The Garage Glow-Up + Maximum Comfort Recipes

Proof that it really does get worse before it gets better — and four recipes to make things better immediately.

Friends, hi! You know that phrase “it gets worse before it gets better”? I’m convinced it was coined by someone standing in a garage surrounded by half-empty paint cans and three work tables filled with tools and craft supplies. This weekend we hit peak “worse” in the Bellville garage. Think: everything pulled out into the backyard, the blower vs. dust, at least three rogue wasp nests. Spoiler alert: we (Will) pushed through.

Now, we have a wide-open, gloriously empty space ready to be transformed into the Bakehouse weekend bake shop. Next up: Will is giving me a crash course on outlet voltage and extension cord gauges (pray for me) before the oven gets delivered. It’s happening, friends—the bakery is coming together piece by piece, dust storm by dust storm.

I hope you’re well, finding some space of your own, and ready for a little cozy inspiration. Here’s this week’s offering.

Let It Be Sunday, 533!

Abby is coming up for air this week, and we love to see it! She writes about feeling “finally tipped upright instead of half in and out of water” (what a line, right?), and the joy of moving forward, however slowly. The lesson is: fill your calendar with good things for the rest of the year. Including but not limited to: swim lessons, baby blanket knitting, and a Secret Supper in New Orleans (hopefully outside of mosquito season).

This week’s links are exactly the soft landing you need after a heavy news cycle: why your Honeycrisp apples have been disappointing (and how to turn them into healing apple butter kolaches), the Chicago boys choir on America’s Got Talent that will absolutely make you cry, a moving profile on Damar Hamlin’s second chance at life, and yes, ballet flats are officially back (Rothy’s girlies, rise up!).

Read the whole post here: Tipped Upright

Fresh From the Archives: Comfort Food Addition

This week’s vibe is maximum comfort, and these recipes are here to wrap us up just right.

Homemade Hamburger Helper with Sneaky Veggies – Raise your hand if you made boxes of Hamburger Helper for your family as a kid (adding extra cheese, of course). I’m raising my hand. This is the one-pot homemade version with extra cauliflower and zucchini that melt into the pasta pretty seamlessly. This pot will go fast, trust.

One Pot Greek Oregano Chicken is a one pot dinner (the singular pot is a big part of the comfort) which consists of juicy chicken thighs simmering in a rich tomato oregano sauce. It’s fantastic on its own but even better with buttery roasted potatoes.

Morning Glory Oats – Steel cut oats at maximum capacity with finely grated carrots, coconut flakes and currants (raisins would do but currants are extra special). With enough brown sugar it tastes like cake made oatmeal. Super satisfying.

Raspberry Brûlée Rice Pudding – No creamy, custardy rice pudding is safe with me, but if that pudding is also topped with fresh raspberries, and a crackly sugar shell, game over. Rice pudding is more than the sum of its parts.

It’s almost Gumbo season which means it’s time to dust off your Dutch oven, grab some andouille, and get ready for the kind of slow-simmering magic that genuinely makes life worth living. No hyperbole.

If You Love a Bright and Briny Salad

I think you love my current hyper-fixation Greek-ish Salad? (Don’t come for me about whether it’s actually Greek — I saw it on TikTok, which we can all agree is not the place to go for culinary authenticity.)

Here’s the lineup:
🥬 1 head romaine or red leaf lettuce, finely chopped
🌱 1 bunch scallions, finely chopped
🌿 A handful of fresh dill, chopped
✨ Flaky salt + black pepper
🍋 Juice of one lemon
🥄 Olive oil
🥄 A big splash of whatever white vinegar bottle you’ve been ignoring in the pantry

Since this is my current hyper-fixation salad, I’ve been topping it with shredded rotisserie chicken, mashed avocado, chopped cucumber, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts. There’s no wrong answer here — follow your heart (or your fridge).

See you later in the week, friends. Be well until then!

xo Joy