Since it’s Mother’s Day, let me tell you one of my most treasured memories with my mom.
A few years back, in the spring of 2017 Mom and I flew to New York City so I could be on the actual Today Show promoting my last book Over Easy. It was my first time on very live, very national television and to say that I was nervous was an understatement. Mom and I walked from our midtown hotel up to Rockefeller Center and, because I was a monster I said, “Mom this is New York we have to walk and we have to walk fast,” and despite having knee surgery (or pre-surgery knee pain, I can’t quite remember) she put her NYC walk ON and we made it up and back for rehearsal.
I don’t remember much of the Today Show. They hustle you in makeup and in the studio before the sun has even broken the horizon. And honestly, I was truly so nervous that the sound of Matt Lauer’s voice as he entered to studio sent me into a legitimate blackout. I don’t remember a thing we filmed in that few minutes segment. What I do remember is seconds after the segment – all the boom cameras move away, the producers scatter to their next segments, and my mom rushed up to me from the back of the studio her face just… shocked. I said, “did I do ok!?” because I genuinely did not know if I was even speaking English (the only language I speak fluently so – fingers crossed). My mom assured me that her shock was because I had done a great job – and she just couldn’t believe it all. I could have cried. I might have cried actually.
We walked back to our hotel where I promptly fell asleep while my mom called our whole family on the west coast to tell them that despite being blacked out I made muffins with Matt Lauer (which… doesn’t age well but happened all the same).
I feel so fortunate to get to make more memories with my mom but that trip to New York stands in my mind as a time I held my mom close as my best friend and cheerleader mom I’ll always need. And she looks so cute next to the Flatiron Building before we ate a bunch of pasta for dinner.
It’s Sunday which means I have links for you. Just take what you need this Mother’s Day. Take it easy.
• Of Course The Constitution Has Nothing To Say About Abortion. (The New Yorker)
• Instagram knows I like pottery and it feels like every other post is a new potter I need to follow and support and I suppose as soon as every plate, bowl, and mug in my house is hand thrown I’ll have really made my own dreams come true. Round Trip Clay Works
• I always bring back exciting bags of international chips to gift when I come from a trip abroad (haha, remember that!?). The real difficulty is somehow not eating all the chips before I gift them which takes very keen hiding-chips-from-myself skills because KETCHUP CHIPS YES. All of this to ask – Why Are American Chips So Boring? (Eater)
• I dusted off this vintage JtB soup recipe this week and added about 1/4 of heavy cream because I love myself. Spinach Soup with Garlic Thyme Croutons. I’ve eaten this soup for three days in a row and now the rest will go live in the freezer until it feels new to my tastebuds again.
• This week I’m listening to PJ Morton’s newest album Watch the Sun. (Spotify)
• Our favorite VB (villian blogger) Kim Baldwin has an incredible podcast called Ladyland (but you knew that already, right?). This week Kim announced videos ahead of her upcoming season on the show. Please enjoy catching up with author Mary Laura Philpot. Spoiler alert, there’s a standing desk made of trash. (Instagram, Ladyland)
• Jessica’s Green Bean Crunch Salad is the taste and texture I want from my veggies. (How Sweet Eats)
• It’s rhubarb season though, truth be told, rhubarb is pretty elusive here in Louisiana. Hopefully you’re blessed with these sour pinky stalks. Here’s some inspiration: my Buttery Crisp Rhubars (they’re very easy pie bars with a cheeky name), Jon’s Rhubarb Gin Fizz, and Deb’s Rhubarb Snacking Cake. (Joy the Baker, Instagram, Smitten Kitchen)
• An unexpectedly easy way to get funnel cake into your face at record speed – and it’s baked, baby! (Joy the Baker)
• These are my new favorite jeans. Yes, I’m back to wearing hard pants (if they have plenty of stretch). I tried on a few old pairs of shorts and promptly called the police. I hate shorts. All shorts should go straight to jail. (Rock & Roll Denim)
• I’m not buying a new bathing suit this year because the YouSwim bathing suit I bought last year is my forever bathing suit.
• Next week I’ll have some precious book recommendations from our friend Toby Lowenfels which couldn’t come at a better time because I need a book escape. But, I also LOVE a good re-read. I’m thinking of re-reading Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much Is True. He’s one of my favorite authors and I don’t remember much about storyline as much as I remember the all consuming feeling it gave me. (Thriftbooks)
Enjoy your Sunday. I really hope you do.
My love to you.
xo Joy
RaqJam
RE-READ I Know This Much Is True. It is one of my favorites. It has a special meaning because my son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but even without that connection, it is a great read!
Lisa
I’m with you on the shorts. But cropped jeans feel a little old, so what to do.
FYI: The link for the rhubarb snaking cake is the same as the one for the rhubarb drink.
Judy D.
Joy, I loved the story about Patty and you in NYC. It’s so sweet to hear your perspective (we of course knew your Mom’s!!) of that day. We still have that segment on our DVR and watch it occasionally to reminisce. We love you both and your story just makes it better! ???? Aunt Judy
Karen
This interchange has me in love-tears. Family is simply awesome. Thank you both for being you!
Joy the Baker - Founder
LOVE YOU AUNT JUDY!
Stella
What a sweet memory about your mother; loved how she called all the relatives on the West Coast to share your accomplishment. Thank you for sharing the story and a very happy Mother’s Day to her.
p.s. muffins with Matt Lauer, who would’ve guessed!!
Joy the Baker - Founder
Who could have guessed, right? Hahhaa.
Abby
Tell your mama Happy Mother’s Day for us!! Also the way I am stalking that pottery’s instagram now is unhealthy. The only shorts I allow in my life is short overalls. They’ve passed the test over and over.
Dottie
What a wonderful tribute to your Mom on this special day. She sounds like the best of friends and mothers. Thank you for sharing your story.
That New Yorker article was so right on. Do you think that the justices are reading any of this? You cannot always go back to the source to make your decisions. The source was based on a way of life that only the few still want. Time for some equality!
That green bean recipe looks amazing. I want it for breakfast!
Joy the Baker - Founder
I’m so glad you’re here for it all, Dottie! Thanks for sharing this space with me! xo
Kim
Awe, Joy. Thanks for shouting out the video I made with Mary Laura. We worked so hard on it and I can’t believe how many people have watched it this week. Love, your favorite villain.
Joy the Baker - Founder
It’s so well done, Kim! We LOVE TO SEE IT!
nancy k
OH my gosh…the mugs from Round Trip Clayworks are amazing. I am wondering how often the site restocks as everything is sold out. I guess I will just have to keep checking.I have. “thing” for quirky, interesting or unusual mugs…especially substantial ones.
These are pricey for sure but are beautiful works of art.
Annmarie
I have many fond memories of Christmas shopping in NYC with the mom and Aunts Annie and Rose in the 1960s. We took the train my NJ. My mom has long passed away, and my son and I have made countless weekend trips to NYC from CA. Walking is our favorite … We’ve been known to walk a hundred or so blocks in a day regardless of the weather. You have to be careful, though, I tripped on an uneven sidewalk a few years back, hit my head on the sidewalk, broke my brand new sunglasses, and ended up with a huge black eye. I was quite the sight!
Joy the Baker - Founder
Oh my goodness, Annmarie! That sounds like a doozy I’m glad you’re ok!
Sati M Glenn
Hi Joy, you’re missing the “e” in the link to eater in the chips post, so the link doesn’t work. Easy workaround, but thought you’d want to know. Thanks for another great Sunday post!
Joy the Baker - Founder
Gosh thank you!
Chrissy
My mom was also my partner in crime for my one and only live Today Show appearance and I even though I warned her that I would be mean to her (because the real B comes out when I’m super nervous), she took it in stride and kept being the awesome mom that she is. When I was done, she emerged from the green room and told me how she had a long conversation with a really nice man in there (who happened to be one of the stars of The Sopranos) and we casually went on with our day. Still one of the best mother-daughter adventures!
Also, yes, our potato chips need help, but at least we have TJ’s to pick up the slack slightly. Happy Sunday!
Joy the Baker - Founder
I’m laughing so much Chrissy – you had to warn your mom that you would be mean. I probably was also a little short with my mom and then my spirit simply left my body. Totally normal.
toby
Welcome to New York, walk faster.
I remember watching this segment and you looked cool as a cucumber!
Vickie
What a gem your mom is…your NYC memory was so special.
Judy
Your mom sounds like a true champ(and that knee pain crap is real, let me tell ya). Every time I go onto a website I order from for specialty items I can’t find out here in the NC boondocks, I go down the chip rabbit hole…Spicy Crawfish Lays, Cucumber Lays, Roasted Fish Lays chips(? haven’t tried that one)…..I usually don’t even like chips.
Joy the Baker - Founder
ROASTED FISH!? I mean…. yes I’d try it all. There’s something about a specialty chip that feels like an easy, cheap, and super special indulgence.
Lori
Shorts suck, the end.
Joy the Baker - Founder
Full agree.
Catherine
They’re the absolute WORST! I’m glad we all agree :D