Friends! Hi-hello-how are you? I hope you’re settled in to your Sunday morning with the last of the Thanksgiving pie. Welcome. I’m glad we’re here.
I’ve spent the last few weeks settling into Texas full time. It’s funny, I didn’t realize how much I straddled the fence between New Orleans and Texas. Even though I was spending most of my days and weeks in Houston, in my mind – New Orleans was home. I suppose some shifts are more mental than physical. Moving all of my stuff out of the Bakehouse in New Orleans and saying goodbye has, what’s the word? inspired me to deal with the mental load of this change. Lol at the way I thought I could avoid feeling those feels.
At present, I’m extremely grateful for a solid run in New Orleans and all that’s possible in Texas. I just have to dream it up, right? The dreaming and planning (and the general audacity to do both) feels like an active and passive endeavor. In some ways I’m simply waiting for the next right thing. In more ways, I’m planning, and making myself ready for that next right thing. I’ll know it when I see it (is what I keep telling myself).
I hope you’re steady stepping towards the end of this year. It really is just a one foot in front of the other type of deal. Take good care today and as always, take only what you need.
• Raise your hand if you’ve every kept a gratitude journal. Let the record reflect I have my hands planted firmly in my lap. Keeping a gratitude journal is up there with keeping a sourdough starter alive on the list of things beyond my capacity. But is gratitude the secret to happiness? The answer is more yes than no. The Guardian tales a skeptical view.
• After a serious 2 year break from running, I’m back baby. Well, I’m two weeks into running and training for… a little endurance and a whole lotta good attitude. Imagine me coming back from a breath taking two mile run to read that Jenny Hoffman Ran From San Francisco to New York in 47 Days. Mmmmkay. I’m not sure the Nike Run Club App has that sort of training program but their 4-week beginner running program is fantastic if you’re looking to get back in your running shoes. (Outside)
• My friend Lauren Viera wrote the book, 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago which is a strong reminder that I’m well overdue for a visit. It also has me thinking that this book would be a fantastic holiday gift. Find all the city books here! (The 500 Hidden Secrets)
• Here’s a perfect little Sunday poem: Joy Chose You. (Instagram)
• If you miss our friend Kim’s contributions here on Sundays, you don’t have to miss her – just sign up for her newsletter! It’s the best kind of long email (with links), from a good friend. (Instagram, Substack)
• I need your help on this one. I’m currently testing holiday cookies. So far my favorite has been a thick and chewy gingersnap cookie spread with melted chocolate on the bottom. I think I also want to make a jam filled kolacky cookie? Help. What holiday cookie would you like to see this season? (Food 52)
• I’ve recycled more empty butter boxes than I can count over the years. I’ve never thought much about about them until now. (Apartment Therapy)
• The only leftover I took from Thanksgiving in Houston was the turkey carcass because I wanted this Day After Gumbo simmering away on the stove come Sunday. (Garden and Gun)
• Highly recommend you put Allison Russell’s new album The Returner on this Sunday. The title song will lift your heart, I promise. (Spotify)
• Have you ventured to Trader Joe’s for their holiday offerings? The Peppermint Joe-Joe’s alone demand your presence. But a trip to Trader Joe’s is always an ordeal which is why I end up shoving miso chips in my face in the parking lot post shop. I feel like we need this article on The Do’s and Don’t of Trader Joe’s Cart Etiquette rewritten by Amy Estes given her hilariously accurate Trader Joe’s Parking Lot diatribe. Amy – please and thank you. (The Kitchen, McSweeney’s)
• If you didn’t get your copy of Camp Joy over the summer, now is a great time to make my latest little zine the perfect lil’ stocking stuffer! (Joy the Baker)
• Spoiler alert: everyone on my gift list this holiday season is getting these Drunk Cat Matchbooks. This Rodelle Vanilla Bean Paste is going to be a great affordable but splurgey little gift for my baker friends. (Arna Miller, Amazon)
• This is my petition to make Big Sandwich Night (or BNS) an official after Thanksgiving holiday. Obviously you need Duke’s mayo (duh), and maybe make the Mega Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich for good measure. (Instagram, Joy the Baker)
Enjoy your Sunday, friends!
My love to you.
xo Joy
Amanda
Glad to have you here in Houston. If I ever accidentally run into you at Trader Joe’s I promise to not make it weird. ;) In all seriousness, I hope you feel at home here and get settled in soon.
Jenny
Aw, that joy poem got me streaming with tears and the gratitude article was so interesting. I do find it useful to keep a note of joyful occasions and of gratitude for lean times, this time of year is quite joyful now with some dear friends and loved ones but it was only a few years ago when I didn’t know quite how I’d make it through, so I don’t take it for granted and I do have gratitude for life’s ebbs and flows. Thanks for your lovely words and great shares!
Katt
“I just have to dream it up, right? The dreaming and planning (and the general audacity to do both) feels like an active and passive endeavor. In some ways I’m simply waiting for the next right thing. In more ways, I’m planning, and making myself ready for that next right thing.”
This reminds me a lot of what I’ve been working on with The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron), especially Week 3. Some favorite relevant quotes about synchronicity:
“Answered prayers are scary. They imply responsibility. You asked for it. Now that you’ve got it, what are you doing to do?”
“Anyone honest will tell you that possibility is far more frightening than impossibility….If we do, in fact, have to deal with a force beyond ourselves that involves itself in our lives, then we may have to move into action on those previously impossible dreams.”
“I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you *can* do something. Say, instead, that you *are* doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow.”
“Understand that the *what* must come before the *how*. First choose *what* you would do. The *how* usually falls into place itself.”
“Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open.”
“As each idea comes to us, we must in good faith clear away our inner barriers to acting on it and then, on an outer level, take the concrete steps necessary to trigger our synchronous good.”
Emily
Make the kolacky! I grew up making those and chrusciki for the holidays. The best jam for kolacky is one with lots of pectin and not too much sweetness such as an apricot, raspberry, or a plum jam. Two tips my mom taught me are to press the corners when folding the kolacky and to wait to dust them in powdered sugar until you are serving them. That way they can keep for a few days without the sugar soaking in.
Chamila Purbhoo
The Poem is perfect for this coming christmas. I intend on asking my daughter to read it in front of family members while handing a handwritten copy of it to the guests – so they know what the poem is about visually too.
For the song by Allison Russell, i have found my new again Xmas song. It is just my kinda. Downloading it to listen in the car – her title track is my fav.
cheers
chamila
Joy the Baker
Oh I love the idea of reading this poem at the holidays. That’s really sweet!
B
Love gingerbread cookies plus chocolate, sounds delicious!
Erin A
This might be a big ask, but a vegan cookie option would be appreciated! My FIL is vegan but loves sweets and i have exactly one good vegan cookie recipe.
Joy the Baker
I can work on this for you, Erin!
Ella Cameron
Can we get some more information on these chewie ginger cookies with chocolate? ? good luck with yout move to Texas.
Joy the Baker
Thank you Ella! I’m working on the recipe now! As soon as it’s perfect (I think it’ll take me a few tests) I’ll share it here!
Dee
How is Tron doing?
Joy the Baker
Oh Tron is very happy!
Kim Baldwin
Joy!! Thank you for linking to my lil baby Substack! xoxo, Kim
Joy the Baker
Of course, friend! I love your writing!
Lara
Make kolacky with apricot filling. They are the best!
Catherine
Thank you for “Joy Chose You” I agree it is a perfect Sunday poem. And thank you for the Pumpkin Pie Bars, I made the meringue in the morning, and then topped the bars and toasted it just before serving. They were a delicious and I will be making them again. I’m looking forward to your Texas journey.
Catherine
Joy the Baker
I’m so glad you enjoyed the pumpkin pie bars! They’re delicious without the meringue but that fluffy toasted meringue takes the whole dessert over the top!
Sam Bailey
Yes please make jam filled kolacky! My grandmother and mom have been getting kolacky from the Orland Park Bakery in Illinois for as long as I can remember and I have always wanted to try and make it for them myself. I know with a JTB recipe I can make that happen!
Maria
I’ve tried to make kolacky before. I even tested a recipe for someone’s cookbook and they’ve been good but not as good as I wanted for the amount of work it took. I do like that the sweetness comes from the jam. Mine always open or I roll then unevenly. Please do your magic on this cookie!
Joy the Baker
You’re absolutely right, Maria! I want a more flavor from the dough considering how labor intensive the dough is. I’m going to work on this for us!