The Tiny Task Tipping Point
Happy Sunday, friends! This week I did something truly wild: I picked up the phone and made the doctor’s appointments and mortgage calls I’ve been avoiding since… well, let’s just say longer than I’d like to admit. Isn’t it funny how the smallest tasks can feel like climbing a mountain in flip flops? But I swear, there’s something about spring — the longer light, the green bursting from every branch (I didn’t kill my oak
Stovetop Zatarain’s Shrimp Boil with Cajun Style Smoked Sausage & Garlic Butter Sauce
If you’re looking for an easy and wildly flavorful shrimp boil recipe you can make right on your stovetop, you’re in the right place. This stovetop shrimp boil recipe with Zatarain’s smoked sausage, potatoes, and a garlicky butter sauce is backyard party magic made simple. Every May — easily my
The Spring Hustle
Hello friends! I am back from a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. It was a fantastic way to spend Spring break — wandering streets with old buildings that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale, sipping coffee, exploring the endless green spaces near the city, browsing bookstores, and having
One Year in Bellville
When I was a kid, I’d sneak away to the attic above my grandmother’s garage on Victoria Avenue in Los Angeles — a dusty, no-go zone for any reasonable adult. The stairs were rickety, the floorboards weren’t to be trusted, and the whole place was littered with the kind of
Lowland Celery Salad
If you think a celery salad sounds like a snooze, let me change your mind. This one’s packed with toasted walnuts, sweet dates, and sharp cheddar—like the fresh, crunchy dream at Lowland in Charleston I haven’t stopped craving. I’ve been thinking about Charleston a lot lately—probably because I visited for
Lavender Lemon Drop Martinis
This Lavender Lemon Drop Martini is a floral, citrusy twist on the classic cocktail—light, refreshing, and just fancy enough to feel like a treat. If you’re looking for an easy spring cocktail that tastes like sunshine and garden parties, this is it! I’ve been craving a homemade lemon drop since
My Favorite Buttermilk Marinated Chicken
This buttermilk marinated chicken is the secret to juicy, flavor-packed thighs with golden, crackly skin. It’s an easy overnight marinade that does all the heavy lifting—I make a batch of this chicken literally every week and I need you in on this with me! This Buttermilk Marinated Chicken isn’t just
On Chicken Pot Pie, Being a Good Neighbor, and Being Just a Lil Ugly
I was reminded of this little truth this week: to have a good neighbor, you have to be a good neighbor. This week in Bellville,
Better Than Scalloped Potatoes: Dauphinoise Potatoes
Think of these Dauphinoise potatoes as scalloped potatoes all dressed up for Easter—extra creamy, super cheesy, and just a little bit French in the best
How We Doing?
Hi, hello. I hope you’re having a lovely week! May I ask — are you doing okay? The reason I ask is that I’ve been
A Nemesis for Spring
I looked out the bathroom window this week and—boom—the trees have exploded in green buds overnight. We knew it was spring, but the absolute evidence
Texas Toast Egg In A Hole
Egg in a hole may be a humble breakfast, but when elevated with spiced butter and fresh herbs, it becomes something truly elite. Here’s the deal, friends: egg in a hole is straight forward enough, but – what a little seasoned butter won’t do. We’re not reinventing the wheel here—just
What’s in the Springtime Bucket?
Good morning, friends! It’s that time of year when I start making ambitious plans (lol who am I kidding – there’s no time of year when I’m not trying to do the absolute most). I’ve been in the bighouse in Bellville for nearly a year (can you believe!?) and it’s
A Wee Recap
Hi friends! Thank you for your Dublin recommendations!! I will be highlighting a few in the links below, but goodness Ireland was so wonderful. Even though it was February and the weather around 40 degrees, it was -12 in Chicago, so Ireland felt like summer. Now that I’m back in
A List of 10 Small But Perfect Things
A List of Small, Perfect Things (A short list inspired by this photo Will sent me of our pup Graham while I was away working this past weekend. A list because life is just a series of tiny, wonderful moments between dishes, tax season, and flight delays) A cold pat
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Hi! I'm Joy!
Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!
I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher. I live laugh love in New Orleans.
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