Hello sweet friends!
Do you already have your Thanksgiving turkey? Are you making some sort of vegan turducken with eight different kinds of squash? I’ve been looking forward to this holiday moment for months and here I am feeling like it snuck up on me. This might just be anticipatory anxiety and I’m here (shoveling candy corn in my mouth) to tell you this is something we can work through.
I hope this day treats you well. I hope you feel both restful and productive. I’m making Sweet Potato Pie with ten lovely folks at The Bakehouse today and if that’s not forward motion into the holiday season, I don’t know what is.
This week’s offering:
• This is the service of love: Love’s Road Home.
• I want to think that my first memory is being in the hospital at 2.5 years old when my little sister was born but really, I think I’ve constructed that memory from all of the stories my family has recounted of what a nightmare-brat I was that evening. I didn’t know what a sister was but I was sure she was going to cramp my style. I was right, she was cuter that me. Here’s a more refined and adult perspective of childhood memories or the lack thereof: Coming To Terms With Everything My Daughter Won’t Remember.
• True though, isn’t it: Being on the right side of history in 1998 sucked.
• Bethenny for President. Just kidding but also, not really.
• Thanksgiving Nutrition Tips: Eat Whatever You Want if you’re hungry until you’re mostly not hungry anymore. Try again tomorrow with a salad if you’d like.
• These Creamy Smoked Gouda Brussels Sprouts are going on the Thanksgiving table this year.
• PSA: Five Tips For The Best All Butter Pie Crust.
• VERY excited to get my holiday decorations in order and Suzonne and I are hosting a Magnolia Leaf Wreath Workshop in The Bakehouse on December 2nd and you should join us!
• Just in time for the eat-holiday of the year, Buzzfeed tested the very best mashed potato recipes and I AM HERE FOR THIS. Tyler Florence boils his potatoes in heavy cream which is equal parts infuriating and intriguing. I’d try this recipe and maybe make ice cream with the leftover cream? Let’s brainstorm this.
• To watch this upcoming holiday weekend: Chasing Trane.
• I have deep respect, as a childless person, for this list: 12 new moms on the gifts they want for the holidays. Spoiler alert friends, all y’all are getting paper flower for Christmas.
Enjoy this day! We’ve got this.
xo Joy
Shawna
I make Ina’s mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and they are always a big hit! This morning I turned the leftovers into potato pancakes served with sour cream and red chili jelly and then whatever potatoes were leftover after that (ok, I seriously made too many mashed potatoes this year) I turned them into smoky potato soup with bacon and roasted garlic.
Sarah
Pioneer Woman’s mashed potatoes got last!? I… don’t really know what to say!
Kat
The new moms gift list is just creepy and weird.
Abbi
I’m making your recipe for a winter veggie bake, as well as my mom’s famous cranberry salad. These seem like good staples to get me through THREE Thanksgiving celebrations!!
Carrie
Saved me some time looking for that Brussels sprout recipe for Thursday!
It’s my fav
Em
I also saw that Buzzfeed article and was very intrigued! I might have to try Tyler Florence’s recipe this Thanksgiving :)
mcb
loving that manicure. fall yet fresh!
Chrissy
Still also definitely eating candy corn. And yes to ice cream with the leftover cream. Always yes to ice cream! Maybe a nice winter one with a winter fruit and a bit of…tang thrown in. Enjoy!
Michaila
Beautiful header <3
Michaila
seventytimeseven.com
Nila
I say boil potatoes in cream and use the leftover cream for a yummy Thanksgiving leftovers soup/stew/turkey pot pie!
Paula
Joy, have you seen Tracee Ellis Ross’ speech for Glamour about defining a successful life? It moved me as a single gal in my 30s. It’s worth a listen! Plus she’s just lovely :)
Elizabeth
Yes! I listened yesterday and it’s SO GOOD!
Paula
Ha – sorry Nila! I did not mean for my comment to be a reply to yours! But you should also check out the speech as it’s lovely ;)
Nancy k
Gosh, I wished I lived in New Orleans so I could hand =g at the Bakehouse for every single workshop you offer.
I am so hoping you post a tutorial of the Magnolia wreath after the workshop. I also wish your friend Suzonne would write a book about paper flower making…her blooms are divine.
Have a wonderful, yummy Thanksgiving, Joy!
Katie
Your buttermilk pie crust from years ago is still my favorite. So tender and flakey! That gift guide is insane. $500 pajamas? $400 slippers? I’m trying to decide if it’s satire. The idea behind these items is great: new moms would totally appreciate pampering. But those price tags are outrageous!
Tiberia
I was just thinking that, too.
Kim
My thoughts exactly! Mama has to pay for college.
Anne
I thought the same thing. Can you imagine a diaper blowout on your $500 silk pajamas? Unless they wash themselves–and all other laundry in this zip code, for life–that’s ridiculous.
joythebaker
Hahah. You make an excellent point.
Taste of France
I just read the most amazing long read in the Guardian on “How Trump Walked Into Putin’s Web.” Highly recommend it.