Hello, friends. Here we are, the last Sunday of the year, closing the tabs on a wild ride of a year filled with plot lines of peaks and valleys.
This year, I bought Bakehouse Texas—a dream so big that the clouds opened up for me. And then… I walked in – cueing every horror movie soundtrack I realized the repair scope awaited me. High high. The lower level. To be honest, I spent the first few months thinking that I had made the biggest mistake of my life buying this house. But here we are, months later, and I’m settled into the chaos of a 100-year-old house. like? Every time I turn the corner of the house and see him standing, I count it as a win. And filling your house with family and food, and a porch wedding — all of these serve to banish fear.
I have high hopes for 2025. I love what Amy said about hope. last week. About how Hope has “dirt on her face and blood on her fingers.” That’s me. I’m sure it’s you too. Fighting it and fighting for it.
I want to thank you. Abby, Momand Toby For their thoughtful words on the site and in the magazine this year — and you, dear readers, for welcoming them with the same warmth you bring here every Sunday. I look forward to this ritual week after week because of you, and it truly means the world.
So let’s bubbling over the stove this year with bookmarkable links and a pot of black-eyed peas and cornbread dumplings. Here’s to a gentle January and a fresh new year ahead.
• You cried Beyonce’s Christmas Day Concert Also, right? There is no better production than a Beyonce concert. They say nothing is perfect but this was literal perfection. (YouTube)
• If the start of the new year has you wondering how to best structure your days, this is it. 24 hours of highly subjective wisdom. As someone who still works baker’s hours, I agree with about 20% of it. where do you stand (slate)
• I love this little glimpse of 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! (Instagram)
• Mother Calendar It is both bright and painful. (romper)
• Now seems like a good time to bring some summer flavors to our weekday menu with him. Ceviche style passion fruit (or should we make that pineapple?) shrimp. Enough of the holiday food, right? I think this shrimp dish would go really well with hot butter rice, though, most things go well with hot butter rice. (prevention)
• The answer to everything is dark leafy greens. 7 Simple Ways to Reduce Inflammation in the Body (self)
• Are you also avoiding this year’s cold and flu? When we are ok we need to make a batch. Fire ciderHurry up. (The Kitchen)
• It’s only a matter of time before I splurge and buy This is a very cute dress from correction. (correction)
• These were the best purchases I made this year. Earth’s last hand towels.. I thought I was okay with the Target hand towel similarity but I was wrong – these towels are thick, super soft, and don’t shed. These are the only towels I want to own right now so I’ve been buying and buying a few more bath towels since they’ve been on sale. Can’t recommend enough. (Earth’s End)
• As I sit here in my living room, I just heard the giant Christmas tree decorated on my porch fall. Not great I’ll take that as my cue to finish the tree, drag it up to the attic and start. Decorations for Mardi Gras. Bellville is not ready. (Atlantic)
• It’s time for our annual potluck Black-eyed peas and cornbread dumplings. Not optional. (Joy the Baker)
• We must not forget that we are only a few days away. Gentle January And I think we should all take it very seriously this year. And finally, thank you for the kind comments Our story. It blows my mind that so many of you have been in this little corner of the internet for over a decade! Listen… I think. We There is also a love story. (Joy the Baker)
Mmmkay – it’s time to close all the tabs and start fresh with the new year.
My love to you and Happy New Year!
xo joy