We’ve had some rainy days lately, and really… I’m always looking for an excuse to spend some quality time on the Internet. I love that you come here looking for cookies, but please allow me to share a bit of my Internet browsings with you.
I’m a sucker for a pretty Tumblr. That’s Real Cute, HoneyPie is everything I need. Long distance BFFs with awesome taste and good hair.
Miss Moss brings us pretty things from South Africa. Taleggio and Mushroom Pie looks so good it makes me mad (good mad).
I love these What’s For Sipper features on the blog Brunellos Have More Fun.
Sometimes a cake is more than a cake. Sometimes a cake is a angel that speaks to your heart. I don’t think I can live without Tina’s Crackle Cake from The Kitchy Kitchen for one more minute.
Did you know that the internet says that you can get away with giving someone a rock for Valentine’s Day. Clearly we’re coming to the end of the Internet. A rock, people. A rock. It’s OVER.
There are exactly 1.76 million super awesome food blogs in the world. What are you doing here!? Have you read Top With Cinnamon? It’s a super pretty blog and they life-hacked the heck out of these Thin Mint Cookies (no-bake aaaannndd vegan? yea… tricky). Read the ingredient list and you’ll either roll your eyes or play the Rocky theme song and fist pump. You could go either way.
I’m not, what some might call: a voracious reader. I am a voracious eater of popcorn. I am a voracious watcher of poor-choices-television. I am a voracious waster of time. Calling myself a voracious reader makes me sound waaay more intellectual than I actually am, and really… I’m not fooling anyone. Aaaaannnyway. This month I’m reading An Altar in the World. I didn’t know I didn’t know about this book. It’s all about finding the beautiful and sacred in the small things. It’s been a good book for my sometimes impatient, overreacting, judge-y heart. (real!)
There’s more…
Other possible rainy day activities include: getting at a big ol’ piece of Chocolate Cream Pie, and not sharing (or sharing…. fiiiiine).
Let’s take a moment to talk about something really (un)important: the new hit MTV show Catfish.
You don’t have to pretend like you’re not 100% obsessed with this show. It’s all about people meeting their online loves in real life. It’s an apocalyptic love story hosted by a handsome/petit-shouldered dude named Nev. What more could you want?
Whitney and I ran into Nev at a Los Angeles restaurant last week, and we took a self-pic to prove it. Please not: this picture actually only proves that we’re shameless dorks.
Rainy days are good for recipe testing… especially when the end result is a crap-ton of Pepperoni Pizza Pretzels. I’m working on this particular recipe for the new cookbook. No biggie/total biggie.
I’ve also been playing around with a new camera. It’s a Canon eos M. I’ll tell you more about it when I know more. We’re getting along just swimmingly so far.
I’m in New Orleans for the next few weeks. Stay tuned for Mardi Gras madness and beignets… oooh beignets.
xo joy
jenn
oh my goodness. you certainly know how to spend a rainy day! thank you for the link love and introducing me to Top With Cinnamon – I can’t stop won’t stop reading it! swoon…
Chrystina
New cookbook? I’m excited. Mardi Gras? I’m even more excited. I was there this year too (hence my being way behind on blog reading), I’m excited to see how our experiences compare.
missm0neypenny
You have a Scrabble mug too! I love mine! Just the right size and all the satisfaction of a Triple Word Score when I finish my coffee.
Christine
Why’d you have to mention chocolate pie? And put a picture of it on here, with such fluffy whipping cream? Now I am dying.
Celina @ NerdyBaker
At least the rocks are decorated. . . ? And come in a pretty box. . . ?
axelle the french cook
Mardi Gras celebrated in the New Orleans ! You’re so right !
I never dared to bake beignets, because I’m a little scared about oil boiling.
But my mother in law bake the best in town ! I can’t see the hour to eat some of them :)
PS : I love your picture in black and white.
Andy
You write like a seven-year-old..
joythebaker
false.
Arianne
Find a way to each fried chicken while waiting for the parades at 8am on Mardi Gras morning. It’s my family’s tradition and it really just sets the whole day up perfectly. One year my mom even figured out how to fry on the side of the road while we staked out our spot for the day.
Catherine
Was excited to see you and a recipe in a mailer I just received from Kroger! You have come a long way in 5 years…Have a great time in New Orleans.
Deepa@onesmallpot
LOVE . THIS . BLOG…….!
Good luck with the new book.
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
oh, beignets. Yes. Have fun, Joy. Appreciated this post most definitely.
Heidi xo
Jerilyn
Love that book! So glad it came into your consciousness… not because you NEED it, but because we all do, and it’s a stellar book. Enough, already.
Juliet
So psyched to see that Miss Moss got a shout-out! I love her blog. You really ought to come visit South Africa sometime :)
Karleen
Have you seen the movie Catfish?? MTV has been playing it lately. WOAH it’s the ultimate catfish. DVR it and watch! So jealous you saw Nev in person. Thanks for your blog, I <3 it always.
Rachael B
“I am a voracious watcher of poor-choices-television.” – I’m pretty sure a good portion of your readers are guilty of this. My choices tend to be non-stop food-network marathons (Paula Dean followed by Paula Dean followed by yet another episode of Paula Dean) and/or top-chef marathons. Also acceptable is Shark Week on Discovery Channel. Seriously, try and turn that off. You just can’t do it.
Also, please share any recipes you learn regarding beignets. If they also involve peanut butter, I will worship at your feet. Just sayin…
A & L
Thanks for the wonderful shout out! We are thrilled you enjoy our blog!
joythebaker
heck yes!
Amanda
Hope you have tons of fun (and eat tons of food) in my city! If you’re around tomorrow, go to one of our few all-female parades, Muses, and try to catch a shoe! (http://kreweofmuses.org/shoes/)
joythebaker
definitely trying to catch a shoe. muses tonight!
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
SO obsessed with Top Cinnamon. And Catfish. But Top Cinnamon is amazing. And can we talk about how she’s only 15? Amazing.
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
OK. I just read she’s actually 17. BUT STILL!
Christine
Barbara Taylor is my mom’s favorite and she has recently been reading An Altar in the World and recommending it highly, I can’t wait to check it out!
Becca - Cookie Jar Treats
Oh this was a lovely post. You make me want to use the word lovely, and I hardly ever use that word. :) Happy Wednesday!
Cynthia-Ann
Thank you so much for sharing those blogs. I can never stop clicking on different pictures and discovering even more pages full of pretty and inspiring pictures.
Izy
Still completely stunned by this – I’ve admired your blog so much, for so long – thanks again Joy!
You made sitting through my chemistry, maths and biology lessons today 100% easier ( /kinda harder because I kept wanting to double check my phone to make sure that I wasn’t just dreaming about this, throughout the whole day.).
It was the best (almost) 17th birthday present I could ever get :) x
joythebaker
you shine BRIGHT!!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
Have SO MUCH FUN at Mardi Gras, girl! It’s my favorite time of year, and I’m kind of heartbroken that we won’t make it to NOLA this year. (Granted, we live a LOT farther away than we did last year… but still!)
Please eat a ton of king cake on my behalf. Preferably the cream cheese-filled kind. Because that’s the best.
Chelsea
ooooh beignets! I can’t wait.
Chera
Is it horrible that I recognize your binder and binder tabs to be from Martha Stewart? I just sit and stare at them in stationary aisles debating what I could use them for!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
Jealous, maj! Have fun in New Orleans!
Rocky Mountain Woman
Beignets! Have a few for me with a cup of chicory…
I REALLY need to plan a trip to New Orleans…really…..
joythebaker
get on it!!
Rachel
Welcome to New Orleans! Mardi Gras is the best time of year around here. I hope you packed lots of sparkly clothing.
joythebaker
it’s just so fun here!
Samantha
btw, that first shot is HEAVEN.
joythebaker
oh thank you!
Samantha
*happy sigh*
crap-ton. I love that.
Almost as much as I love your cat. I also have a giant stripy rascal-cat. Heaven-hell-furry-purring-power-napper cat.
And your writing. Please never be shy about writing more, even if there is no food associated with it. It’s all part of that special Joy the Baker thing.
joythebaker
you are really lovely!
HopefulLeigh
I love Barbara Brown Taylor! I read An Altar in the World and Leaving Church last year and they both had a profound effect on me. Happy reading!
Erica
I am so glad that you mentioned Top With Cinnamon! I am also a teenage blogger, and me and Izy are really great friends (even though I live here in the states). I even got to visit her in San Francisco! Read about our serendipitous meeting here: http://cannella-vita.blogspot.com/2012/08/serendipity.html
joythebaker
you’re rad Erica! i loved reading about your meeting. you’re blog is awesome as well! right on right on!
Ashley @ Yeah. We Bake.
Ooooh beignets, indeed! I think I may have to hop on the train to Bottega Louie for a few this weekend. Have a wonderful trip, Joy!
xo,
Ashley
Gina @ So Lets Hang Out
haha. I just posted a little blurb about Catfish yesterday. I am a little obsessed. Talk about red flags. SO MANY RED FLAGS!!
joythebaker
SO MANY, right!?
bethh
Perhaps you can go on a research mission: I’ve always wanted to know how much powdered sugar they go through at Cafe du Monde. It’s a big ol’ mystery!
joythebaker
oh my goodness…. right!? i seriously had about a cup of powdered sugar on the three beingets i ordered.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Rainy days are better than snowy days! I’ll trade ya! ;)
joythebaker
for real!
Rachael
Joy-
I also enjoyed An Alter in the World… You should read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It’s about a woman who went on a mission to “Sing in the morning, clean my closets, Fight Right, and Generally Have More Fun”.
It’s a good one!
joythebaker
do we really have to do the closet cleaning though?
Packing Rainbows
Aargh – jealous – New Orleans? for the next few weeks? Sigh… I’m in cubicle # 4 as we speak…
Although, wait! I’ll be in Tahoe for my baby girls b-day for two days starting Monday!! Ding ding ding – That’ll work!!
Reesa
Ooooh BEIGNETS! Have fun in NOLA!
BTW, belated thanks for your recommendation of Gone Girl. I ate that right up so fast.
joythebaker
oh i’m so happy!!
Johanna B
You mentioned Kitchy Kitchen. That crackle cake was to die for. Did you see Claire’s episode of Food for Thought where she showed how to make it? I love that show even if it is on Saturday mornings.
joythebaker
yes i did see that episode! she’s so great on that show!
lisa
i love this post– you should do these every once in awhile! we love your recipes for sure, but don’t sell yourself short– we also love your style & interests. Most of these links were to sites i’m not already familiar with, so i enjoyed it!
joythebaker
thanks lisa!!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)
Oh I’m really interested in hearing more about that camera. I really want to upgrade to a more professional grade. Can’t wait to hear about that and New Orleans. :)
Packing Rainbows
I know right? Camera talk will be amazing!
Haley
this post is perfection. I especially enjoyed your descriptions of Catfish. i am a fellow “voracious watcher of poor-choices-television.” i just can’t help myself! i just get so sucked into any type of dysfunction…
also, glad to here you’re in nola! i hope you enjoy our beautiful/weird little city! :)
Haley
and by “here,” I clearly meant “hear.” argh. grammar shame.
joythebaker
you understand me.
Charissa
” An Altar in the World” is an amazing book. Read it a few months ago myself. If you like it check out “Leaving Church” (the kindof prequel) :).
Christine Gough
Me too….Barbara Brown Taylor….gah!!!! Here was my post about that book this past week :).
http://thesestones.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/incarnational-living/
Violet&Rose, London
Hello,
I just discovered your blog last night and I love it! :) Lots of catching up to do and recipes I want to try.
Loretta brooks
Joy,
You are a true joy! I love your blog and I’m going to look up “an altar in the world”. Thanks for being such a special, loving person.
Loretta
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh
Ooh thanks! You’ve just given me a way to whittle away my morning! :-)
Jim
Where New Orleans? Kelley is dancing in 6, maybe 7 parades. She’ll be the one walking with a Joy the Baker cookbook on her head. Seriously! I’m not kidding. Well, maybe a little. But, really, where New Orleans. Cafe du monde, ooohhh……
Keri
I’m here for way more than just the cookies Joy!
Theresa
JTB – you were in my local Kroger coupon book! They featured your beet cake, which I had actually made around a year ago after seeing the recipe on your blog (loved it, by the way!). I felt so ahead of the curve! My sister gave me your cookbook for my birthday and I’m super excited.
Meredith
I just came here to say the same thing! I’m flipping through, tearing out coupons, and then WHAM, there’s Joy. And beet cake! This is great.
robyn
Fab-thanks for the links! always like to know what the cool people are reading on the internet!! Want sweet things NOW- so I better go for a run instead…then have the sweet things later!
dana
seek out taceaux loceaux (https://mobile.twitter.com/TLNola) while you’re here. such a yum food truck (the brisket is ridiculous)!
Paulette
OH Joy it is simply beautiful and wonderfully fulfilling to wake up and to your blog to a post that brightens my day In Ohio where it gray, snowy and downright depressing winter day.. Thanks for all the great places you have shared with us today. Your the fairy godmother of the internet. With the touch of the keys we are there. Just love the internet. Paulette
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
Some of us really like these kind of posts, today it´s better than cookies. That taleggio pie and your cute recipe binder makes it worth it!
Jessica B
I just got a major case of stationery/organization envy from that shot of your recipe testing folder! Love it.
Margherita
Pepperoni Pizza Pretzel???? I need to know more about this, much more…
Angela @ the fairy bread chronicles
oh joy, i swear everything you touch turns to awesome. reading material accounted for for the next week.
Diane, A Broad
Gosh, I feel like you’re so much more productive than me. On rainy days all I want to do is curl up with some tea and watch YouTube all day.
Holiday Baker Man
Extremely thankful to be in Hawaii for the next few days! Sweet new camera!
Sha
I wish you would’ve taken nev’s picture for real. He’s a cutie patootie.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Oh the new camera. Wow…how fun!
And that you’re in NOLA for a few weeks, and for Mardi Gras. Please share any sheninigans type stories!
I saw those Thin Mints the other day. I love making homemade Thin Mints.