Living For The Hope of It All

A slow roll into the final stretch of summer.

Hello friends and happy August to everyone who’s living for the hope of it all.

This week in the sunroom kitchen, I’ve been tinkering with cinnamon rolls using Barton Springs Mill flour. This version leans milk bun-adjacent, with heavy cream in the dough and a soft, pillowy crumb. They’re fantastic, just maybe not the one for the pop-up bakery this fall. The neighbors will be rich in test batches while I keep chasing perfection.

I hope you’re stepping into August feeling grounded. It always feels like the last exhale before we start the slalom toward year’s end. I want to savor this month like and I think we should do that together, one cinnamon roll and Sunday note at a time.

Let It Be Sunday, 527!

It just dawned on me that some of you here might not know what Let It Be Sunday posts are. So, a quick catch-up: this little corner of the internet started over 500 Sundays ago (this is issue #527!) as a way to share the good stuff—interesting reads, thoughtful essays, comfort food recipes, and whatever weird little thing caught our eye that week. It’s a way to chat about the things we love that aren’t say… biscuits.

Over the years, Let It Be Sunday has grown into a community effort, and now I share the space with some of my favorite writers and internet friends, like this week’s guest, Amy Estes—a writer, vice principal, and certified Noticer of Tender Things. This week, Amy takes us to a random Tuesday lunch at Chipotle where, instead of guac drama, she witnessed a small, beautiful act of care. It’s a story about kindness, curiosity, and how much it means to be gentle with one another, even (especially!) when the world feels sharp and heavy.

Amy’s post is a reminder that we should keep our hearts cracked open for those sweet, in-between moments. Also, UGH!

This week, Amy also shares:

• A deeply nostalgic photo essay of teens in their bedrooms in the ’80s and ’90s

• An ode to the Tracy Chapman and Natalie Merchant’s sisterhood

• Thoughts on rebuilding your wardrobe from scratch (and the denim skirt you suddenly can’t live without, dangit Amy!)

• A plum galette, banana pancakes, and the anti-rot routine we all need mid-August

• And a killer list of book recommendations from The Atlantic editors (Amy adds her own faves too!)

Read Amy’s full Sunday post here: Down Bad Crying at the Chipotle

Fresh From The Archives

Confession: I check Google Analytics for joythebaker.com almost every day. Partly to make sure the site is running smoothly… but also because I’m nosy. One of the unexpected joys is seeing which recipes you’re all reaching for each season. It feels like a peek into your kitchens, and I love it.

Here’s what you’ve all been baking and making lately:

• 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies – Somehow both the laziest and the most satisfying cookie. No flour, no fuss, and a great candidate for your Sunday meal prep lineup (yes, cookies count as prep).

• Overnight Focaccia Pizza – If you’ve got kids at home with summer wiggles or just want to sink your hands into some dough therapy, this one’s for you. A perfect weekend project that ends in pizza. Win-win.

• The Best Strawberry Pie – This one’s got that glisten-y fresh berry look that screams make me before summer’s over. It’s reason enough to preheat the oven and pretend you’re in a Southern Living photoshoot.

Let me know what you’re baking this week. I’m casually always watching. (Lovingly and respectfully, of course.)

See you next week (with a giveaway!), friends!

xo Joy