Hello my dears and welcome to this fine day.
Are you a deep space or a deep ocean person? I’m a deep space person. Space is amazing and we’re living in it and it’s such a wonder that it’s wild that we don’t even have to think about it every day. There’s a new show on Netflix called One Strange Rock that adds some gratitude and perspective.
Back on Earth, here in New Orleans we’re enjoying the first big weekend of Mardi Gras. It’s such a trip! I’m celebrating by inviting strangers into my house to make King Cakes with me at The Bakehouse. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate though next weekend I’ll be in the streets trying to catch beads and eat crawfish – just a different way to feel spirit.
The offering this week excludes some of the troubling madness in the world. We know what it is and here’s a short loop around it for this Sunday.
Enjoy your day. I hope there’s a pastry in it for your belly and soul.
• Episode 258 of Are We Ok? When Kids Realize Their Whole Life Is Already Online (The Atlantic)
• “Many of Tulum’s business owners believe the Tulum brand is exportable — there is now a restaurant in a Dallas strip mall called Tulum…” Just to be clear, we’re talking about a town in Mexico as a brand. Ok? Who Killed Tulum? (The Cut)
• Something from the archives that feels especially surreal now: The Jet Set Life of Karl Lagerfeld’s Favorite Male Model – for Now. (The New York Times)
• How Fancy Water Bottles Became a 21st Century Status Symbol and something I’ll definitely lose within a week. (The Atlantic)
• The Bon Appetit Test Kitchen is bringing us the food tv content we want and need! (Bon Appetit)
• QUEEN: Nigella Lawson Was Never Just a Domestic Goddess. (The New York Times)
• The long-read this week is an absolutely fascinating account of, and perspective on Anna Nicole Smith. There’s the article written by Sarah Marshall: How Anna Nicole Smith Became America’s Punchline, and a podcast episode this week from You’re Wrong About. (Buzzfeed and iTunes)
• Things I made this week but did not photograph for the internet: Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. (It’s jambalaya season down here in New Orleans aka Big Pot of Comfort For All the Mardi Gras Company Coming Over.) (Louisiana Cookin)
• We’re nearing the end of the second month of the Food In Jars Challenge. This month was about fermenting and I’ve been tinkering around with sauerkraut and my sourdough starter! Here’s what’s next in my kitchen: Kimchi Kraut. (Food in Jars)
• Please hold all of my calls, I’m hosting a SOUP SWAP! (The Kitchn)
• I’m just going to make my own dreams come true and have a bowl of mashed potatoes for dinner one night this week: Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese. (Food52)
• I just posted this on the blog yesterday but I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that it’s really special and if you’re in the mood for a baking adventure, THIS IS YOU RECIPE: Pistachio Rose Galette des Rois. They’re little baby French Queen Cakes – buttery, salty, sweet, floral and super impressive for Mardi Gras season!
• A Series of Rooms (Instagram)
Have a most wonderful Sunday!
My love to you!
xo Joy
Jennifer Kusch
I think I have been reading your blog for about 8 years now. I’m in college, and you were the first baking blog I ever stumbled upon–I think it was a meringue cookie recipe.
Your writing–and reading recommendations–always make my Sunday. Looking forward to 8 more years of Let it Be Sunday–and more.
Amanda
I had no idea you were from New Orleans. I have lived in Louisiana my whole life.
Please post a king cake recipe. I’ve searched the Internet and can’t find a good one.
Thanks.
joythebaker
Yes Amanda! I’m actually from California but I’ve been living in New Orleans for 5 years. I have a few King Cake recipes on my site: Here and Here!
Jacquie Gariano
I love your Sunday blogs. I always read all of it and frequently save/file for the future ideas. I really like the articles you are reading or recommending to read. Of course love the recipes and look forward to your doings. Thanks for it all. It’s like having a “girlfriend” chat every Sunday.
joythebaker
I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for the kindness!
Terry
The article about Tulum made me sad. I went there 30 years and it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. The ruins had a really spiritual quality anti there was hardly anyone there. The thought that there is a Starbucks is ridiculous. We really need to think about how wentravel%
joythebaker
I know, right? I’ve never been but the article brought me some sadness.
Emily
I saw the fancy water bottle headline and thought “oh no!” Just last week I was gifted a Hydro Flask after mentioning liking them to my husband. Now it stays at work, and I’ve been keeping it on my desk and taking it to every meeting. I work at a university, and it would be interesting to count how many of them you see just walking around campus, in various sizes and colors. It was also funny when the article author mentioned noticing fancy bottles in 2004, because I knew she was talking about Nalgenes. I was in college at that time and it was the same as the current Hydro Flask fad. I remember my first one came from Powell’s Books while on vacation. ???
joythebaker
Nalgenes! Yep! I had one of those until last year! It was the only one I managed not to loose.
Kelsey
I think I’ll make MY dreams come true with mashed potatoes too! Thanks for the suggestion.
joythebaker
YUP. We’re in this together.
Rena
Enjoy Mardi Gras!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com