Friends hi, hello! Let’s put a little bow on the 9th week of this fine year. I feel like I’ve been had my hands over my eyes for the entire start of this year, like I’m not sure I’m watching a scary movie or just a little thriller. I think I’m ready to take my hands down, slowly. I think I’m ready to dub year a thrill. Anyway, Amy says spring is coming and as a fellow solar powered babe, I’m ready – I’ve got my dresses and Birkenstocks queued up.
In large life news things, The Bakehouse Texas is officially nearly official. I surprised my parents (who came into town for their first rodeo) with a tour of the house just this week. God willing I’ll close on this dream house house in April. I cannot wait to share it with you but let’s save that for when I have the keys in my hand, ok? I’m going to need your help on wallpaper. And rose gardens. And paint colors. It’s going to be a whole thing. I’m scared, or excited…. I can’t tell. Probably both.
Sunday is no time to spiral. Let’s ease in. Here’s the offering today:
• Did you know that P!nk (yes, the pop star) is also a legit and accomplished winemaker? I just love her. She also baked sourdough and side note: how she keeps a starter alive while she’s on tour is just beyond me. Wait, you’ve seen her documentary, right? I find her incredibly inspiring. Raise A Glass To P!nk. (Amazon Prime, Outside Magazine)
• After reading What Everyone Gets Wrong About Picky Eaters, I can admit to having some biases for people who only eat cheese pizza. I appreciate the alternative view from SAVEUR Magazine.
• I’m going for a classic, timeless, cozy Nancy Meyers aesthetic in the next Bakehouse. I feel like lived-in (with fresh flowers) never goes out of style, but gosh you have to be careful what you do with the kitchen. We’re going to get tired of all that marble eventually, right? The Immediately Outdated Renovation. (Curbed)
• Our favorite Toby on Cat Power on Bob Dylan. (Nashville Scene)
• I’m quietly and steadily saving up for a Danielle Mckinney painting and sure, that may never happen but it’s nice to dream. (Art and Object)
• I made a big pot of New Orleans Style Red Beans and Rice this week and I can confirm a few things. 1. You can absolutely substitute bacon for pancetta in the recipe to render fat to cook the veggies in. You can then eat both bacon slices as a snack while the beans simmer and the pot will be just a smoky and delicious. 2. This is such a comforting Monday night dinner but also really great come Wednesday morning with a soft cooked egg. (Joy the Baker)
• The Next Best Thing To Mardi Gras? The Lenten Fish Fry Get thee to a church on Friday. (Garden and Gun)
• Could “Dynamic-Pricing” Actually Make Fast Food Better or is Wendy’s just increasing their profit margin again? (Eater)
• Last week I saw a TikTok that said something to this effect: in the not so distant future, natural, unfillered and unbotoxed faces will be what is considered beautiful. Right now, everyone is freezing and reshaping their faces and eventually our fickle little society will sweep around and yearn to see natural lines and expressions. In other words, SIGH. Doesn’t that feel like a whole truth, though? Beauty standards are ridiculously fluid and aging is inevitable. In that same vein, I loved this deep dive into different 37-year-old faces. Everything from fillers, to micro-needling, to a brave woman who doesn’t even wear sunscreen. Me? I’ll never Botox or fill. I will microneedle three times a year to casually grow as youthful a face as I can. (Self)
• Speaking of TikTok (and I’m sorry), JenniGardens is my favorite recent follow for her approachable Texas gardening content. (TikTok)
• In case you missed it, Abby wrote about the five best things she ate in Mexico City. Don’t miss this post for the tostada of my dreams and the cutest outfits. (Joy the Baker)
• I’m real skeptical of clothing brands lately because a high price tag no longer signals high quality amiright!? If you’re looking for a linen dress this summer, look to VRG GRL. I recently ordered this dress and while it’s a touch too big, I’ll be happy for the extra breezy space come summertime. The quality of linen is really great.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
My love to you.
xo Joy
lynn
Ummmmm I’d love to hear more about microneedling???
Laura
Thank you for the link about picky eaters (and props to Saveur for the article!). I’m late realized autistic and while I’m not particularly picky now (perhaps because I am late realized), many within the community seriously struggle with sensory issues related to food.
Catherine K
Joy! As I have been off Instagram for lent, i have missed any recent Texas Bakehouse updates, but I am SO excited to hear you’ve found your dream location! I will keep my fingers crossed all goes well with closing and I can’t wait to visit. Xx
Toby
Talk to us about microneedling please. Too scared to google.
Dottie
Congratulations on the new house! Cannot wait to see the walkthrough when keys are in hand.
Thank you for all of the content!
Sunscreen – As a fair-skinned person who grew up on the coast before sunscreen was recognized as crucial, I had my share of blistery sunburns and many years later, I’ve had my share of MOHS surgeries. If I could tell my 10-year-old self a couple of things, one of them would be to use sunscreen.
I am all for the celebration of age lines and silver hair. Life is short. Let’s enjoy more of it and spend less time “having work done”.
Joy the Baker
My mom has similar lamentations about sunscreen. Yall just didn’t know what your didn’t know. It’s tough. Just this morning I smiled in the mirror and was thinking… my crow’s feet might be… cute!? I’m going with it.
Kathie K
Are you aware the five things I ate in Mexico post is blank save for the title. Same is true for one of your Let It Be Sunday posts recently.
Joy the Baker
Oh dear that can’t be correct. I’ll let my team know tomorrow and we’ll get it fixed up for you! Sorry about that!
Rebeca
I dream of that future where people (especially women) don’t feel the constant pressure of adjusting to unrealistic standards. I really feel for young girls and women today who grow up being bombarbed with content about how to look flawless. The other day, my niece’s friend, a 10 year old, was telling me about her skincare routine, which had more steps than mine does. Pure madness.
Joy the Baker
Oh my gosh a ten year old with a skin care routine? We’re spiraling.
akbright
Speaking of fish and Lent, I grew up in the Midwest and attended public schools. And they observed the practice of not serving “the flesh of warm blooded animals” on Fridays, so, our schools always served fish on Fridays.
Joy the Baker
I love a Friday fish!