Happy Sunday! Here we are on the Internet!
This week, my friend Tracy and I were trying to nail down (via text message, of course) our feelings about the Internet. It’s feeling big these days. Bigger than usual. It’s feeling fast these days… and I’m not talking about the speed at which web pages load. The Internet feels more than ever like a big machine of content that we’re all ingesting 2 seconds at a time. A recipe that will take me days to develop, shoot, edit, and write will take a reader a cool twooooo seconds to sweep through. There are a lot of things to decide in those two seconds: if you like it, if it’s pretty, if it applies to your immediate future, if it makes you hungry, if it makes you hate me, if it’s grain-free enough, and if it’s Pinterest worthy. That’s a lot to run through and it all happens so so fast!
I’m not complaining. That’s the game we’re in. This is totally what I signed up for. I think. More than that… I’m pretty sure this is my dream job! But can’t we all just take a moment to acknowledge that it’s WEIRD!? It’s totally weird, right? Yes. The answer is yes.
Can we talk about the picture above with me and my perfect grocery bag? I’m trying to decide if I’m the girl that walks around New Orleans with tulips and kale in a bag. In the bottom of that bag you’ll find: a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch breakfast cereal, a box cake mix (yellow), a tub of chocolate cake frosting (GASP!), three plastic bags, two umbrellas, and three old receipts. Also not pictured: sweat running down my back. That’s how real it is.
I’ll love the Internet forever and always, speed and all. Here are a few of the places I spent a quality two seconds (or so) this week:
• I’m learning about EGGS this week. I’m trying to achieve the perfect soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs. So far I’ve found the most success dunking my cold uncooked eggs into boiling water and allowing them to simmer for 6 minutes. Shocking them in ice water is essential for a soft egg and an easy peel. There’s a lot to know about how to cook a humble egg. I’ve found this very helpful: The Hard Truth About Boiled Eggs.
• Turning the oven on to make lasagna is 100% out of the question. A Lasagna Grilled Cheese Sandwich feels much more reasonable.
• I love gatherings on the Internet especially when they involve POPSICLES! It’s Popsicle Week with Wit and Vinegar and thirtysomeodd other major food talents from across the land. Some of my favorite popsicles from Popsicle Week include 4-Ingredients Strawberry Cream Pops, Creamy Cinnamon Horchata Popscicles, and Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Popscicles.
• Fargo was one of the best shows on television this Spring. Did you get into it!?
• 4th of July doesn’t have to be over the top with the red white and blue. In my secret life, in my very uncomplicated food mind I want to eat a boxed cake sheet cake with Cool Whip frosting, strawberries, and blueberries. That’s right. I want a plain old FLAG CAKE! Blasphemy.
• I want to go somewhere that requires the Bon Voyage Passport Case, this tropical-themed backpack, and also… I’d like to take my own bed and the comforts of home with me. What do you mean I can’t have the best of both worlds!?
• Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Joy “Bedtime Procrastination” Wilson.
• In our heart of hearts we must KNOW that disappearing photo-sharing apps don’t really disappear our photos. Right? Will Facebook’s attempt at the app be a success? Please say noooooooo.
• This episode of NPR’s Fresh Air with Jenny Slate and Gillian Robespierre is really interesting. She talks about how she got fired from Saturday Night Live after one super mistake. It’s really fascinating. You might remember Jenny Slate from Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
I hope you have the happiest of Sundays! Be at the beach! I love you! Bye for now.
Ellen W
Enjoyed Fargo – Molly and Gus were the cutest. I live in the Houston area so I totally understand how you can start sweating by simply stepping outside.
Maryw
I took tomorrow off, and it’s gonna be all about a lime/coconut pound cake. Today it’s 95 degrees on Colorado, and I’m staying in!
Diana
After all these comments…no one has said, “Thank you!” for the link to the Popsicle Week. I have sent it out to three people already. Thank you, Joy
joythebaker
heck yes!!
Kirsty @ Bake Good
The internet sometimes makes me wanna hyperventilate in all its overwhelming-ness, speed, competition….and then I’m like, calm the heck down, it’s only the internet! It’s easy to get swept away with it all though. Sundays are good for signing off and getting out in to the world though :)
Happy Sunday!
joythebaker
you’re absolutely right!
Rebecca
OMG YES to Fargo! I feel like no one else watched that show except for me this Spring. Seriously up there with Breaking Bad, maybe even…dare I say…..better.
cindyhgpv
Thanks for the sharing my popsicles, Joy!
And, loved that interview with Jenny Slate. I recently listened to the Dinner Party Download with her and loved that as well, in case you haven’t heard it yet.
13bees
Love this post and love your blog. Nuthin’ to be done about the internets except to be aware of exactly what you’ve eloquently described above (and maybe to remember to throw in a little self awareness, too). Flag cake: yes! Adding a box of yellow cake mix to this week’s grocery list right now.
Kristin
Love your blog.
Love your recipes.
Love your photos.
And love you even more for the “reality” behind that awesome pic!
allymichellle
For boiling eggs there are these really cool egg timers that you put in the water with the eggs and they change color to tell you how cooked your egg is. They work really well! I think you can get them on amazon or probably at kitchen supply stores.
kaleidoscopebrain
hey joy! I know its so hard with people being so two-seconds about internet stuff, but I love you and the content you produce. It really makes me stop and take a moment, and I know it takes me more that 2 seconds to read. Because no one goes to your blog for just a recipe. If they wanted that, they’d google it. They come because of you and your pace and thoughts and lifestyle. So I hope that when things get tiring and crappy, you know that there’s a bunch of people who really value you and what you are doing and your blog! :))
Kristin
Cute dress. A flag cake is a great idea for 4th of July.
Ella
I was JUST telling somebody about Marcel The Shell last night! That is just the best thing.
Totally feeling you about the internet. As a YouTuber, I sometimes feel claustrophobic, like there’s no way to branch out my content effectively with so many other people doing similar things to me. But then… I love what I do. So it’s okay.
Have a great Sunday, Joy.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Diane Leach
Hi-I love your site and spend far more than 30 seconds on it…and as much as I enjoy your lovely photos, I love text. I love to read and like it when people take the time to write well. Take heart–people really do read what you’re writing, enjoy it, and cook from it!
Alex
Joy – I love that dress, where is it from???
Heidi
I need to know too!
Rebecca
I was wondering how you weren’t sweating in that pic since I’m from New Orleans and then you answered my thoughts!
joythebaker
giiiirl please! i’m a hot mess here!