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Shine Bright

December 19, 2012 by Joy the Baker 92 Comments

shine bright

If you’re anything like me, you can’t handle another Peppermint Bark Recipe or Holiday Wreath DIY.  I can’t deal.  It’s not that I’m bah-humbuggy.  Not at all.  I’m totally into these happy winter holidays.  It’s just that everything feels like so much lately.

… How’s that for eloquent?  Everything is so much.  Really though… that’s the only way to describe it.

Today, I don’t have a cookie recipe for you.  Maybe tomorrow… ok, probably tomorrow, because I really do love cookies.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the coming year.  I know that Christmas isn’t even here yet, but thoughts of 2013 are my little way of denying all the Christmas tasks I still need to accomplish.  Plus… I love to think about newness.  It distracts from the shortcomings of nowness.

getting inspired

One of the best way for my brain to think about new things, is to occupy my hands with new adventures.  This past weekend (instead of buying gift-cards at The Gap), I spent the afternoon exploring water-color paints.  I want to practice my handwriting.  Just… you know… because it seems like a really satisfying thing to be good at.

getting inspired

I practiced my handwriting using the words that I am currently most obsessed with.  Rihanna’s Diamonds.  If you’re not yet into this song:  you’re welcome/I’m sorry.

Also, this is the new workspace I’ve created for myself.  Before you think me fancy, let me just tell you that this is a simple Ikea wooden countertop jankily arranged in my living room.  Janky or not, I feel inspired in this space.

getting inspired

I’m trying to live in the energy that is 2012 and gather new inspiration for 2013.  Pretty pictures always work to inspire me.

I spent some quality time with the most recent Kinfolk magazine, as well as Edible Boston.

People are taking some really beautiful food pictures.  Apparently, it’s all about white marble these days.

getting inspired

A Magazine curated by Rodarte is an issue inspired by California.  It’s obtuse and inspiring.  Something about weird fashion photos actually inspires my food brain.  It’s the colors and feeling that I always want to translate into every cookie and biscuit I make.

getting inspired

I treated myself to this pretty pair of glasses.   I don’t know what sort of drink is worthy of these glasses.  Bourbon something?  Sparkling something? It might take me a few months to figure this out.  I’ll have the patience as long as I can just stare at these pretty items occasionally.

getting inspired

My desk is lined with canning jars.

This week I’m making Maple Pecan Granola to fill these jars and give as gifts.  Right now, just the sight of the jars is medium-satisfying.

getting inspired

I’m writing a few last minute holiday cards.

“To Whom It May Concern,

Happy Holidays.  I love you and I think you’re rad.

Love, Joy”

Ok… that’s totally not what they say.

getting inspired

Mostly I’m just trying to take this in, and give this out.  That’s all there is, really.

If you’re feeling like everything about this time is so so much, just know that I’m with you in that sentiment.  Despite these feelings,  let little inspirations creep in.  I, for one, am trying to smile more often than I’m not smiling.  It’s a small thing, and it’s actually working.

I love you!  More cookies soon!

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Kristen

    January 3, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    I’m insanely jealous of your handwriting. Maybe I should practice too! Sounds fun.
    I love your janky workspace, a lot.

    Reply
  2. Rachel

    December 26, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Loved this post, Joy! Good on you for making space to just paint, think, and get inspired. Hoping to carve out the same space for myself in 2013, too! Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  3. Chloe Moon

    December 26, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    There did seem to be a lot of Christmas EVERYWHERE this year. I’m ready to think about 2013…Your handwriting is beautiful! Best wishes with your new inspirations in the upcoming year and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! =)

    Ergo – Blog

    Reply
  4. Melissa B. { hungryfoodlove }

    December 26, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    You can not be more rad yourself. Just bright like a diamond! Your posts make me smile .. which really in my world is so much better than laugh

    Reply
  5. Noelle at Noelle's Notebook

    December 26, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Joy,

    Loved the mason jar granola idea so much that I borrowed it from you. It was a huge hit… you’re a genius!

    Granola is totally better than peppermint bark, peanut butter balls and Christmas cookies!

    I also did some quinoa granola-dream come true!!!

    Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Conna

    December 25, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Happy Holidays.

    Enjoy your time with the beloved ones.

    Kisses from Greece

    Reply
  7. Mary

    December 23, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    Exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  8. kate holt

    December 23, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    hi joy! it’s been too long old friend…miss seeing your face around, and wondered how you are. let’s do something sometime! 2013 beckons fun projects and other shenanigans.
    k

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      December 26, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      it has been too long! i’m emailing you soon!

      Reply
  9. Joelle (on a pink typewriter)

    December 23, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Love this post – I can 10000% relate. And I am going to make a conscious effort to do just that- smile more than I’m not.:)

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Happy November Finds | bediva says:
    September 6, 2015 at 5:26 am

    […] Shine Bright […]

    Reply
  2. Everything Is So Much | Vomi Mot says:
    February 21, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    […] multiple reasons for that, and this entry goes into them a bit. I’m going to quote Joy the Baker (a.k.a. Joy Wilson) here, because, as usual, someone has put it way better than I ever […]

    Reply
  3. Goodbye Prague « Blue Eyed Sight says:
    January 16, 2013 at 2:51 am

    […] This post – (It’s an old post, but I read it about once a week since she’s posted it […]

    Reply
  4. Shine Bright | Easy And Healthy Meals says:
    January 3, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    […] Joy the Baker […]

    Reply

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