Joy Wilson's Blog, page 3

Down Bad Crying At The Chipotle

I met some friends for lunch, and due to the timing, I arrived well into their meal, so I sat and chatted before ordering food to go. When I went to order my lunch to go, a woman in front of me in line was radiating joy. 

“I’ve never been to Chipotle!” she told me. “And I’m SO EXCITED!” 

Her exclamation caught the attention of the two young adults working.

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A Long Life, A Good Life

Hello friends, and welcome to another fine Sunday.

If we’re paying attention, July is slipping through our fingers like SPF on a hot day. You feel it too, right? There are Halloween decorations in the stores, and my mom called this week to report that Hobby Lobby has all their best Christmas décor out. I’m not ready. The only thing I want right now is a margarita, a suntan, and maybe to start googling what seeds I need to grow Brussels sprouts this winter.

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These Are The Five Things You Should Make Mid-Summer

There’s something about mid-July in Texas that makes me feel like I’m living inside a Dutch oven on convection mode. My house, charming as the old gal is, was built before insulation was taken seriously, so we’re really feeling the summer around here. The garden is also absolutely showing off. Basil is bolting and the eggplant are starting to droop on the plant, and by the time 10am rolls around, I’m walking back inside from the garden sweaty, muddy, and nearly exhausted.

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The Sunday Scroll: Karlee Edition

Friends, hi! Welcome to another fine Sunday. We are fortunate, indeed.

This week, I’m thrilled to hand the mic to a new voice in our Sunday lineup, though chances are, you already know her. This week’s post is written by my friend, the incredibly talented photographer behind the blog, and my favorite Aquarius: Karlee Sisler Flores.

Karlee is one of the funniest, most grounded, wildly creative people I know.

Continue reading The Sunday Scroll: Karlee Edition at Joy the Baker.

Catching Up

Hello friends! Whew, I never thought how grateful I would be to write the words “hello friends” again. It’s been a whirlwind few months for me, so much so that I’m going to bullet point the highlights/lowlights.

First off, I moved to a cute little apartment in Lincoln Square!… because Bre and I are no longer together. Breakups and moving are in a category all their own, and I don’t recommend them together, but I’m still here, so that’s a win.

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MFA to SPF

Happy July! I love July. It’s hot enough to get in the pool at any hour, the days feel long and languid, and we are in the sticky slowness of summer. I’m doing my best to savor it. 

Savoring feels extra important this summer. The last time I was here, I shared that I was promoted to vice principal. This time, I’m happy to share that I graduated from my Master of Fine Arts in Writing program with a degree in fiction and nonfiction.

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Let’s Dive In (Literally)

In lieu of a summer bucket list, I’ve made one singular seasonal goal. It’s related to my side quest as a self-proclaimed Pool Dad: I’d like to learn how to dive. Not belly-flop off a boat or tiptoe into the shallow end like I’ve done for the past 44 years. I’m talking about a proper, casual, arms-first, toes-pointed, clean-arc dive that says something like, “Oh this? I summer in Maine.”  

As a kid, I took swim lessons in my neighbor’s freezing pool and simply refused to do what the instructor asked.

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Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake

This strawberry icebox cake is the ultimate no-bake summer dessert layered with fresh strawberries, malted whipped cream, and vanilla wafers for a nostalgic treat that’s cool, creamy, and as easy as layering ingredients in a loaf pan.

We’ve officially entered that season where I start side-eyeing the oven like, Do I really need you to be on right now? The answer, thankfully, is no—not when there’s icebox cake.

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Just a Quick Pause

Friends, hello!

I’m taking a little pause this Sunday. I need a moment to gather my thoughts, catch my breath, and dry out a bit from a very soggy week here in Texas.  I’m currently sitting at the kitchen table with a crisp Diet Coke hoping it inspires even just a hint of ambition towards the last of the week’s to do list.

I’m also deep in the weeds writing two very different essays—one about motorcycle riding, the other about fertility.

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A New Chapter (But First, Summer)

Happy June! I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather, the bittersweet joys of graduations and the end of the school year, and settling into the more relaxed pace of summer. 

Friends, I’ve been keeping a secret from y’all: after 20 years in the classroom, I am leaving my job as an English teacher to become a middle school vice principal! The process has been a long one — I interviewed in March, officially accepted the position a few weeks ago, and finally, it was announced publicly.

Continue reading A New Chapter (But First, Summer) at Joy the Baker.