• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Bread
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans

Let It Be Sunday, 318!

April 18, 2021 by Joy the Baker 26 Comments

Hello friends! Happy Sunday!  

My parents, my lovely parents were visiting me in New Orleans all week and it was just the best! Well, it was actually the rainiest week possible in the city but we didn’t mind the few times we got soaked.  Dad made a batch of cookies a day, Mom and I crafted, we binged watched The Jinx as a family, and we visited with friends – the highlight being a trip to Antigua Floral to see Trevor and Sara.  I’m just so thankful for the tiiiiiiime, and look at how happy they are! 

How have you been this week? What brought you the most joy? 

The offering this week is below. I hope you find some that serves you. I’m so thankful you’re here. As always, take only what you need.

•  What is Hospitality? The Current Answer Doesn’t Work The emotional intelligence required for solid and seamless hospitality is something I just appreciate so much.  That’s the tiniest part of this interesting read. (The New York Times) 

•  I relate to these words very much. I’ve had “sudden onset farting around” for year and it’s only worsened during the panini. Anticipatory euphoria? You mean the daydreams I have about going to Greece this fall? Going strong.  America Has Pandemic Senioritis (The Atlantic) 

•  This week’s long read is from The Guardian. Out of thin air: the mystery of the man who fell from the sky. 

•  The Redemption of Justin Bieber.  Extreme fame is decidedly too much and far more isolating that any any young human should endure. It’s a weird paradox of money, success, and what… despair?   This piece is surprising.  (GQ)

•  As I near my 40th birthday (yay, honestly), I’ve been thinking a lot about what to do with my face. I’ve finally come to a place where I don’t mind the acne scars and visible pores but do I have to like… manage (?) the emerging lines and wrinkles? I’ll just keep using my retinol and push the needles down the road a bit.  Here’s one perspective.  Justine Bateman Is Aging. She No Longer Cares What You Think About That. (Glamour) 

•  In great news, we’ve reached A New ‘Denim-Cycle’? After a Decade Jeans Move From Skinny to Loose. I think I’m done swaying with jean trends. I have two styles that I know work for me and that’s what I’m wearing from here on out. At some point it becomes less about following the trend and more about wearing what suits you.  For me it’s these straight no-stretch 90’s jean from Everlane and any Lucky Brand Jean with 4-Way Stretch Technology (they usually have a unripped, medium-rise bootcut jean that is amazing but it must be out of stock rn). (New York Times, Everlane, Lucky)

•  I’ve given up on jean shorts but Kendi put in the work of trying a bunch on for us. I am not emotionally available for such work but I’m glad someone is. The Best Denim Shorts for Spring.  (Kendi Everyday) 

•  This pantry soup peaks my interest because it includes a box of mac and cheese – in soup.  Correct me if I’m wrong but I’d totally add the powder cheese pack to the soup.   Busy Phillips’ 15-Minute Miracle Minestrone Soup (The Kitchn) 

•  I’m getting ready to ice dye. White jeans and powders have been ordered thaaaaank you.   (Honestly WTF) 

•  Julia Jubilee is coming up! I’m super excited for these conversations and most of them are free with an RSVP! (Cherry Bombe) 

•  Betting I could eat an entire pan of the Sheet Pan Chow Mein on my own. (Smitten Kitchen) 

•  I think it’s time to add a Charlotte cake pan to my collection.  I love the recipe bundles from our friends at King Arthur Flour. A splurge but their products are fantastic! Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe Bundle. (King Arthur Flour) 

•  It’s just about Jazz Fest season in New Orleans and because we won’t bee festing together until fall, I’ve had this perfect playlist from Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall on all week. (Spotify)

Have a wonderful Sunday! 

My love to you.

xo Joy

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Beyond the Kitchen

Previous Post: « Dad’s Best Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Next Post: Wha To Do In New Orleans, Spring 2021 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela

    April 19, 2021 at 10:23 am

    Made Deb’s Chow Mein sheet dish… soooo good! (Used whatever vegetables I had in the drawer- grated some ginger and tossed with olive oil)… I might have added some thin sliced rib eye ;) Hubby said “what is this- delish!”

    Reply
  2. Marybeth

    April 19, 2021 at 4:52 am

    what a wonderful sunday! so heartwarming to see your parents visit and we cannot wait to make these cookies. Also, amen to being done with jean trends! It was a fun ride, but I’ll personally stick with my everlane high rise skinnes from here on out.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Hahah – it was a fun ride. I feel ya.

      Reply
  3. Megan

    April 18, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    “Sudden onset farting around” – made me think you had been eating too many beans!!! – thanks for the laugh and your newsletters, they always brighten my Monday mornings.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Also, too many beans! Hahah.

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth DiVito

    April 18, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    100 percent on the jean trend comment! Really all trends in my opinion. We all should wear what we like and what looks best on us. Following a trend for trends sake when it doesn’t suit you at all just seems like a waste of money and effort.

    Reply
  5. Tara

    April 18, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful visit with your parents. I need to try your dad’s cookies!

    Speaking of dessert…I’ll be in New Orleans this week for my birthday and NEED to eat some bread pudding. If you have a recommendation, I would love to hear it! Thank you!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      You might try Brennan’s in the Quarter! Happy birthday!

      Reply
  6. Bonnir

    April 18, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    Sweet Joy
    Love your dad and one of my best
    Memories of my dad is him in the kitchen or over the bbq fixing a meal for us. Your dad reminds me of this. I am 80 an wrinkled and so far the only complaints have been from me. I call them character lines. I look forward to preparing your dads cookies and I shall give you the recipe for my dads roast. Love ya. Bonnie

    Reply
  7. Rachel

    April 18, 2021 at 11:31 am

    Thanks for sharing the Preservation Hall playlist. I lost my grandma a few weeks ago. I didn’t know her well, but I know that one of the highlights of her life was going to New Orleans and sitting front row at a jazz club 3 nights in a row. Wish I knew which one. I’ve been overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start with jazz to remember her.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      Oh my goodness Rachel thank you for sharing this. I’m sorry for you loss and I’m so glad that playlist made its way to you.

      Reply
  8. Kristin

    April 18, 2021 at 11:23 am

    Omgoodness…making your dad’s chocolate chip cookies this week for my senior clients I take care of….they will love I’m sure!
    On skincare….I’m 54 and love the skin I’m in and truly enjoying this chapter of life.
    Remember those lil lines show the love and laughter you’ve experienced.If wanting to explore serums I HIGHLY RECOMMEND korres products.Little on spendy side but the whole face washing and night routine put a SPA EXPERIENCE TO IT.
    Embrace your 40’s ??

    Reply
    • Kim

      April 18, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      Side note- when, not if, yu go to Greece, you can get fabulous Korres products for very reasonable prices! Take an extra bag!!

      Reply
      • joythebaker

        April 19, 2021 at 4:23 pm

        I’m listening and I’m hearing you. Taking this very seriously.

        Reply
      • joythebaker

        April 24, 2021 at 8:55 pm

        I now have a Korres tab open in my browser and it will stay there until I head to Greece. Bless!

        Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      I will fully embrace them! Me and my expensive spa creams will fully embrace them! :)

      Reply
  9. Saysee Rizental

    April 18, 2021 at 10:37 am

    Your parents are so cute. That smile on your mother’s face tells all she thinks of being there. Thank you for letting us be part of your life.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      I’m so glad you’re here!

      Reply
  10. Jenn P

    April 18, 2021 at 10:08 am

    I 100% bookmarked that post from Kendi earlier this week so I could deep dive into it this weekend in case there were holes in my shorts drawer. Good news – I’m only buying one pair. Second, I didn’t read the denim article, but I agree with you – I’ve found my jean silhouettes and they are what I will wear regardless of fashion or trend. I’d rather be comfortable and feel good than be hip (or whatever the kids are saying these days). Thanks for all you do Joy. And hug your parents hard.

    Reply
  11. Vicki

    April 18, 2021 at 7:42 am

    Your parents are so cute! I just love the look of concentration on your dad making cookies.

    Reply
  12. Becca

    April 18, 2021 at 7:13 am

    Every person who gets unnecessary needles to “correct” what is not flawed, is not ugly, is not bad, makes it harder for others to live with their natural bodies and faces. Understanding that is the first step to responsible decisions and creating the world we actually want to inhabit–possibly one where faces untouched by subdermal chemicals are not an anomaly.
    Boldly imagine a world where beauty is not so narrowly defined, where youth is not the height of experience, where our images are not constantly reproduced and scrutinized, where we exist entirely embodied and reject those who refuse to accept and project nature as it is. Then begin to create the world we’ve imagined.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      I LOVE this comment Becca thank you!

      Reply
  13. Caroline W

    April 18, 2021 at 7:11 am

    I am finding such joy in what your computer corrects “pandemic” to. I think it autocorrected to panini in this post and pantene pro V in the previous! Lollz autocorrect.

    Reply
  14. Jackie Hyatt

    April 18, 2021 at 6:55 am

    I’m all about cookie eating and crafting! What crafts did you and your mom do?

    Reply
  15. Beth

    April 18, 2021 at 4:17 am

    Joy, I lost my Dad when I was young, and the pictures of your Dad from this week–all of them showing him beaming at you with immense pride and love–brought me such happiness and a flood of my own memories. What a clear Joy you are to your parents–and they are to you. Thank you for sharing xo

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 24, 2021 at 8:58 pm

      Oh Beth – you’re generous with this, thank you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Beyond the Kitchen

My Top 10 Peanut Butter Recipes

I haven’t felt like making meals at all this week.  I don’t even seem to have the energy to cobble together my usual lazy stand-bys: scrambled eggs and a carb, toasted.  Strangely, I’m also not allowing myself to order any expensive (and everything is expensive right now) takeout so… well, I’ll be eating bananas smeared…

Read More

stack of books for the best nonfictions books to read in 2022
The Best Nonfiction Books for Summer 2022

One of my cushiest jobs of all time was being a reader for the Hallmark Channel. Every week, I’d drive down the 101 to the Valley to pick up a stack of books to review. The stories came in waves depending on what themes the producers were interested in, ranging from autism to cancer, and—of…

Read More

Abby at a table at Alma
New Orleans By Way of Chicago

Have you ever been someplace your soul immediately responded to? That’s Chicago for me. Not everyone understands it and I genuinely like it that way. Chicago isn’t for everyone. It’s where my roots are, where my grandparents rest peacefully. The food in Chicago is the best in the world to me, and I will argue…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Joy the baker with dyed bandana around neck

HOW TO MAKE DYED BANDANAS

as seen in JtB Magazine!

joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

FAVORITE FRUIT RECIPES

fresh baked blueberry cobbler on a plate with vanilla ice cream on top.

The Secrets To My Favorite Blueberry Cobbler

Strawberry pie filling inside of unbaked crust with crumble top.

My Best Strawberry Crumble Pie Recipe

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

POPULAR CAKES

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

Slice of Chocolate Guinness Cake on a small pink plate

Chocolate Guinness Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sliced and plated funfetti cake slices.

Funfetti Birthday Bundt Cake

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

I’m calling it, friends. IT’S SUMMER and to ce I’m calling it, friends. IT’S SUMMER and to celebrate you’re going to need the latest issue of Joy the Baker Magazine. ⁣
⁣
This issue is packed with road-trip inspiration, summer’s best burgers, backyard margaritas, no-churn ice cream and cakes that bake without an oven. ⁣
⁣
We get crafty, we get campy, there’s so much ice dye… this one’s more than food - it’s our summer bucket list in magazine form. ⁣
⁣
Pick up your copy wherever magazines are sold across the US and Canada or buy a copy online using the link in my profile. ⁣(🙌 free shipping!) 
⁣
Also, look at this cover shot by @emferretti! The whole magazine is that mouthwatering. 👏☀️🍓
I spent part of this fine weekend cleaning this ve I spent part of this fine weekend cleaning this very hardworking pantry. It’ll never be rainbow organized or picture perfect but I’ll tell ya, a few sets of @rubbermaid containers, @ballcanning jars and brown packing tape with a @sharpie marker make this a high functioning space for recipe testing and life living. 
⁣
Swipe to see my supervisor 🦁 inspecting my work. ⁣
⁣
#organized #pantryorganization #joythebaker #weekendwork
Not gonna lie, peanut butter was my main food grou Not gonna lie, peanut butter was my main food group this week - either smeared on fruit or baked as cookies. ⁣
⁣
If you feel me on this, my top 10 peanut butter recipes will serve you well. 👏 Find the link in the bio, like we do. ⁣
⁣
#peanutbutter #cookies #cobbler #joythebaker
I either need a pep talk or chocolate cake though I either need a pep talk or chocolate cake though I think I actually need both - stat.⁣
⁣
This particular cake is gluten and dairy free though you’d never know it based on its tender chocolate crumb and swoopy coconut based frosting. ⁣
⁣
I’ll leave the 🍫 recipe linked in the bio. Please leave any pep talk thoughts in the comments below (lol I’m not even kidding). xo
Mmkay you can take one pie and one sweater to the Mmkay you can take one pie and one sweater to the deserted island. I suppose I’m set! 🤪
⁣
My Very Best 🍓 🍓 Crumble Pie recipe linked in the profile and the sweater is an old gem from Forever21 and sure it’s getting a little tighter every year it’s weird how sweaters shrink sitting in drawers waiting for strawberry season. ⁣
⁣
#strawberrypie #joythebaker #mothersday #bakedfromscratch
In this week’s Sunday post I talk about learning In this week’s Sunday post I talk about learning how to ride a motorcycle, making my summer bucket list dreams come true, and easing out that clutch. ⁣
⁣
Am I roadworthy? Not quite yet, but I am super proud of myself. ⁣
⁣
Your Sunday reads, linked in the profile.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up