Friends, hello and good Sunday to you.
It’s First Christmas here in Bellville. Just a holiday I celebrate every July and August as I develop recipes for the upcoming festive season. I do have a ten foot Christmas tree up and fully decorated on my front porch, and it’s possible the neighbors think I’ve lost it. BUT! I crushed the magazine deadline this week, which means we’ll get this issue to print for late October! I mention this with excitement because there were a few weeks this summer when I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull this issue off. Now, before I take the Christmas tree down, Karlee suggested I remove the Christmas decorations and drape the tree in fall colors for the upcoming season. It’s a very Pinterest girlie moment, right? The kids would call it cheugy. I’m seriously considering it just because it keeps me from wrestling the tree down and back up again in a few short months.
I hope you’re enjoying these days. If it was the first week back to a school schedule for you – congratulations and godbless. You’re doing it! The offering this week is below. Take whatcha need!
• A case for intuitive eating and bringing cold pizza to the Grand Canyon. Fuel, Medicine, Pleasure (Longreads)
• Losing a female friend in a friendship breakup feels so different than ending a romantic relationship. It’s like, a sisterhood torn apart. Even years later I sometimes catch myself laughing in the way I adopted from my ex-best friend. The memory pings sharply in my brain remembering a whole time that once was. We Need to Talk About Our Ex-Best Friends (Elle)
• I loved this piece from Elissa Altman on one/all of the sleepless night(s). Forever Less of Beauty (Bitter Southerner)
• I think I could get into having Roommates After 50 and then I remember who I am, and how I like my cups organized in the kitchen cabinet, and how if a drop of dishwater hits these wooden countertops… *distant rumbling thunder* so maybe it’s best I do this whole thing solo. (Marie Claire)
• Taking the concept of “touching grass” to the extreme. Why Some People are Paying to be Sent to a Desert Island. Are we ok? Have these folks considered camping outside of cellphone service? (Afar)
• The title of this podcast about self-determination is also a phrase that I would yell at my big sister when I was a toddler: You’re Not The Boss of Me! I still politely remind her to this day. (Apple Podcasts)
• I’ve convinced my entire family to come to Bellville, Texas for Thanksgiving and I’ve had menu ideas, table rentals, serving platters and every other little detail of hosting in my brain ever since. With Will’s entire family also coming to Thanksgiving, plus our good friends, I think I’m looking at 30+ people over for the holiday. This article from Food52 immediately sprung to mind: Why My Mother Starts Cooking for Thanksgiving in August. I think I’ll start shopping and prepping food, a little further into hurricane season, at the beginning of October. Wild. (Food52)
• It’s also high time to keep Everybody’s After School Cookie dough in the freezer. An oatmeal chocolate everything cookie. (Joy the Baker)
• Did you know tryptophan turns into melatonin in your body!? Of course you did. Here’s 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep. (Time)
• Made this little video about the handful of cookbooks I keep on my kitchen shelf. (Instagram)
• I made this Red Lentil Curry for lunches this week and it’s so so good. Highly recommend because, well, lentils are affordable and full of fiber. A thinly sliced jalapeño and almond butter also really make this dish sing. (Rainbow Plant Life)
• This Fresh Strawberry Bostock would also be really nice with ripe peach slices and sliced almonds. (King Arthur Baking)
• Our friend Erin Jeanne McDowell’s made silicone Pie Beans that are washable which means we might be able to finally throw away the jar of smelly dried beans we use as pie weights. Or is that just me? Flag these as a gift for your favorite baker! (Erin Jeanne McDowell)
• Driving my truck down these country roads with the windows down (because I’m afraid my air conditioner will blow) listening to Stephen Wilson Jr, and it’s all just as it should be. (Spotify)
Stay cool, friends. It’s spicy out here.
xo Joy
Lorrie G Fulton
I have been making Oatmeal cookies in their various incarnations for about 60 years. I made “Everybody’s After School Cookie” for my grandson’s first day of school tomorrow, and I have to say, it is the best Oatmeal cookie I have ever had! No raisins (I was out of them, and I subbed 1/2 cup of chocolate for butterscotch chips) but this cookie would be spectacular with nothing added in! Thanks!
Connie Dunfield
Also in your list of must have cookbooks, I also cherish my 1969 copy (spiral bound) “River Road Recipes” by The Junior League of Baton Rouge. I was born in New Orleans so this cookbook means a lot to me.
nancy k
Clicked on the link to your Insta recipe book video then got seducrd by an earilier post featuring Tron. He is a a mgfificantly handome orange boy.
Orange cats were never my “thing” as they are for many cat folks. I love cats but was never drawn to orange ones…until about a year ago when I had to say goodbye to my 17 year old Ivy. My house felt so empty…feline engery is big energy md when it is gone, a huge void exists. Encouraged by my vet of many years and a huge orange cat fan, I adopted an 5 year old orange boy who had a stellar shelter profile…friendly, talkative, purrs constantly, would be great with kids.
Turms out, he pretty much is not anything like the profile…he is a bit aloof, has not purred once in 11 months and he is a play biter.
But I have come to learn there is something very magical about an oramge cat I cannot explain. When he looks at me with is golden eyes, I can forgive all of his quirks.
Joy the Baker
Oooooh these orange boys are like onions! His personality may develop and change slowly and surely. I’m really glad to hear he’s part of the family. And I understand – Tron is a big energy even in this big house! I’m glad you’ve given an orange boy a chance!
Laura Weismann
Thank you for the article about break ups with your close friends. It was really relevant.
Joy the Baker
I understand all too well, Laura! Wishing you well.
Lori
Congrats on hitting your magazine deadline! I have enjoyed your work for so many years! Sending love and thanks to you today ??
Joy the Baker
That’s really kind, Lori – thank you!
Jennifer
For the past 3-4 years I have put up my tree in the week or two after Halloween and decorated with only red and gold balls and gold bead garland. I got a few fake autumn leaves from the craft store and nestled them among the branches. It really turned out quite beautiful. Then the day after Thanksgiving all I have to do is remove the fall decorations and add Christmas ornaments. It has made a huge difference in my holiday stress since I’m the one who does all the decorating. I just saw something this week where someone covered a Christmas tree with a huge white sheet and put eyes on it to make a giant ghost. The lights made it glow from inside. I say keep it set up and make it work for all the fall holidays!
Connie Dunfield
In a hotel they had their tree decorated for the 4th. of July. Everyone thought it was cute…even the guys!
Joy the Baker
I suppose you never ever have to take a tree down! :)
Joy the Baker
I’m genuinely laughing so much at the giant sheet! I feel like that might be step too far for me. Also, I was out on the porch this weekend and discovered that the wasps have taken an interest in the tree and it’s probably best I take it down before they start building nests in it. AH!!
MaggieToo
Do you think all those XX and II markings on your porch and door were supposed to be Roman numerals?
Joy the Baker
That’s a really good question. They actually aren’t consistent around the porch so I’m not sure! I need to get to the library and find some more information on the house!