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
Elle
Happy Birthday Month!! ?
We made the peanut butter bread in last week’s email and it was Delish.
Hoping to get to NOLA someday and maybe we’ll meet face-to-face. Meantime, I am happy to read and follow.
Thank you Joy
Elle
joythebaker
Oh I’m so glad you made the peanut butter bread! I need to bake it up this week! Hope you’re well Elle – I’ll see you in New Orleans one of these fine days.
Dee
Hi….you are the spitting image of your mom….but you look so much like your dad in today’s post. The way your head is lifted up…and your expression…just like your dads expression in the Your parents anniversary photo ?
joythebaker
That’s too funny and such a compliment Dee!
Jill
Thanks for another great Sunday morning post. Want to try the carrot cake bread… definitely my jam.
Happy Birthday month – it is mine too. Love May means we may start to see good weather here in New England. Did miss not having the KY Derby but it is one of the many things missing right now. Thanks for keeping our spirits up!
joythebaker
Happy Birthday month to you too, Jill!
Theresa
Sitting here with coffee, cookies & tears in my eyes on the WASH POST story. My son & his fiancé just made the decision to do their ceremony virtually as so many of their guests can’t travel yet from all around the world. They just moved to a new home and have no family or friends yet in their community & both sets of us parents can’t travel. Luckily there are many going thru this sad moment and are supporting each other in social media groups. I hope & pray that my lovely future daughter gets to experience some of this happiness on her special day!
joythebaker
Oh Theresa. Gosh it’s all so much, isn’t it? My love and congratulations go out to your son and daughter in law. We’ll all catch up on our celebrations one day soon, I know it.
Adam Nartowicz
Happy Birth…month? I don’t know your birthdate, so you get the whole month! My birthday was yesterday, and while the celebration wasn’t the same, it was still wonderful! I Zoomed with my family, had an outstanding meal and my wife made my favorite pie, lemon cream. The weather in upstate NY was superb.
Reading you on Sunday’s is the tonic this world needs. Stay beautiful, strong and safe.
joythebaker
Happy Birthday Adam! Thanks for all your kindness!
Stella
Hi Joy, hope your birthday month finds you healthy, safe and happy. I particularly liked the article, “68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice;” so many gems to share with my daughter and a few to ponder for myself. Thanks for the weekend’s uplift, it really sets the tone for the week ahead. Be well.
joythebaker
I’m so happy you’re here, Stella. I appreciate you.
Isabelle
Your “Let it be Sunday” is part of my weekend routine so thank you for the wonderful read week after week. I love this week’s photo of your kitchen. Would you happen to know the paint colour of your walls? The whole look is so refreshing.
joythebaker
Gosh I’m sorry Isabelle. I don’t know the paint color name.
Erica
Please, please continue your unsolicited birthday advice posts. I go back to read them every year for my birthday and they always help me reflect.
joythebaker
Hahaha! You’ve been here a long time Erica!
Cheryl Gordon
I admit New Orleans is not my favorite city. But seeing the empty streets, Cafe Du Monde empty, it really made me cry, Thank you to the musicians who brought music back to New Orleans streets, even if only for a few moments
joythebaker
It really is touching no matter how you feel about the city.
nancy k
Oh my gosh, I read the wedding story earlier this week via a Washington Post story. It made me so happy and a bit envious of the wonderful neighborhood. I live on a fairy busy street but nonetheless, there is a small cluster of homes/residents that have become a close little “neighborhood” all of our own over the years. We check on each other, share recipes and food creations, care for each others pets …and sometimes kids, run errands and just share special friendships.There is a certain comfort that comes from knowing that those around you will be there if needed.
I love your Sunday post. Thanks for sharing with us!
Micha
May is my birthday month, too! Loved your offerings today, thanks for Let it Be Sunday, I look forward to it all week
Suzonne Stirling
Tissue paper tie dye is so much fun to do (and easy)! FYI, if you don’t find any silk pieces at home, Dharma Trading Co. (dharmatrading.com) is a good resource.
joythebaker
BRB going down this rabbit hole forever. Thanks Suzonne!
Hillary
It’s my birthday month, too! Actually, we are birthday siblings as my birthday is the 25th as well :) Are those the new Everlane clogs that you are sporting?? I am so curious to know what people think of them. I’m hoping to jump into the clog-sphere and there are too many options. Thoughts?
joythebaker
Birthday twins! And yes, they’re the everlane clogs. They need a little breaking in but I really love them!
Sandra Lea
May is also my favorite month and my birthday month too. I love the 68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice, it’s a keeper. Happy birthday!
Susan Burns
That kitchen ????????
Susan Burns
Those question marks were supposed to be hearts. I’m in love with your kitchen!