Friends, HI! Good morning and good Sunday! I’m in the in-between. I’ve moved most everything save for a mattress, two nightstands, my good olive oil, flaky sea salt and a frying pan out of the Houston apartment and on to the big house in Bellville.ย Somehow though, the big orange cat and I are still staying at the apartment, languishing a bit, in the change of it all.
I just haven’t been quite ready to transition to the house full of boxes and that decision needs to be made.ย Sometimes, I have to get so sick of my own nonsense that I’m willing to dive into the chaos of change.ย Happy to report, I’m sick of my own sh*t and Tron and I are taking the good olive oil to and our favorite pillows to the big house for good next week.ย Playing for keeps.
I hope this finds you feeling steady.ย I wish for you some mellow sunshine, a barefoot walk outside, and a very good dinner with leftovers this Sunday.ย Here’s what I enjoyed this week:
โขย We can’t (read: shouldn’t) talk about Beyonce’s new album without talking about the musicians that make that album so special without talking about all the black folk musicians that preceeded them.ย This profile on Rhiannon Giddens was a great listen.ย (The New Yorker)
โขย This week’s longread is about our neurological relationship to food and inspired absolute gratitude for my functioning intestines.ย Insatiable: a life without eating (Longread)
โข ย A case for vegetables at breakfast. The long and short of it is, eat your fiber.ย (Time)
โขย Being in love is so much about paying attention to the little things, right? I loved this list of 14 Non-Corny Ways to Feel Closer To Your Partner. (Self)
โขย There is much painting, unpacking, and organizing to do in the new Bakehouse and it’s safe to say I’m entirely overwhelmed.ย One thing at a time, I suppose.ย With the space in between I’m daydreaming about the first thing I’ll bake in the new (to me) kitchen.ย Dad’s Chocolate Chip Cookies seem like the obvious answer though my parents are visiting me in June and I want to make Dad whip up the cookies himself.ย They taste bests when Dad makes them.ย I think I’ll make a Texas Sheet Cake when the dust settles and paint dries.ย Texas, check.ย Chocolate, check.ย And the cake thin chocolate cake batter will tell me if my ovens are level or not.ย (Joy the Baker)
โขย I stumbled across this article from The Kitchn about the first thing to do in a new-to-you kitchen and spoiler alert, the answer is to pull out the refrigerator and clean behind it. This sounds like a task that requires more brute strength and emotional fortitude than I posses but luckily I’ve called a handyman who probably has one, if not both, of those qualities.ย Is there anything more… lightweight that you do when you move into a new kitchen space or anything you do to clean your kitchen every spring?
โขย This may be incredibly niche, but do you remember a 80’s grocery store called Mrs. Gooch’s?ย They were a very early small health food grocery store and I distinctly remember gliding the bulk bin aisles with my Mother Goose toy while my mom filled bags with loose dates, pumpkin seeds, and carob chips. Whole Foods eventually bought Mrs. Gooch’s and I don’t think Mother Goose ever got a wireless upgrade.ย It seems as though “refilleries” are fast becoming the trendy, niche, green, bulk bin shopping experience and I’m into it (by way of HEB’s bulk bins).ย Refilleries Are Coming For Your Grocery Store Routine. (Taste)
โขย This week I’ve hadย John Moreland’s new album Visitor on repeat.ย It’s an easy-listening, thoughtful, homespun sounding album.ย Perfect for a Sunday so give it a play. The track Gentle Violence is a favorite of mine.ย (Spotify)
โขย Our dear friend Megan Dekok (she’s the brilliant designer behind Camp Joy ) wrote a charming zine with a few of her mom’s recipes. I love Megan’s eye, vibe, heart, humor, taste… she’s just got it all dialed in.ย If you’re a girl’s girl (which… duh), pick up a copy Megan’s Megazine! (Instagram, Joy the Baker, Take A Megabite)
โขย One thing I miss very much about New Orleans is having a cocktail made by Chris Hannah. I still gets texts from friends and family asking for recs in the city and one thing I always encourage folks to do is go see an early show at Preservation Hall, then walk over to Jewel of the South for a cocktail from Chris and his team. I my absence from that magic town, I think I can find green Chartreuse and Velvet Falernum to make this potion of a cocktail in Bellville. (Punch, Preservation Hall, Jewel of the South)
โขย Can we talk about shoes for a minute?ย As we enter sandal season its like… ok what are we doing? The obvious answer is Birkenstocks and if you’re in the market for a chick black sandal moment like I am these St Barth black leather Birks. I feel like those might be the it shoe this season. Another strong contender are these Catatlina single strap black flippers (partially because the I like the price much better).ย In clog-related news, I did just splurge on another pair of Danskos (something I do every three years or so) and opted for these Lavender Plaid Dansko clogs.ย I have to have something to pair with the Somerset dressย Amy influenced me to buy.ย (Birkenstock, Dansko, Anthropologie)
โขย Everyone on God’s Internet is making Crispy Rice Salads.ย Molly Yeh made her version with leftover rice clumps browned in and airfryer which miiiiight just be reason for me to finally get an air fryer.ย Wait… do you have an airfryer you love? Drop the deets, please! (Pinch of Yum, Instagram)
โขย My dad and I wrote a children’s book that comes out this fall. You guys IT’S SO GREAT! You can pre-order a personalized and signed copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Baking at one of Houston’s best independent bookstores, Blue Willow Books!ย Maybe get a copy for every kid you know and some of your holiday shopping will be done!ย (That’s wild in and of itself.) (Blue Willow Books)
โขย Our friends at Delicacies Jewelry just launched a butter necklace and that way that little paper folds is everything…. SO CUTE! (Delicacies)
Ok I love you, have a wonderful Sunday.
xo Joy
24 Responses
I got the Americaโs test kitchen recommendation for an air fryer, easy to us easy to clean. Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart air fryer. Itโs awesome.
I’m so glad Juliana met you. Your writing and your voice and your musings give me so much joy. Thank you. I love you even though I don’t know you but I feel like I do, anyway.
I love hearing that you and your dad wrote a book together. The sweetest!
Congratulations on your new children’s book! It sounds wonderful!
Thank you so much! Dad and I had a great time writing it together!
Thanks for the great links, Joy. I second cleaning behind the refrigerator upon moving into a new kitchen! I think I’ll make Dad’s cookies this weekend. And will definitely try that crispy rice salad.
I too was raised on Mrs. Goochโs! I remember the bulk bins and the coconut stuffed dates that we were sometimes allowed to get as a treat. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Yes! I remember those coconut stuffed dates too!
Back in the late 80s/early 90s, I taught special education in Beverly Hills. Mrs. Gooch herself took my little ones on a tour of her grocery store, reaching into the bins to share the delights of whole, natural foods. She filled bag after bag for the kids to take home, loaded 2 or 3 grocery carts as she lead them through the store opening their eyes to new ways to look at food. It was hands down the best field trip we ever had, and the best behavior I had seen from my class. At the end, Mrs. Gooch had her staff laod the carts into my car (all complementary) for delivery to the teachers’ lounge in honor of our efforts. I have shopped local and natural ever since. Thanks for reminding me of a great lady who truly lived what she believed.
Mrs. Gooch her very self!? That’s an incredible story!
First off I’m hoping your new house isn’t in the area currently flooding (those poor people getting it again ?)
Second, have your handyman put your refrigerator on wheels! Then you can easily move it out to clean under and behind when ever you’re moved to do so (learned from an old landlord). And I suggest you get a sage smudge stick or two and smudge every corner of every room in your new home to bless and fill it with your love and good vibes ??
Bulk bin shopping ??????
Love Molly Yeh and everything she makes ??
Change is good no matter how much we resist it. I feel you will blossom in your new home and have marvelous adventures! Blessings to you and yours Joy ?
Sorry about all the question marks, it appears this doesn’t accept emojis.
Luckily my new house isn’t in the flood area but thank you for thinking of us! Wheels on my big fridge would be a gamechanger – you’re so right! Thanks for all the kindness and encouragement!
Great link choices! We’re sure you and Tron will settle in fine to the new space. I can’t wait for warmer Spring weather for my garden to grow.
With Beyonce’s new album I hope more folks will be come educated on the historical origins of music and genres. So much intermingling.
I’m a big fan of cleaning out cupboards and washing them down, especially ones with spices. Same with freezer and frig shelving. (think you’ve covered this before)
I’ve been known to place small glass jars filled with baking soda and covered with cheese cloths and a rubber band on shelves to aid in keeping things fresh.
Thank you–I stopped reading at Mrs Gooch’s. —–I’ll go back & read all later.
I don’t know many people who remember that place. I shopped
@ the Palms location for years, then the Glendale location. Was so disappointed when WF bought them. They were a “neighborhood” place. (“for sure” 80’s phenom).
Today is the last day of JF 2024! Please all –listen today! WWOZ rules.
I miss being able to experience all things Lousiana..FGF, JF, NOLA,
Fest Intl in Lafayette–all things Cajun…….
Yes! We shopped at the Palms location too! And you are so right! I missed JazzFest – even listening on WWOZ this year. Big oversight on my end.
Joy,
I was fortunate to be able to attend a Rhiannon Giddens concert in Dallas this week. She is unbelievable. I was blown away. Thank you for posting this article from 2019. It was a wonderful history lesson on folk music, black music in the south, and on Rhiannon. She is such an inspiration.
Marsha
Incredible!
That long reads article!! Fascinating. As far as air fryers go, I love mine, though I donโt use it as often as I could. I have a Chefman oven-style one with the racks, rotisserie spit, and fry basket. It makes delicious rotisserie chicken! From what I hear though, thereโs no wrong answer when it comes to air fryers :)
You had me at rotisserie spit, honestly.
When you need a break from unpacking, check out the North Pole Kitchen Store at Martin Farms Texas and Heinsohnโs Country Store, both nice little area stores for those who like cooking. Welcome to Bellville!
Yes! Both places are on my list for when I’m not drowning in boxes! Thank you!
OH my goodness, that book looks so great!! and thanks for the cleaning behind the refrigerator nudge, I’ve lived in this house for 10 years and haven’t done that (ummm, yikes?!)
May the cleaning force be with you, my friend.