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Let It Be Sunday, 373!

-On turning 41 on a Wednesday and other things

May 21, 2022 by Joy the Baker 36 Comments

This week I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to fill a house.

When I first moved into my Bywater house, six years ago now – I marveled at the fact that I was one person sleeping in a house with TWO beds (baby’s first guest room and I’m baby).  I splurged on having the closets organized with shelves and rods and thought – I’ll never fill these up. How could I ever?

Last week, Samantha Irby, in her essential newsletter, lamented over all of the versions of herself she encountered as she packed her house to move.  I thought immediately of my guest bedroom closet and all the versions of myself that exist in that closet. The version of myself that makes pizelles during the holidays. The version who makes clay earrings. The version of myself who is going to wear my mom’s wedding dress? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Follow up question, ARE THEY ME? The answer is yes.

In other news, I have a birthday coming up this Wednesday. 41 feels like the appropriate age to turn mid-week, ya know?  And speaking of closets – the year after a milestone birthday carries the same vibe as being in the middle of cleaning out a closet.  It’s like… welp, here we – me and all the versions of myself spilling out in little piles to lament and admire. What I do know is, the 40’s feel great! I dress for comfort AND I’m sexy because I know so. I’m also starting to get those deep set neck wrinkles, giving a preview of what I’ll look like if I’m lucky enough to get old.

Here’s some Sunday things for you. As always, take only what you need:

•  I have felt like the roots of the Buffalo massacre run deeper than most media outlets acknowledge. What The Media Is Missing About the Buffalo Shooting, is a condensed interview with Wesley Lowery from this episode of the podcast, What Next. It helps keep this senseless violence in perspective.  The past is the present, slightly different but relentless. (Slate, Twitter)

•  “To be alive in this nation…” – Adrienne Oliver (Instagram)

•  Around the Wilson family table circa 1989 it was Tofu Potato Bake (extra ketchup) and Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper (extra cheese, please) and honestly, I’d still eat a giant plate of both.  Here’s A Belated Appreciation of My 80’s Mom’s Cooking (Hello Gloria)

•  Speaking of hamburger helper, here’s a Timothy has a vegan version that SLAPS. (Mississippi Vegan)

•  In another life, I would have been an air traffic controller.  (I know, how weird is that?) This story, and it’s happy ending, thrill me Miracle In The Air and reminds me of this Dateline episode about a a young girl learning to fly. (Medium, Apple Podcasts)

•  A show of hands from all of us who were influenced by Kim to buy a fanny pack in last week’s post.  I feel like I’m seeing a lot of hands.

•  Our friend Toby on The Hard Work of Making New Friends.  It took me three years to settle into new friendships in New Orleans – that’s a long time! (Hello Gloria)

•  Early summer is also known as Pasta Salad Season so please accept this sandwich-inspired offering: Muffuletta Pasta Salad (Joy the Baker)

•  This week in Ladyland, a day in the life or Parnassus book buyer and author Lindsay Lynch.  (LadyLand)

•  Hey SAN FRANCISCO! I’ll be at the grand opening of the new, beautiful Williams Sonoma in Corte Madre doing a cooking demo on Saturday June 11th!  I’d love to see you! Tickets are free or you can purchase one of my new cake mixes! (Williams Sonoma)

•  Hey SEATTLE! I’ll be in your neighborhood this June!  I’ll be making cake at Williams Sonoma on Sunday June 12th – it’s free or you can buy one of my new Mocha Coffee Cake Mixes!  I’ll also be back at Book Larder on Tuesday June 14th making fried blueberry pies from the new issue of Joy the Baker Magazine!  I’d LOVE to see you! (Williams Sonoma, Book Larder)

•  I’ve just discovered a sudden and intense passion for micro batch baking.  Here’s my latest recipe for two, and just two Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.  I’m leaning into what I call Little Treat Lifestyle. (Instagram)

•  Last thing, friends!  I really want to know what you’re into.  I love this space we’ve built together and I’d love to hear from you.  Please email any article links, book suggestions, and podcast / album recommendations to me at joy[at]joythebaker.com and our next Sunday post together will be a compilation of all our favorites!  Thank you thank you thank you!

Have the most lovely Sunday!

xo Joy

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  1. Asmita

    May 30, 2022 at 11:12 pm

    Happy birthday. The 40s are good. At 48 I can attest to that! I rarely ever write in this space, but almost never miss your weekly roundup of good reads. Thank you for putting your recipes and your point out of view out in the world. Speaking of good reads, I just finished The Dutch House and it was marvellous. So in case you are looking for books, that’s my recommendation.

    Reply
  2. Jena

    May 24, 2022 at 8:49 am

    The versions of me opening is so beautiful, Joy. It slapped me across the face in the best way possible, as I struggle to learn who I am in the face of a recent marriage, an acquired stepson, and exploring how to make friends as an adult. It also opens the question of when to get rid of stuff belonging to versions of me, as my home is beginning to overflow.
    Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  3. Katie Canavan

    May 23, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    Happy Birthday!! And just want to say: I LOVE these tiny batches of “just two” treats, please keep them coming!!

    Reply
  4. Allegra

    May 23, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    LOVE your confidence about turning 41 and bummed I cannot attend either Seattle event! Next time!

    Reply
    • Joy the Baker

      May 23, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      Next time for sure!

      Reply
  5. Lisa

    May 23, 2022 at 10:22 am

    Happy birthday! As a late 30s single gal, I, for one, am loving the microbatch LTL content. I am also loving most parts about getting older, although these chest wrinkles are for sure a thing and I would like to politely opt out. Thank yewww.

    Reply
  6. Marlena

    May 23, 2022 at 9:44 am

    Happy Birthday! At 44, I can attest that it keeps getting better.

    Reply
  7. Julie F

    May 22, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    Happy Birthday!
    I too now want a fanny pack.
    And a very sad day in Buffalo,from someone
    who lives in Buffalo. It’s so hard to process that
    something like that can happen in your community.

    Reply
  8. Robin

    May 22, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Happy birthday. Really needing and enjoying all of your Insta posts. AND I just bought you mag – can’t wait to get it in the mail. ?

    Reply
  9. Cathy

    May 22, 2022 at 5:44 pm

    I think the last paragraph of the interview with Wesley Lowery is equally sickening and terrifying. I fear for our future if we can no longer agree on what is true and what is not.

    Reply
  10. Carolyn

    May 22, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    Happy Birthday, Joy.

    Reply
  11. Jen S

    May 22, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Happy BirthdayWeek! I like small batch baking and lemon poppyseed anything is always welcome in my house. The nostalgia for mom’s cooking brings back warm memories and my first introduction to the cooking masters Rice-A-Roni, Stoffers, Green Giant etc. Making new friends as an adult is hard though I like to think the respectful bond makes them stronger. I’m learning to enjoy my 40’s, grey highlights in my hair and feeling more comfortable in my adult self. I’m determined to have a strawberry filled Summer birthday: got jewelry (including delectable necklace), sweater, top, scarf, candles and decor.

    Reply
  12. Sue

    May 22, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day by doing something fun. Yes, the heat has reached 90 and above. It’s not supposed to be that warm this early. For me, I think I will be changing to cooler weather recipes to beat the heat in the kitchen.

    Reply
  13. Kim

    May 22, 2022 at 10:49 am

    Joy!! This is such a great intro to today’s post. We love a vulnerable Gemini. Your behind-the-scenes support is already enough, but the way you always applaud my work and myriad creative pursuits means so much. Thanks for walking the walk. Happy early birthday!

    Reply
  14. Abby M

    May 22, 2022 at 10:22 am

    I have been influenced by Kim to get a fanny pack and I will be influencing my friends to do the same. No shame!! (some shame)

    Reply
    • Kim

      May 22, 2022 at 10:45 am

      Abby, yes!!! I was so torn between the green one you bought and the yellow one I bought. I’m glad both colors found homes lol.

      Reply
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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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