Hello friends. Welcome to another fine Sunday!
As you read this I’ll be on my way to Puerto Vallarta Mexico for a short trip with my friends Whitney and Dean. The three of us turned 40 this summer and we’re all going to Mexico about it. I hope to cross surfing off this year’s Summer Bucket List and if what I attempt is less that surfing then I’ll just change that part of the list from “Surfing in Mexico” to “Choking on the Pacific in Mexico”. I’ll take it as it comes.
This week was spent cycling through working, running, sweating, managing, emailing, hydrating, and just generally fussing with this little summer life. I made Twelve Cupcakes with One Stick of Butter for no / every reason. I stand by that decision.
I hope this finds you with a lot to look forward to today. Enjoy it all. Drink some water. The offering this week is below. Last week a reader expressed frustration that some of the links below are behind paywalls. I understand – that’s why I disclose the destination at the end of each blurb. Not everything online is free. I happily pay for the journalism that’s important to me so you’ll see some of those pieces linked here. As always, take only what you need:
• This week’s long read came from my friend Suzonne who texted this to me Saturday morning just as I was sitting down with toast and coffee. I’m paying it forward and hope the same for you. The Jessica Simulation: Love and loss in the age of A.I. (The San Francisco Chronicle)
• Last week I linked an article about the new Anthony Bourdain documentary. The director’s mention of simulating Anthony’s voice using A.I. creeped me out and I’m not alone: The Ethics of a Deepfake Anthony Bourdain Voice (The New Yorker)
• Here’s what it sounds like when Malcolm Gladwell overanalyzes a Disney movie. Morality and law. Revisionist History: The Little Mermaid Part I. And it’s going to be a three part series so buckle up. (Apple Podcast)
• The eternal (well not really, but at least since the 2000s) question: Why Are People So Awful Online? The words and exhaustion of Roxanne Gay. (The New York Times)
• Does Everyone Do This Weird Thing On Vacation? Yes of course. I own a house on the beach in Greece (there’s a fig and pomegranate tree) and an apartment in Mexico City in my vacation imagination. (Cup of Jo)
• Three women discovered they were dating the same man…. and wow what an epic road trip. Lemme find out my dude is dating a bunch of other women. I’ve been looking for excuses to buy a bus. Majorly kidding, I’d crumble. (The Washington Post)
• Our friend Erika tested 9 different yeasted glazed doughnuts for us.(YouTube)
• I’m currently watching: Season 11 of Married at First Sight (with no shame) and Season 1 of Bloodline (because I love a complex family drama). (Hulu and Netflix)
• This Lemon Cherry Icebox Pie was the sleeper hit recipe of last summer. I LOVE an icebox pie! If you need an easy fancy summer dessert, this is for you! (Joy the Baker)
• This weekend I made scones using the Oatmeal Cookie Pancake Mix. Turns out theses mixes can be just about any treat you’re willing to experiment with! Find the whole Joy the Baker x Williams Sonoma Breakfast Collection here! (Williams Sonoma)
• This Raspberry Cake Roll pleases me. But honestly, roll any cake and I’m delighted. (Food52)
Have such a great day!
My love to you.
xo Joy
hannah
Just want to comment that I seek out your blog every single week and never comment. But just wanted to say thank you and hope you always Let It Be Sunday on Sundays :)
Thank you!
Angelique
Joy, Bloodline is an example of excellent television. You’re in for a wild ride.
Janet
Loved Bloodline! What an amazing story and cast or characters. Have fun in PV!
Maris
As uaual, I am finding myself incredulous over the wonderful things you are able to bring to us week after week. And in wonderment over whether you sleep at night, cuz how else would tou find the time to explore ALL of these, sometimes quite weighty, things along with everything else that you do?!?!?!?!? Thx for everything, glad you are getting to Mexico, PV is one of my favorite places.
nancy k
Oh my gosh, MAFS is my huge guilty pleasure. I was sucked into the very first season by a concept that seemed so “out there” even for reality TV. I have been hooked ever since. Season 11 was exceptionally interesting as it was filmed during the lockdown so the couples had additional challenges to navigate. The couples who chose to stay married are, I believe, still married. Really, could Amelia and Bennett be more perfectly suited for each other??
Patty
Fun fact: If the site offers a few free articles a month – you can get around the paywall by opening the link in an incognito window. I know that’s not necessarily media supportive… but ya know…
joythebaker
That’s true, too Patty! Do whatcha do!
Sarah
I tried that but was unsuccessful. I never have even once had the “free articles a month” thing, either. Never signed up for that previously so it is odd that opening the link in the incognito window produced the warning that I’d already used up my “free articles.” I get the same thing on some other sites – sites I never signed up for, paid or otherwise, but the online article seemed interesting, yet clicking on it immediately produced the paywall demand with the admonishing virtual finger shaking that I’d already hit my “free articles limit.” Not sure what that’s all about but usually can find the article in another fashion – someone copies it and pastes somewhere else (I love key phrase searches!).
Cary
Happy 40! Enjoy your time in Mexico. I so enjoy your weekly Sunday posts.
Sending best wishes and good health.
joythebaker
Thank you Cary!
Beth Kennel
We loved Puerto Vallarta! Such a beautiful place. Be sure to check out the bigger Catholic Church. It’s beautiful.
Enjoy your trip. Thanks for the newsletter, recipes, Instagram etc!