There’s a movement I’ve noticed lately of friends sending Valentine’s Day cards instead of holiday cards and I’m fully here for this emerging trend. Our friend Toby was an early adopter, nay, likely creator of this trend and her family Valentine’s Day card is the most anticipated card of the year. It’s hard for the mail to peak so early in the year, but it does. This year, our friend and blog photographer Karlee upped the ante with an entire Valentine’s Day care package filled with individually wrapped gifts. Individually wrapped in red and white heart print paper. Don’t even get me started on the ribbon. And Karlee celebrates her birthday this weekend, so the fact that she stepped food in a post office during her birth month is nothing short of a flex. Some folks just really have their stuff together.
While any thoughtful Valentine’s Day flex might be over, it might not be too late to score some heart shaped gummy candies. Heart shapes make for a superior gummy experience but don’t explain the science behind it.
Here are some Sunday things, as we do. Thanks for spending time here with us!
• Listen, friends. All last year Dad and I have been working on a children’s book. I may not have mentioned this because I have that weird disease where I work really hard on something then don’t want to bother you with it. Let me bother you with this project because it has surpassed my wildest dreams of a book. The Life-Changing Magic of Baking is a beautifully illustrated book for 6-12 year old that preaches the power (and life lessons) of baking through my own experience growing up in the kitchen with Cliff and Patty. You can pre-order the book on here on Amazon or here on Books A Million. (Abrams Books)
• Speaking of our dad, have you read his latest Cliff Notes on Chocolate Chip Cookies. Did you know that Famous Amos was an actual man and bakery!? Dad always comes with the best nuggets. (Joy the Baker)
• I’m on a serious bread baking quick this year because I finally decided that the price of bread has just gone too far. We’ve jumped the shark. I’m baking my own bread and also giving loaves as random gifts because how amazing is it when someone just hands you a loaf of home baked bread!? There’s something fundamental about giving a loaf. Here’s the aspiration: They gather to bake bread each week and give away thousands of loaves. (MSN)
• This week I learned the difference between PYREX and Pyrex. Did you know about this? We can’t keep these things from each other. (TikTok)
• Okay but how are your knees? Mine seem to be telling me I’m not doing enough yoga… that or I’m over 40? Why Am I Already Dealing With Knee Pain In My 30’s? (Self)
• The best part of being a woman is the privilege of being friends with other women. See here: The Bridesmaid’s Speech or on the entire other end of the spectrum, you could just hire a bridesmaid. Women are nothing if not resourceful. (Instagram, The Hustle)
• Thank you for all the buckwheat, Bob. (Bon Appetit)
• Our friend Toby with The Easy Habit Everyone Should Try. Not to be weird but, watch me start a list for Will. (Instagram, Hello Gloria)
• Three years into my motorcycle journey and I’ve decided that I need to join a motorcycle gang. Okay, more like a women’s riding group. I’m going to ride with the Houston branch of The Litas as soon as spring weather springs. And once I settle on a Texas Bakehouse I’ll obviously have to invite Jason Momoa and his motorcycle show over for kolaches. It only makes sense. (Instagram, YouTube)
• Our friend Julia Turshen wrote a new essay I’m going to download and listen to on my house-hunting drives across Texas this week. We love Julia for her cookbooks and cooking classes (also this chicken), and as thoughtful as she is, Built For This: the quiet strength of powerlifting is sure to be wonderful. (Julia Turshen, Joy the Baker, Everand)
• We all collectively lost our minds to Beyonce’s latest song Texas Hold ‘Em this week, right? I said OKAY BANJO and immediately had to look up who was playing those opening bars. Because it’s Beyonce, OF COURSE it’s the best banjo player we have: Rhiannon Giddens. If you aren’t familiar, Freedom Highway is a great place to start. (Spotify, Smithsonian, Rhiannon Giddens, Spotify)
• Mom requested this Perfect Chocolate Bundt Cake for her birthday and can confirm, as with every other time I’ve baked this cake, it’s a bouncy delight of a simple chocolate cake. (Joy the Baker)
Enjoy your Sunday. My love to you.
xo Joy
Katt
Eeee cute book! I might need to buy it for myself!
Amanda
Congratulations on your children’s book! I will be preordering this for the many little ones in my life. Xox
Joy the Baker
I love that so much! We thank you, Amanda!
Nora
What an achievement to write a book with your dad! I pre-ordered for my granddaughter. The bundt pan is gorgeous and currently 50% off on Amazon. I might have to order myself one and bake your cake.
Joy the Baker
Thank you, Nora! And that bundt pan is gorgeous! It’s quickly become my favorite in my collection.
Nancy
A side note to your article on the community bread baking, there is an organization on the West Coast, Community Loaves that bakes bread for food pantries. Started In WA state the love has spread to WA, OR, CA and ID. They have a proprietary flour blend and have a delivery system set up in the communities they serve. Great baking opportunity for anyone interested. And who doesn’t love to bake bread and gift it!
Joy the Baker
I didn’t know about that! That’s incredible, Nancy!
Katie Mendez
So excited for your next book!!!! Congratulations!
Joy the Baker
We’re so excited too! Thanks Katie!
Rebeca
The book looks amazing, Joy! And how special that you got to write it with your dad. I’ll have to get it for my niece!
Also, I feel you on the knee pain, though it’s my back what’s making me feel a lot older than 38. Pilates helps, thankfully, but I didn’t expect so many aches and pains at this age.
Joy the Baker
Gosh Pilates really does help! Says me who skipped class this morning. :)
Alison
I learned the PYREX vs. Pyrex too, so interesting. Congrats on the children’s book!
Terry Sauer
I am very excited about your new book. I am going to order multiple copies for myself and assorted nieces, nephews and god children! Well done.
Joy the Baker
It’s a perfect niece, nephew, and god child gift! You’re sweet – thanks Terry!
Joy the Baker
Thank you Alison!
Linda Nelson
Retired first grade teacher here, with a self designed major in publishing literature for children and a master’s degree in library science. I took a close look at the preview of Joy’s book on Amazon and IMMEDIATELY preordered. I am utterly charmed, Joy, by its gentle wisdom for all and its practical advice for would be child bakers. Congratulations!
Joy the Baker
LINDA! Come through with the degrees! We really worked to make this book special and informative. Our editor Emma is incredible and the illustrator Tatiana absolutely blew us away! Thank you so much for the kindness. We hope you love it!
Ryann
Congrats on the book, Joy! Can’t wait to buy it. You’re a gem. ?
Katie
Ahh, congrats on the children’s book! I know you are a published author of multiple amazing cookbooks, but a children’s book is just a different animal. There’s something so special about a children’s book and they are (as you surely have experienced first hand) surprisingly difficult to write! We all need more of the delightful sweetness you and your dad bring, so thank you for putting this out into the world for us.
I’m an elementary school librarian so you can be sure I’m gonna add this to our collection – kids are gonna love it!
Joy the Baker
Haha! You know they really aren’t as easy as you might think to write. Dad and I spend HOURS on Facetime going over our writing, elevating it in some places, simplifying it in others. With our editor Emma, I think we found a fantastic balance. It would be such an honor to have this book in your library!
Toby
Hahah “Will learned to tie his shoes!”
Joy the Baker
Hahaha Toby we all know he exclusively wears cowboy boots.
Angela
Here’s something terrible/great: my knee pain started in my TEENS, lasted through my 20s and 30s…and completely disappeared when I stopped eating gluten. (I still do eat bread sometimes, but after a couple days of that, the pain is back.) Not the solution for everyone but worth trying for some?
Congrats on the book! That’s the sweetest news!
Joy the Baker
You most certainly might be on to something Angela. I’m so glad you found some relief for yourself.
Jen
Oh my gosh, congratulations on the book! What a lovely experience to get to have with your dad. I don’t have kids but will be ordering for some friends’ kids. I love that you put this out in the world! And the illustrations look fantastic, which is just so fun… children’s book illustrations are the best!
Good luck with the house hunting! I’m looking forward to driving down to the new bakehouse when it’s up and running.
Joy the Baker
Thank you Jen! And yes – this is the perfect book for friend’s kiddos! It’s definitely going to be my holiday gift for everyone this year. Come on down to the Bakehouse! I’m really working on it for us!
MaggieToo
How is Tron doing in Texas?