Friends! Hi, hello! Welcome to Sunday. I’ve missed you!
This week I’ve been back in New Orleans trying my best to put The Bakehouse back together after completing some construction on my old home and studio. I added a bathroom, a closet, and had the the entirety of the interior space painted. All of this is to say that, everything I own has been piled rather unceremoniously in the center of my house and in the center of all the bedrooms and… where do I start? It feels like I’m trying to unpack after moving in except I’m trying to unpack from a single mountain of items rather than a series of boxes.
It’s overwhelming and I can admit to walking more laps around the pile than actually unpacking it. I think I need… what’s the word I’m looking for here? Help. (Suzonne, if you’re reading this please consider it my SOS.)
I’m counting on the fact that time has a way of easing overwhelm, as does help from friends and takeout food, and deep breathing, and moving one book at a time until everything is up and sorted and The Bakehouse is ready to be the rentable retreat of my dreams.
But today, I’ll just freshen the sheets on the bed and enjoy the day. I hope you can take a small break from any of your overwhelm for at least a while today. Our links for reading are here in that spirit.
• Did I tell you I’m working on a zine (like a mini casual magazine) for you this summer? It’s features a few camping trips I’ve taken across Texas this spring along with all of the recipes for food I’ve made outdoors during those camps. It’s part journal, part cookbook, all summer go outside vibes. To celebrate the launch of the zine in June, I’m having a free baking class on Wednesday May 17th. We’ll bake bread in tin cans and preview the zine and just have a good ol’ time together! Sign up here for the Camp Joy Baking Class!
• Step one: Take a moment for Harry Belafonte, Folk Hero. Step two: Put on his Homeward Bound for Sunday listening. (NYT and Spotify)
• Too big for the Summer Bucket List but absolutely going on the Life Bucket List: The 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in the World. Please advise if you’ve hiked any of these hikes! (Joy the Baker, Outside)
• I’m really enjoying the collection of interviews, essays, speeches and emails from Steve Jobs in book form. There’s also a picture of Steve on a motorcycle with his doc that is just a delight. Highly recommend this free read here: Make Something Wonderful. (Steve Jobs Archive)
• I always have a jar of Better Than Bouillon in the fridge (which I love), but the versatility described in this article on Food52 has me thinking I need to keep the powder stocked: Bouillon Powder is Your Pantry’s Secret Weapon. Also now fully inspired to make Heidi Swanson’s homemade vegan bouillon to keep in my camping kit. (Food52, 101 Cookbooks)
• Remember being home from school sick with a fever, laying on the living room couch with a Sprite watching the forbidden The Jerry Springer Show on television? Me too. Me too. 12 Wild Facts About the Jerry Springer Show (Mental Floss)
• Delighted by Kira Cook and her first Adult Spelling Bee: Be the Bee (Substack)
• Remember my collab with my dear friends at Delicacies Jewelry? Well we’re back with a little Mother’s Day love! My favorite Mother’s Day gifty moments are these sterling silver strawberries, these rose gold cherries, and these gold pretzels! You can shop the entire Joy Collection here and u se code Joy15 for 15% off your purchase. Get free 2-day FedEx shipping on orders over $125 so everything will arrive before Mother’s Day!
• Currently listening to Joseph’s The Sun and Joy Oladokun’s Proof of Life on my morning walks. Add these to your listening rotation, they’re both powerful. (Spotify)
• I like the thought of a summer craft I can then carry around with me all autumn: Dreamweaver Tote (Hello Bargello)
• Just a reminder that this time last year I was eating leftover Oven Baked Pea and Pancetta Risotto straight from the fridge with zero regrets. (Joy the Baker)
• Danielle Walker’s Burnt Broccoli seasoning is so good on really, anything and everything. It’s a recent addition to my yogurt marinated chicken. (Danielle Walker)
• It’s the last chance to grab my mixes with Williams Sonoma as they’re shortly going away forever. My favorite Mocha Coffee Cake Mix and Chocolate Neapolitan Sheet Cake are on sale! (Williams Sonoma)
Have a lovely Sunday, friends!
My love to you.
xo Joy
Jen S
Hello! Catching up on the site’s posts while recovering from jet-lag after a Western Europe vacation.I haven’t hiked any of the 10 from the link your provided I just did a beautiful coastal hike (5 miles round trip) around Porto Covo Portugal. Spectacular Spring wild flower season and a starting point for a 4-5 week hiking/camping excursion. Apparently these are popular throughout Europe like the PCH trail in Ca.
I’m all about trying or creating new spice blends and curious about a low-salt veggie based options. I use a refrigerated paste broth with tons of umami: Best Bone Broths-Beef Mushroom.
What is it about having Sprite while sick that makes us feel better? It is a magic elixir.
I’ve already passed on the Steve Jobs article to others. Incredible. Great lists all around!
Sarah
The piece on Steve Jobs was phenomenal. I LOVED it so much.
JO
Plitvice Lakes is stunning, and one of my favorite memories. Apparently, my now husband had planned to propose to me at the top of the lakes. I had heard there was a roast chicken stand at the top of the hike and was so disappointed that there was no chicken that day that I turned into a hangry mess. There was no proposal that day. :) He did propose a few days later (after a large Croatian meal of grilled lamb and salad). We have been married almost 16 years. But, the lesson here is always pack snacks. :) And definitely go hike these lakes!
Emily
Joy, I have been to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia almost 10 years ago now. I cannot remember if we did route K, but even if we didn’t I still without a doubt recommend a visit. The place was so beautiful!! The landscape seems fake at times; it’s that pretty. We had some transportation issues spanning a sketchy charter bus system coming in from the capitol and then not wanting to get left overnight on the side of the road outside the park due to the mammalian predators mentioned in the article plus a not so outdoorsy anxiety laden sister in tow. So I would recommend a car rental to get there, but even without that simplification it’s still a 10/10 from me.
Alaskan baker
I can personally vouch for the Chilkoot Trail! It’s tremendous, well supported (nice campgrounds, some cabins, some wooden tent platforms, pit toilets at each campground), historic, and beautiful. You traverse through a handful of completely unique landscapes on the 5 day hike (I wouldn’t do it quicker although some people do). It’s very popular so you have to reserve a spot a year or two ahead, (the kind of crowds we Alaskans are not used to!). And it’s fun to delve into the history of the gold rush and think of packing boats, canned food, and cotton hiking clothes up the scales when you’re hiking it.
Suzonne
Joy, the word you’re looking for is help. You need help! I will happily come over on Tuesday or Wednesday and help you dig out. That way, I can bring back the kitchen props I borrowed from the pile and put them in their rightful place. ??
Florence Dickenson
Really enjoyed the Steve Jobs read…thank you
Gordana W Vitez
You don’t have to make a vegan bouillon. Try Vegeta! https://www.vegeta.us.com/us/products/all-purpose-seasoning/vegeta
toby
love Joy Oladokun <3 can't wait to dig into all these