Hello friends, good morning!
I hope this finds you with a few good minutes for yourself.
The week after Thanksgiving feels similar to me every year. There’s a glow from a few extra days of rest (and maybe for you, a few extra family hands around the help with the kids), there’s a settling from all the stuffing and gravy leftovers, and there’s a hint of mania as we tumble towards the gifting holidays.
I feel like my feet are heavy but my head wants a strong push to the end of the year.
Speaking of heavy feet. I played tennis for the first time a few weeks ago. Was I terrible? Of course I was! Did that stop me? Almost (hahahha) but, no. My boyfriend/patient/ just-do-what-I-do tennis teacher said “you need to be lighter on your feet”. My question “LITERALLY HOW!?” I want to be light and fast everyday but some days it’s a real question of where to pull that energy from. Let’s hope that just trying counts for something.
How are you feeling about the holidays? I’m splurging on care packages as holiday gifts this year. I won’t be able to see all the people I love, which… pandemic or not, is usually the case, so a thoughtful care package feels extra important this year. My packages have shaped up to be a mixture of baked goods (I’ll show you how I preserve them next week), a few of my favorite things from around New Orleans, a little something from The Bakehouse, and a note + picture of me and the recipient from years past. Really, whatever feels thoughtful goes into the box. That’s my work this week.
How are you this weekend? Light on your feet? Even if you’re working towards it, you’re in good shape.
This is the 300th installment of Let It Be Sunday which means I’m nothing if not stubborn. Thank you for being here this, and many other Sundays. I love this little ritual between us.
The offering this week is below. Take it easy and, as always, take only what you need today:
• “The world belongs to those who shape it.” (Time)
• Our long read of the week is also the most interesting read of the week. The science of the space we create around ourselves: How close is too close? (Aeon)
• I’ve recently embraced half-caff and decaf coffee as a way to enjoy all the coffee I want to drink without overcaffeinating myself into anxiety oblivion. I’ve always associated decaf coffee as a sign of aging and sure… here I am getting older but maybe also wiser about how to live this good life? Turns Out It’s Pretty Good: Aging. (The Cut)
• Saved by Dolly Parton, again. (The Guardian)
• I’m SUPER inspired by these twelve holiday cookie recipes from The Washington Post. If you’re been looking for some uniquely delicious cookies, you’ll join me here. I’m going to make Rose Wilde’s Amaretti Dipped in Ruby Ganache (The Washington Post)
• This was one of my most delicious baking days. I highly recommend a quality baking day followed by quality couch time with these Chocolate Babka Pull Apart Muffins and fresh coffee. (Joy the Baker)
• This week Drake launched a line of candles that smell like… Drake. He’s taking humility to new levels and I suppose we’re into it, because the candles are sold out. I’m toying with the idea of bringing back Drake on Cake. I mean… no one asked and no one needs it but I wonder if the inspiration is there. (Page Six and Instagram
• Our friends at Cherry Bombe have a new issue out and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
• I usually make this decadent homemade egg nog with rum (can you see me smiling?), but this year I’m going to try Minimalist Baker’s (we love her) Vegan Egg Nog. (Joy the Baker and Minimalist Baker)
• The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw is going to be my read for the holiday break as recommended by Samantha Irby. (Parnassus Books)
• Ok. We can all handle 11 minutes a day. (The New York Times)
• This is not wholly important but I’m still going to talk about it. I’ve never been a person who knows how to blow dry my hair or do my makeup very well but this year, with no hair cuts and makeup help (and also, nowhere to go, so the stakes are low) I’ve had to figure it out. Two things have changed the game for me: Revlon’s Hot Air Brush and Ilia Makeup (especially the tinted serum and multi-use blush cream). (Amazon and Ilia)
• Take it back to December 2018 with Let It Be Sunday, 200! There’s an article about shopping for your Dad-In-Law that i’m going to revisit. (Joy the Baker)
I hope you enjoy this Sunday!
My love to you!
xo Joy
(If you’re curious, pictured above: sugared cranberries.)
Leah
Can you make a curated magazine with recipes and hand picked articles like these? I’m so into that. I’m also into this – so thanks! ??
samantha campanini
I’m unbelievably late on this, those have been crazy weeks!! But first of all congrats on 300 and happy holidays!! :D
Katie
There’s something that is so refreshing to see an online community and reading newsletters like this (I’m a part of a few!) But I laugh out loud sometimes when I read yours, because of the certain ways you word things that make me chuckle. For example, the part about Drake? I mean, are we shocked, really? Hahaha
Amy
At 32, I have wholly and completely switched to decaf and I am not missing the caffeine in the slightest. I buy beans that fall under the “swiss water decaf process” because it uses only water to decaffeinate the beans (and apparently also contain the least amount of caffeine).
joythebaker
OH thank you for this swiss water education! I did not know!
Jim Bo
Congrats and thank you for episode 300. Many of your links require a paid subscription in order to access and therefore not so helpful for some of us. Just saying
J
Hi Joy, I’m so excited to hear you tried tennis! I love to play and hope you will stick with it. When I read about staying light on your feet I had to smile because I am always hearing “move your feet” when I am taking a lesson. What my coach loves to see is me jogging in place when I would normally be flat footed waiting to see where I was going to run to get the ball.
Nicole Schwartz
300!!! Keep it up. You are amazing. Tennis is hard. And you and my daughter are in the “non-light foot” tribe. Love it. Enjoy the big and all the holidays.
yneedcouk
How has the Revlon Hot Air Brush helped you?
Jenny
Congrats on 300! Every week I find my mind blown by your amazing stories I’ve not seen anywhere else. The one about personal space particularly captivated me. As I’m searching for a new home the idea of how much space I need and where I want to be to feel happy and safe is on my mind a lot.
Also oh my gosh please can we rename the moderna vaccine Dolly?! She has been such an inspiration to me recently never having really known anything about her but what an incredible woman and a force of nature. She has changed the world for the better.
Speaking of one person who changed the world for the better, I can’t remember his name but the most recent edition of radio lab podcast featuring vaccines blew my mind. I also hope we can make more space in the corporate world for outspoken and profane geniuses.
Jennie
First time, loooooong time, here to say that I certainly do need more Drake on Cake (we put a Drake lyric on one of our six wedding cakes, totally inspired by/cribbed from you). And also Drake on Cake prints for the kitchen is a fantastic idea.
Kari T.
That AEON article fascinating! It also led me to some other really interesting articles on their site, thanks for leading me to the water!
Melonie (@hey_wiggle)
Hey. I’ve been drinking decaf since I was 24, when I realized caffeine made me anxious. The more we ask for it from our favorite fancy roasters, the more of it they will deliver, so we don’t have to skimp on the exotic flavors we are offered these days by gourmands. No need for it to feel like an old-people thing… maybe just a “wise” people thing ;)
Barbara
Congratulations on 300 Sunday posts..quite an accomplishment. I could not get in this morning but ending my day with a cup of coffee and dog at my side. No coffee will not keep me up BUT I will be be making several trips to bathroom Worth It! Just could not start my week without checking in on your offerings. Have a great week all..
Kendra
Sugared cranberries are an annual tradition at our house, too! A few years ago I discovered that letting them dry on a cooling rack for an hour or so before tossing them in the sugar makes for the best sparkle and most even coverage. Thanks for the post!
Megan
Please more Drake on Cake! Also, I made those chocolate babka muffins tonight instead of studying for finals and it was 100% the right choice. They’re delightful.
katy
Seeing the sugared cranberries reminded me – I’ve been watching Martha Knows Best (it’s great) and she made a champagne cocktail with a a spoonful of cherry liqueur in the bottom of a flute, followed by the champagne and then throw in a few sugared cranberries. Looks beautiful!
Chrissy
I’m here for all of this, including the half-caf coffee (I just bought some INSTANT decaf coffee because not only am I as old as you are but also, perhaps foreign?) but also for the Revlon hot air brush because in all the years I thought I was doing a passable job, turns out I was not since I have never gotten so many compliments on my hair. Damn shame no one is around to see it except my Mom on insta, who tells me that my hair looks great, but could I put, you know, “just a little bit of color” on my pasty cheeks. Thanks, as always, Mom. Happy 300! We’re happy you’re here!
Emily
Yes!! My heart got so excited when I read that you are considering bringing Drake on Cake back!!!! It’s my favorite! So inspiring, always. Please do!
Emily Elyse
Ahhh! Bring back Drake on Cake :) And, I too, love tennis but am terrible at it. It’s half the fun.
Katherine
I’d like to think Laugh Now Cry Later was written for the sole purpose of landing on a cake in icing!!
Jackie
Please bring back drake on cake I love it!!
Lynn Glace
Wow, 300 Sundays Joy! Thank you. You have made me cry and you have made me think about things differently.
Thank you for this.
Here’s a few lines from Mary Oliver:
When did you admire?
The oaks, letting down their dark and hairy fruit;
the carrot, rising in its elongated waist;
the onion, sheet after sheet, curved inward to the pale green wand;
at the end of summer the brassy dust, the almost liquid beauty of the flowers;
then the ferns, scrawned black by the frost.
Haley
I lol-ed at the hair post. I am not into hair or makeup but have weirdly taken it up as a hobby during quarantine. I got the curly girl book from our library’s app and am giving their method a try. It’s working! It’s fun! I didn’t even have to buy a bunch of stuff to try it out. Thanks as always for the other recs.
Popovich John
Congrats on number 300. I read your page every Sunday and I’m 74. Enjoy every one. There is always something to learn and pause over. Thank you for the baking too by the way. Take care.
Joan Bernstein
A suggestion, dear Joy..Your shoes are an important part of playing sports. Please make sure you have some that will put pep in your step. That may cure your “heavy feet.”
nancy k
I love the WaPo Cookie post too. A friend sent me a link to a recent cookie post in the NTY. The cookies were designed by a food “artist” and were very interesting. There is also a You Tube video of the baker designing and making the cookies.
This is the link to the TImes:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/dining/christmas-cookies.html
Again, thanks for another fun Sunday post.
Sara
How does one find a boyfriend during a pandemic? *Asking for a friend ;)
Stella
Congratulations on 300 Joy! I’ve been here for the entire ride and you just keep getting better; heavy feet and all. Seriously, I thank you for giving so much of yourself. I really treasure you, your recipes, your stories, your time and generous spirit. Years ago, my daughter Sara wrote to you for a chocolate butter cream frosting recipe and you responded with your Chocolate “crack” frosting recipe that uses Ovaltine, well it’s been my favorite ever since. The fact you took time to respond to her request made my birthday that more special and showed me what a genuinely kind person you are. Thank you again.
Angela
Hot airbrush on my thick curly hair would be a nightmare! We’d be in a tug-of-war of wills… haha! Love you Joy!
Maris Sofra
OK, Missy, Congratulations on 300!!!! I just love this article and YOU! I have been reading you since double digits, yet each week I again remark on how beautiful your mind must be and how astonishing your work ethic is that you manage to find these remarkable things to present to us! I so hope the world is cured of Covid soon so that 2021 will be my year to join you at the Bakehouse for a lesson. Joy, as always, I wish you a beautiful life and thank God you are in mine!
Cherelle
I read this almost every Sunday for all of 2020, I’m new. Followed your blood since forever, but love this more each week. Thank you for the content and community. Cannot wait to bake a yule log cake with you!!
Jody
We are on the same page with our holiday gifts this year. Just shipped out boxes yesterday filled with all things cozy and pampering. We need it always, but especially this year! Cheers!!
Dennis Yannakos
More Drake on Cake please!!!!
Utensils for Cool Kitchen
Diana
Pleeeeeease more Drake on Cake! It brought me so much joy. ?
Elizabeth
More Drake on Cake, please!!!
Hannah
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies was a fantastic read! I’ve been telling everyone about it. Still thinking about the stories in there..
Jen
Happy 300! Thank you for letting Sunday be Sunday, Joy. It is always so luxurious to have time to indulge in curiosity about the world, and then get to share it. I think I might bake a cranberry cake today, too.
Shelly
I love the story on Dolly Parton! What a great example she is to all of us. Thank you for sharing.
Debbie
Dad -in-law??? Am I the only one to pick up on that? Is there something to be picked-up on? How is that for incorrect English?
Congrats on 300 Sundays! I think I have read every single one. Great accomplishment!
joythebaker
Oh I didn’t mean it like that! I’m still an unmarried person. :)
Nicole
I am doing a Drake standing clap for the return of Drake on Cake
joythebaker
I’m hearing you!
Lisa
Tennis is a life long sport. Many of the women I play with are in their seventies. I have played my whole life and taken countless lessons. During the Pandemic it is one of the only sports that has been allowed. I love my time outside with my tennis buddies. I gives me a sense of normalcy. With that being said, I highly recommend that you take a tennis lesson. I know that your boyfriend is helpful but you don’t want to develop bad habits (like your grip) that are hard to un-learn. There are some great resources on YouTube as well. Start with your forehand, grip and proper footwork. This will make it more enjoyable and fun for you. Best of luck. Isn’t it fun to try something new?
joythebaker
I absolutely need a tennis lesson and I know it! :) They’re hard to come by these days but I’m persistent! Thanks for the wisdom. It’s so fun (and always humbling) to try something new.
Chrissy
I wish I got commission for every Revlon Hot Air Brush I’ve sold. I have thick hair and not great at ‘doing it’. I now look half decent in half the time! It is a game changer for sure.
joythebaker
Hahhaha. Half decent half of the time! I feel you on that, but also – I bet we look dang great most of the time.
Laura
Ok, so this is me asking for the return of Drake on Cake because I need it, lol. I lowkey want a huge print of several of them to hang in my kitchen, because they are the right mix of fun and obvious hard work with the design.
Fabulous round as per usual, Joy. We got our first snow of the season last night, so this plus a cup of tea has made itself into a perfect morning. Congrats on your 300th Sunday post!
Sandy
I’m in the same boat about drying my hair with a hairdryer. How has the Revlon Hot Air Brush helped you?
amy
thank you for creating this space. It’s intentional, it’s honest, it’s a bit of a respite, if even for only a few minutes to sip my coffee a little slower & take in each of the week’s offerings. god bless you & merry christmas!