Hello my dear friends! Welcome to this Sunday. I hope the weekend is treating you well. This week was plenty. The world is plenty, you know? In the news we know that Trump is picking thin-skinned and unpresidential fights with professional athletes, North Korea thinks it’s time to flex its muscles and we’re all like… REALLY?, the earth is shifting and shaking and collapsing buildings and lives, wind and island destruction, displacement in Myanmar, UN business, Facebook political ads… it’s all very much.
The list this week reflects that you know what’s going on and maybe need an apple pie bar about it.
Here we are:
• I’m going to leave these hard truths right here for you because GIRL (I mean that in a non gender specific way)- this is some real real: I’m terrified of getting married.
• Is there a single food that we can survive on forever? French Fries!!! Sort of, because… potatoes. In a related, not very important story, I watched The Martian with Matt Damon on the plane yesterday. Here’s the plot (with a spoiler): Matt Damon is an astronaut that gets left on Mars by other astronauts who had to scoot because shit was going down and they thought he was surely dead. He’s not dead. He’s alive. He has to figure out how to survive and part of that is growing potatoes in poop in a tent on Mars alone. Yadda yadda yadda. He goes back into space, Jessica Chastain catches him in a space chair and everyone cries because they literally caught Matt Damon in the middle of space. The end.
• SPEAKING OF MARS! Did you know that 6 people are living under Mars-like-conditions on a remote volcano in Hawaii to figure out if we can live anywhere besides this beautiful planet we’re destroying? This is bonkers. Do read.
• This recipe has re-entered my mind this week. From the Queen: Ina Garten’s Apple Pie Bars.
• VERY IMPORTANT: The Battle of the Real Housewives Cookbooks. Also, Carole and Adam just unfollowed each other on Instagram so there goes the neighborhood.
• Nigella Lawson says what we’re all thinking about Instagram food. Instagram can make a cook despair. Food is brown sometimes… can we just go with it?
• Five Things To Cook While Watching ’30 Rock’ Before It Leaves Netflix.
• Outside of New Orleans you might know Big Freedia as the voice of “I did not come to play with you hoes, I came to slay, bitch” in Beyonce’s Formation. Here, we know what’s up with the corn bread and collard greens. Adding this to my reading list – Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva.
• Let’s watch Lady Gaga, ya know? Five Foot Two.
• We’re just going to prance around the topic of death real quick. What Your Future Burial Outfit Says About You. Mmmmkay. I swear to god if you put me in my church clothes in a wooden box I will haunt you for all of your days. Please cremate me in my yoga pants THANK YOU.
• In a bout of wishful, staying-out-of-the-grave thinking… I already bought a set of flannel sheets for this winter. I. Am. Ready.
• Very into Carhartt-chic this Autumn.
Above is a picture of my friend Suzonne‘s paper rose mantle. Today we’re going to work on olive branches and brainstorm poinsettias. I’m all the way into it and I’ll show you soon (as soon as I sort of know what I’m doing).
Enjoy this day,
xo Joy
Caroline
Your glasses in your snap stories are so perfect. I haven’t been feeling v confident in mine lately so if you purchased them online could you share which site? Would totally appreciate, thanks!
Cassie Sue
BTW Joy, The Martian on audiobook is a delightful treat. The reader is fantastic, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Sara
Don’t despair! I just heard 30rock is coming to Hulu. I think it’s still free with commercials on the interweb. It is my comfort show. I should just buy it.
Jacquie Gariano
I’m being cremated so my choice is my panda jammies. LOL
Amanda
Consider this, would anyone ever get married if the wedding didn’t involve the pretty dress, the huge party, the honeymoon, the rings? What if it was just a contract you went to sign at city hall and nothing more than that? I divorced 10 years ago and am now happily living as a single Mom to a wonderful son. I have my career, my kid, my dogs, yoga and a boyfriend. That woman was right to be concerned about marriage. For me, it was soul crushing. I am happier now than I ever was married and I think that is something no one talks about because it turns the conventional wisdom that everyone is happier married, on its head.
a
Lots of people do get married that way.
Abbi
You killed it with the links this week, Joy. Thanks for the distraction from everyday life…by reminding me about everyday life :)
Mallory Rakay
I am in charge of coffee hour between church services this coming weekend and was thinking of what to make – do I go all pumpkin on these folks? but then apple pie bars are beyond perfect! Thanks for the idea.
Hannah
This clip of Harry Connick Jr. singing Big Freedia is my everything. Watch, if you haven’t!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apobKc3Ta4o
Kathy K
Can I just move in with you and eat whatever you bake? I will pay half the rent. Hell, I don’t even have to live there-just call me when the stuff is out of the oven. Please.
Andrea
Keep writing your awesome thoughts!!
Kim V.
Love those paper flowers! And I love your list. I look forward to it every Sunday. Sometimes I even ration out reading all the links so I won’t have to wait a whole week again.
joythebaker
That’s really sweet!
Claire
Just dropping a note to say I think you are a delightful human and I personally love your California socialist agenda or whatever. Thank you for creating such a wonderful little corner of the world.
Valentina
Love this every Sunday! Please keep the socialism??
joythebaker
The question marks are very valid.
Jillian
New phone, who dis? Is ALWAYS the correct response….. DYING!
joythebaker
I will be a troll if I need to be. Don’t come for me. Ya know?
Kate
Love this! Thank you for sharing your “California socialist views”!
Your blog is a real space of warmth and happiness in this weird, scary, upsetting world.
Jane Terrell
Joy once again you say what I am thinking.. I cant tell you how much I appreciate what you do, and Sunday posts are my favorite:)
Sarah
Just a thought…if people are tired of “brown” foods and don’t want to “go with it” then you might want to try Nautilus Cookies. I have made these without limiting myself to the recipe’s two colors (I used four not two) and especially without the attitude that cooking should be a competition sport. Really. The reality tv shows focusing on insanely competitive failure-shaming cooking should be used only for inspiration for what you do in your own kitchen and failures should be seen as nothing so much as a learning tool. If one wishes to go colorful and not resign oneself to the range of browns then just go with it. I believe there was a study that indicated restaurant advertising in print and broadcast media featuring brown color range foods had less ROI than a broader selection of colors.
Karen
Now I need apples for the Ina recipe and I want the vest!!
I agree with you about the unpresidential fights with professional players. We do have freedom of speech in this country. It is worrying to see our President not looking more at diplomacy when dealing with North Korea. It seems like the State Department has many vacancies for positions that could help with this.
I look forward to your Sunday blogs. Thanks.
Angela
The burial outfit article was fascinating. We don’t talk about death in our America culture, but we should. I don’t want to be buried (please cremate me naked and then dump my ashes over the ocean (hopefully my loved ones can do it without a permit and on kayak – I’m a rebel) so I can swirl around the earth with my Gramps!). Death should be celebrated, like life, with the ones you love.
My husband who is a critical care doctor talks a lot about dearh with family members who are sick and dying in the hospital. He tells me for the ones who are dying that his only goal is for them to pass away in comfort and in peace surrounded by loved ones. I told him I want that too- but I had to remind him, just recently – I do not ever want to be buried!!!! EVER! I hope someday that we can talk about death as easily as we can about birth. Happy Sunday – a day to reflect. ??
Thomas D.
My eyes opened up when I read the words “Apple Pie”,and this is the season for picking apples off the trees. I’m not into glaze toppings, I like the natural taste of the apples and crust. You’re probably terrified of losing your freedom when you get married? You need to find someone who encourages, you to keep your freedom! not to stop what you are doing now, but to expand.
Nosizwe
Wow Joy! Gotta take a deep breath here…
You’ve put into words what I’m feeling about the global situation, which feels like everything is spinning out of control very scarily! I have two teenage sons, and this isn’t the world I want them to inherit. Maybe they can work towards fixing some of it…if political world leaders give them half a chance!
I was terrified of being a mother, not marriage …that heavy responsibility for the next generation, you know! So we got married when I fell pregnant, and so glad that he’s a good father for the most part – we’ve all got our faults, but I wouldn’t have wanted to parent alone!
Thank you, Joy, for bringing something to look forward to on Sundays! Just need more teen-appealing food ideas!?
Debbie
Love you, Joy. Just love you.
Vaughan G.
Love the roses on the mantle. What is the larger rectangular black piece behind them??
Suzonne
Vaughan, it’s a vintage display/message board. I find them occasionally on Ebay.
JoanieB
Flannel sheets for the winter win! Surprised they wouldn’t be too warm for y’all in LA, but yay!!!! Love your Sunday musings, always, thank you!
Ellen
Joy – These paper flowers you have been making are fabulous! Are you using a kit? I scanned the internet and had a hard time finding templates I liked. I did purchase a kit and plan to make some (inspired by you). But do you have more details to share ???
By the way, I myself have been a bit snobby about Nigella’s (LOVE HER) Instagram – now I see she is showing us food the way it really is. LOVE HER even more.
Kim V.
Despair or Disappear? I think its a typo on your Nigella link.
mg
I enjoy all your posts, but Sundays make my day! Thank you.
Can’t wait to learn more about your flowers. They are gorgeous!! I’m playing with making some… mine are cute, one small step from kindergarten…. need your help! Do you or Suzonne recommend a book for beginners? Is Suzonne writing one?
Joy, you are a treasure!
Suzonne
MG, if you’ll send me an email (SPStirling@gmail.com), I’ll send you the resource list I hand out at my workshops. There are a lot of wonderful resources available now, but I can guide you based on the materials you’d prefer to use (tissue, crepe, or both). In the meantime, keep playing! Once you get accustomed to handling your materials, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you progress.
Gail Hardie
In this crazy world, where I have more in common with a professional football player than the leadership of our nation – and I don’t even watch professional football- I still get my Sunday morning joy from you – sending you love from Charleston – xx
Mary Ann
The Martian movie was ok but the book was fantastic. Highly recommend reading it.
Mary
The Gaga documentary was kind of boring to be honest. Lots of fake crying and diva behavior that I wouldn’t have expected from her. Had a couple of good moments, but thinking the Super Bowl was a peak moment in her career was lame.
Jess
Did not realize 30 Rock was leaving Netflix! My favorite go-to funny show (I’ve probably watched the whole thing 3 times through). The NYTimes list is good, but how could they leave off a reference to Cheesy Blasterz? Or muffin tops? Or Sabor de Soledad? Liz’s love of junk food is perhaps her greatest food love, even outweighing her love for sandwiches, in my opinion. :)
John Popovich
Just thought I’d mention that in your comment on Nigella it say”Make a cook disappear” instead of despair. I always enjoy your Let it be Sunday. Sorry if I’m being picky.
Anne
Receiving this in my inbox each Sunday morning gives me a glimmer of hope that the entire world has not gone crazy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Have a wonderful week!
Michaela
Adam and Carole unfollowed each other?! This is NOT good news — what will all the Baby’s do?!
As always, a wonderful list of wonderful reads. Thank you, Joy!
Jeann
Instagram may make cooks want to DISAPPEAR, but I think the Nigella story was actually about cooks DESPAIRing….Love these Sunday posts!
Rena
Personally I never thought I would marry – but then I even did it twice. With my second husband now I am happily married more than 12 years :) And I am still very surprised.
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com