This is a picture of me on a bridge, among the trees, wearing sporty shorts in Seattle.
This picture tells you a few things:
I’m not in a kitchen. I’m really excited about not being in a kitchen. My sister let me borrow her running shorts so I didn’t have to wear my bright purple yoga pants…. and I’m wearing a fashion scarf because I want to look cute even when I’m hiking four miles up a mountain.
Aaand.. I have several versions of this picture where my arms are raised too high, exposing a little belly. I’ve spared myself the shame of sharing those.
Let me show you what my Seattle times look like. Wanna see? Rad.
That’s my little sister Lauren, my Mama, and my big sister Launa.
When the four of us are together, we laugh… a lot.
Ps- cat butt.
We laugh and we joke about eating ice cream for dinner…. then we eat ice cream.
ps- Crown Royal on top of the fridge.
We eat ice cream while my mom tells us the story of how she was a door to door saleswoman for like… three hours.. until she had a panic attack and quit.
Meet Lauren’s cat Charles. He’s quite the gentleman.
Launa loves to garden. More than once I found her out back riffling through the apartment building’s commnity garden.
She planted tomato plants for the apartment. So sweet… she’s also dang pretty.
Chives and lettuce. Could someone please make some Buttermilk Ranch so we can tame this garden?
Can I show you more pictures of plants? Are you annoyed yet?
These are my favorite flowers. Hydrangeas. They make me want to get married. I dunno… hard to explain.
We went for a hike.
We went for a four mile hike up a mountain…
past some gorgeous waterfalls…
… and up and up and up thousands… no millions of stairs.
My sister stopped for text message breaks. Is that normal?
After over two hours of lugging my thighs up that mountain, we made it to Lake Serene, where…
I promptly sat my ass down and devoured this bag of M&Ms. Fact.
Also… I don’t want to talk about my hair. At all.
Is that a chipmunk? Dang this little guy was cute. I threw him an almond and he was ready to take me home to meet his family. He was smitten.
Are those hunks?
I threw almonds at them. I didn’t get the same response.
Just hunks.
Oh!
I stopped by the Cakespy Shop!
At Cakespy, everything is cute and most things are pink. Also… farts and rainbows meet.
Jessie of Cakespy is so sweet and lovely. She painted a battle between cupcakes and pie on her shop wall. She’s also tiny… and I felt like a giant.
Then Lauren and I ate Ice Cream at Molly Moon’s. Get Out! So crazy good!
I also can’t get over how crazy pretty this girl is.
This Goat Milk Blueberry Frozen Yogurt made my life. Also… sorry to creep you out with my weirdo bendy finger.
anitajoye
we have several hydrangea bushes. just another reason you should stop by and make us pancakes.
melanie
what a beautiful family u all are!
Susie
So I know you posted this last summer, but I was searching your site for blueberry things of deliciousness and saw a post titled Seattle. I just wanted to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE Molly Moons ice cream shop. I live in Seattle and I get their ice cream frequently and they are nice enough to have an ice cream truck roam around the city selling fresh made waffle cones and pints of ice cream. There is also a place on capitol hill call Old School Frozen Custard that is awesome think of a Dairy Queen Blizzard but on crack. You have to get a “concrete” if your ever there, it is truly awesome.
joythebaker
ice cream dirty talk. amazing.
Mar
Beth G. – Go to East African Imports Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle. It’s amazing and everyone that works there is super nice! :D
Jrdwn
Yay my hometown.
And double yay molly moons. best ice cream ever.
Elaine
Next time you’re here, would you consider hosting one of your awesome speakeasies for all of your Seattle fans? We’d love to meet you! If you bring the baked goods, we’ll bring you bourbon. Please?
joythebaker
yes yes!
janiscooks.blogspot.com
FUN! Love your humor. We all need it to get through the day, right?
Debbi
We visited Cakespy when we were in Seattle last week, also!! Jessie was so sweet, and we loved browsing her shop. After that, we stopped by Dahlia for a sweet treat (well, several sweet treats!) Sounds like you enjoyed your visit as much as we did, even though we never made it to Molly Moon. Now I need to catch up on all your posts that I have missed, beginning with Rainier Cherry Brown Betty!
Tia @ ButtercreamBarbie
seattle is so close to me – vancouver BC but seems like an exotic land thru your stories and pix :)
Ash
I love this story.
Michelle
How fun! I loved the pics. I love the Ross bags… I’m an avid shopper of Ross, if I get the chance. Also, I love hydrangeas too and had them at my wedding, and as part of my bouquet. Where I live now, they grow wild all over and are just so beautiful. I used to live in the Seattle area. Lovely, lovely pics. Thanks.
Joy
I realize I’m a dork for noticing this but…I totally spied the silver, flower IKEA bowl that sits prettily on my coffee table too. I know. It’s rad.
Love your blog…thanks for being simply & fabulously real!
Rock on.
DonnaR
Great pics! Thanks for sharing the great Washington State and your family with us, your readers. You go, girls!
connie
I have a weirdo bendy finger, too! I always have a hard time teaching guitar because I play an A (three strings in a row) with one finger instead of three…….YIKES!
VintageSugarcube
WOWZA!!! Those look soooo darn good. You are genius, I would not have thought to combine the two, but I think they are a perfecto combo!!!… How do you bake like this and stay so fit? I’m quite jealous..
teresa
Oh Joy!
You are such an adorable CRACK up!
LOVED seeing pics of you out of the KITCHEN and HIKING up that MT!
Glad you didn’t run into a BEAR!
Can you believe I just forked out $50 for BEAR SPRAY!!!
Who spends $50 on BEAR spray?!!!!
Someone who LOVES to HIKE…but is petrifiiiiiiiiiiied of BEARS on the trails up here in WA!
Delighted you enjoyed your fun trip to Seattle!
Next time…pop over to Bainbridge Island and I’ll bake you up a Chicken Pot PIE!
xo
Neha
Yum. The pictures and the treats are delish! I am going to Seattle next month! My First Time…I expect it to be quite an event! I can’t wait to try Delancey and maybe eat that exact ice cream cone!
Melissa
I am sooo jealous that you went to cake spy! Being as I am in MN, I can only dream of going. I’m a faithful devotee to the blog (as I am yours) and Jessie’s artwork is just the sweetest! Glad you had fun on yr trip :)
Gen
That makes me wanna go and visit Seattle straight away!
Margaret
Ooh! I miss Seattle so much. I now live in Boulder, and it is just not the same! Thanks for the visual flashbacks. :)
Catherine
Woah! Joy, these are some amazing photos! Sounds like you had a blast! Haha about the almonds and chipmonks! =p Wish it could work out like that..the CakeSpy Shop and Molly Moon’s icecream look awesome! Hope your enjoying your summer with your sisters and mom! =)
Catherine Crehan
I Love you posts. I open my email every day and save yours till last.
I use it as a little treat for myself. Sad,I know.
Whatever you do ,don’t stop.
That would realy make me sad.
If you ever get to PA. you are welcome at my house anytime.
My husband is an old shit but thats what happens when your over sixty.
Evie
What a lovely trip!
Danica
I have several comments I’d like to make about your “notes from Seattle,” but I’ll refrain because I have not a lot of time and I’d like to not spend it on you. I just want to know, though, the “reaction” you got from those hunks on the beach, what was it? Did they throw rocks back instead of almonds? Just wondering. Thanks.
D
Jackie
Hydrangeas make me think of weddings also. My Nana in PA had them next to her old house and when I was a little girl I thought I would use them in my wedding bouquet. She passed away, and the house sold, and I had to pick wildflowers instead since hydrangeas do not grow well in MT. But I still love them! And your blog :)
Beth G.
Man, your pictures make me miss Seattle even more! I was born there and 1/2 my family lives there. Gorgeous place, nice people, delicious food, and loads of fun! Am now planning to take my girls there next year. Have you gone to any Ethiopian restaurants? I’ve heard that there are some good ones in Seattle. Have a great time and please tell your sister that I love her hair!
Becky
Your writing makes me smile. I think we should be friends. Just saying… But seriously, you and your sisters are gorgeous! Glad you had fun in Seattle!
P.S. I will have to try that almond trick next time I pass some chipmunks/cute boys. Let you know how that works out…
scatterbrain
i love your zest for life and your posts always make me smile!!! You do know what a great blessing you are right?? stay precious!
Shelly
Seriously need to head over to Pillsborough for the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had in my life!
Chris rowland
Great Pacific Northwest family pictures – such wonderful fun! I was just at a wedding featuring gorgeous hydrangeas all purple and white! I got excited as they are my favorite flower, too!
Kate
I have a similarly creepy bendy finger!! Weird comment for such a great post right….hahaha your blog helps my days of a desk job a little happier!! Thanks for the smiles!
Janna
Yeah, Seattle my home town! That reminds me, one of my summer goals is to find and try Molly Moon’s, heard great things about it. And the Lake Serene hike looks fabulous too…fun to learn more about my own hometown.
fotographiafoodie
Lovely photos – I love Seattle!! Many a good day trips there (I’m from Vancouver, BC).
jeri
hahah I have the same weirdo bendy fingers. makes playing guitar difficult. :p I love your posts. :)
Zoe
Your family is so beautiful Joy! Your sister Launa has the most gorgeous locs. Looks like fun times were had by all.
nicolette
What a fun post! Seattle is so much fun this time of year. Hopefully you’ll be able to see some outdoor music while you’re there? That is if you can pull yourself away from Molly Moons… I’m not sure I could. Yummm…
CakeSpy
Like, OMG! Thank you for making a visit to my store part of your awesome Seattle visit. It was such a pleasure to meet you, my friend! You and Lauren are veritable rays of sweet sunshine in the world.
Ethan @ tastesbetterwithfriends.wordpress.com
Your sister is totally allowed to stop for texting breaks, especially if she’s getting reception in the middle of nowhere!
joythebaker
riiight!? crazytown!
TastyTriangle
Thanks for the post/photos, if you have more, please don’t hesitate to put them up! I spent 25 yrs there and miss it, especially how absolutely to-die-for beautiful the summer weather is!
Jayme
dude, “ps – cat butt” had me rolling!!! I confess, that was totally what i was thinking as soon as I saw that picture lol.
glad you enjoyed your stay here in Seattle! Next time you’re here there needs to be some sort of pot luck in your honor. We’ve got a great food-obsessed community up here :)
joythebaker
i would LOVE a pot luck. yes yes yes!
Carrie
You and your family are so beautiful! And so happy!
By the way, love the new design of your site – it’s as lovely as you!
Liska
I ALWAYS smile reading your posts, truly. How I wish I could be not so far from Seattle, egh…
Twyla Marti
Joy – you are like a breath of fresh, funny and creative air – every day! Thanks!
joythebaker
and you have the coolest name ever, twyla.
Teresa
JOY – you crack me up! I am so glad that you are enjoying MY city!! Three cheers for Seattle!! :)
heather @ chiknpastry
Good times! i wanna go back to seattle now. did you visit the theo chocolate shop? mmm chai chocolate bar :)
Thea
I made buttermilk ranch dressing for two of my favorite couples who came to my house in the country t attend a ‘let’s go visit Thea and tell her we are pregnant’ brunch last Saturday. They loved the dressing.
celia
You have an adorable family, thanks for sharing your pictures and brightening up my dreary day.
Natalie
Joy, your family is beautiful! Also, how can you go to Seattle and not have coffee?!?!
joythebaker
don’t worry… i had hella coffee. i just didn’t take photographs of it.
Amy
Joy, you, your sisters and your mom are so precious. I want to hang out with all of you. It looks like you all have so much fun together. You’re all lovely women. :)
Adriana from Baking Powders
that trip looks rad! btw, do you and your sister have the same eyes and facial expression as your mum or what? Lauren looks so much like her! and you too!
Colleen
This entry made me so happy. :) I honeymooned in Seattle last October, and it was wonderful to “see” it again! ♥
Shushmi
I love hydrangeas too and they make me think of weddings as well. Whenever I water the plants in the garden I always give them a bit extra cos I think they deserve the love more than the other plants! Your family is so beautiful – nice to meet your big sis and mum! :)
Silvia
Incredible woods, I so love hiking, and I love it when I can eat something sweet afterwards, it’s a little prize for being so sporty and dedicated. Your sisters and your mum look lovely, what a great family!
Cecesweets
Listen here’s the thing, I promise I have a life, a really great one. Howeveeeeerrrrr, I get super hype when I see you have a new post up! It may or may not make my day, i’ll never tell :)
P.s. you ladies are beautiful, and I love Launa’s locks, so dope. I am currently transitioning to “natural hair”. 7 months clean from the creamy crack also known as a relaxer lol. Great pics. <3
Wei-Wei
You met Jessie from Cakspy?!?!?!??! That’s like two of my baking idols TOGETHER! D: I’m jealouuus!
Wei-Wei
Debbi
Dang girl!!! You are too funny, your sisters & you are too gorgeous, and mom looks like she’s having a great time too! Almonds?? You should have thrown a sister!!! THAT would have gotten their attention!!! LMAO!!! Keep posting PLEASE…you bring a smile every time I read one & have me baking up a storm in 100 degree heat w/ the air blasting!!!!!!!!!!
Ann
I frequently come on here to get hungry, get recipes, get inspired by the great things I see you creating, and I love seeing photos.
Tonight I just laughed—out loud and hard—reading what you had to say about each photo. Love the comments about the hair and the belly shot…I’d edit that out too! Thanks for sharing!
Rosie Girl
Is it normal to look forward to your blog updates as much as I do? Always a good-natured laugh. Thanks for sharing…and glad you guys had a blast! Cheers.
Betsy
So sweet – I’m glad you’re having some fun sisterly times!
Sue
YOU are hilarious!
Ivy
You are really, really funny! :)
becky
your blog is such a light-hearted treat at the end of this day!
Christina
Molly Moon! OMG! Tell me you ate salted caramel ice cream? Or at least tried it? Or at LEAST ate a homemade waffle cone? My sister sent me a picture of her MM treat today…I live in Philly and it’s like twisting the knife in my back.
Laura Lou
Joy! Your crack me up! I am going on a trip to North Carolina to walk up and down mountains with my sister and mom this weekend. I hope our adventure is as awesome as yours! Aren’t moms and sisters awesome??!!
Rebecca
Your pictures make me want to go to Seattle! Nature and ice-cream and good companions…what could be better?
And I completely get your hydrangea comment. :-)
Lena
Joy,
That sounds totally amazing. You make me smile like so crazy! And laugh lots! Keep writing :)
–Lena, 13 years old
P.S. Charles is damn shmexy!
joythebaker
dear lena,
thank you for making shmexy a word.
love, joy
Yvonne
You look like you’re having a ton of fun. Yippee! I love the new look to your blog. A weird question – do you ever make jam? Keep on havin’ fun with your awesome sisters and your mama!!!!
Eleanor
I have been reading your blog for a short time, and have been thinking, “How does she stay so thin when she CLAIMS to eat desserts for dinner and breakfast?” Well, seeing you next to Jessie, I think I have my answer. You’re tall! That always explains it–us pixies never get the luxury of indulging without chunking up….oh, well. Still love the blog.
Nicole @ the dirty oven
Looks like you are having a great time with your family. My sister is in Seattle and I miss her too much! Enjoy!
Memoria
Your sisters are LOVELY! I love your older sister’s locks. I hope mine grow as long as hers. Wow. Great photos. I’m so glad you all are having fun together.
joythebaker
her hair is INCREDIBLE!
Meghan
Glad you’ve enjoyed my city! Looks like you hit up many of our awesome spots, and now I am excited to go on a new hike I didn’t know about to Serene! :)
peachkins
Not creepy at all,Joy. I enjoyed The trip. It’s like I was there with you..
Avril Miller
I love how you have given us a little peek into your adventures in Seattle with your precious sisters, your mom and ALL the fun you had – including LOTS of ice cream and a hike (with gorgeous sites along the way!!!!). I’ve also noticed that your blog has a little bit of a new look….I like it!
Nat
I want to visit Seattle so badly!! Someday I will make it…
Charles is beautiful!
Candice
Awww.. it is so green there ! I lived in Portland Oregon before we moved here to the bottom of the world.. I was forgetting how green it is up there :)
You all are beautiful. Not only do you look Good but you look Happy .. how great is that ?!
chau, bella !!
C
Esther
I love your pictures! It looks like you gals had a blast :D (Btw, Charles is so handsome!)
Kaitlin With Honey
I think it’s wonderful that you surround yourself with such beautiful, fun-loving people. Those you surround yourself with reflect well upon you!
iris
I made Fig 7 Goat Cheese Swirl Ice Cream awhile back. And it was mind blowing. No joke.
I’m pretty sure goat cheese is best eaten frozen in a ice cream cone.
DessertForTwo
Such beautiful women! :)
Shauna
To hell with the almonds, I might have thrown MYSELF into the lake to see if the hunks would save me. Assuming, of course, that my husband wasn’t within a 2 mile radius.
Looks like you had a truly fabulous time in Seattle – the pictures are amazing (love the stairs!!), and DANG do you have a good lookin’ family! And even though I’m a dog person, I totally heart Charles and want to take him home with me. :)
Becky
Great photos – looks like yall had lots of fun and lots of good eats!
I love the chipmunk/almond/hunks situation, haha : )
ronnissweettooth
How is it possible for all three of you to look like completely different people in this series of photos? You’re all gorgeous, by the way. I didn’t know there was a third sister: I just thought it was you and the little sis.
P.S. I covet that shirt/tunic in the last and second-to-last pics.
Rtia
Oh wow….sounds like you are having a funtastic time with your family! And I love the way you live life! To heck with being obsessed with carb counting when there are mountains to climb and dessert shops to be explored! Carpe diem!
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
Joy! You make me laugh. And Charles is downright handsome.
Sushi Girl
Gawd girl, you crack me UP!! Funeral for a friend tomorrow and here you are making me laugh. I am going to make 2 of your delish desserts for the funeral after party, (not sure what the after thingy is called) You’re like a sunflower with a pinch o’ spicy. I thank the universe (and your ma and pop) for you.
*love*
joythebaker
heart you.
Ashley
You are so fantastic. For real real. Not for play play.
Jeanette
You should have thrown more almonds at those hunks!
JEN
JOY! You make me laugh. Please don’t ever stop eating ice cream or lugging your thighs up mountains. Thanks. For. Sharing.
PS I’d like to sneak Charles the cat into MY suitcase…beautiful.
Ariel
Molly Moon’s is fantastic! There’s a cute gelato place near that, called Fainting Goat Gelato – also awesome. I love the chipmunk picture…and Seattle hikes are gorgeous. Haven’t made it to Serene yet, but now I will, after seeing those pictures! Glad you’re loving the city :)
Ryan
I’d love to visit seattle and eat at all the bakeries, I’ve heard so many good things!!
Jessica @ How Sweet
Goat cheese yogurt?! Maybe you can recreate that and share the recipe with us?? It sounds amazing. Glad you are having a great time Joy!
The Boob Nazi
I can’t wait to move there on Sunday. yay!