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Let It Be Sunday, 301!

December 13, 2020 by Joy the Baker 32 Comments

Hello and good Sunday from me, Tron, and our little Christmas tree. 

We made our Christmas mini this year since trees have gotten more expensive and I want to stick to my holiday budgie.  Mom made ornaments from Hello Bargello, paired with a few handmade ornaments I made last year, and a few peacock feathers from Houston. Sweet, right? It’s small but mighty this year, and we love it. 

I’ve got my eye on the prize this week and the prize is the week between Christmas and New Years – my week off work with a little end of year camping trip.  What are you looking forward to this strange strange holiday season? Sincere question, I’d love to hear!

If you’re looking forward to just making it through this year; that sounds about right.  

I hope this finds you with a few moments to yourself this morning. Take it all slow.  The offering this week is below. I hope you find something you need. If not, I’m glad you popped in all the same.   

•  Through the fire.   2020 The Year In Pictures (New York Times) 

•  Jose Andres was the example even before the pandemic: What the pandemic can teach us about treating hunger. (The Washington Post) 

•  Does your community have community fridges? I like to quick organize them as much as I like to stock them. (Instagram) 

•  The year of Our Shared Unsharing. I mean… we’re not super well rn.  Just do what feels right to you and stand by it. Ya know?  (The Cut) 

•  But at least Mt Everest grew.  (NBC News) 

•  My friend Ashley English of Small Measure is teaching a virtual Winter Beverage class next Sunday and I’ve personally enjoyed her Wassail so I’m absolutely signing up.  You too? (Eventbrite)

•  I’m starting this true-crime podcast this weekend: Tom Brown’s Body. Thanks for the recommendation, Suzonne!  (Texas Monthly) 

•  I want to make a special date-night dinner this week. The sort of dinner I’ll put on a dress for, even though I’m just saying home.  Time for Steakhouse Dinner at home!  I’m leaning towards short ribs and mashed potatoes but I might land on cast iron steaks and twice baked potatoes.   (Epicurious) 

•  This festive dessert stopped me in my tracks. It looks like a labor of love, I’d claim two slices for myself: Eton Mess-Topped Cranberry Curd Tart with Candied Kumquats

•  My brain didn’t want to do much reading this year but I’m glad it held space for Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger by Lisa Donovan. If you haven’t read it, it’s recommended. (Bookshop.org)

•  The most popular recipe on joythebaker this week is Confetti Holiday Shortbread Cookies. (Joy the Baker) 

•  We’re wrapping up our year of unexpected online baking courses at The Bakehouse. Yesterday I taught 100 people how to make a Yule Log Cake – ambitious but we sure did it.  On December 23rd we’re making cinnamon rolls as a virtual group.  Each class has playlist and here’s this season’s list:  JtB’s Christmas Playlist 2020. (Spotify) 

•  We have a few Bakehouse Live classes coming up this winter before we start in-person classes.  Come have a puff pastry weekend with us in the new year! (Eventbrite)

•  A watch that teaches us the lesson that age flaws and imperfections make things more valuable. Bring on the wrinkles (just kidding, don’t like, come rushing in. Take your time.)! The 1985 Rolex GMT-Master Tiffany Dial explained… thoroughly. (YouTube) 

Have a lovely Sunday, friends. 

Thanks for being here! 

My love to you.

xo Joy

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  1. Katt

    December 17, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    I’m looking forward to our traditional Ski-N The New Year ski-camping trip. Crossing my fingers for good snow!

    Reply
  2. Karen B

    December 15, 2020 at 5:23 am

    This Christmas will be quite difficult. I have been blessed, but it seems to be such a difficult time, it is bringing me down. I didn’t celebrate Christmas the time my son went to Iraq during the war. Did not even realize that I missed Christmas because of him in a very dangerous place. I think I just realize how I am feeling, when I visited your Sunday blog and it is Tuesday, didn’t even realize I missed Sunday.
    Thank you for your weekly Sunday writings. I really enjoy them – and now I must wash my face, put on my big girl panties and get my house Christmas ready. I am blessed. WHAT GOOD THING CAN I DO FOR MY NEIGHBORS TODAY?

    Reply
  3. Katie

    December 14, 2020 at 10:08 pm

    Listen, it’s Monday evening, but I’m just getting here. I made the confetti cookies this week! But from your magazine <3 and with rainbow jimmies because it’s what I had and, you know, we’re not running to the store for Christmas confetti even though I Really wanted to! Anyway, I could hear you telling me to “do me” and “it’s fine.” And I did and it was more than fine! Thanks for everything, Joy!

    Reply
  4. Anna

    December 14, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    “Bring on the wrinkles (just kidding, don’t like, come rushing in)…” made me lol because that has totally been my headspace this year. And then at some point (september) I was like “I know! I’ll just cut myself some bangs!!!” like that was gonna fix it all. Oh dear. What a year.

    Reply
  5. Molly

    December 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    I smiled (and might have giggled) when I saw Tron looking at your Christmas tree. So sweet!

    Reply
  6. Barbara

    December 14, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    Hello,

    A forced move for work to the UK with ten days notice during the pandemic. College kids are stranded on one side of the Atlantic, with us on the other. For the first time ever, even after nine international moves, and one right in December, I cannot, just cannot open up holiday ornaments and nutcrackers. So…favorite Christmas cookies mailed to the kids, a few wreaths up, including one in my bakehouse, and a pink popup tree that can fit in a pizza box. We are in Tier Two here, and staying in a National Trust cottage for a week in Cornwall. Sometimes the best thing to do is to acknowledge how bad things are and not try to duplicate old customs, or soldier or, but to try something new. Better times next year at this time!

    Reply
  7. Shellie

    December 14, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    This holiday season, I am looking forward to a little less stressful holiday season. I am lucky enough to live in New Brunswick, Canada where as of yesterday we have had a total of 557 Covid-19 cases and 8 deaths. We only have a population of 750,000 or something but we are thankful that we have done so well. That being said, gatherings will be smaller and most activities like our annual open house and a cookie decorating day for some of our favourite kids are not happening this year. Our out-of-province family and friends cannot visit so it will only be immediate family for most events which takes a little pressure off everyone.
    Happy Holidays, stay safe and take care of yourself and those you love.

    Reply
  8. Reannon

    December 14, 2020 at 5:39 am

    Enjoy this time with your dad Joy. I’m
    Sure it will be filled with all the emotions.
    And I made your confetti shortbread over the weekend for gifting. The biggest compliment I got from my neighbour was it tasted like the one her grandma used to make. That makes me happy.

    Reply
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🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeas 🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeast bagel magic for your Sunday morning. ⁣
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Two Easy No-Yeast Bagels⁣⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)⁣
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣⁣
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Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣⁣
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In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣⁣
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Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣⁣
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Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣⁣
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Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
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