Hello, friends and good Sunday!
I’ve got a little news. A single bit of big news, actually. The kind of news I’m going to need you to swallow your sip of coffee for: Will and I got married!
We’ve been together for a very sweet five years, and the whispers behind our backs about “when they’re finally get hitched” started to become overt open discussions, oh, four years and six months ago. This year, with everyone already gathering for Thanksgiving, we thought, we’re already making dinner, let’s throw a surprise wedding, too! No engagement, no Pinterest inspiration boards, no bridal shower games. Just a white dress I bought online one night, well past my bedtime, and a relatively impromptu wedding right there on the front porch of the Texas Bakehouse.
My dad officiated, Will’s mom played the piano, and my family kicked it into high gear once the surprise was revealed Wednesday afternoon. My mom lead the charge and everyone turned into sous chefs and event planners in a flip of a switch. It was perfect in the kind of way where you look around and realize the people you love most are holding you up, literally and figuratively.
I’ll share pictures and all the sappy details soon (if you’re into that sort of thing), but for now, I wanted you to hear the news straight from me. My heart is full, my cheeks are sore from smiling, I’m done fussing people to keep the front door closed, and this year feels like it’s ending on the sweetest possible note which is a blessing indeed. I’m most grateful for steeping our new house in memories I’ll cherish forever.
I hope this Sunday is treating you with the same warmth and joy. It’s been a wild year, but hot coffee next to Christmas tree lights is a balm, right?
Let’s dig into this week’s links together.
• It doesn’t matter if I’m sleeping on an air mattress in my childhood bedroom or have my family visiting me in Texas, the question remains: Why Do I Revert Back to My Moody Teenage Self Whenever I’m Around My Family? Related: sorry, Mom! (Self)
• Should we get matching Ring Theory and Kvetching Order tattoos? How Not To Say The Wrong Thing (LA Times)
• How To Have People Over When You’re a Clean Freak. Clean freak I am not, but I am a Keep The Front Door Closed Freak and apparently when you have loads of people over that particular freak will very much be tested. (The Cut)
• Are you a winter, a summer, maybe an autumn? I’m talking actual seasons, not the colors you might look best in. I’m a summer so this particular list is helpful: 9 Ways To Embrace Winter Even If You Think You Hate It. I really like the idea of “slow hobbies”, which begs the question: are we all latch-hooking rugs this winter? (TIME, Latchhooks)
• Related, I’m adding house plants to our list of slow hobbies as I currently have a growing collection of potted babies in my upstairs bathtub. Houseplants Can Make You Happier (NYT Gift)
• I did this fun interview with Better Homes & Gardens. We cover my hosting philosophy, being a laid back Californian (laid back?), and spoiler alert: I did not personally make the Cheesecakes during my time working at The Cheesecake Factory. Those are, in fact, made in a factory. Joy the Baker’s House Rules (Better Homes & Gardens)
• Our friend Toby with The Best Big Kid Toys of 2024. Can confirm I would dabble in all of these selections. (Parents)
• The Kitchn has a pretty solid list The 38 Best Food Gifts For Everyone Who Loves To Eat. One of my recent flexes is gifting a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese from Williams Sonoma. It’s both random and elite and always goes over with delight. (The Kitchn, Williams Sonoma)
• I’m gearing up to dive head first into holiday cookie baking. I’ve not been my most neighborly self this year, just trying to keep my head above water putting the house together BUT – it’s together enough for me to devote a few weeks to making and baking cookies for elaborate holiday cookie tins for my neighbors. Can I just give my neighbors a dozen cookies in a reused tupperware container? I’m afraid that’s not who I am – not when I’ve spotted these cute cookie tins! I’m still nailing down the exact cookie combo but there’s more than a few good ideas in this post, the new holiday magazine has cheddar and pecan cookie/cracker (because I love a savory surprise in a cookie itn), and sure to be on the list is this recipe for Polkagriskola (Swedish Peppermint Caramels). (Amazon, Joy the Baker, Magazine Shop, Saveur)
• One thing I do miss about New Orleans is sitting at Suzonne’s kitchen counter eating a batch of her New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp. To be fair, it’s basically shrimp swimming in seasoned butter but there’s such art to this dish. It’s a very cozy winter offering. Just tuck it in the back of your mind for next time you want to stand at the stove and swirl butter around a pan for dinner. (Joy the Baker)
• Our friend Timothy with a deeply satisfying bowl of Black Bean Soup. Have you ever added a splash or fresh orange juice to black bean soup? Game changer. (Mississippi Vegan)
• I want to say that I’m currently watching The Day of the Jackal on Peacock, but mostly I’m currently falling asleep to The Day of the Jackal on Peacock. (Youtube)
• Song of the week: As by Stevie Wonder (Spotify)
My love to you!
xo Joy
106 Responses
Congratulations! Can you post a link for the Cheddar Pecan Wafers or email it to me? I would be very grateful! (Pun intended)
The recipe is actually in the latest issue of my holiday magazine (with loads of other great recipes)! You can find it there!
Congratulations. I am so excited for you. I cannot wait to see the pictures. I wish you and Will all the happiness in the world.
Thank you so much, Roberta!
Belated but very heartfelt congratulations to you and Will! Such wonderful news! Wishing you both many years of happiness together.
Happy Days! Congratulations to you and Will!
Oh I love the people article and cannot wait to see more photos! I’m a sucker for good wedding pictures.
re: food gifts
CARROT CAKE ALMOND BUTTER shut up
Let me join everyone else here and say Congratulations!
As a fellow surprise secret marriage person I eloped and no one except my sister knew until we told everyone months later at Christmas dinner. A family gathering party to celebrate.
So much to take in from this post. My holiday baking must have list is forming and needs to be road trip stable. Cookie tins and a cooler therefore are a must.
I’m halfway through the show The Day of the Jackal. How is it a short series is taking so long? Great actors, lovely scenery, and yet the pacing lags.
Breath and enjoy the holidays.
A surprise wedding is just the best, right!? So much less fuss but with all the joy and love.
Congratulations!! What a perfect idea. I have been reading your blog for ages, and know how much you put into everything you do. What a wonderful celebration that everyone could be part of instead of just being spectators. All the very best to you and Will.
That’s really kind, Teddi! Thank you!
Congratulations from right up the road in CS! May your journey together be the kind of love story that legends are made of <3
After reading the title of this newsletter I had to go and listen to Simon & Garfunkel's America. I found it on a Spotify playlist with lots of their music, it was a sweet blast from the past, thanks for that.
Sending Joy & Warmth to the both of you!
Biggest congrats! Former dedicated Shutterbean listener and have followed you since. So happy for your happiness!
What lovely lovely news. Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. I wish you both so much joy (pun not intended) and happiness in the years ahead.
I love the photo of you two on the front steps and, yes, I want to see more pictures!
Thank you Dottie! More pictures to come!
So happy for you!
Congratulations! Wishing you and Will so much happiness together.
Heart so full!!!
Longtime reader and this post made me teary-eyed. So happy for you!
Thank you MJ! That really means a lot to me!
I’m SO happy for you and Will. Congratulations!!
I loved this news on Instagram and I love it here – your big-as-Texas smiles say it all. So happy for you and Will and yes, duh, of course we want more photos!
Mazel tov!
As IF you still gave us a full Sunday run down after that huge news! You’ve never been one to disappoint, Joy! Congratulations to you both and wishes for a lifetime of health, love and joy. I love everything about this.
Hahhaha! Thank you Amy!
Congratulations Joy and Will!
I’m very happy for you both, and what a great way to start your married life – spontaneous and loved, and life-loving. May it continue for many happy years.
Congratulations to you both! So weirdly happy for you even though I’m an internet stranger!
How delightful! How fun! May you find a lifetime of joy together!
Congratulations Joy!! I’m so happy for you both. Wishing you a lifetime of laughter, good food and pure love.
So very happy for you . congratulations to you both.
I make a lot of your recipes
Joy, it’s been such a lovely thing to watch you life unfold from LA to Texas. Here to many years of successful (whatever you deem successful to look like) marriage to you & Will xx
Thank you Reannon! I can’t even tell you how much it means to have you here for so much!
Congratulations, Joy! I wish you many blessings!
From the girl whose husband surprised her with a trip to Pasadena to meet Joy when her first cookbook came out. I’m baking your cranberry orange poppyseed cookies today!!
Such happy news! Congratulations to you & Will!
Dang, you two are so cute! Huge congrats and much love.
Enjoyed seeing more pics and details in the People story you linked to, but would also love to see more from you, whenever you have time. Especially CAKE!
Congratulations! Your wedding sounds perfect and the photo is the absolute loveliest. This Texas gal wishes you and Will a lifetime of happiness together.
Hollie – thank you!
I’ve been half expecting this ever since you bought the house. All the usual congratulations to you both, but most of all, my undying admiration for the brilliant way you handled the event itself: low-key and so classy, no self-aggrandizing, no fuss for your friends and family, and you have now forever imbued Thanksgiving with extra meaning for yourselves. Absolutely brilliant. And I can hardly wait to see the cake.