Year Six

6 years of jtb

I’ve had a hard time starting this post about my sixth year as Joy the Baker.  I feel like there’s a lot to say, but really, I say a lot of things all the time…. so is there?

Every January I like to go back to the very beginning of Joy the Baker.  The first post.  The post where I’m like… ‘hey, so I guess I’m here and doing this thing on the Internet now’.  In the very first post on Joy the Baker, I was trying to explain the French culinary term Mise en Place to you. I spelled it wrong.  That was the first and last time I’ll ever try to explain anything French.  Out of my element.  What you didn’t know about me at the time was that I had finagled my way into a head baker position at a bakery.  I knew nothing about production baking so I was in waaaay over my head.  My general motto at the time was ‘just make more scones!’.  Being a production baker is hard hard work.  Not for the faint of heart.

It all started on a borrowed laptop, with a borrowed camera, on a stolen Internet connection.  Glamorous.

What’s so cool is that from all that silliness we’re here together! In the last six years, you’ve seen me make a best friend, you’ve seen me date various boys (which I totally don’t talk about anymore…), you’ve seen me develop an obsession with New Orleans, and write silly words about turning 21… for the youth.  You’ve seen my photography change, my writing change… you’ve seen me change.  Weird.   In return, I’ve been lucky enough to meet you at book signings, connect with you over social media,  and have even joined you in your kitchen through Instagram.  It’s all so rad.  Really!

This year in particular I’ve finished my second book (woot woot October 2014), and have finished a 14 episode web series which I was silly and annoying enough to call Bonkers Awesome.  I’m trying a lot of things and it means so much to me that you’re here to witness it.

What you might not know, and what I should definitely tell you more often, is that it means so much that you’re here with me. I treasure you (and I mean it when I say it).

What follows are a few of my favorites over the years.

what it's really like

My Favorite Posts

My favorite posts here are the ones where you let me talk about regular life.  Posts like The Days Run Away and What It’s Really Like (on book writing and smelly feet), or that time you secretly (or not so secretly) thought I was crazy when I wrote I Accidentally Saw A Picture of You.  I also really love when we talk about books we’re reading.  It fills my heart when you can relate to these kinds of posts.

Also… we made lip gloss together.  That felt pretty major.

brown butter doughnuts

My Favorite Recipes

Let’s make it delicious and melty!  Those are my favorite posts on Joy the Baker.  Delicious and melty include Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese and Lasagna Grilled Cheese.  I really have a thing for grilled cheese.

When it comes to sweets, I really patted myself on the back for the Brown Butter Baked Doughnuts and these Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls (taking it back to 2009!).

cookbooking

My Favorite Words and Work Around The Internet

Do you know Helen Jane?  You should.  She invented blogging, she’s both wise and hilarious at her core.  She is disarming, she has really nice handwriting, and she wrote about being in a blogging in the most perfect way.

Honesty on the Internet is so refreshing and it feels like honesty is Cup Of Jo‘s specialty.  A post from late last year titled I Had A Stillborn Baby literally had me laying on the floor feeling feelings.

Since I can’t live next door to Shutterbean, I have to obsess over her Everyday Life posts like you do.  It’s cool.  She’s got vision.

Megan from A Sweet Spoonful has the most beautiful way with words.  She’s a wonderful writer.  Her writing is like really good and comfortable eye contact with an old friend.  You know that feeling?   Megan is getting married and her words (and lentils) are lovely!

I adore Top with Cinnamon‘s photography.

Ok… I adore a lot of photography on the Internet.  Let me just download a bit here and now:

Minimalist Baker is a gorgeous site full of resources.  It’s simple, thoughtful, and gorgeous.  I particularly love this Super Thick DIY Chocolate Almond Milk.

Billy from Wit and Vinegar is not only hilarious but knows how to twerk photography and design.  I’m smitten with his Grocery Lists.

I’m thankful to have found a friendship with Jon from The Candid Appetite.  His food photography is stunning and his Lasagna Soup (!!!!) just blew my mind a little.

This is  by no means an extensive list.

thank you

What I’ve Learned

I’ve taken in a lot of lessons in the past few years.  Learning is humbling to matter how it happens.

I’ve learned that the Internet is a big world and the food blog neighborhood is a lovely and supportive space.  Of course, as in the regular world, some people dig on what you’re doing and some people don’t.  The people that don’t dig on your work generally don’t hang around and if they do hang around to give you a piece of their mind… fine then. Negativity can’t stick where sincere, hard work persists.

I’ve learned that you want to try to answer every email but sometimes you just can’t.

I’ve learned that cats really do eat granola if granola is left unattended.

I’ve learned that Pinterest breeds unrealistic expectations when it comes to interior design and weddings.

I’ve learned that you may not care about every detail of my engagement, wedding, pregnancy, birth, and baby.  I’m not even doing any of those things right now, but at least you can breathe easy.

I’ve learned that Facebook is the place where my family likes to post embarrassing pictures of me.

I’ve learned that collaborating with my peers is one of the best ways to learn things in this field that sometimes feels like the wild wild west.  Reach out.  Say hello.  If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

I’ve learned that hand-washing dishes is faster than dishwashing dishes.  Sigh.

I’ve learned that writing one cookbook is hard and doesn’t really make writing a second cookbook any easier.  That sounds like a personal problem.  Sorry.

I’ve learned that goodness in people overwhelms anything that is not goodness.  You taught me that.  I appreciate you every day. Thank you for coming here and baking with me.

All Comments

I Made This

Questions

144 Responses

  1. Joy, I haven’t read the blog in a while, but it’s so amazing to see that after all these years, you’re still the raddest baker in the game! Thanks for being inspirational and uplifting! The site is amazing! Hope all is well!

  2. Just a lovely post. Congratulations on your 6 years. I am a new, huge fan of yours. And of minimalist baker as well. Looking forward to what you have in store for us!

  3. Happy anniversary Joy! You are so inspiring and such a great role model in this crazy world. Thank you for all you bring us, you totally rock!

  4. I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning. You always keep it fresh and fun. I simply adore all of your recipes and your commentary on life. You even donated to my Kickstarter campaign. That was super awesome. I think you’re cool. The End.

  5. You and your site…it’s just all the awesomes. I can’t wait for another year of posts, and a new book to boot! I’ve been reading up on your blog a lot this weekend in my tiny dorm room, and it amazes me how you just always seem to have the right thing to say. I’m so happy I worked up the gumption to email you, back when I was in the full throes of early senioritis. Love to you Joy!

  6. joy, “i accidentally saw a picture of you” is one of my MOST FAVORITE posts in all of the internet world. it is really so beautiful! it makes me feel sad, nostalgic, relieved, and content all at the same time.

  7. Happy year six! I love your blog, i only discovered your little world in September but you have inspired and helped me so much in such a short time, that i hope you have at least another six years in you! x

  8. I’ve been following your blog for 2 of the 6 years, and you’ve inspired me to cook more, experiment more. Thank you for being wonderful, and congrats on your 6 years!

  9. Joy,
    Found your blog through a marshmallow milkshake long times ago . Never the same.
    Fell in way too much love with your humor and talent for having spectacular food ideas.
    In some weird way I think bloggers and their readers become friends. And I think that’s pretty cool.
    Way excited for your second book!
    Happy blog birthday!
    And I love your 21 post. Took that stuff to heart. :] just fyi.

  10. Pingback: Pinteresting –
  11. Been reading your blog for a year or so now. Love it. Super excited you’re going to Uganda – it’s going to wreck your life, in the best possible way…

  12. Happy (belated) Blogiversary, Joy! Yours is one of the blogs I savor as I take it all in. I’ve learned a lot about baking/cooking here, but also a lot about life. I really enjoy your observations about life and what you’ve learned. So thanks for putting it all out there and sharing these tidbits of your life and food with us. :-)

  13. Thank you Joy! It’s always a pleasure to read your posts. You are so happy being you, and that’s not something everyone gets to enjoy. Confidence is bonkers awesome.

  14. Happy sixth birthday JTB. Joy,our gift is reading your blog.The personal ones have been special and we will be there happy to read about all the big events in your life. In your blog you share yourself and make us all feel like friends.

  15. Hi Joy ….Congratulations on six years. Love everything about you and was so thrilled when I got to meet you at your book signing in Portland, OR.
    The real reason that I’m writing though is I purchased that set of two green baking dishes that you recommended, a couple of years ago (?) maybe. Anyway, I absolutely love those dishes. My problem is that, last night when I was washing the larger one, it slipped through my hands and shattered into many pieces into my sink. Argh!
    Any way, I was hoping that you could point me in the right direction so that I can purchase another set. I would be forever indebted.
    Thanks, Sandra

  16. Congrats on a half dozen ;) May we meet again at the dozen or dozen and a half! I used to be a production baker so I count in dozens a lot which always makes my daughter laugh. I swear she’ll get busted at school for using my method though…

  17. Joy, it’s so wild to see this post, because I began following you shortly before your Year 5 post. I can’t believe it’s been a year! I feel like I’ve jumped on to a tiny part of your journey, and I’ve loved the ride–arms up, roller coaster style. As a new(ish) blogger, I especially appreciate your posts, because you inspire me. Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us.
    In brief: You rock my socks!

  18. I remember making your five ingredient peanut butter cookies wayyyy back in the day and falling in love with your blog and now I feel so lucky to consider you a close friend who I can send cat pics and ALL MY DAMN FEELINGS to. Your hard work and creativity inspire me, friend. I love you. And I’m so glad that you started this place. My life is wayyyyy better for it. xoxo

  19. Congratulations, Joy…for your hard work and the beautiful things you’ve done in this space. I look forward to reading and looking for 6 more years (at least!).

  20. Joy, I’ve admired you from Australia for the past few years, and reading your posts makes my day. Can’t wait to see what you have to share in the next 6 years. PS, your cat is adorable, wish my cat was as adventurous with food as yours is.

  21. Happy Anniversary Joy – I have only been following you for a couple of years but you have taught me so much and shared so many amazing things with me (well all of us). Your posts have brought me to places i.e. websites like The Giving Key, that I never would have discovered without you; introduced me to books and authors (like The Light Between Oceans) I did not know about and most of all inspired me to cook out of my comfort zone :) For these things and so many more, I am truly thankful that one day I went down the rabbit-hole know as the internet and found you!

  22. Thank you for the past 6 years! Your food, photography, and writing style always keep me coming back, looking forward to what the future has in store for you!!

  23. Such sweet sentiments on year six! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos and recipes. Grateful for all you’ve shared over the years since I found your blog.

  24. Happy 6 years, Joy! In your honor (and because we’re having a snowy day here in PA) I made your curried sweet potato soup for dinner–one of my family’s favorites! Wishing you many more happy years of cooking, baking and fun-making!

  25. Thank you for sharing Helen Jane’s article. Its something I’ve been really struggling with lately and It was good to hear such a clear fresh perspective

  26. 6 years – congrats! Thanks for sharing with us and inspiring us. Love reading your blog and looking at your photography! Can’t wait for the next book!

  27. Happy sixth! While I’ve only been visiting this space a little over a year, it’s one of my favourite places on the internet. I love your ‘voice’ and I love your recipes. My family has a lot to thank you for (oatmeal cookie pancakes are our very favourite breakfast treat)! Best wishes for the year ahead!

  28. I love your blog, it brightens my day whenever there is a new one. I also love your first cookbook and cannot wait for your second! Thank you for all of your time!

  29. I really have no idea how long I’ve been following your blog, but I’ve loved every minute of it. I look forward to all of your posts and your silliness and words of wisdom and the recipes keep being added to my bookmarks list. So here’s to six years and to year seven and all the bonkers awesome things that will come!

  30. Happy 6 Years lady! What a seriously amazing accomplishment. You should so super proud of yourself. You are one of the only blogs that I still read on a regular basis after all this time. Still love all my original TWD gals. Much love, Joy. xo

  31. Thank you Joy! I can’t imagine food blogging without you. I can’t imagine taking pictures without hoping they look as wonderful as yours. I can’t imagine my bookshelf without your book on it. I can’t imagine my Reader without posts from you in it. I appreciate all you do and always look forward to what you’re doing next.

  32. What an awesome post! Happy 6! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this blog in 2014 :) & I’ll keep on baking with Joy the Baker’s recipes !

  33. Joy, you are such a legend!! Congrats on the 6 years, that is SUCH an awesome achievement and I’m so happy for you (especially looking forward to read/laugh/cooking my way through your next book). Thank you so much for the love, I am honoured :)

  34. Thanks for your words, Joy. & your recipes. & your authenticity & just for doing your thing. I so enjoy your blog. & am super excited for your new book! Your brown butter baked doughnuts are so well-loved in my world!
    Heidi xo

  35. Thank you, sweet lady! You are too kind to mention A Sweet Spoonful — what a ride for Joy the Baker. You are a true force and we’re lucky to have you in this wacky little corner of the internet. xox

  36. HAPPY 6TH ANNIVERSARY! According to tradition, one of the gifts for the 6th anniversary is sugar (it’s also iron…ha). So here’s to another year full of lots and lots of sugar (and butter)! I’ve been a reader since college (so just a year shy after you started blogging) and always get excited when there’s a new post. :)

    My copy of your book is covered with sugar/butter/chocolate/food stains of all kinds. That’s love, man. #realtalk

  37. Love your blog and your cookbook. Your blog and cookbook exude happiness. I think you and your food are bonkers awesome.

  38. And here I am being a big baby and tearing up at this post. Your blog has really been my main inspiration for starting a baking blog, baking more, and starting my own little cupcake business. Thank you so much for sharing here and making us a part of it.

  39. Joy, I really appreciate your blog! Your “real life” posts really resonate with me, and your words have provided encouragement to my heart. I also love your podcast–when I listen, I feel like I am a part of some fun girl talk! My husband and I are both high school English teachers, so on some days, it feels like the only people I talk to are high schoolers or other teachers talking about high schoolers. High school freshman are lovely, but I appreciate being able to hear adult conversations once in a while! Thanks again for writing and making a lovely, positive space on the interwebs!

  40. Aww, joy, it’s been so fun following along with your wacky life over the past couple of years. I found you five years ago, and have been a major reader ever since! Cheers to five more! xx

  41. Congratulations on your sixth anniversary!!!!! Your blog is one of the best ever so keep going with this precious place with lots of good vibrations. Xxx’s from Spain!

  42. dear, if me and my BFF could come and take you in as another BFF, we totally would. Thanks so much for your brownies making me look like a rock star. Thank YOU for being REAL and funny – I can hardly wait for book #2

  43. I’m such a fan. I felt overwhelmed with you at your signing in brooklyn last winter (my word, what a lot of people!) but your grace and patience at that event was so admirable. I love your current book and I can’t wait for the next one.

  44. Happy blog-birthday! I love your blog and your recipes, but with all the food blogs and recipes out there it’s your personality that makes your blog so successful. You are fearless and you put yourself out there. I’m in awe and find you BONKERS AWSOME.
    xoxo from Switzerland

  45. Thanks YOU Joy!! You’re seriously awesome. Bonkers awesome. And look what a lovely space and community you’ve created in the last 6 years! This blog, your very own cook book(s), a podcast (which is major by the way), a web series (I especially loved the episode with Ree)… Cheers to all that! Love to have you around.

    Hugs from frosty Finland (it’s -1°F outside),
    Sini

  46. Hi Joy! I’m a relatively new follower (about 6 months now) compared to some of your original followers, but I instantly fell in love with your blog and what you do. Aside from the fact that all your recipes are wonderful and fool-proof, I really love your style, aesthetic, and you as a person. You seem super nice which is awesome to know as a fellow L.A. resident (when you know this city can have some not so friendly peeps!). Thanks for continuing to be a inspiration to fellow bloggers and providing us with your fabulous recipes and ideas. Your creativity is magnanimous! xo

  47. Happy blog-birthday, Joy!

    Yours is one of the first food blogs I started reading when I began cooking and baking, and continues to be one of my favorites. Thank you!

  48. Joy! You are just awesome. Your writing makes me happy and it´s a good thing that I love baking and cooking, but you make it even better.Love from the Netherlands! :)

  49. dear lovely joy,
    i feel like we’re friends. (in the least creepiest of ways). you just get me. thank you for always guaranteeing a chuckle in the middle of a crazy work day. thank you for being real talk. thank you for making the internet a beautiful place!
    xo, laura

  50. What a wonderful article, Joy! You are an inspiration, and I can only hope to have the success in the creative blog world as you’ve had, and connect with people the way you do. :)

  51. I would just like to say that one night a few weeks ago, I spent my whole evening mise-en-placing all my meals for the week. I fell into bed (angry that vegetables had just made me so exhausted) but kept thinking that perhaps I’d make Joy the Baker proud.

  52. Yippee! Your 6th anniversary! So perfectly clever of using the knives as markers! Your blog has been deliciously (pun intended) delightful! A wonderful ride of insight and silliness and appreciation of life with the added benefit of eating some really good, and sometimes, decadent, food. Happy anniversary Joy! Here’s to the next 6 (and then you’ll have a place setting for 12!) PS: can’t wait for your new book! Congrats!

  53. “I Accidentally Saw a Picture of You” was such a touching post. So many times that has been me, only without your wonderful words to describe it. I love your thoughts, your recipes, and that you share it all with us. (And I love New Orleans too, must have lived there in another life, it feels like home) Thank you Joy.

  54. I just love reading your posts. They always make me laugh and then usually drool just a tiny bit (and by that I mean inspire me to go cook something :) ). Cannot wait for your new book!

  55. Congratulations on 6 years, Joy! As the writer of a relatively new food blog, it’s fun for me to see that even someone as successful as you suffered through some blog “growing pains” to get where you are today. Can’t wait to see what the next year brings!
    ps…I’m eating morning glory oats as I write this. Yum.

  56. I truly appreciate you and your blog! You inspire me, make me laugh, and you make me love cooking more than I did before. Thanks for blogging!

  57. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and congratulations on six years of delicious fun. I must say – I’ve come to consider you a highly trustworthy source, and when I’m searching for a recipe to make, yours is one I will consider tried, tested and approved.

    For example, I love lemon bars. Like – it’s a dirty scandal of an affair. Yet, I’ve never made one until this past weekend. You posted about them last week and I thought “It’s time!” So I made them for my girlfriends who were coming over and we ate them all. They didn’t stand a chance. And when they asked me where I got the recipe, I told them about your site and now you are a tried, tested and approved source for two new people.

    All of this is to say: keep ’em coming. I love what you do. And I love when I have the time and energy to recreate your creations.

  58. Congratulations on making six years! You being yourself on your blog has inspired many; including myself (I totally may have named my blog like yours on purpose ;)). I get excited when I see a new post in my inbox. I’m just glad you’re on here doing your thing, and that I found your blog (and Tracy’s). Congrats again!

  59. Thanks for bringing so much joy, delicious food, and honesty into our lives on a daily basis! It is both painful and revealing to be able to see your own personal growth in a public forum; and I hope six years from now you look back from even greater success!

  60. i’m a relative newcomer to JTB, so it’s great fun for you to pore over the archives and give me a peek into the past. i also love grilled cheese sandwiches, and you o’course! hapy blogiversary!

  61. Joy, I really like the way how you write. And I love your photos. I always feel happy when leaving your page. You make me smile and especially your cat. I took your advice to click on some comments on a post to find some new blogs which I don’t now – and it works! Thank you for being there. You are doing such a great job!

  62. Your post was once again witty and real. I feel like I could spend the day and maybe even spill over in to tomorrow going through all the links. Thanks! That was meant in both the thanks;) and thanks:( way! Keep doing what your doing. It’s fantastic!!

  63. I get up in the morning and low and behold there is your post waiting to light up my day with a little humor and lots of information and knowledge that I can create that recipe just like Joy. Introducing me to foods I’ve never tried but can’t wait to. Stories about family, friends and yes wonderful foods, you have let your fans into your life and for that we thank you, especially me. You go girl for many more years to come. Paulette

  64. Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your blogging career; for your about-to-be-two cookbooks; for all of your posts that make us feel like we’re sitting at your kitchen table with you having a cup of tea (or a glass of wine); thank you for all of the beautiful lessons on cooking which you provide and the delicious recipes that you make us feel we can attempt (even if we screw up, it’s okay); and most of all, thank you for sharing YOU! You do bring Joy to our lives with every post. I hope you realize, not only what an exceptional blog you have created, but how much we look forward to every post ~ you’ve become part of our on-line family. Thank you for your inspiration and amaaaaaazing recipes! You rock big time!!!

  65. I really appreciate your “real”, Joy. My ex actually found ur blog ur very first year and I’ve been logging on every post since. You have a special place in my heart and I can count on ur words to make me think, laugh and smile. That means a lot and I can’t wait to add book 2 to my collection :-)

  66. Happy birthday JTB! I think I found every other foodie blog I love through yours, so please carry on with your story and crossing paths with all those other stories! For my sixth birthday my mum made me a vanilla cake that was decorated to look like a pig and if I could, I would totally make you one to celebrate. I can’t wait for the rest of your story to unfold xo

      1. It’s mildly creepy but true. that’s what you get for making us all feel like your friends.

        Happy blogaversary!

  67. joy, we LOVE YOU! I love you, and i’m sure everyone else here does, too. thank you so much for everything! you’re truly my idol and i just want to thank you for sharing your life with all of us and sharing your beautiful words and recipes. THANK YOU!

    – alessandra

    I can be found at http://www.thefoodieteen.com as a vegan, Paleo 15-year-old food blogger who loves photography, writing, and (duh) food.

  68. Thank you for being you, Joy! Thank you for the links to your fave posts over the years and to your friends and people you admire and sites you enjoy. I couldn’t imagine the food blogging world without you in it! Your humor, your wit, your amazing recipes, your style that a zillion people try to imitate with their writing but no one will EVER be Joy the Baker except you. Thanks for always keeping it real! And congrats on SIX big years and your fall 2014 release date!

  69. Joy, I simply loved this post and congratulations on such a great landmark! The problem is, I just read this post just before I meant to write a post for my readers to say thanks for putting up with my madness for 5 years, but you’ve given me performance anxiety – how can anyone top that?!

      1. I’ll be sure to link you to it when it goes up on Feb 1st. I wrote it this morning, and I’m unsure. It involves lots of thanks for putting up with me!! And honestly, I think I also set the bar a bit high for myself; last year I filmed a video on Santa Monica Beach. It is currently freezing in London!

  70. hi, i’m french from france and i read your blog everyday. i love it and i improve my english and my kitchen skills a lot with you ! if you have any doubt about spelling a french word, just ask. happy blog birthday !

  71. I can’t remember when I first found your blog, but it is definitely one of my favourite food blogs around. I’ve used so many of your recipes and been inspired in so many ways! Keep up the good work Joy!

  72. Your wit, humor and frankness about your life with food is simply a pleasure to read. Your recipes are great but the stories along with them are what make them special. I hope you continue your success because after 6 long year you deserve it!

  73. I just love your posts and the personal ones are like a prize in the crackerjacks.Your recipe stylings are courageous and thoughtful.I wish you all the love and success in the world. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next… And…you’ve taught me so much !XO!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Posts