Let’s Linger in November

The world’s rushing toward Christmas, but we’re holding steady with gravy, good friends, and a moment to breathe.

Friends, hello — and happy Monday!

The world would have us believe we’ve leapt straight from Halloween candy to Christmas carols, but I’d argue that November is the most deliciously cozy month of them all. This is our season made for lingering. We’re scheduling lunches with friends, popping into a hotel bar just to admire the early twinkle lights, making our gravy ahead of schedule, and maybe (just maybe) thinking about where we stashed the Thanksgiving china.

But first, let’s start the week right - with a few thoughtful reads, a little inspiration from the kitchen, and a fantastic new hosting book giveaway that’s arrived just in time for your holiday planning.

💛 Farewell, Let It Be Sunday

This week marks the very last Let It Be Sunday. It’s been ten years of Sunday posts filled with links, laughter, reflection, and sure, a little bit of drama. I wrote about my parents’ upcoming visit to Texas (no surprise weddings this time, just finishing touches on The Bakehouse garage bakery!), a few reads on fear, creativity, and courage, and, of course, recipes for the coziest fall week.

After a decade of Sundays, it’s time to gently close this chapter to make space for what’s next - The Bakehouse Texas, a monthly pop-up bakery coming soon, and a new monthly blog series for 2026. Come read the post and share one last Sunday with me.

Let It Be Sunday, 538: And Here’s Where We’ll Close This Chapter

For Dinner This Week

Can I make the case for Chicken and Pumpkin Dumplings this week? Think of it as your cozy fall upgrade to classic chicken and dumplings with tender chicken and soft sweet-savory pumpkin dumplings simmered in a rich, brothy sauce. It’s the dinner that’s going to make these early sunsets do-able this week, mmkay?

Don’t Miss This Interview with Chelsea Fagan on Having People Over!

I’m so excited to introduce Chelsea Fagan — author of the brand-new book Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party, and one of those people whose presence feels like you’ve just settled into the best kind of gathering. Chelsea is the CEO and co-founder of The Financial Diet and has taken her smart, compassionate voice into the world of hosting, showing us how to create warm, accessible spaces for friends without the overwhelm.

Last week I met Chelsea in person at her event at Williams Sonoma in Houston, and let me tell you - she is even more delightful in real life than you imagine. Authentic, energized, and full of energy! Her new book is so thoughtful and fun! And yes — as always, stay tuned to the end of the interview for a giveaway you’ll absolutely want to enter.

• Let’s start with the origin story.
  I truly feel that lack of connection and community -- especially in-person community -- is one of the greatest social ills facing our country (and world). Yes, I love hosting cute parties and having friends for dinner, but I believe that gathering in-person is crucial to solving so many of our current problems, politically, socially and otherwise. Especially in our current moment, this book felt both fun and urgent to write!

• What’s the recipe in the book that people will come back to over and over again?
  Probably my “famous” white bolognese: it’s easy, feels slightly more elevated than a regular bolognese, is easy to make vegetarian with faux meat, and can be made in huge batches and frozen for when you want homemade pasta in a pinch!

• Marry, shag, kill: buttercream frosting, whipped cream, jam.
  Marry: whipped cream
  Shag: jam
  Kill: Buttercream frosting, as much as it pains me to say. There are no good options here!!

• What’s a cooking or baking hill you’re willing to die on?
  The “designer” version of things is rarely worth it: rillettes, pâté, or liver mousse are just as good as foie gras, a good crémant rivals a champagne, there’s plenty of delicious fish roe that isn’t caviar. So much of food (especially food trends) is marketing, in the same way a Gucci belt is marketing!

• We’re going to a dinner party with a recipe from your book?
  My cacio e pepe fried olives! Everyone loves them, I even have people request me to bring them when I come over to their parties!

• What’s the most chaotic recipe in the book?
  My tomato-pepperoncini martini. It’s easy to make, and a huge crowd pleaser for the savory girls, but it’s definitely a bit of a chaotic recipe in that it’s basically... boozy gazpacho lol.

• What’s a kitchen task you secretly love that everyone else seems to dread?
  I love breading things to fry! Maybe I’m crazy, but even with the mess, I find it meditative -- and I love that you can do it ahead of time!

• What’s the most you recipe in this book?
  The Loire Valley spritz, for sentimental reasons -- it comes from my first novel, A Perfect Vintage. :)

• What’s your current cookbook crush?
  The Woks of Life -- then, now, forever!!

✨ Having People Over Giveaway! ✨

To celebrate the release of Chelsea Fagan’s new book, Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party, we’re giving one lucky reader a copy!

💬 To enter: Comment below and answer this week’s question:
What’s your go-to move for making guests feel instantly welcome?

(Open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Thursday, October 24th. Winner will be contacted via Substack message.)

See you soon, friends!

xo Joy