Hello friends!
I’m on a high from one of the best Thanksgiving days ever. My parents came to New Orleans, bringing with them some of the finest Southern California weather. They helped me hustle the Bakehouse together into a little wonder of a Thanksgiving home with dinner outdoors, drinks on the patio, every detail accounted for… and they only had to endure me being terribly bossy for two short days to make it all happen. Their presence and patience is the true holiday miracle and I’m so so thankful. Friends came through with the most generous dishes to contribute and we all shared some hearty laughs around the table. It was real. It feels like a holiday we’ll all remember fondly (so the bossiness was worth it, right?).
I hope you’ve found some good feels through this holiday weekend. It’s official. We’re hurtling towards the December holidays and the New Year and, most importantly: Mardi Gras. Gosh… what did I look forward to before living in New Orleans? It’s hard to remember.
The offering this week is below. Please take what you need and know that I wish you well.
• We read a story like this last week. Here is proof that homelessness may look different that we think: 3 kids. 2 jobs. No home.
• Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do or how to help. Thanks goodness Giving Tuesday is coming up. We can always find a way. (GivingTuesday.org)
• Just decided I’m only dating BASE jumpers from here on out. Just kidding, mom and everyone. The secret BASE jumpers of California (The San Francisco Chronicle)
• Currently reading and enjoying this little thriller: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. (Amazon)
• I’ll be gifting this sweet book this year: Snippets of New Orleans by Emma Fick (Amazon)
• You know I’m always here to read about someone else’s skin care routine: Why Is Your Skin So Good? (The Cut)
• Turning my vision of a white and citrus Christmas into a reality and crafted with my mom and Suzonne this fine holiday weekend. Mom and I made a bowl full of crepe paper oranges. I don’t have a tutorial because I just figured it out as I went, but Lia Griffith has a simplified version of my crepe paper oranges. (Lia Griffith)
• More seasonal crepe paper work: How To Make Crepe Paper Poinsettias. (Joy the Baker)
• We’d love to see you at The Bakehouse next year. We’d love to make gifting a class at The Bakehouse easy for you. Get a Bakehouse gift certificate riiiight here. xo (TheBakehouseNola)
• I’m ready for Winter Lemonade with ginger and cloves. (Joy the Baker)
• In very different news, my heart and spirit are body ready for Homemade Egg Nog with Rum. (Joy the Baker)
• Here’s what I’m making this week: Grilled Chicken with Banana Peppers from family meal at Commander’s Palace. (Bon Appetit)
• Florida Dog… (The Washington Post)
• Head over to my Instagram today for a giveaway of some of the sweetest, food-centered, giving-minded jewelry company: Delicacies Jewelry! There are some really lovely gifting moments here PLUS 25% off with code: joythebaker. (DelicaciesJewelry)
My love to you, bigtime.
xo Joy
Samantha
We should have Thanksgiving too in Italy!
Briel K.
I’m glad you had a magical Thanksgiving with your parents and friends! My parents were here in San Diego, as well as my brother and his family so we had a chaotic but good weekend together!
I finished The Silent Patient in October. Let me know what you think about it when you are done!
Amy
I have to ask – what is that dish between the macaroni and cheese and the greens? I can’t make it out. Looks like a cookie dough whoopie cushion. Which sounds magical, but I’m sure it’s not that. :)
Addie
Took your suggestion and added creamy smoked Gouda Brussel Sprouts as a Thanksgiving side dish. Universally loved! Thank you so much!!!!
Lisa
Just wanted to thank you for both your gingerbread cake recipe and the pumpkin scone recipe. I made both for Thanksgiving with my family and everything just raves about the wonderful flavors and textures! No more store bought for us. Thank you for always having the best recipes!!
Nancy G.
We don’t need to apologize for being
Bossy. That’s a good and useful trait.
The manner in which one is bossy is important.
Kindness and love are in the equation.
When I was younger, I was called bossy by my siblings which hurt but now I realize it is one of my strengths. It helped me through 40 years of teaching, supervising meetings and trainings, and working on committees. Compromise helped too. So…be bossy! The world needs some bossy people. (But men aren’t called “bossy” are they? Hmmm.) Love you Joy! Love your recipes and Sunday posts.
Eve
Love your Let It Be Sunday posts and all your New Orleans recommendations. Was there the weekend before Thanksgiving and stayed at the fabulous Hotel Peter & Paul. The food at their Elysium restaurant since they recently acquired the chef from Compere Lapin, and drinks at the bar were excellent. We found out just before heading to CL and though the appetizers were excellent, their main courses were sadly inedibly salty. Cochon was excellent as was our last meal at Marjie’s. Thanks!
Maria
Thank you for the Sunday morning reads and I look forward to seeing your citrus Christmas tree! Have you seen this wrapping paper to continue with your theme? https://bsgeneralstore.com/products/bs-wrapping-paper