Hi friends! Thanks for letting me pop into your Saturday. What are you up to this weekend? If I were to guess the goodness of your life, I’d say you’re putting an elf on a shelf, drying oranges slices into ornaments, and going for an epic no-budget Trader Joe’s run.
Since I have a habit of sharing my life in addition to recipes for nearly 15 years running, and since life is undeniably Everything All At Onceโข,ย I thought you could accept a bit of personal news into your heart. I’m recovering from surgery this weekend and likely, for the next few weeks. In my never ending saga of living with a uterus… well, it needed some maintenance of the laparoscopic variety.ย If you ever want to talk about fibroids and endometriosis instead of cookies, lemme know.
I’ll need some recovery time as we close up this year but I can’t leave you high and dry this holiday season. In addition to the incredible team of Abby, Kim, and Toby, you’ll hear some new voices here over the next few weeks.ย We’re all friends here and I hope you welcome a few new folks and new recipes with open arms and preheated ovens.ย I’ll still be here, and we’ll bake a few cookies and close out the year together with those plastic 2023 glasses.
If I could submit one humble offering this season, it’s that you make a batch ofย Homemade Spiked Eggnog. That’s eggnog from scratch which – essentially drinks like melted ice cream.
If you’re in the market for lil holiday gifts, I love these thoughts on Stocking Stuffers and these thoughts on White Elephant Gifts.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends! I appreciate that you’re here and I’ll brb. xo
143 Responses
Oh my! I’ve been behind in my blog reading because as ya know … life gets in the way. I’m late to the info and want to send my healthy recovery vibes and well wishes to you. Dealing with Endo-stuff isn’t fun or comfortable.
Blessed that you’re surrounded by friends to assist with the blog. Take the time you need and have a lovely holiday!
Somehow I missed this as well and hope you have recovered nicely and that you have a great holiday season and all the very best wishes for the New Year. I simply love you and your blog.
Goodness, Joy. All the drama of the uterus. Iโve been there
with the fibroids, Iโm there now. Wishing you the very best recovery and all the rest you need,
Hope everything went as well that there were no complications, laparoscopic surgery is no joke.. Wishing you a swift and hopefully painfree recovery, dear Joy ?
I somehow missed this when it was posted. I hope this procedure makes your life better going forward. I know you are a tough woman, but please take care.
Reflecting all the warm cookie love you’ve shared with us over the years right back at you. Best wishes for an uncomplicated surgery and a quick recovery.
Sending lots of love! As a fellow chronically ill gal, it can get exhausting. sending all of the healing vibes your way!!
Been through this surgery and sending you solidarity and good feelings! SO glad you have the space to rest. Take the time you need – we’ll be here when you get back!
I DO hope you recover quickly and well! Wishing you and yours a meaningful holiday season.
Lots of love. Iโm one year post-hysterectomy, which was the last option after attempting and failing all medical options for my endo. May you sleep all the sleeps and avoid all coughing and sneezing. Muah.
Having followed you for awhile now, aware you have been dealing with these health issues for sometime. Hoping for a speedy recovery and a relaxing holiday seasons. Hereโs to a Healthy 2023!
Take it easy and get well soon. Happy New Year!!!
Get well soon!
Sending you love for a smooth recovery.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Joy. I do freelance design work for the Society for Women’s Health Research, and if you haven’t seen their resources, they’re pretty great! I know they have toolkits about fibroids and endometriosis (I didn’t work on those, though). I’m sure you have loads of info already, but they could be useful.
https://swhr.org/resources/publications/
Hope I’m not overstepping, just wanted you to know. Thanks for such great content this past year. Hope you feel better soon, and have a Happy Holiday!
Wishing you a gentle recovery and a joyful season of rest ahead!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Take good care, Joy. Sending you good, warm thoughts for a speedy recovery!
Stay strong but rest and heal. Happy you are receiving care from your mother. Thinking of you with love and prayers.
As a fellow endo sufferer, and someone who has that surgery, I feel greatly for you. I welcome you to share your life in your space however you wish. Because for those who don’t have endo, they sure do know someone who does, whether they know it or not. Shared trauma is half trauma. Sort of. At least the emotional part of it. The physical part is all on us.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Joy. Xoxo
Joy, I wish you well. Quick and healthy healing. Lots of happiness this season.
Hope you have a speedy & easy recovery! Thank you for sharing
All the best for a speedy recovery! I am with you in the trenches and saw that you were in hospital at the same time as me, turns out for the same thing! I hope you enjoy the holidays with all your loved ones. Happy healing.
Glad you are taking some time off. I’ve had that particular operation twice and it is no joke — I needed a full month’s recovery each time. For fibroids, vitex is one of the few things that seems to have solid data behind it and it’s easy to find and to take. xoxoxo
Wishing you all the rest and relaxation you need for a smooth recovery. Happy Holidays!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and some much deserved rest.
Hope you rest as much as possible and Merry Christmas
Wishing you a smooth recovery, rest, and a delightful holiday season Joy.
Speedy recovery. Take the time to recover and enjoy the holidays.
Joy, I have been reading your blog for *GASP* ten years, and I have loved every single moment you have shared a bit of your life alongside the treasure trove of recipes for your humble readers.
As a human, with a uterus, my heart aches for you. Endometriosis is nothing to sneeze at, and I am glad you are taking the time to take care of yourself and heal. I just want to say, happy holidays, and thank you for all the beautiful baking encouragement over the years, and I wish you the merriest of merries and if you haven’t binged it yet, now is the time to watch Wednesday on netflix despite it having no holiday vibes whatsoever.
<3
jess
All the best for your recovery, Joy! Rest well.
Joy I wish you an easy and fast recovery. Take all the time you need. We will all be here. I hope that you get to do all the fun holiday things that you want to do, and get out of doing the ones you don’t want to do! Sending good energy you way!
So sorry you are going through this, but glad you are taking some time to recover! May you take all the time you need and not rush the healing. Thank you for sharing your update and for sharing your friends’ wonderful writing with us as well. Wishing you all the best!
As a survivor of Endometriosis and eight surgeries then a miracle baby and then a total hysterectomy at age 33, Iโm sure you will rest well, heal well and enjoy the holidays!! Endometriosis is a bitch! But it is survivable and so much more options now then when I was trying new drugs in 1988! If you ever want some support and an understanding ear, email me! Heal well! Relax and enjoy the holidays! Love from Kathryn
Joy, please take care and heal well! I’m sending you all gentle and healthy recovery thoughts, and a wonderful start to the new year. I’ve followed your blog for years, and wish you nothing but wonderful things.
Joy, take time for healing ???? and some R&R! May you look forward to the holidays with love all around you and a happy a healthy new year!
Meant take your time for healing! Exclamation point! Not question mark! ;)
As one of the sisterhood of fibroids and endometriosis, I have empathy for your plight. Rest and recover, we will be here when you have strength back. Love and light to you.
I’ve been there. Please check out this book, it has helped me immensely with endometriosis, and it focuses on healing through diet. Estrogen Dominance is a factor in a lot of cases, and there are a lot of free resources online, too. Best xx
https://wellena.com/products/overcoming-estrogen-dominance
Heal up and take the time you need. Uteri can be pretty pesky sometimes. We will hold space for you and welcome you back with open arms when you are ready ?
Take this time to rest, recover, and spend time with loved ones. We will be here waiting for you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2023!
Rent, relax and have a great recovery period.
Take ALL THE TIME you need! We will all still be here waiting for your wonderful self; I will raise a glass of that homemade egg nog to you!!
Hoping all goes well and your recovery goes smoothly. Let all the people who love you spoil you as you recover!
Please rest and recover and let your mom take good care of you. These procedures are no joke! Sending best thoughts and gentle hugs xoxo
Take care of yourselfโฆ have a good rest??
Joy,
Thank you for sharing. Take care. Rest as much as you need. Be kind to yourself. We who follow you will still be here whenever you return.
Take good care, Joy!
Looking forward to making some of your recipes this holiday season. Thanks for everything that you and your team do!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and continued wisdom to not do too much too soon until you are 100%.
Joy, you deserve rest to allow your body to heal. All our love ? to you during this recovery process. Weโll be keeping you in our prayers and talking soon. Big virtual hugs, Judy and Daniel
As one who experienced the same many years ago (30 some odd) I will only say there is life on the other side of these procedures and it is a long and good one. You got this. Thinking healing thoughts for you through the New Year! XO
Time to rest, heal and restore yourself. Please take this time for yourself knowing you are in good hands with those who want the best for you.
Take all the time you need. Your health is the most important. Wishing you a full & speedy recovery, Joy!
Take time for you! Take care!
Take your time to heal. You will get through this. You are doing so well. We will all still be here, waiting for you. Sending out a virtual hug xx
Joy Iโve been there I hade four endometriosis procedures that soon lead to a full hysterectomy. This was after having two beautiful girls. Thank God. I know exactly what you are going through and feeling. Stay strong and know that this will pass. You are incredible. Rest
Take your time and heal up. More recipes are fantastic and I adore your messages beyond that (so relatable!), but your health and happiness come first. Much love, and feel better soon.
From my heart and fellow Endo-riddled uterus to yours, so much love and healing energy coming your way with hopes for a smooth recovery. Only the gentlest of Januarys and honestly, of years, ahead my friend.
Take it easy and heal ? enjoy your holiday!! Love following along!!
I am also an endometriosis survivor. After 5 babies my uterus gave up. Do NOT miss those cramps, but sure wish the hormones could figure themselves out. Wishing you a peaceful recovery. Weโre here for you if you want to spiralโฆ
Sending healing vibes your way, Joy! I hope you’ll lean into the rest period and take the time to recover well. We’ll be here when you get back. :)
Thanks for sharing, so many women endure the same. Maybe your kind words will get them into the doctor for relief.
Hope you have a quick and easy recovery.
Damn, that cookie looks good! Rest and take it easy, as hard as it can be sometimes. Rooting for a positive healing time for you.
I have endometriosis surgery scheduled for March 2023. Wishing you all the best as you recover. And would love to hear about your journey if you are open to sharing. I just looked up a past post with endo resources you had shared a while back!
I had a lap for endo this summer. It really taught (read: forced) me how to lean into the support of others, a โgrowth areaโ for me! I hope you have people who can do the same for you. Wishing you a gentle healing period.
Sending you love and lots of strength as you recover from surgery. I completely understand what you are going through, as I had surgery earlier this year to tackle my own uterus challenges. Please know your blog and writing has been a source of JOY and happiness for me from the beginning. I visit almost daily, and many of your recipes are family staples that create lots of smiles. I appreciate what you and your team do to produce invaluable content and beautiful and funny writing. You are an incredible human Joy!
Take care. Rest and enjoy a few (or many) extra cookies.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Joy, and plenty of good food and company while you rest!
I hope you have a restful and recharging recovery, Joy.
Sending you loving thoughts for a speedy recovery ??
Sending healing vibes your way! Hoping the rest of the year is rejuvenating and comforting.
Hope you have a smooth and quick recovery! I appreciate your honesty joy. Trying that eggnog recipe :) xox
Blessings coming your way Joy. ??
I just realized my emojis were turned into question marks! Still sending heartfelt good wishes to you!
Wishing you well Joy. Hannah Devane Vukanic has shared about her journey with endometriosis and her long-wanted successful pregnancy last year. Sheโs an Irish lass living in the UK, the niece of an ex-boyfriend of mine, and also also is the bestie of my husbandโs niece!! Small world, eh. Anyways she writes well and has lots to share. Check her out at http://heelsandhormones.net/
I wish you a speedy recovery but be gentle with yourself and allow the time you need to heal. Have a wonderful holiday season .
Sending gentle hugs for a speedy recovery! ??? Itโs time to take care of YOU!
Love you Joy <3 rest and recover. Iโm totally down to talk fibroids and uteruses (I have a wonky one myself) over cookies, but please share your experience if it feels right for YOU.
Take good care of yourself, Joy!
Wishing you a quick healing journey. ?
best wishes for a speedy recovery and the very best holiday season :)
Wishing you the world’s speediest recovery and a restful holiday season!
Get well soon Joy ???
UM THOSE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ROSE EMOJIS – not question marks!!!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Take care of you.
I am sending you tons of good health and recovery vibes. Through your recipes – but mainly through the YOU that comes out when you are sharing your recipes – you offer us so much comfort and humor. And now I am virtually sending those same two things right back to you. At this exact moment, my 12 y.o. Natalie (as devoted to your content as I am) is happily mise-en-placing ingredients for my husband’s cinnamon streusel coffeecake birthday cake she is in charge of baking. She is undoubtedly channeling you as she does this.
If you ever need a boost, remember you have a huge circle of virtual friends and supporters standing ready to have your back at a moment’s notice. Book titles, comfort food takeout ideas, calming and mood-boosting music, time-tested comedic media, whatever we return to again and again when our bodies and spirits need it most — you name it, we got you.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and all the best of this holiday season. Reading and enjoying your emails is part of my self care! Love what you do! Rest up and take care of yourself.
Hope for a fast recovery and thanks for bringing us along with you in this wild ride we call life
I hope your recovery is smooth and swift and that you still feel up to celebrating with your friends and family! Thanks for bringing us recipes, ideas and cheer year round. It will be fun to hear from some new voices too.
Get well soon Joy. We love you and are sending you all the healing thoughts.
Get well soon ??enjoy every minute of
Life..
Sending you prayers and lots of love. Hope you have a speedy recovery and take this time to rest and heal. Bless you for the joy you bring to our lives. xxoo
Sending a big healing hug your way Joy! Be good to yourself and rest and let others help when needed. We all care!
Sending prayers for your speedy recovery, Joy. And a big hug too! Also, I’ve had homemade spiked eggnog bouncing around in the old noggin. Was thinking about bringing it to a party and now you’ve made up my mind. Cheers! xo
Wishing you a speedy recovery and Merry Christmas. I’m going to make your peanut butter cup cookies today–my favorite.
You are such a ‘Joy’ in my Saturday mornings Inbox. Take care of you, we will be fine, and I already look forward to see your Name pop up in my Inbox in the New Year. Merry Christmas Joy??
Sending best wishes for a successful procedure and smooth and pleasant recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Praying for a quick recovery and that you get some much needed time with your friends and family during the holidays!
I hope you have a quick and restful recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and I hope you can relax a little and enjoy the holiday season. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023! xoxo
Take care of yourself Joy. Your health is the most important thing. REST!
Get better quick! You always have such a sweet take on life!
Joy, endometriosis is also a friend of mine, unfortunately, so I’ve had the pleasure of a surgery date with it before! Get plenty of R&R and as you feel ready to come back to us do, but we’ll gladly open our bellies and ovens to the rest of the team!
Lots of hugs for a speedy recovery. Have a great holiday season.!!
Joy, thinking about you. Hugs
Do what the Dr says and let your loved ones care for you. We love the happiness you share with us weekly and we are sending it and hugs back your way for your recovery. Glad you took care of the issue, no fun.
Beth
Sending you lots of love while you recover!
XOXO Joy! Take care of yourself!
Big hugs,
Jody
Rest & recover. Blessings to you ?
Dear joy, sending you lots of recovery vibes. I hope your family, friends and will take the best care of you because I know you take care of others so well. Weโre thinking of you! If we were friends IRL Iโd bring you a big thing of soup, fresh cookies and some good magazines. Rest up xo
Take care Joy.
Time to rest and heal- glad your mom is there to help. :)
Congratulations on your surgery!!!! I do believe you are gonna feel so much better .
Am making the cream cheese oreo chocolate chip cookie dough today. Am doubling the recipe and refrigerating over nite. Baking them off tomorrow and will freeze them until XMAS. Iโm doubling the recipe because hubby gave me an early Xmas giftโฆthe Kitchen Aid 7 qt. Stand mixerโฆto replace the 5 qt. Kitchen Aid mixer he gave me 26 years ago when we had been dating only 6 months! Of course, I married him!
Wishing you well, Joy. We all love you and your team.
Joy I just had a fibroid surgery laparoscopic. I was so tired for 3 weeks, now 5 weeks post op my body is feeling so much stronger and better. Praying for freedom from pain and complete healing. I hope you never get another fibroid!
Sending love, soup, and cookies! Weโre grateful for you.
Take good care of yourself. Happy SeSons and celebrations and looking forward to you back after the holidays
Please take good care of yourself but mostly, let others take good care of you! You do enough for the rest of us and deserve a break!
New Orleans misses you!
Take care! I wish you a full recovery in no time. LOts of love from Spain.
Sending lots of healing thoughts your way.
Oh my, sorry I wasnโt there for this part of your journey, now wishing painless, restful days of recovery and a very happy and especially healthy 2023, plastic glasses and all! Hoping you are bake out there baking , riding and enjoying life soon! Very much enjoy your blog.
Feel better soon! And Happy Holidays.
Thinking of you Joy! Rest and take care of yourself. You are number 1! Xoxo
All love and recovery to you Joy! You are appreciated.
Take all the rest and recovery you need Joy. It helps to know others with uterus struggles, so I appreciate that youโre willing to share this part of your life with us (your internet family). Weโll miss you while youโre gone!
Praying for you and wishing you a speedy recovery! Thank you for all you do for your community of readers. Sending much love <3
Rest up Joy and feel better soon!! You are here in spirit as Iโm filling my cookie tins with your cookies!! ?
Take good care of yourself, Joy!
We will be reading the new posts and browsing your recipe archives for holiday foods and oodles of baked goods right through New Year’s day into 2023.
Thank you for all the deliciousness you bring into our tummies.
*Hugs*
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery! However, please take the time you need to rest and recover. I rarely comment but I do read regularly and I appreciate all that you share. Sending you good vibes for healing, comfort and rest!
Take care of yourself and rest up! Have a wonderful holiday and thank you for creating this beautiful space and bringing Toby, Abby and Kim in on the fun! Iโve loved hanging out with new โfriendsโ on Sundays this year!
Take good care, Joy! I hope your recovery goes smoothly and you feel well soon.
I’m sure the new voices will be great, since you always bring in awesome people.
Oh Joy, I feel for you! I unfortunately share those problems and have had multiple surgeries. Sending lots of positive energy for healing and prayers for your comfort. Relax and breathe in this beautiful season as you recover. Take care
Hi Joy, wishing you a speedy recovery. I too had a uterus thing going on years ago, was told no babies, sorry, but I think I cured myself, and youโd have so laughed at the shock on my face when I got the news of my pregnancy! Be well, rest up, laugh a lot. Sending much love, Happy Holidays to you and loved ones.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing and sending positive vibes for strength, rest, and comfort while you recover.
Get well soon and rest up. Holiday blessings!
Sending wishes for a speedy recovery and a Happy Healthy 2023 from Massachusetts. Take good care
Dear Joy,
I wish you a speedy recovery. Thanks for the years of great bakes and reads.
Best
Liz
Take care of yourself, friend!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending all the healing vibes your way! Hugs from Canada!
I wish you a speedy and full recovery.
Take care & rest up Joy.
And I for one am always up for talk about uterus happenings. The more we share this stuff the better it is for everyone. But of course, your business is your business & you donโt owe us anything.
I just want to say ditto here because Reannon captured my sentiments perfectly.