Good morning, friends!
Welcome here! It’s the first weekend of May, my favorite month of the year (which probably has something to do with the fact that it’s my birthday month)!
I’ve always loved this weekend. When I lived in Los Angeles my girlfriends and I would throw a notoriously epic Kentucky Derby party. Since being in New Orleans, we head to Jazz Fest and dance in the streets this weekend. It’s ok that this year all of that has been stripped away. The sun will be shining here and I’ll be on my back deck staring at the sky through the trees with Jazz Fest radio on in the background.
I hope you’re staying well. I hope you’re able to take the time you need to make space in your brain for all this newness. We’re still in it, baby!
The offering this week is below. As always, take only what you need:
• Round here, we love a list. 68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice from Wired co-founder Kevin Kelly. Stay tuned for my 39 Bits of Unsolicited Advice as my birthday is coming up, lol. (KK.org)
• I’m ok. You’re ok. And we’re all absolutely crying just a little: New Orleans Musicians Perform Socially Distanced Funeral Song. (YouTube)
• A valuable conversation with Lucinda Williams. (The Guardian)
• One of my favorite Lucinda Williams songs: World Without Tears “If we lived in a world without tears / How would broken find the bones?” (Spotify)
• The Kind of Mother I’d Be. (The Cut)
• I’m easy to get teary-eyed these days and this one got me: They got married in the middle of the friendliest street in town. (MSN)
• Have you tried Audible Sleep? They have free downloads that are fantastic! (Audible)
• I mentioned this loaf cake on Instagram but it’s worth reminding you here that Brown Butter Carrot Loaf Cake is a very fine alternative to banana bread. I want you on it!
• Welp… now I definitely have to try Rice Cooker Bread. (Food52)
• Tissue Paper Tie Die has sent me digging through my closet for silks. (HonestlyWTF)
• We’re baking again with Bakehouse Live! This Mother’s Day weekend we’re making Raspberry Rose Cream Puffs! Join us? (Eventbrite)
• Pyne and Smith makes the most beautiful, functional, comfortable, everyday dresses I’ve ever come across. I have three and they’re basically my uniform. We’re hosting a little giveaway on Instagram but I can also vouch for the fact that these dresses last forever and are 1000% worth the splurge to purchase.
That’s where we’re at today. Enjoy this fine Sunday.
My love to you!
xo Joy
Katie
I’ve loved your recipes in “Homemade Decadence” since my mom gifted me your book last winter for my birthday. Now I love you even more for sporting the truly incredible Pyne & Smith bon bon dress. My two loved colliding in one place!!!
Kelly-Anne
It’s my birthday month too! Thank you for another great blog post!
Louis L.
Hi Joy,
Getting ready to make my version of your trail-mix cookies (so good !). Glad all is well in New Orleans. Had to say that Lucinda Williams is one of my favorite song writers.
Take care and our best to your family.
Karen T
Happy Birthday Month! May has always been a favorite of mine because I love the light cycle, I love the increasingly warm weather, It is the gateway to summer, and I love the holidays in this month. Enjoy.
Ori
Hi Joy! I’m a college student who’s been reading your blog since middle school (oy vey) and was happily surprised to see the link to the middle-of-the-street wedding on Walter St in DC. That’s the street I grew up on, and while I don’t live there anymore, it’ll always have a small piece of my heart. :’)
joythebaker
Oh my gosh that brought a tear to my eye – the world feels so small sometimes!
Penny Harrison
In your blog, when you write in RED – the “Y” does not show completely.
Looks like an old timey typewriter with a dirty letter. ENJOY your work !
joythebaker
I don’t know why that happens, Penny. But thank you!
Samantha
After a couple months being the strong one, this weekend I had my first HUGE breakdown. I bet that is because I enjoy so much this time of the year and I cannot have anything from it.
Hannah
I’ve been reading your blog for a number of years now, and whenever I tell my husband “this is a joy the Baker recipe,” he gets pumped. So it was super fun to “see” you on the muffin/scone zoom class, which incidentally were some of the best I’ve ever made, ha! I even convinced (very easily) my mom in MS to participate too. My favorite part was that it wasn’t weird at all (you know how it can sometimes be weird to hear/see someone talk after reading their writing for so long). We both loved it so much that my mom gave me your cream puff class as a mother’s day gift. Now I can’t wait for Saturday!
Erica
I’m planning a surprise toast for my friends getting married in city hall this Weds (In Oslo, Norway). They can only have their Norwegian sponsor and a witness inside so a few of us will be in small groups of 2-3 outside with tables with cake and champagne outside. Now I’m definitely bringing my sidewalk chalk too…
Also the I’ll Fly Away video made me sob and the 68 things was awesome.
joythebaker
That is so so sweet Erica! A big CHEERS to your friends from me!
Liz
I made your carrot cake yesterday and every step of it was a comfort—assembling the ingredients (I especially appreciated the excuse to break out the nutmeg & its teensy grater), the smell while it was baking, and the look of bliss on my 14-year-old son’s face when he took the first bite. If you know any 14 year olds, you know looks of bliss are few & far between. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.