sure. :) You looked super-cute in your bright pink dress and the cupcakes were all lovely…congratulations on a great event!
I made cupcakes on Sunday for a 3-year old’s birthday bash…if only they weren’t a day late! http://twitpic.com/f1wij
jonquil
nice tattoos! great cupcakes, pretty dresse, & lovely sunshine–what more can one ask for?
linda
joy …your bash sunday looked perfect & thanks for the virtual view! you are delightful & very joyful (sorry for the pun!) & i look forward to your posts! thanks!!
Shushmi
The party and cupcakes and hay bales all look fab! I wish I could have been there! London is dreary today but looking at the California sunshine just cheered me up :)
Everything (including the new site) looks so lovey!
Shauna
What lovely pictures of what looks to be an amazing shindig! I wish I could have hopped a plane from DC to join you – alas, maybe next time! We had hoped to have our own “rooftop party” (in our backyard), but we got ourselves a bit sidetracked with a sick kid. I did manage to make brownies, and we finished up the rest of a cookies-and-cream ice cream cake (leftover from Friday’s birthday celebration for the 10-yr-old), so we partied in spirit! :)
Thank you for bringing us this blog – it has truly been one of the highlights of my day to find a new post and a new yummy recipe pop up on my laptop screen. So don’t thank us – let us thank you for being such a wonderful friend and inspiration to us!
charlotte s
wow! the picnic looks gorgeous and so much fun! it’s so nice to hear that you were able to leave the tired-crying times behind and now have such a wonderful group of friends following this blog! you deserve it, your blog is absolutely stunning (love the new makeover!) and your posts are always sweet, down-to-earth and friendly! thanks so much for the continuous inspiration!
xoxo
charlotte in israel
Stephanie Lang
Joy! I had such a blast at the picnic! It was so nice to finally meet you! Your family is wonderful and I really enjoying chatting with everyone at the picnic. Good food and a fun crowd, that is all you really need in life!
Last night I was on a shuttle going from the airport back to Berkeley and I randomly struck up conversation with the girl next to me. I was talking with her about food and good times and mentioned this picnic…she was like “oh man I read joythebaker’s blog all the time…!!!” It is a small world hehe.
Anyway I hope you recuperated and got to relax a bit today! Thanks again for a grand time!
-Stephanie
Dana
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now (ie lurking haha) and I really enjoy your fun, casual and lively stories. It’s become one of my favourite food blogs, there’s so many out there but yours really stands out. The site makeover looks fantastic too, great job!
What a great idea for a cupcake picnic! Looks like you had a super time. I love love love California and would have loved to attend if I was closer…darn I was just there last month (well, Northern California anyway).
Thanks for writing such a fun blog and sharing your stories, your life and your great recipes! You’re an inspiration!!!
Cheers from Ottawa, Canada :)
Kati
Wow–how awesome–and might I add, JOy, the Baker–your dress was mighty cute too! Wish I could’ve been there, but thanks to your blog, felt like I was there in spirit! Great pix, thanks for throwing such a great shindig for all us virtual picnic’rs who lived it through your blog! can’t wait for the next one! http://www.katiskupcakes.blogspot.com
callas
This looks like it was sooo much fun! Too bad, driving there is not an option if you live in Europe. But I’ll be sure to have a picnic of my own and send photos next time. Promise! ^^
Anna
I wish I could have been there! You guys look like you had an amazing time :-) I get the tired cries a lot, but things are looking up now that the new baby is here and my toddler adores her.
By the way, I just had to point out that I think you’re gorgeous. You look absolutely radiant :-) I second the opinion that your parents were right on the money when they named you :-)
Allison
Congrats on your successful picnic! I’ve only been following you for a few months now, but always immediately read one of your posts when I see a new one in my reader. Thank you for the continued inspiriation you provide.
Remi
We had a great time at the picnic. Divine fried chicken, heavenly cupcakes, and meeting amazing new friends. Joy, it was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the wonderful party and all of your hard work.
Becs
Looks like so much fun! You did a great job. Your dress is also super cute and fantastic. Im very jealous of your summer too as it is cold and raining in New Zealand!
Louise
I LOVE this blog!
And JOY! Boy did your parents know what they were doing when they named you. Nailed it.
The site makeover is magic!
Carly
Joy, you rock! Awesome cupcakes, awesome dress, awesome new site. It looks like everyone had a blast at the picnic, wish I could have been there.
cyndi
You are such an inspiration!!!!
p.s. I totally get the tired cries…and the stressed cries…and the overwhelmed cries. Seriously, the list goes on and on!
Emma
Next time can your picnic be in Australia? Pretty please! You can totally save on accommodation and stay at my place!
Congrats on beating those teary tired times and creating such an awesome event. I’m in my last year at uni going through those tired times now. I only hope next year will bring me cupcakes and happiness as well! Maybe I should start a blog… :)
{lauryl}
Thank you again– the picnic was lovely and it was lovely to meet you, too!
joythebaker
i love love love the flowers! Thank you Lauryl!
Melanie
This looks like a seriously fun party(minus the cleanup)! I baked muffins, does that count, but ate them myself.*L* congrats on such a successful day! (and blog)
Jen
What a great, happy day you all had! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Jen @ MaplenCornbread
This was such a moving entry! SImply because it shows how you beat those hard times and look at the result of what the little blog you once started as a venue from the chaos became…and the friendships acquired! Just lovely!!!! :)
katie
Oh my goodness! Joy the Baker, our cupcake party is on your blog!!! My daughter thinks she’s famous now, you super rock!
Mags
I’ve been waiting all day for this post. I’m so impressed with how you shared yourself with all your faithful readers. What a lovely young lady you are!
Margie
Oh, I am so jealous…this looks like it was the loveliest of events. I’m sorry I missed it.
I am so impressed by all of your hard work and dedication. I’m wishing you the best of continued success. You’re so deserving. :)