There is always a beginning.
On January 13, 2008 I had a really good idea. I started a blog. I wrote a post. I posted a picture. I opened up comments to anyone who might (most accidentally) stumble upon my ramblings… and I misspelled the title of my first post (thereby setting the tone for every other word I would type in this space).
My beginning was short, yellow-lit, and misspelled.
In the five years that I’ve lived in this little Internet space I’ve also…
lived in three different apartments, driven two different cars, and held the hands of various dudes, dates and boyfriends. I’ve made a best friend. I’ve created podcasts with another best friend. I’ve traveled to London, over-eaten in New Orleans, and nursed (at least) two and two-thirds hangovers. I’ve borrowed three cameras. I’ve dropped one computer on the concrete. I’ve cried at least eight times. I’ve adopted one cat. I’ve lost two jobs. I’ve gotten in one bike accident. I’ve had 89 freak-outs of varying degrees. I’ve written one book, made hundreds of biscuits, and eaten dozens of pounds of chocolate chips.
For the past five years, this little space has always been where I want to spend my time. When I started this blog I didn’t really think about who might come here and read it… mostly because I figured no one would. I just wanted to play with my butter, sugar, and camera. Somewhere along the way, you joined me in this weirdo journey and I’m really so glad you did. I didn’t know I missed you until you got here… and now I’m sure I can’t do without you. I am so thankful for your enthusiasm and kindness. You’re weird too! Seriously, let’s high-five!
This Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread is the most bonkers popular recipe I’ve ever shared. Something about doughy cinnamon bread reaches inside your heart. We are all the same… this bread proves it.
This is the most useful bit of unsolicited advice I’ve shared with you in five years: On Turning TwentyOne. There’s a few gems about the importance of water over rum, and eye contact over Facebook. I’m ThirtyOne now and I really need to write the ThirtySomething follow-up to this list. Lord knows I’m still out in the world acting a fool.
I wrote a bit about accidentally seeing an ex-boyfriend on the Internet. This had some of you thinking that I had taken up drunk blogging as a hobby. Yea… I’ve read the hate boards… I know what’s going on. Was I drunk when I wrote that post? No.
That should clear things up.
It hasn’t all been sweet in these few years. I have been very fond of sandwiching. Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? Out of control!
And I have so many more cookie stacks in me. These Vanilla Almond Cloud Cookies are just the beginning.
All of this is really just to say THANK YOU! Thank you for indulging my boy talk, life lessons, poor spelling, and sometimes awkward food photography. Thank you for making as many cupcakes as you have, and leaving all of the awesome comments that you do. You make my life better everyday. It’s so weird and awesome and true.
Five years! Working on six! I have you to thank, and thank you I do.
Shermaine
I read a lot, but don’t often comment on blog posts. One may even call me a blog stalker (although I beg to differ, one can have her own self-delusions!).
However, I must comment on this one for one reason. Your blog has been quite the inspiration, since stumbling across it a number of years ago. Okay fine, two reasons. It honestly entertains me. I enjoy reading every post (whenever I finally get the time to), and your writing style is honest and often makes me giggle to myself.
I’ve relocated to Shanghai, where ovens seem to be non-existent. But baking is my love, and the moment I get back to Australia – all your bookmarked recipes will definitely come in handy.
So thank you. Keep writing, and keep doing what you love.
Coz you’re damn good at it.
Love, S.
x
sooyoung
congrats!!! and thanks for such yummy tasting and looking recipes!!! can’t wait for the next 5!
Ani
Let’s see, where to start…
I stumbled upon you just as you stumbled upon blogging.
5 years
It’s funny because I’ve never posted, and sometimes you think about the people who’s blog you read or the characters in the books you read like you know them. Like you could call them up and say “Hey” for no reason. But you can’t because it’s reality, and it’s weird and strange to do that. But here’s to weirdness and out of the blue inspiration!
I stumbled upon you just as I moved to Seattle on impulse to change my life, and you came with me. Through 3 cars (1 died of old age, 1 died of a drunk boyfriend and slippery slope, and 1 that still is living with me now), 2 computers, 3 stolen phones, 4 different houses, 3 different neighborhoods, 3 different jobs, heart break and bliss, biscuits and bourbon (seriously…more women should be bourbon girls…vodka really doesn’t count) I’ve been laughing, reading and baking (well, interpreting because I can never let something just be what it is) right along with you.
You constantly make me laugh and remind me that more people should be having as much fun being bonker and messy and creative as you do (and as I do as well).
You’re fabulous.
You hear it often (and with good reason)
But I’m here to tell you again:
You’re wonderful.
You’re wonderful because you’re you.
Your humor, your food, your talent, your reflection, your mistakes–all of it.
It’s awesome and I just wanted to say that, because there is face to face life, and there is internet life , and sometimes in this cyber-centric world, we don’t get to tell the people we adore and think are amazing humans, that they are just that: amazing.
So, happy 5 years Joy.
It’s been a strange half decade for me, but I’m glad you’re around to make it a little bit more ridiculous, silly and more delicious.
Seanna Lea
I think your blog is just fine. Mine is also a work in progress and doesn’t have even a 10th the popularity of yours. Maybe if I took more cat pictures. ^_^;
Krystal
you are awesome! Your posts always make me smile and this one is no exception.
Cookie an Kate
Happy five years, Joy! You’re an inspiration.
Laura
I LOVE YOUR blog! you inspired me to start my own food/life blog. KEEP YOU THE AMAZING WORK! we’ll be here to support you!
Caitlin
Happy 5 years! I love your blog! I’ve been following for a while, but only just recently started my own blog too. (lots of mis-spelling and grammatical errors will ensue on my blog too) Congratulations on all of your success. You deserve it. :)
Rachel
You are the cutest thing ever. Congrats on making it to five years!
Jenny
I’ve been reading, and i’ve been being inspired, and i’ve been recreating your blog delights for the last five years. The first post I ever read was for your black and white red velvet cookies, and I was hooked. That’s all it took. You helped turn me from blog skeptic, to lover, to writer. So thank YOU for five years.. Keep it awesome, keep it real.
Gena@BakeAllTheThings!
Happy blogaversary! It’s been fantastic watching you grow over the past few years and I’m continually impressed with you!
AJ
Congratulations Joy! I normally don’t leave comments on blogs because I am too shy and I think I don’t have anything substantial to add. But this is special. I can’t claim to have been with your journey for five long years, I just stumbled on it sometime 2 years ago. And I was enthralled… I was frankly scared of baking and all precision in measurements talk. You made me feel as if I was missing out on all the fun! You made it look so simple and FUN. Also, love to read your anecdotes and I find myself ambling over whenever I need a pick me up! Thank YOU Joy and wish you a long, long journey ahead.
joythebaker
i REALLY appreciate you!
Caroline Leigh
i freakin love you and I don’t even know you. but I love your blog! xoxo
Ana S.
This is the first time I comment…though it’s been hundreds of times that I’ve chuckled and smiled at my laptop screen while reading your amazing posts.
Thank YOU for being you! Your bold frankness and warmth, your crazy interior monologues and your simple complexity makes me feel like I’m reading through the mind of one of my closest friends…
Dozens of kisses and hugs from Valencia, Spain.