Friends, hello and welcome back to Sunday! I’ve been recovering from a lil’ surgery this past week and I can confirm, I’m the most impatient patient. Firstly, when you call something”lil”, it seems very cutsey – not like you’ve shuffled laps around the recovery unit trying to will yourself to pee before you’re discharged. Secondly, I’ll give myself two days, one box of popsicles, and one season of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles worth of couch time before I’ve HAD IT and I’m back to projects at The Bakehouse.
Here we are. Back in the game with a few new scars, a hallway gallery wall hung, a new bird of paradise plant potted on the porch, and a book to launch!
I’m so glad you’re here. I pray you’re better at resting than I am. If not, feign a few moments with this week’s post.
• I told you a few weeks ago that my dad and I wrote a children’s book! That book is just days from meeting the world! Writing The Life-Changing Magic of Baking with my dad was such a blessing. We went through old family photos, consulted with mom a lot, made cakes, and the book came out even better than we could have hoped. The Life-Changing Magic of Baking is beautifully illustrated, filled with life lessons we’ve learned in the kitchen together, and has a stellar cake recipe at the end! Every child in your life should have a copy, obviously. You can purchase a personalized and signed copy of the book from my local Houston bookstore Blue Willow Books, or a regularly signed copy from my favorite bookstore in Seattle Book Larder, and, of course, the book is also available on Amazon.
• The way my knees would absolutely revolt in an Adult Gymnastics class. Would you / could you? (TIME)
• Let’s talk about the post-fight funk in relationships. I often equate it to a vulnerability hangover. Here’s some helpful ways to Bounce Back Emotionally After A Fight With Your Partner. Touch grass and/or go for a motorcycle ride. (Self)
• Our friend Toby makes a case for cruising solo with kids and, as always, she’s hilariously spot on. (Gloria)
• Forever near the top of my list of New Orleans must-dos is a drink at the Hotel Monteleone, specifically seated at the slowly rotating carousel bar. Yes, it’s lovely and the longer you sit and drink, very disorienting. Spin Through 75 Years of Carousel Bar History. (Garden and Gun)
• If you were a teenage girl sitting on the living room floor too close to the television, you likely agree with the sentiment that Nothing on TV Felt Like “My So Called Life”. This interview with the creator of the show Winnie Holtzman touches on so much! What a very singular moment in time that show was. (New York Magazine)
• Please bookmark this Cake Puzzle for holiday and housewarming gifts. I think we all need a puzzle table, you know? (Piecework Puzzles)
• A few mornings back I felt the slightest hint of a chill on my bare feet as I walked from my bedroom to the kitchen and thought – is it slipper season!? I treat myself to a new pair of slippers every fall. I’m a pretty irresponsible house slipper wearer because I will, in fact, wear my house shoes into the backyard or out to get the mail. Inside shoes are going outside. I can’t stop it. For that reason, I’m thinking this pair of LL Bean Moccasins are my slipper of the year. (LL Bean)
• My friend Edd Kimber is one of my favorite bakers (it’s really no wonder he won the first season of the Great British Bake Off, has a fantastic newsletter filled with recipes, and has a new cookbook coming out!) But he’s also highly influenced my fall fashion because y’all: butter sweatshirts! (Substack, Amazon, NovelMart)
• I’m tucking the idea of this Orange Ginger Garlic Chicken away for future dinner. It looks so easy and so fresh! (Instagram)
• I’ve finally made my first kitchen altar for the sunroom just off my kitchen (where I have a large restaurant-style butcher block, do most of my baking, and let the dishes pile up). Home is starting to feel more like home. If you’re not familiar with the idea of a kitchen altar, here’s how! (Instagram, Joy the Baker)
• Our friend Timmy has 15 High Protein Vegan Meals and so many of them are perfectly cozy for fall! (Mississippi Vegan)
• I think I’ve entered my Plates On Wall As Decor Era. Thoughts? (Pinterest)
Have a sweet Sunday, friends!
My love to you!
xo Joy
13 Responses
Definitely recommend those LL Bean slippers! I’ve had mine a good 4 years and they are staying strong (and cozy!!)
I love these slippers and buy a new pair every year. They always fall apart one year and a month after I buy them.
With my grandmother’s kitchen display of various souvenir plates in mind, I installed a high plate rail when remodeling our kitchen years ago. On it went various plain white platters and plates that I didn’t have the storage space to accommodate in our small house. My more minimalist approach didn’t look like her wall, but I thought of her every time I looked at that plate rail. I wish there was a space for something similar in our new post-retirement kitchen. Who cares if a plate display is fashionable. If the idea sings to you, do it!
Yes to the plates! I have a smallish collection of vintage tole trays that I’ve displayed before, but I currently have a large blank wall staring at me in the dining room. The trays would be great there, but also I nearly bought 20 new plates at an antique store this week because wouldn’t plates be fun, and this one in front of me is so cute and why not start a new collection? Lol! Spiral.
Will order a copy of your new book for my kiddos!
Before you hit “buy” on those Bean slippers, I beg you to consider the classic Minnetonka thunderbird in LEOPARD print. Hardsoled, and cheaper too.
https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/women/styles/moccasins/thunderbird-animikii-hardsole-women-limited-edition
Also just ordered slippers yesterday and slowly giving into fall.
Plates as decor is an absolute yes for me. Classic Southern decor and such a fun thing to slowly collect!
Hi Joy: Thanks for this great and fun read every week.
As a vegetarian turned almost vegan (I still eat two eggs a week), it is possible to provide some vegan baking recipes that don’t have butter or other dairy products like cream or dairy milk? I’d love that. Many thanks, Lisa
Congrats Joy! So happy for you and inspired by you! I love reading about the TX bakehouse updates and all your projects #baddie ?. I am so excited for my copy to arrive-my niece is going to love it!
Do you mind sharing where you purchased your butcher block island?
Take care!
Planning to purchase the book for my granddaughter.
Off subject, but at the end of your alter reel, what are you rubbing onto your block?
i love my Kyrgies slippers. they have soles that can withstand the outdoors but are warm and soft for indoors. perfect colors.
lovely lovely book! wishing you well with it.
Congratulations on your book launch! That reminds me that I pre-ordered a copy forever ago. I assume those will be shipped out when the book launches? Can’t wait!
I LOVE a pair of wool Haflinger clogs as slippers. They have a real sole (aka they actually have some support) which means you can run the garbage outside or grab the Amazon delivery without changing your shoes. A pair lasts me 3 years, so I don’t worry about the slightly higher price.
Do they have arch support?