Buckle up, friends because we’ve got some NEWS. Your girl (that’s me!) is a Texas homeowner! And not just any Texas home… because what fun would that be? The next Bakehouse is a grand old gal – a Victorian home, in Bellville, Texas built in 1888 by August Haak.
I knew I wanted to get out of town, find enough grass to mow that I’d need a riding lawn mower, get back into a big bright and sunny kitchen where I could welcome you for classes, AND even have guest house where you could stay for a weekend getaway. What I found is everything I hoped for in a house that will require all of my love, dedication, and likely… money, let’s be honest. It’s such a special place in a very sweet town just an hour west of Houston.
I’ll keep you updated as we go, friends! Right now I feel like I’m trying to make my home in someone else’s house but that will dissipate as I settle. I’m wrapping my head around the fact that I’m back in transition. I’ll need a few months to get the guest house in order, plant the garden, and get myself on a pool cleaning schedule, lol. I say a few months, but I suspect I’ll happily make it a lifetime of work. It’s all in an effort to make an incredible place for you to come enjoy Texas with me. There’s much to do.
We’re taking big bites out of this life. I’m glad we’re in this together.
• I literally find myself marveling, in the truest sense of the word, at magnolia blooms this time of year. The delicate smell stops me in my tracks and I’m sure I’m captured on more than one of my neighbor’s doorbell cameras huffing a new bloom. But did you know that magnolia flowers are a casual 95 million years old? We’re walking amongst the same flowers dinosaurs did? This earth is so generous. The Botany of Magnolias (Smithsonian Institute)
• A very interesting read and a lifelong goal: How To Die In Good Health (The New Yorker)
• The one thing I took away from Emma Roberts’ home tour in Architectural Digest is her use of fabric cord covers (essentially a scrunchie for cords) and a bar cart for bath products in the bathroom. Watch the video at the top of the article for more in-depth details. (Architectural Digest)
• Two words that, when together, are worth investigating: Banana Cobbler. (The Kitchn)
• Quin of Butter Be Ready made this Coconut Curry Salmon and I’m high-key interested. Full recipe here. I’d eat this all week. (Instagram, Butter Be Ready)
• I’ve been wearing my little sterling silver strawberry necklace all week for the compliments, obviously. (Delicacies Jewelry)
• Thank you for your comments on induction burners last week! So many of you really love your induction cooktops but I hear those of you who are flabbergasted by your hatred for them. Ina Garten says that if you can cook, you can cook over any surface and I’m so inclined to believe her! Let’s see how the kitchen budget shakes out. In the meantime, I’m investing in a single induction burner to see where my loyalties lie. (Joy the Baker)
• I’m intent on having a little cut flower garden (slowly but surely) at the new house but to be honest, I’m new to the whole green thumb thing. Zinnias are about my skill and atttention level and somehow, it’s not too late to plant them (or so YouTube has told me). Seed Uprising has some lovely varieties of zinnias, along with loads of of other beautiful flower seeds! (Seed Uprising)
• The way I daydream about a cabinet filled with these dainty mugs from Le Fleur Artisane… gah! But they’d also make really lovely mother’s day gifts for our girlfriends. There’s something lovely and lasting about gifting someone their soon-to-be-favorite mug. (Le Fleur Artisane)
My love to you!
xo Joy
51 Responses
Big congratulations! Your new house is just adorable!
I love your blog and congratulations on the house! Is it possible for your and your guest bloggers provide links that don’t require subscriptions to read? So many links I click on I am unable to enjoy. It’s very frustrating.
What a lovely place! Re. cut flowers: when i lived in Houston the back yard was shady and a previous owner had grown giant gardenia bushes all around the back deck. It felt magical and the smell filled my house all summer since they make great cut flowers.
have you baked with magnolia blossoms?
Congratulations on your beautiful new house! It has so much personality! Those porches!
Good luck fixing it up, making it your home, and getting it ready to welcome guests.
I’m looking forward to reading these articles. Love the mugs.
Oh my goodness, she’s a BEAUT! You’re at the top of my list to visit and Bakehouse, then buy books at Jenny’s in San Angelo, then go to the spa at Lake Austin. And spend $$ very few other places!! I’ve only ever been to Texas to fly through — can’t wait to check it out! So thrilled for you– this looks like what you’ve been dreaming about. CONGRATULATIONS! So, so happy for you. JessicaD
Omgsh how exciting! I was just in Bellville a few weeks ago while visiting family in Sealy. A bakehouse seems much more inviting than the literal Trump Burger I passed driving into town. LOL yikes.
Happy nesting. Hoping I can line up my next Houston trip with a baking class…!
I can finally sign up for Bakehouse classes since I am just up the road from Bellville! I have followed you and Tron all over the country and I feel like you are following me. I moved to NOLA from California (Riverside) and then to Texas after Katrina. I can’t wait to see what you do with your beautiful house! Good Luck <3
Congratulations on your purchase, Joy. It has such a welcoming vibe! I’m sure you’ll be happy taking on the various challenges that houses bring. Enjoy, and, who knows, if I ever get to the US again, we may meet in your guest house!
Congratulations! The place looks beautiful
And that porch….. I just love it
Congratulations Joy on your new BEAUTIFUL home! I can hardly wait to see what ya do with this beauty!
Incredible news, congratulations!! So excited for you!
Congrats, Joy! So excited for you!! The house is beautiful. I hope to come out for a class one day!
What a beautiful new Bakehouse! Can’t wait to see more photos & hear how you are enjoying it.
Congratulations! As a 4th generation Texas that’s been following since Tron was a kitten, I am looking forward to see what events you have! Also, I reaaaallllly hope to see JTB / Blue Bell Collab!
Congratulations Joy! So happy for you and what a beautiful home.
Congratulations on your new home
Congratulations, Joy! I will travel from Ontario to visit this beautiful bake house one day!
Gorgeous house and property! Congratulations ?
I am so excited for you (and for me)! I’m near Austin so that location will be amazing. I have followed you since you were in Los Angeles and I’m looking forward to the opening of the Texas bakehouse. Thank you for the updates!
As much as I am not a Texas fan..I want to take a class at ur new bakehouse! I do MNOLA. Every day I think of the wide swath that city paves in my mind & psyche. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Congratulations on the new Bakehouse!
Looks like a lovely home with lots of memories to be made there!
This is beautiful and I’m so excited for you – and for the new opportunities that this larger space brings!
So, so happy for you – Best of Luck in your new home.
Congrats Joy! Before you get a riding lawn mower, you should check out the “Kill Your Lawn” movement and see what native grasses/flowers could be rewilded on the land instead—great for birds and pollinators!!!
I traded social media for newsletters like this and I’ve never been happier. When I had Instagram I always scrolled past newsletters because ‘I didn’t have time.’ But I just spent an hour checking out all these links and swoon. Emma Robert’s house! I want it all. So excited to see what you do with your new house. Congratulations!!
Congratulations on your beautiful new home, Joy! I’m so excited to see how you make it your own! You always have the best visions for a space!!!
Congratulations!! ???? the house soon to become a home!
Your home is gorgeous and I am sure a dream come true. I stumbled upon pics of the house and it is incredible!!! Way to go.
What a grand old house! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with it.
So happy for you Joy! Can’t wait to come to a class! How is Tron?
This is so exciting! You really inspire me, Joy!
What a lovely place! I am so happy for you & can’t wait to see more pictures, maybe even make the trek once you are set up for guests.
As for induction cooktops, I was dubious when we updated our kitchen 3 yrs ago with one – I LOVE it. It is FAR better than a one burner induction hot plate so don’t judge it that way. The only thing it can’t do is char peppers or corn over a burner – otherwise it is at least as fast on&off as gas, and much cleaner. Bonus is that when the cooktop is not in use, it is literally more counter space. Wish you well in your journey!
Congratulations, Joy! She’s absolutely perfect. So happy for you!
Congratulations Joy! What a beautiful home, that porch looks gorgeous! I’m sure you’ll have many days sitting enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning!
What a dream! Congratulations, Joy!
Enjoy this amazing adventure and I’m sure you will make it feel like home in no time!
Looking forward to all your updates and visiting in person.
Lots of love!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to follow along on this journey with you!!
Congratulations on your new home. Fill it with quilts and it will be your home!
I love that the agent made a house tour video! Love the house! Mine is much smaller but built is 1890’s (Michigan) and I just love the charm and the wondering of what all has happened here over the last 100+ years. My son lives in Houston so I am looking forward to visiting when you are up and running!
Congratulations! It’s beautiful! I can’t wait to watch you make your dreams come true there.
May I just say one thing about banana cobblers? The fruit seems to lend itself much more easily to the “crisping” format (with streusel) than to cobblerizing. Or at the very least, do not slice the fruit lengthwise. That photo illustrating the Kitchn recipe is a most unappetizing graphic image.
It looks stunning, Joy! Can’t wait to see pictures, since I don’t see a trip to Texas happening anytime soon. I have no doubt it’ll look as cozy and beautiful as the Bakehouse in New Orleans did, though Enjoy the process!
Joy, you have a bakehouse!!! This makes me so happy for you. She’s a beautiful looking home. May you have many, many happy years here x
Just… wow. And did somebody say “pool”?
Congrats, Joy! Thrilled for you and all the Texas Bakehouse magic. I can’t wait to experience it all in person!
Congratulations on your new home! I cannot wait to see how it evolves into Joy.
So, so happy and excited for you, Joy! When my sister asked me where I want to go for my birthday trip I said “Joy’s new bake house!” Fingers crossed we can make it happen. Wishing you all the best ??
(Those were supposed to be exclamation points, not question marks)
Congratulations! I hope you flood us with photos of your progress. I love to see a good kitchen design process. And might I mention that your fearlessness for transition is beyond admirable.
I w5as saddened that you were leaving the bakehouse in New Orleans. At the same time I was relieved that you sold the property and moved in case the sea level becomes a really serious situation.
And boy does it look like you made the right choice!! The new house is a gorgeous lady with a fancy past and an adventurous future!! She looks perfect for you, Joy!!!
I’m so excited for you!
I’d wish you luck but I think your dreams and ideas and talent and creativity and determination will guarantee your success.
I can’t wait to see what you do!
Congratulations, Joy! Your new home is beautiful! I’m so happy for you!