Hello friends! Happy Sunday to you. Are you able to rest today?
Thank you for allowing me a reprieve from our Sunday reads last week. I was out in the Piney Woods of East Texas taking a few good deep breaths. All of my clothes from the trip still smell like campfire and I can’t bring myself to wash the vacation smell off them yet.
Happy New Year! How are you easing in? I think back to this time last year, before everything changed. All of my big plans and all of the little things I took for granted. I know to feel more hopeful this year, but I do still wish I had a crystal ball.
I’m slow at gathering myself this year and I think it’s best to just let that be. You live in the world with me. To me, this week has felt numbing and inevitable. I don’t know what I think about it all and I hope that’s ok with you – that’s the numb part. I know I mostly feel tired of the ever escalating chaos.
The offering this week is below. I’m happy you’re here and I hope you take only what you need:
• I’ve had this question in my mind for the last four days: What Should We Call the Sixth of January? (The New Yorker)
• It would be fair to say that I have more questions than answers, always – but especially these days. We’re still very much in the weeds of a pandemic but how do we muddle through what’s next? A lengthy look at that question from The Atlantic: Where Year Two of the Pandemic Will Take Us.
• This is a terrible loss and beautiful words and we should let it all break our hearts: On the Remarkable Life of Tommy Raskin. (Medium)
• You had me at “like jumping into a martini”: Swimming In Very Cold Water Keeps Me Sane. (The New York Times)
• Speaking of swimming, I got talked into doing a triathlon (honestly it didn’t take much, I’m absolutely down for an adventure) and I tried on my swimsuit this morning and I already feel like an Olympian (before I’ve even swam one lap in the pool). I expect my ego will be put in check Monday, my first swim day. (Amazon)
• The Man Who Turned Credit Card Points Into An Empire. Truly, don’t even get me started talking about my Delta points, I’m truly insufferable. (New York Times Magazine)
• Do you have a Word of the Year for 2021? (Cup of Jo)
• Listening: All I Want, a playlist. (Spotify)
• I wrote an entire report on George Washington Carver (diorama and all) in grade school, so I’m a little ahead of the curve on this one but here’s a not so Brief History of Peanut Butter. (Smithsonian Magazine)
• Speaking of peanut butter: Peanut Butter Gingersnap Chews. It’s still winter and we still want all the warm spice flavors. (Joy the Baker)
• This week I’ve been thinking about the sleep habits of partners, ya know… people who sleep in the same bed. It’s the most intimate and delicate place, right? You have to match up, or find a way to navigate temperature, blankets, snoring, mouth breathing, wake up times. There’s a lot going on! I say all that to say that this cake from Deb Perelman solves the problem of sleeping in a house with a morning-person child. She packs her son a breakfast and leaves it in the fridge. Pretty genius if you ask me: Morning Glory Breakfast Cake. (Smitten Kitchen)
• I love this necklace from one of the most lovely Louisiana makers Mimosa. (Mimosa Hand Crafted)
• It’s officially King Cake season and you know I’ve got a lot of ways for you to get after it: Classic Mardi Gras King Cake, Savory King Cake, Pull Apart Biscuit King Cake, and Easy One Dish King Cake. I have the audacity to have another Mardi Gras cake for you next week.
Take good care this Sunday.
My love to you.
xo Joy
Kristen
On the 6th, I thought about you. I wanted to reach out to all my friends and send my love and mental hugs.
I’m so impressed that you’re starting marathon training. That’s a firm and clear, “Hello, 2021, I’m in charge of my own life” statement. Love it!
Rebecca
Hi, Joy. Once again, thanks a bunch for your thoughtful and generous ways. Sorry to hear that your mind is running rampant and stealing your peace. I hope the triathlon training helps. What a wonderful goal! I am currently reading a book about finding beauty in the world and there is a whole chapter on ocean swimming. It’s a truly beautiful and spirit-lifting read – Phosphorescence by Julia Baird. I hope you find a little time to quiet the unhelpful thoughts today.
Becca
I am making the pb gingersnaps THIS week. Thank you for sharing for heart and your gift with us. I will #! Warmest regards!
Eboni
Hi Joy,
I love your blog! You always provide great little nuggets no matter what is going on in the world. Thanks for adding a little “joy” to my Sunday morning. Wishing you a very prosperous 2021! Cheers!
Liz
Hi Joy
I love your spotify playlist. Thx for sharing. As someone who uses music as one of my primary coping mechanisms, I highly recommend Yola’s Walk Through Fire. Check it out if you haven’t already…and don’t let the noise takeover. Food, music, family, friendship and laughter. Of can hold onto those things we’ll be alright.
joythebaker
I was on a strong Yola kick late last year and thank you for the reminder to bring her back in!
Amanda
So, still not cool to call them Nazis? Or are they still, all of them, if they come to your website and give you clicks, your “friends”?
Just came back to say this. Sorry, it’s rude and I know it’s rude. Not my style at all, but we all cope with attempted coups in different ways.
This is why I refuse to share spaces with them. This is why I will not remain in spaces that do not denounce the people who voted for him. No piecrust is worth it.
Deirdre
Ditto.
Sam
Did I miss something? I didn’t see anything on here as Joy condoning the actions of the rioters, Nazis, and white supremacists that violently stormed the Capitol.
joythebaker
Welcome back, Amanda. I’m not your enemy and honestly, you reveal yourself in coming back to this space just to be nasty.
Alexandra
You’re a good person, Joy.
The Kitten Abides
Well, at least the weather here in New Orleans is FAR more conducive to triathlon-ing than in the Summer (assuming you’re not swimming in the lake) – good luck!
Of course, here we call January 6th “Twelfth Night” – the beginning of Carnival Season (and yes, we can FINALLY eat King Cake!). But it was also my Better Half’s birthday and sadly after the horror show in the Capitol, we didn’t really feel terribly like celebrating anything – so I’m reluctant to give this date any major moniker which will darken honoring the date of my husband’s birth, though I DO think that we shouldn’t forget the attempt to overthrow the Congress.
joythebaker
Here, let’s just keep calling it Twelfth Night and happy birthday to you better half! I hope at least you had a whopping slice of king cake!
The Kitten Abides
Thanks for the response and kind wishes, Joy!
You know we did, even more than we planned, as we had a lovely one from Bywater Bakery (with blueberry filling) and then a friend brought over one from Dong Phuong. So, it was King Cake-a-Palooza at our house. King Cake Hub got nothin’ on us. ;^D
Stella
Joy, welcome back, so glad you shared these stories. The article on Tommy Raskin did in fact break my heart; what an incredibly beautiful soul and tremendous loss to his family, friends, students and the world. Tommy, I pray you find the peace that eluded you here on earth.
Martha Ragsdale
Hello Joy
Is there a way to search for an individual recipe or ingredient on your site? I know that I can search by categories, but some foods are hard to categorize. During the summer I tried to find a few of your black eyed peas recipes and had no luck. Thank you for your help.
By the way, your Sunday Post has been part of my Sunday morning for many years. Thanks!
Angela
I’ve been a runner all of my life. I have two half marathons I train for in a year- My small tips: my work out chart is on the back of my kitchen door so I always know what my exercise will be that day- running, weights, stair-master, yoga, rest days. I highlight it when I finish. Some days I have to change the workout for whatever reason (yoga to weights, or run to rest), or I double up a workout (run AND stair-master). Whatever you do make or print out a chart (my marathons have a link for workouts you can do to train). It’s all about accountability – your own, of course, but we are most critical of ourselves. I’m just a 55 year old woman, but this works for me!! Good luck- be a Warrior Woman- make your path! PS: that’s the swimsuit I’ve always worn when I swim- it does make you feel like an athlete! Good luck!! Happy 2021! It’s going be a better year- much!!
Chrissy
Just breathe is what I say (cue Anna Nalik) with regards to this week, this upcoming year and for you, your triathon (the energy will carry you- trust me!). My word for the year is SURPRISE because who the hell knows. Last year my word was SOAR and I soared as far as my couch. Best not to have too many expectations but rather be pleasantly surprised by the good things that come. Positive vibes are all I have to put out there.
Happy 2021!
Heather Sadoway
Tommy Raskin’s story broke my heart. Thank you Joy for sharing his story.
xo Heather
Ess
If, like me, you haven’t gotten to use those delta points as much as you wanted last year, you should know about the amazing group Miles4Migrants. You can donate some of your miles as they help migrants around the world reunify with their families after asylum cases.
Rachel
Happy Sunday! I’m so excited for your triathlon journey! I signed up for my first race during a personally challenging summer after my freshman year of college. Having the goal of finishing and following a training plan gave me something to do and look forward to everyday. I never could have imagined loving the sport so much, and I ended up joining the club team at my university. I’m still friends with most of those crazy, supportive people 8 years later! While I no longer compete regularly- triathlon lead me to the world of competitive cycling and mountain biking, it helped mold my identity from someone who “exercises” into an “athlete.” Triathlon helped my appreciate my body for all that it can DO which was transformative for my body image. I’m now more likely to try new physical activities and sports (mountain biking! Skiing! Disk golf!) instead of saying “no I can’t, I’m not good at it.” Anyways, triathlon clearly was a major inflection point in my life, and I’m so excited for you to give it a try!
Darla Layton
Good morning, Joy. Thank you for all of your thoughtful readings. Congratulations on signing up for your first triathlon! Great choice with your swimsuit. You’ll love the freedom of the “racer back”. I believe you’ll also find such peace and freedom in the pool. I’m a water child, and that is my sanctuary.
I’m looking forward to making the easiest of King cakes. I love to bake, but right now, my mind gravitates toward the the simple.
And thank you for the link to the necklace. We have two young women in our family graduating from college this May. What a great gift this will be.
As for the “arctic plunge”. Brrr. I’m a warm weather person.
Stay true to yourself this week. Give yourself the luxury of time and peace.