Buckle up, friends because we’ve got some NEWS.ย Your girl (that’s me!) is a Texas homeowner! And not just any Texas home… because what fun would that be?ย 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.ย 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.ย 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.ย 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.ย It’s all in an effort to make an incredible place for you to come enjoy Texas with me.ย There’s much to do.
We’re taking big bites out of this life.ย I’m glad we’re in this together.
โขย I literally find myself marveling, in the truest sense of the word, at magnolia blooms this time of year.ย 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.ย But did you know that magnolia flowers are a casual 95 million years old?ย We’re walking amongst the same flowers dinosaurs did? This earth is so generous. The Botany of Magnolias (Smithsonian Institute)
โขย A very interesting read and a lifelong goal: How To Die In Good Health (The New Yorker)
โขย 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.ย Watch the video at the top of the article for more in-depth details.ย (Architectural Digest)
โขย Two words that, when together, are worth investigating: Banana Cobbler. (The Kitchn)
โขย Quin of Butter Be Ready made this Coconut Curry Salmon and I’m high-key interested. Full recipe here.ย I’d eat this all week.ย (Instagram, Butter Be Ready)ย
โขย I’ve been wearing my little sterling silver strawberry necklace all week for the compliments, obviously.ย (Delicacies Jewelry)
โขย Thank you for your comments on induction burners last week!ย So many of you really love your induction cooktops but I hear those of you who are flabbergasted by your hatred for them.ย Ina Garten says that if you can cook, you can cook over any surface and I’m so inclined to believe her!ย 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)
โขย 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.ย Zinnias are about my skill and atttention level and somehow, it’s not too late to plant them (or so YouTube has told me).ย Seed Uprising has some lovely varieties of zinnias, along with loads of of other beautiful flower seeds! (Seed Uprising)
โขย The way I daydream about a cabinet filled with these dainty mugs from Le Fleur Artisane… gah!ย 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
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.
I am so excited for you (and for me)! Iโm near Austin so that location will be amazing. I have followed you since you were in Los Angeles and Iโm looking forward to the opening of the Texas bakehouse. Thank you for the updates!
Gorgeous house and property! Congratulations ?
Congratulations on your new home
Congratulations, Joy! I will travel from Ontario to visit this beautiful bake house one day!
Congratulations Joy! So happy for you and what a beautiful home.
What a beautiful new Bakehouse! Canโt 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!
Congrats, Joy! So excited for you!! The house is beautiful. I hope to come out for a class one day!
Incredible news, congratulations!! So excited for you!
Congratulations Joy on your new BEAUTIFUL home! I can hardly wait to see what ya do with this beauty!
Congratulations! The place looks beautiful
And that porch….. I just love it
Congratulations on your purchase, Joy. It has such a welcoming vibe! Iโm sure youโll 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!
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
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 classโฆ!
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
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.
have you baked with magnolia blossoms?
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.
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.
Big congratulations! Your new house is just adorable!