Hello sweet friends!
I’m glad you’re here! I’m glad we’ve made it to another Sunday.
Where is your steadiness coming from these days? Mine comes from pitzing around in the backyard, pressing and preserving this year’s spring leaves, and roasting chicken to make chicken stock. I’m holding onto the small steadies these days and recognizing that it’s ok when the steadiness falters – it’s still in there.
I’ve been taking lots of walks and feel so grateful that my New Orleans neighbors go to the paint store and decide on the above combination of colors to paint their houses. It’s just such a joy to be here in a lot of ways.
The offering this week is below. Take only what you need. I hope you’re well. I’m sending you my love. I’m ok, you’re ok.
• A really strong perspective and reminder: Look for Meaning, Not Happiness (New York Times)
• The Exhausting Business of Trying to Stay in Business (Eater)
• Singles say they’re better prepared to self-quarantine and watch all their trash television alone. I added that last part from personal experience, thank you. (The Washington Post)
• Why there is no yeast, explained. (Slate)
• Please take some time to watch old school Cajun chef Justin Wilson do his thing. It’s full of charm (and sodium). (YouTube)
• Our friend Jon made Peanut Butter Swirl Banana Bread. (The Candid Appetite)
• My week of outfits was featured on Cup of Jo this week!
• I’m quarantine planting hyacinth bean vines on a trellis on the front of my house. Let’s see what happens! (Garden Know How)
• All the small things are big things these days: 33 Moments Where Friends, Family, and Total Strangers Had Each Other’s Back In This Pandemic. (Buzzfeed)
• Egg carton vases is a very unfussy craft I’m 100% doing. (House That Lars Built)
• Currently listening to Samantha Irby on Ladyland. It’s a great conversation! (Ladyland Show)
• My splurge this weekend was this Hemingway Daiquiri which I usually order at Cane and Table in the Quarter but since that is cancelled, I made one at home with pleasing success. (The Kitchn)
Be well today.
My love to you.
xo Joy
Kelly-Anne
Thank you! I remember watching Justin WIlson on PBS when I was a kid. I loved the way he said “I Guarantee”
Diana
My family used to watch cooking shows on PBS on the weekends and Justin Wilson was a favorite! My parents still joke about adding wine into everything :)
joythebaker
Adding wine, like… a lot of wine to everything. I love it!
Connie
Love that you used the word “pitzing”! I have been spending time in the kitchen making new and old recipes, and getting out on our tandem bike. Stay well. ?
Dorothee
Hello there Connie! I’m trying to get my English knowledge to the next level and try to write down all unknown vocabulary I hear and read. “Pitzing” caught my attention and however hard I tried, I can’t find a proper translation to my mother tongue. Could you explain it? Is it like “roaming around” or something like that? If you should ever read this comment, thanks for answering! ????? Hi there from Berlin!
joythebaker
Hi Dorothee. Pitzing is like roaming around your house doing little things. Like putting things up, fixing things on a table. Little things are pitzing. :) Hope that helps!
Lucy
The “33 Moments” story has me crying. Thank you for sharing.
eliza
Wandered over here after reading your CoJ article and oh my goodness, what a delight. Thank you for sharing such a lovely online space, such positivity and warmth and prettiness (and food!). After reading back a ways, I made those chocolate chip banana pancakes the other day and WOW. Single serving pancakes: a revelation! Also, I have always wanted to visit New Orleans, but despite loving many other US cities have never made it over (I’m from Australia) — having seen your stunning photos, when we are allowed to travel again one day, it’s getting bumped to top of the list. Keep hanging in there and making beauty for all of us – it is appreciated x
joythebaker
Oh Eliza I’m so glad you made your way here! I hope you find lots of sweet recipes to use and make it to New Orleans one day! My best to you!
Stella
Thank you Joy for reminding us there is much to be grateful for in these confusing and troubling times. The Buzzfeed article, 33 Moments… brought metro tears. These simple acts of kindness are possible everyday by anyone. I am inspired to do more to help offset the suffering I see around me. This is what being human means to me.
joythebaker
These small kindnesses are everything right now, aren’t they?
Martha in KS
Jo, I look forward to Sunday because of your blog. Today I especially liked the article on your weekly wardrobe. Years ago I said that when I retired I would never again wear “contacts, bras or shoes.” I got rid of the contacts several years ago (needed glasses to cover my under-eye bags). With the SAH order I haven’t worn a bra or shoes for a month & am enjoying the FREEDOM. Thanks for all you do. Stay safe.
joythebaker
There is a way to find freedom in all of this restriction, right?
Lauren
Love you, Sister! These suggestions brighten my Sunday every week!
joythebaker
LOVE MY SISTER.
Penny Harrison
Enjoy your work !!! Do you realize that the Y in your emails is not very clear?
joythebaker
I didn’t know. Thank you Penny!
Cyndie
Thank you for staying healthy. We need you to brighten our days! I love the house photo.
joythebaker
Stay well Cyndie! I’m glad you’re here!
Sasha L
Re: yeast. I buy the big pack at Costco, which lasts me a LONG time. I’m also a long time sourdough baker, and I’ve never been so glad of it. I’ve been giving out cups of starter to friends to start their own batch for a month now. That article on yeast shortage was fascinating.
Thanks as always Joy for the highlight of Sunday morning! LOVED your week of outfits and hope we’ll get to see more of you on Cup of Jo soon!
A Groupie!
Wow – thank you for continuing the Sunday News. Some fun, some serious- some happy, some meaning.
But most important – please take care of yourself so you will be Joy The Baker for years and years to come!
joythebaker
You’re really really sweet. :)
Darcy
Joy! I was in your pie crust class yesterday and I had to come let you know that my pie crust was a complete and total success for the first time in my whole baking life! THANK YOU for helping me reach this baking milestone, the homemade pie crust has always been by biggest obstacle. Cheers!
joythebaker
DARCY! I’m so glad we reached this milestone together! I’m so so proud of you!
Sherril Cohn
Hi Joy, I’m a native of the NOLA area, now living in living in California since Katrina in 2005. I’ve just signed up to receive your recipes and thoughts and I’m thrilled!
joythebaker
It’s like we switched spots!
Mariya Zafirova
That banana bread looks so yummy!
Mariya | https://www.brunetteondemand.com/
Darla
Joy, be well today. We send our love ??. Watching Justin Wilson made me smile. My husband (when we first started dating) was in Virginia for the Summer working. We would write letters ( actual letters) and he would tell me how he would imitate The Cajun Chef while he made dinner. ?. What a great memory! I’ll show him the video today. He’ll love it.
Stay healthy. Stay safe
joythebaker
Aw! That’s such a sweet memory, Darla!
Samantha
Thank you as always!
Rhonda Thomson
Thank you for reminding me of Justin Wilson, an ol’ fave of my long-gone grandfather! I gar-un-tee!! ;-) Also, I really love the NOLA colors and homes you’ve been sharing lately – just might have to up and move, and become a neighbor of yours! Stay safe, girl! xo
joythebaker
You’ll be a great neighbor whenever you’re ready! I gar-un-tee!