Real question. When did it start happening that summer ends with the return to school in mid-August when I remember, clear as day, dreading Labor Day weekend as the harbinger of the first day of school? I’m sure there’s a reasonable answer like, longer holiday breaks, shorter days, or an early finish but… mid-August!? This feels unkind.
At least Amy has our adult school supply list ready for us (aka the best pens on the planet).
We’re not quite at mid-August yet so I suppose we can relax, but isn’t it wild that we’re in August at all!? This week I’ve been thinking about where I started the year. In an apartment near downtown Houston scrawling what felt like daydreams into an empty notebook. You know… those audacious goals you set for yourself at the top of a new year while you’re still high on Christmas cookies?
Here I am a few steps into August, in a small town outside of Houston with a giant lawn to water…. which I’m doing right now. So many little steps. So many big and little decisions in a year, right? Here, three-quarters of the way into it, we should stop and pat ourselves on the back. It doesn’t matter if it’s all worked out the way we hoped at the start, we’re here and we’re really doing it.
One thing I distinctly did not do though? A Summer Bucket List. In the least of my problems, I couldn’t find my watercolor paints because this move has been the last and clunkiest. But mostly, every time I thought about a formal summer bucket list I thought about all the ways in which I need to fuss with the house and that’s not the vibe. Turns out I’ve just been living my summer bucket list with boat rides, and lil’ friend vacations, a visit from the parents, and a strawberry pie. That’s just how some years shake out.
I hope you’re well this Sunday. Let’s ease into this day and this month with a nod to how far we’ve come so far this year.
• I don’t know who needs to hear this (all of us), but it’s not too late. It’s not over until it’s ovah. Artist Isabella didn’t start painting until her 50’s only to start receiving international attention now in her 90’s. An Artist Flowering in Her 90’s. I love it so much. (The New Yorker)
• Talk about bucket list living! I Wasn’t Sure How To Celebrate Turning 70 Then I Sent An Email That Changed My Entire Life (Huffington Post UK)
• Speaking of getting old (it’s ok, we’re all doing it). Hurdles in your 90’s anyone? OK Flo, tell ’em! (Instagram)
• Simone Biles is genuinely one of one, and I’m sure you’ve seen coverage of her gold winning performances this past week. Plural! Performances! I’m just going to leave you with her signature, gold-winning vault, the Yurchenko double pike, aptly named “The Biles,” (Youtube)
• So science says we blush as a result of our egos crumbling? Karaoke Reveals Why We Blush. It makes sense. I sang karaoke for the second time ever a few weekends ago and when that last song chord finally hit (why is three minutes so long?) I thought, yeah, may my ego RIP. Check that off the Summer Bucket List. (Arstechnica)
• Everyone is calling it a mild Texas summer but that is that true? I mean… I’m still very much wilting. If you and your plants are too here’s 8 things you need to do to help your garden beat the summer heat. (Sunset)
• I’m going to need your thoughts on “Sleep Divorce”. I’m sometimes ready to sleep divorce the dog Graham for the way his hot little body insists on sleeping right against mine in our queen size bed. But sleeping with another full-sized human in a Queen size bed? Divorce. I’m a body flopping, pillow flipping, hot sleeper and I’ll be in the guest room if you want to cuddle. (Apartment Therapy)
• Here are some tips on How To Be More Spontaneous as Busy Adult! (Time)
• I just learned I’ve been picking my zinnias too soon. Do you know about the wiggle test? (Ps. Besides zinnias in the garden, all I’m growing is weeds.) (Instagram)
• I get too embarrassed to read stuff about myself so I’ll just quietly leave this here for you. Peep the new kitchen cabinets mostly empty because I hadn’t fully unpacked yet. New Texan Joy the Baker Shares the Ingredients to Her Success Story. (Houstonia Magazine)
• I’ve been making this Italian Almond Lemonade for two weeks now and it is the BEST drink I’ve had all summer. This is the orgeat I use! (Instagram, Amazon)
• On my list to make for dinner are these Pimento Cheese Chicken Sandwiches. (How Sweet Eats)
• Just want to flag something summery for you. This very summer Fresh Tomato Sandwich has an iceberg lettuce salad slaw on it that actually belongs on every sandwich you make from here to eternity. (Joy the Baker)
Finally, thank you for the Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake a few weeks back! The recipe is in development for the fall! Y’all are the best!
My love to you,
xo Joy
25 Responses
I love the Houstonian article and your kitchen looks amazing! Your comments about persisting with the blog when few people knew about it and commented inspire me to hang on with my own blog. There’s a lot to be said for sticking with something you love.
Best of luck with the renovations. I hope to see the place in person some day.
Growing up in California we celebrated California Admission Day which is September 9th. So school usually started after that or was another holiday.
Dying to know what Abby’s ‘best pens on the planet’ are!!! Thanks!
Hello! It is from Amy, but please know this Abby agrees. It is the Muji 0.5 ballpoint. We bow, nose touching the ground, for Muji lol
I am sorry to come on here and be a Debbie Downer – but do you have an editor? Summer “brake”? I’ll quietly leave this “hear” for you? Come on.
Thanks for bringing these to our attention!Come August, we’re all just doing our best. Take care!
That position is filled (by me) but even my eyes miss sometimes. Thanks for catching these!
Could that photo of your new kitchen (and you!) BE any more gorgeous!? Great article – congrats!
You’re really kind – thank you!
Inquiring minds are curious about your song selection for karaoke, round two: was it the same as the first?
Sleep divorce works!! Doing it now and it’s awesome!!
I knew it. I just knew it! :)
My first song was Angel from Montgomery by Bonnie Raitt. LOVE HER.
When I clicked on Let it be Sunday and the zinnias came up that took me back to summers when I was a kid and we would have zinnias on the table in all different colors. My Dad always planted flowers on the edge of his vegetable garden.
That’s a really sweet memory!
The milestone birthday email is brilliant and it was a great article about you.
It’s a great idea, right?
Congrats on the children’s book! Perfect for future baking with my grandson! I live outside of Austin & can’t wait for the Bakehouse to set up & take classes with you!
Hello Joy! In the Portland, OR area, many schools don’t start until the day after Labor Day, which is how it was for me growing up, so that is still the end of summer to me. The kids go to school until the first week of June, whereas the ones that start in August get out in May. I personally like the September start date and I’m theorizing that we do it here in Oregon because we are maximizing our sunny days and not having to be in school during them. I love the birthday experience that lady did. Flo and Biles are amazing!
Yes! Maximize those sunny days!
Just bought the Orgeat and tossed in the Passionfruit for good measure.
Hot tip: Liquid Alchemist direct is having a sale. Thank you for the recipe and the reads!!!
AWESOME! Thanks for the heads up!
I live in Aggieland, which is about an hour away from you I think. Yes indeed this is a mild summer for our neck of the woods, even though it’s miserably hot and humid. One year we didn’t get rain from May or June until October so it’s really nice this year to see flourishing trees even in early August. Normally they’re a brownish green by this time of the summer.
I’ve been reading your blog since sometime before Covid. My favorite favorite recipe is the chicken spinach meatball soup. I feel so healthy when I take the time to prepare it.
It was a great article and Houstonia Magazine. I can’t wait to attend one of your bakehouse sessions!
I agree about this summer being “milder” especially in comparison to the horrid drought/heat of last summer in the Houston area. I’ve been back in TX for 12 years and the humidity is still a killer every summer.
A mild summer even though it’s miserably hot and humid hahahhaha. Yes, we’re practically neighbors. You’ll have to come for a visit soon!