Friends, good morning! My parents are coming to Texas next week, and I’m counting down the days. The last time they were here (last Thanksgiving, to be exact), I’d roped them into helping me pull off a surprise wedding before the big family dinner which was, as you’d imagine, no small feat. The time before that, they spent days unpacking boxes with me in the summer heat, making this big old Victorian house feel like home.
This visit, I promised to be more chill… but who are we kidding? Chill has never really been my brand. They’re coming to help me put the almost-finishing touches on the pop-up garage bakery, which I’m hoping to soft-launch later this month. I’ll have more official details on The Bakehouse here on the blog very soon.
Before the flurry begins, a few fine links for your Sunday.
• Trending news from the front lines of The Internet: having a boyfriend is… embarrassing now? The internet has turned soft-launching your partner into a full on gymnastics routine all in the name of not losing cool points. Maybe it’s age or maybe it’s peace, but I’ve officially reached the phase of life where other people’s opinions on who I love and whether I post them is completely moot but – this is a very interesting/spot-on read: Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now? (Vogue)
• We fell back an hour which sounds dreamy until our bodies decides 4 a.m. is the new 7. Turns out, our circadian rhythms don’t get the daylight savings memo. Think: jet lag without the vacation. Apparently a little prep (and maybe less scrolling before bed) can save our sleep this week: How To Keep This Weekend’s Time Change From Wrecking Your Sleep (Self)
• I can’t tell you how many creative ruts I’ve dragged my ass through over the years. I very much related to The creative’s slump and can attest to the fact that creative whimsy does return. If you’re feeling in a rut, may I suggest taking on a little holiday gift craft or open a bakery in your backyard (that’s what I’m going for, lol).(Substack)
• Fear is a shapeshifter. In How to Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, playwright Bess Wohl shares how courage is only ever 51% stronger than fear (and the great news is – that’s enough). I can attest: learning to ride a motorcycle, and honestly, every big move I’ve ever made, required just that tiny edge of bravery over doubt. That’s the secret! (Substack)
• I need a hambone stat: Navy Bean Soup (The Kitchn)
• I’ve been loving Nicole Svenson’s content on spending $300 on groceries per month. How she shops only once a month, cooks, gardens, makes bread, sneaks lentils into ground meat, andcouldn’t care less about the haters (because truly why?). (TikTok)
• The slight chill in the air has me insisting on a flavored coffee creamer where my regular splash of 2% milk simply will not do. I don’t love the store-bought stuff so this Homemade Pumpkin Coffee Creamer has become a strong contender for what to make with my extra hour this Sunday. (Sally’s Baking Addiction)
• Speaking of pumpkin things – this pot of Chicken and Pumpkin Dumplings seems like the move this week. (Joy the Baker)
• My favorite listen of the week was Kate McKinnon on Good Hang with Amy Poehler as I too would want to last a long weekend’s length of the apocalypse. (Apple Podcasts)
• I absolutely need to schedule an ear-piercing friend date because I’ve wanted a second hole in my ears for years now. Actually, I wonder if my mom wants to do this with me. Actually, I wonder if my mom could actually just pierce my ears. Too far? From Platonic Love: 10 Friend Dates You’ll Remember (Substack)
And that’s where we’ll close this chapter.
For the past ten years (since 2015) I’ve written a Let It Be Sunday post nearly every week, sharing links and thoughts that stretch far beyond the world of butter and cookies. If we’re doing the math, that’s a decade of Sundays – a decade that has held it all: divisive politics, a global pandemic, elections, shutdowns, Olympics, fires, cross-country moves, weddings, new homes… truly, all of life in its complications and grace.
I’m so thankful you’ve welcomed me as part of your Sunday routine, or maybe your Monday morning scroll before the workday begins. You’ve expanded me in heart and mind. After ten years of these Sunday posts alone (and eighteen years of blogging total!), I think it’s time to gently close this Let It Be Sunday chapter to make room for what’s next.
I’m working diligently on opening The Bakehouse Texas, a monthly pop-up bakery that’s slowly coming to life in my Bellville backyard (we’re hoping to soft open November 22nd, yay!/yikes!). I also want to create space for something new to take the Sunday post’s place. To figure out what that will be, I have to let this long and lovely tradition conclude.
I want to thank Amy, Toby, Kim, Abby, and Karlee for lending their hearts and voices to Let It Be Sunday over the past few years, and thank you for welcoming them as friends. You can click their names above to follow them across their own creative corners of the internet.
I’ll still be right here on the blog with new recipes and updates, and I’ll also be sharing loads of free newsletters and more personal writing with paid subscribers over on my Baked In Substack, where paid subscribers also get ad-free access to joythebaker.com (a sweet bonus).
From my whole heart – thank you for spending your Sundays with me for all these years. More from me soon.
My love to you.
xo Joy
69 Responses
My heart sunk a little when I read this is the last “Let It Be Sunday” post because I’ve been reading them for as long as you’ve been writing them. I always looked forward to each one- all full of nuggets of wisdom, recipes, great articles, and recommendations . Thank you for dedicating ten years to writing these weekly treasures! I look forward to the next chapter. ?? Natalie
These 10 years have been a delight- cannot wait to read and follow what delightful surprises, knowledge and tidbits are to come!
“Let it be Sunday”, has been my Monday reading routine. Thank you for these past 10 years! It will be missed but we are looking into what the future will bring. xx
Genuinely makes me so sad, I’ve enjoyed these posts for so many years. I am so so happy for you, though, and can’t wait to follow along on the next adventure.
I have looked forward to these Sunday posts for as long as I’ve been a Joy girly. I will miss these so much! Lots of love to you and Will. I know whatever next thing you do, it’s gonna be magnificent ?
Hearing this will be your last Let it Be Sunday made my heart squeeze. What a truly wonderful ritual you created. You have shared so many witty, wonderful and touching links over the years. Many of the articles still hold space in my heart and head. Thank you for being so generous and open. It’s one of the many reasons I’ve been enjoying your blog for so long!
Thank you for being a consistent read over the last decade. You’re content may not always have been for me, but I enjoyed the enthusiasm with which you write and create AND bake. See you over on Substack!
This makes me so sad – yours is my favorite roundup and I love setting time on Monday to read your take and follow your links. I have always felt some weird kinship because I too lived in New Orleans for a decade and then moved for a new adventure and left a piece of myself in that ragtag place. BUT! I am also really happy for you and whatever comes next. The scary and sad so often leads to the good. Whatever it is, I’ll be following and reading. xoxo
Yup, my heart just broke a little… but it’s ok. Really even good. You always bring your best when you care for yourself and stop when you need. I’m 46, married 24 years, now mom to young teen girls… I’ve loved and will continue to love all your quirky words, delicious inspirations, and honest posts. You keep us going, Joy!! We’ve seen each other through a lot!!! It took me to Wednesday to get to this your final Sunday post… in part because I didn’t want it to end. But we’re ok. And this is good. – jessi
Thank you, Joy and team!! These weekly posts were my absolute favorite! I couldn’t wait to log on and see the links and recommendations you’d share. I’ll miss my weekly ritual! Best of luck on the next adventures!
Sending you so much love!! These posts have been a highlight of my week for years. ?
I’m sorry to see it close, but am always excited to see what’s next for you. I’ve so enjoyed your Sunday posts for the past decade. My love to all your contributors, too ??
I will really miss Let It Be Sunday. Like many others, it’s been my favorite Sunday morning ritual. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone and their tastes. Thank you for 10 years worth of great Sunday reads!
Thank you so much for all the posts! I’ve enjoyed reading them ??
Don’t know how you find the time for all you do and opening up your life to all the word like you do JTB! Will be following the Queen on Substack, insta, etc!
Thank you for keeping this cozy little corner of the internet going all these years! I know creating content takes time and energy, and I have so appreciated getting to know you and your friends. I look forward to following along for the next chapter!
Not gonna lie, my heart sunk when I first read the title of your post, because the dramatic corner of my brain immediately jumped to, “Noooo….please don’t stop creating content for your blog!” LOL. While I’m so gratefully glad to hear that this online space will remain open for new content, I echo others in pausing to say a caring goodbye to these weekly Sunday posts. They have always felt like a virtual version of meeting up with a friend and sharing the randomness we’ve been enjoying since our last time together. Thank you for the time you (and your co-hosts) have spent in curating them!
Will miss this. I looked forward to it every Sunday.
Oh, how I will miss the Sunday posts. All of you have introduced me to topics that were not on my radar. Interesting reads that I would have missed. Your stories about your lives were rich and entertaining – funny, inspiring, sad and thoughtful.
There are times when something has to give in order for making moves forward, so I understand that you cannot do everything. Looking forward to the new things that you share with us.