Hello, friends. Here we are, the final Sunday of the year, closing the tabs on a wild ride of a year that was full of peaks-and-valley plot lines.
This year, I bought the Bakehouse Texas—a dream so big it felt like the clouds opened just for me. And then… I moved in – cue the soundtrack of every horror movie as I realized the scope of the repairs waiting for me. High highs. Low lows. To be honestly, I spent the first few months thinking that I’d made the biggest mistake of my life in buying this house. But here we are, months later, and I’ve settled into the chaos of a 100-year-old house. Sort of? Every time I turn the corner home and see it still standing I count that as a win. And filling my house with family, and food, and a wedding on the porch – it all works to unwind the fear.
I’ve got big hopes for 2025. Dare I say it sounds like a good year rolling off the tongue. I really like what Amy quoted about hope last week. About how hope has “dirt on her face and blood on her knuckles”. That’s me. I’m sure that’s you, too. Fighting with it and fighting for it.
I want to thank Abby, Amy, and Toby for their thoughtful words on the site and in the magazine this year—and you, dear reader, for welcoming them with the same warmth you bring here every Sunday. You’re the reason I look forward to this ritual week after week, and it truly means the world.
So let’s close this year with links worth bookmarking and a pot of Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread Dumplings bubbling on the stove. Here’s to Gentle January and a fresh new year ahead.
• You cried through Beyoncé’s Christmas day concert too, right? There is no better production than a Beyoncé concert. They say nothing is perfect but that was literal perfection. (Youtube)
• If the dawn of the new year has you thinking about how to best structure of your days, here’s 24 Hours of Highly Subjective Wisdom. As a person that still operates on baker’s hours, I agree with about 20% of this. Where do you stand? (Slate)
• I loved this little glimpse at us: How Gmail Became Our Diary (NY Mag)
• If the question is “but do these mayo biscuits taste like mayo?” The answer is, you’re welcome yes! (Instagram)
• The Mom Calendar is both illuminating and excruciating. (Romper)
• Now seems like a good time to bring some summer flavors into our weekday menus with this Ceviche-Style Passionfruit (or could we make it Pineapple?) Shrimp. Enough holiday food, right? I think this shrimp dish would be really nice over warm buttered rice, though, most things are nice over warm buttered rice. (Prevention)
• The answer to everything is dark leafy greens. 7 Simple Ways To Actually reduce Inflammation In the Body (Self)
• Are you dodging this year’s cold and flu, too? While we are well we need to make a batch of Fire Cider, quick quick. (The Kitchn)
• It’s just a matter of time before I splurge and buy this very cute dress from Reformation. (The Reformation)
• Hands down the best purchase I made this year were these Land’s End hand towels. I thought I was fine with the mismatch of Target hand towels but I was wrong – these towels are thick, super soft, and do not shed. These are the only towels I want to own now so I’m splurging and buying a few bath towels since they’re on sale. Cannot recommend enough. (Land’s End)
• As I sit here in my living room I just heard the giant Christmas tree I have decorated on my porch fall over. Not great. I’ll take this as my sign to dismantle the tree, drag it up to the attic, and start decorating for Mardi Gras. Bellville isn’t ready. (The Atlantic)
• It’s time for our annual pot of Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread Dumplings. Not optional. (Joy the Baker)
• Let us not forget that we are just days away from Gentle January and I think we should all take it very seriously this year. And lastly, thank you for such kind comments on The Story of Us. It blows my mind that so many of you have been round this little corner of the internet for over a decade! Listen… I think we have a love story, too. (Joy the Baker)
Mmmkay – It’s time to close all out tabs and start fresh with a new year.
My love to you and Happy New Year!
xo Joy
9 Responses
Hi Joy… May your Christmas sparkle with love, joy, and peace, and may the New Year bring you endless opportunities, happiness, and success. Here’s to a bright and beautiful 2025 filled with new adventures and memories. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
“well this has been fun” is a very Midwestern way of saying goodbye and I nearly panicked thinking you were announcing the end of the blog. So glad you’re not Midwestern. ???
I’m not from the Midwest, but that was my initial reaction to that statement as well! Relieved that such was not the case :)
As a past resident of Bellville (class of 04) I can tell you they are not ready for Mardi Gras! Love that you bought the house down the street from Neuman’s Bakery! I know the town is small, but it has a lot of love! If you haven’t been to the Austin County Fair in the spring, make it a priority this year!
Joy, I love you more every year! With all the things you have accomplished and the love you put into each and every blog, book, magazine, recipe…on and on I could go…it just seems you keep getting better. Now with a true partner in Will, your life seems to be complete. We send our love and best wishes for a fantastic 2025, all starting out for you as a married lady! WooHoo! XXOO
That 24 hour calendar piece… has some funny moments but good lord, is that the timetable most people live by?! I say No thank you, ma’am! I also still live by baker hours after over a decade of having lived that work lifestyle. I consider a 6am wake-up sleeping-in as I usually naturally wake up between 4:30-5am… which means anything done after noon is an Accomplishment and I’m typically down for the count and passed out on the couch by 8pm most nights. My friends know better than to invite me to anything that starts after 6pm. Maybe I’m no fun, but that’s my timetable!
I read the 24 hour calendar with amusement! Though I’ve been retired for 3 years, I can’t shake the 5 am wake up call my brain provides. And if I’m going to wake up at 5, I’m sure as hell not going to wait until 10-10:30 for my first Diet Coke. The first DC generally is consumed by 5:30 am and then I make myself wait until lunch for the second. I love reading this post every Sunday…..since I’m up early, I probably get to share you with fewer readers. Best of luck with the new (old) home. Fill it with love, baking and quilts!
That was what struck me, too – first Diet Coke at 10?! No chance! Definitely within the first few minutes of waking up. I like to start my “treats” much earlier in the day. Cheers!!
Hi Joy,
Thank you for yet another year of the blog, I hadn’t realised until just now that this has become my Sunday morning ritual too. Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2025.